Strategic Time Management

STRATEGIC PRIORITISATION

Gain insights into identifying and prioritising tasks that align with the key objectives of your Executives and the broader Organisation.

EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION

Learn how to enhance your communication skills to ensure clear, concise, and effective exchanges with Executives and team members.

WORKFLOW OPTIMISATION

Improve workflows between Assistants and their Executives, leveraging tools and techniques to streamline daily tasks and projects.

Part One: Foundations of Strategic Time Management

In part one of the Masterclass, we delve into the essential techniques and knowledge required for mastering time management in a strategic context. We start with Asking the Right Questions, a critical skill for any Assistant. This section focuses on developing the ability to ask insightful, open-ended questions that help identify the true priorities and foresee the needs of Executives.

Next, we explore Understanding the Business, emphasising the significance of business acumen in the role of an Assistant. This part of the module is dedicated to demonstrating how a deep understanding of the business not only enhances an assistant’s ability to manage time effectively but also informs their decision-making process.

Finally, the module addresses the Importance of Effective Communication, focusing on the principles of delivering clear, concise, and impactful messages. Effective communication is pivotal in ensuring that information flows smoothly between Executives, teams, and other stakeholders. This section will cover techniques for improving verbal and written communication skills, including how to structure information for clarity, the importance of active listening, and strategies for assertive yet respectful communication.

• Asking the Right Questions: Techniques to uncover priorities and anticipate needs.
• Understanding the Business: How business acumen affects time management and decision-making.
• Importance of Effective Communication: Principles of clear, concise, and impactful communication with Executives and teams.

Part Two: Enhancing Workflows and Strategic Thinking

This session is designed to elevate the efficiency and effectiveness of Assistants by fine-tuning their workflow management and strategic thinking skills. The first part, Improving Workflows with Your Executive, introduces tools and strategies that facilitate smoother collaboration between Assistants and their Executives.

The next focus area, Improving Strategic Thinking, aims to equip participants with the skills to anticipate future challenges and identify opportunities for their Executives and Organisations. This involves developing a forward-thinking mindset that goes beyond day-to-day tasks, encouraging Assistants to think several steps ahead. Techniques such as environmental scanning, SWOT analysis, and scenario planning will be explored to help Assistants understand how to analyse information, forecast potential outcomes, and prepare strategies that align with their executive’s goals.

Lastly, Keeping the Schedule on Track tackles the critical aspect of time management: calendar and task prioritisation. This section provides tactics for efficiently managing an Executive’s calendar, avoiding over-commitment, and ensuring that priority tasks are completed on time.

• Improving Workflows with Your Executive: Tools and strategies to streamline daily tasks and long-term projects.
• Improving Strategic Thinking: Techniques to foresee challenges and opportunities and plan accordingly.
• Keeping the Schedule on Track: Tactics for managing calendars, avoiding overcommitment, and prioritising tasks.

Part Three: Implementing Change and Achieving Excellence

In this segment, we aim to elevate Assistants’ skills to new heights, focusing on maintaining momentum, optimising an Executive’s time, and honing personal attributes crucial for success. The first part, Managing Momentum and Executive Time delves into strategies that ensure continuous progress and effectively allocate an executive’s time. Participants will learn the art of balancing immediate demands with long-term goals, ensuring they and their executives maintain a steady pace towards achieving objectives.

The second focus area introduces tactics such as The Rule of Five as a Communication Tool, a powerful method for streamlining communication and making it more impactful. This section will provide practical tips for implementing the rule of five in various communication formats, from emails to presentations, enabling participants to convey essential information effectively and concisely.

Lastly, Characteristics for Successful Time Management explores the personal qualities that underpin effective time management, including the importance of setting boundaries, being assertive, and other vital attributes. This part of the module emphasises the critical role of personal development in professional success, encouraging participants to cultivate a mindset that values their time and contributions. Through discussions and practical exercises, attendees will learn how to assertively communicate their needs and boundaries, manage expectations, and say no when necessary, all while maintaining professionalism and respect.

This section aims to empower executive assistants with the confidence and skills to manage their time and responsibilities more effectively, ensuring they can support their executives while achieving their personal and career goals.

• Managing Momentum and Executive’s Time: Strategies to maintain progress and ensure effective use of the executive’s time.
• The Rule of Five as a Communication Tool: Implementing the rule of five for efficient and effective communication.
• Characteristics for Successful Time Management: Discuss the importance of setting boundaries, assertiveness, and other critical personal attributes.

Strategic Prioritisation and Decision Making

Effectively prioritise tasks and make informed decisions that align with strategic objectives.

Strategic Thinking and Time Management

Foresee challenges and opportunities, enabling you to plan accordingly and keep schedules on track.

Master Workflows and Communication

Learn advanced strategies for streamlining daily tasks and improving long-term project workflows.

Personal Development for Professional Efficiency

Develop characteristics such as assertiveness, which are essential for time management.