This episode is sponsored by Autograph Events - THE experts in providing a complete event management solution – from free global venue finding through to full onsite event management.  Connect today and ask more about the collaborative promotion for our listeners!Learning & Development for a Chief of Staff RoleJoin us in another bonus episode where we join forces to answer our listener question with the amazing Annie Croner, CEO & Founder of Whole Assistant and EA Trainer & Coach.  Annie hosts the Whole Assistant Podcast among many other valuable offerings to the administrative profession.  Connect with Annie on LinkedIn HERE and read more about her on our website HERE    In this episode,  we answer our listener question on the hot topic of inching towards that Chief of Staff role. You will discover that certifications can be more than just a decorative line on your resume/CV,  they’re stepping stones for personal and professional growth.Listener questionHi CRODIE: I want to shoot for a CoS position from an EA position of 12 years experience. There are a lot of options out there for L&D courses for CoS - are any of these worthwhile? Is there just 1 that really packs a punch? Do they matter? Do they count? Will they help me get a foot in the door? Please helpCraig, Jodie and Annie share thoughts and discuss insights on levelling up your career, whether you're aiming for a Chief of Staff role or want to become a more strategic business partner. Get ready to be empowered and love your role! Annie also breaks down the key ingredients for executive assistants to seamlessly transition into strategic roles, highlighting the value of internal projects and the impact of social proof on your career path. Value Bombs"Do they count? Do chief of staff certifications count? Yes, but only in terms of your professional development. I don't think a chief of staff qualification is going to get you a role." - Annie Croner"I love this role and I have a passion for it. You want to have that drive and that passion to be able to retain that information." - Craig Bryson"Education is key, personal development, professional development is key. There is not going to be a magic pill for this chief of staff role." - Jodie MearsCheck out The Whole Assistant Podcast HERE for more information and inspiration! Support the showPlease support us Help us stay visible to you by sharing this episode with someone in your circle as well as following and subscribing so you never miss an episode.Supporters will get a shout-out on social media and in future episodes.Got questions? Don't hesitate to submit them via our website. Buckle up and join us on this journey of discovery and personal growth. Follow and contact us on our socialsWebsiteLinkedIn PinterestXTikTok

This episode is sponsored by Autograph Events - THE experts in providing a complete event management solution – from free global venue finding through to full onsite event management. Connect today and ask more about the collaborative promotion for our listeners!Are your office conversations hitting the mark or missing the connection? Discover how to bring back the charm of telephone manners in an era where inboxes and instant messaging rule. Craig and Jodie unpack the subtleties of office communication and invite you on a journey to rekindle the personal touch. From the strategic placement of contact details in email signatures to the art of phone introductions, this episode of the Crodie Files is all about mastering the blend of old-school etiquette with new-school tech.Email threads can be a minefield of misunderstood tones. Hear us discuss the power of personalization in email crafting, and take away practical tips to aid your role. But it's not just about what you say it's about how you use your human intelligence (H.I.) to enhance your efficiency and warmth. Lastly, from 'reply all' catastrophes to the nuances of executive boundary setting, Craig and Jodie draw from their vast experiences to offer solidarity and strategies for handling the hurdles.  Our listener question: "What certifications are helping assistants progress at the moment? There are so many with Post-nominal initials but what relevance (if any) do they offer and what results have you seen from investing in courses that give you this result"?Our expert contributor: Joan Burge Joan is the pioneer of the administrative training industry and the founder of Office Dynamics International.  Joan has created numerous innovative programs and courses that inspire excellence and empower assistants to reach for the stars. She is the host of the Annual Conference for Administrative Excellence and the author of four books for administrative professionals. Connect with Joan Burge and Office Dynamics to explore training options and learn more. Joan's LinkedIn Office Dynamics LinkedInFree Webinars from JoanValue BombsJoan Burge - "I love this question about certifications and designations. It's fabulous. So first of all, they are different.  A certification does not always come with a professional designation, but a professional designation will include certification".Support the showPlease support us Help us stay visible to you by sharing this episode with someone in your circle as well as following and subscribing so you never miss an episode.Supporters will get a shout-out on social media and in future episodes.Got questions? Don't hesitate to submit them via our website. Buckle up and join us on this journey of discovery and personal growth. Follow and contact us on our socialsWebsiteLinkedIn PinterestXTikTok

