NZ Public Sector Executive Assistant Congress agenda

Wellington – 16-17 August 2017

	Conference day one – Wednesday 16 August
08.30	Registration
09.00	Opening remarks from the chair
09.10	International Keynote Address: Developing leadership skills and exerting influence
	Recognising the importance of leadership skills Taking ownership of the work Dealing with management and leadership tasks Staying on top to take control of the situation
	Brigadier Georgeina Whelan, Director General Select Strategic Issues Management, Office of the Chief of the Defence Force, Australian Department of Defence
09.55	Improving self-confidence to own your space in your organisation
	Celebrating and recognising the valuable skillset you have Showing self confidence and competence at workplace Maintaining self-esteem and a positive attitude Having the confidence to deal with other senior executives on behalf of your boss Building positive relationships with your colleagues
	Stephanie MacDonald, Executive Support, Environment Southland
10.50	Morning Tea
11.10	Using time management strategies to stay on top of a busy diary
	Time management techniques and tips for EAs and PAs Planning and organising your work ahead Breaking tasks into schedules Accomplishing more tasks in less time
	Kim Stace, Personal Assistant to Director of Provider Services, Auckland District Health Board
11.55	Panel discussion: From executive’s perspective – Building mutual respect and strategic partnerships with executive assistants
	What are the skills of the role as executive assistant that bosses are looking for? What are executives’ expectations and needs on EAs? Assisting the boss with key performance indicators Getting advice from your executive assistant What is the line between professional and personal
	Brigadier Georgeina Whelan, Director General Select Strategic Issues Management, Office of the Chief of the Defence Force, Australian Department of Defence Nicola Meek, Associate Deputy Secretary, Ministry of Education Stephen Walker, Executive Director, Audit New Zealand
12.40	Lunch
13.40	Panel discussion: The secret weapons of effective and professional executive assistants
	Exploring the changing dynamics of the EA role What does it require to be an effective and professional EA? Overcoming a variety of challenges How will the role continue to change in the future?
	Debbie Warnock, Executive Assistant to the Chief Financial Officer, Ministry of Social Development Voula Fisentzidis, Executive Assistant to the Executive Director, and General Manager, Operations, Audit New Zealand Phillippa Plunkett, Personal Assistant to Group Manager, Corporate Risk and Assurance, Inland Revenue
14.25	Implementing communication strategies to boost engagement
	Interacting with senior executives to get a clear understanding of their expectations and needs Developing confident communication competencies Managing upwards – being assertive but not rude Facilitating communication on behalf of your boss Communicating effectively with senior executives on their busy days
	Sue Reeves, Coach and Personal Assistant, AltusQ
15.10	Afternoon Tea
15.40	Panel discussion: Positioning yourself to maximise influence in the organsiation
	Changing people’s perception of EA How to deal with stereo types and people saying “you are just an EA”? Gaining respect from executives and co-workers Managing up and expanding your role Supporting organisational objectives and needs
	Sarah Simpson, Executive Assistant to the Chief Executive, Accident Compensation Corporation Melissa Cooper, Executive Assistant to Deputy Secretary, Ministry of Education Stephanie MacDonald, Executive Support, Environment Southland
16.20	Networking: how to make genuine and useful connections without feeling intimidated or overwhelmed
	Recognising networking opportunities Techniques and tips to develop networking skills Meeting other EAs in and out of your department Effectively developing supportive networks
	Digby Scott, Leadership Speaker and Trainer, Author of ‘Beyond The Threshold: An Essential Guide For Restless Go-Getters’
17.00	Networking drinks reception – take advantage of this exciting opportunity to put your newly learned networking skills to practice

	Conference day two – Thursday 3 August 2017
9.00	Opening remarks from the chair
09.10	International address: Dealing with competing priorities and changing demands
	Prioritising multiple tasks Exploring strategies to determine top priorities and balance priorities Responding to unexpected circumstances Preparing yourself to accommodate urgent priorities Maintaining focus to commit to established goals for the day Handling unrealistic deadlines
	Elizabeth Butler, Executive Assistant to Secretary, Australian Department of Health
09.55	Performance boosting principles – Utilising outlook
	Managing volume, velocity and variability of information Principles of email management Greatest value-add efficiency tips we have found
	Helen Davison, Senior Consultant, PEP worldwide
10.40	Morning Tea
11.10	Interactive roundtables for personal growth and development
	Starting with oneSELF: personal leadership incorporating self awareness, wholeheartedness and a strong ‘personal foundation’ – Martin Wilson, Personal & Leadership Coach, Selfmade Coaching Influencing: taking ownership and exerting influence at your workplace – Kevin Heppleston, Executive Coach, Ascendency – Business and Personal Mastery Managing up: managing your manager – Lyncia Podmore, Director, YOU Coaching Dealing with stress: health and wellbeing tips to build resilience – Kerene Strochnetter, Mindfulness Consultant, Leader Coach, KS Coaching and Consulting
12.10	Maintaining work-life balance
	Prioritising your wellbeing Balancing personal life and increasing demands from work Building resilience and being flexible Coping mechanism for both work and life
	Martin Wilson, Personal & Leadership Coach, Selfmade Coaching
12.55	Lunch
14.00	Panel discussion: Transitioning your career path
	Discussing opportunities and barriers to overcome for EAs’ career development and progression Career development challenges and opportunities under work level standards in the public sector Setting up career goals to determine the next stage of your career EA as a professional career path Build your career step by step
	Rebecca Rice, Executive Assistant to the Group Manager, NZ Customs Service Vera Ganason, Senior Advisor, Facilities, Health and Safety, Environmental Protection Authority Sue Reeves, Coach and Personal Assistant, AltusQ
14.45	Mentor and mentee – effective mentoring and coaching
	Seizing career mentoring opportunities for senior EAs Building a strong mentor and mentee relationship The art of mentoring for a mutual beneficial relationship
	Lyncia Podmore, Director, YOU Coaching
15.30	Closing remarks from the chair and end of confernce