This episode is sponsored by Autograph Events - THE experts in providing a complete event management solution – from free global venue finding through to full onsite event management.  Connect today and ask more about the collaborative promotion for our listeners!Elevate and Automate | Personal Branding & AI for Assistants Join us for this memorable, interactive episode recorded LIVE at The PA Show London!This was the first time The PA Show had a podcast for administrative professionals exhibiting and delivering a Keynote Session - we are incredibly proud of this one! Have you ever wondered how you can elevate or even get started with your personal branding and why it is necessary for our profession? In this bonus episode also available to watch on YouTube we share personal stories of growth, illustrating how authenticity isn’t just a buzzword, but the currency of personal branding.Our guest speaker, world-class personal branding strategist,  LinkedIn's top voice influencer, speaker, advisor & founder at Klowt - the personal branding agency -Amelia Sordell, sheds light and shares top tips to get started for Administrative Assistants. Are you overwhelmed with the THOUSANDS of AI tool options to assist us in our tasks and want to know first-hand from a successful Virtual Assistant how to stay ahead of the game? Our other guest speaker Amy Lester - business owner,  executive assistant, VA mentor and coach, shares her top tips and knowledge from a virtual assistant's perspective.Your personal brand is more than a self-promotional tool—it's a magnet for attracting those who will propel you towards your 'North Star'. It's about networking with purpose, giving value without expectation, and the realization that follower counts pale in comparison to genuine connections. We invite you to share your own experiences and strategies through our "Hi Crodie..." initiative get involved and send us your questions.Value BombsAmelia Sordell - " Personal branding is essentially your reputation at scale, right? Every single one of you has got your roles in the jobs that you're in right now because of your reputation to deliver results for your customers or your employers, right? Your personal brand is simply an elevation of that.".Amy Lester – " Certainly for me, the way that I utilise AI at the moment is in areas that maybe I'm not particularly strong. ".Support the showPlease support us Help us stay visible to you by sharing this episode with someone in your circle as well as following and subscribing so you never miss an episode.Supporters will get a shout-out on social media and in future episodes.Got questions? Don't hesitate to submit them via our website. Buckle up and join us on this journey of discovery and personal growth. Follow and contact us on our socialsWebsiteLinkedIn PinterestXTikTok

This episode is sponsored by Autograph Events - THE experts in providing a complete event management solution – from free global venue finding through to full onsite event management.  Connect today and ask more about the collaborative promotion for our listeners!Welcome to our first Bonus Episode of The Crodie Files PodcastWe have had so many "Hi Crodie..." questions (more than we know what to do with) sent in by you - our amazing community and listeners, we will be producing bonus episodes of The Crodie Files to keep the conversation going and the knowledge sharing flowing!They will be:▶Video as well as audio recorded▶"Hi Crodie" questions answered by your hosts PLUS a special expert guest on video▶In addition to our studio-recorded podcast▶Short and sweet 10-12 mins long, each bonus episode will cover 1 listener question▶Uploaded to our YouTube channel▶Still very much educational, relatable, and sharable!So if you prefer a visual podcast, we have you covered-check out our first bonus episode introduction and our 2023 end-of-year round-up on YouTube and help us stay visible to you by subscribing to our channel.Hit that notification bell so you never miss an episode - we have some great guests lined up for these Bonus Episodes to tackle your "Hi Crodie..." questions from Administrative and Business Support Professionals globally!Support the showPlease support us Help us stay visible to you by sharing this episode with someone in your circle as well as following and subscribing so you never miss an episode.Supporters will get a shout-out on social media and in future episodes.Got questions? Don't hesitate to submit them via our website. Buckle up and join us on this journey of discovery and personal growth. Follow and contact us on our socialsWebsiteLinkedIn PinterestXTikTok

This episode is sponsored by Autograph Events - THE experts in providing a complete event management solution – from free global venue finding through to full onsite event management.  https://www.autograph-events.co.uk Connect today and ask more about the collaborative promotion for our listeners!In this thought-provoking episode, hosts Craig Bryson and Jodie Mears reveal their secrets of achieving that elusive work-life balance, specifically crafted for the everyday heroes – Administrative Assistants. We're laying all cards on the table, discussing the changes in work culture triggered by the pandemic, the shift towards remote work, and the mandatory act of prioritizing health, family, and self-care.What if we told you that you could achieve a work-life balance without compromising productivity or family time? Intriguing, right? Get ready to transform your routine as we address a listener's query on balancing work and personal life, with real, actionable advice based on our own experiences.You've heard of work-life balance, but what about work-life harmony? It's all about communication, self-assessment, and effectively utilizing health awareness programs.We invite you, our listeners, to share your own experiences and strategies through our social media and our "Hi Crodie..." initiative which is your burning thoughts and questions. Keep in mind that every piece of advice is unbiased, and remember that each individual's journey to a harmonious work-life balance is unique. So, get in touch via our LinkedIn page or website, and let’s continue this vital conversation. Value BombsJodie Mears - "So, therefore worklife balance, worklife has changed permanently".Craig Bryson – "Putting yourself at the front, instead of putting others before you".Please support usHelp us stay visible to you by sharing this episode with someone in your circle as well as following and subscribing so you never miss an episode.Supporters will get a shout-out on social media and in future episodes.Got questions? Don't hesitate to submit them via our website.Follow and contact us on our socialsWebsiteLinkedInPinterestXTikTokSupport the showPlease support us Help us stay visible to you by sharing this episode with someone in your circle as well as following and subscribing so you never miss an episode.Supporters will get a shout-out on social media and in future episodes.Got questions? Don't hesitate to submit them via our website. Buckle up and join us on this journey of discovery and personal growth. Follow and contact us on our socialsWebsiteLinkedIn PinterestXTikTok

This episode is sponsored by Autograph Events - THE experts in providing a complete event management solution – from free global venue finding through to full onsite event management.  https://www.autograph-events.co.uk Connect today and ask more about the collaborative promotion for our listeners!Ready to supercharge your administrative skills with the latest tech? You're in the right place! We're taking you through the dynamic world of new technology and how it applies to administrative professionals like us.   We're talking about the value of lifelong learning and continuous professional development, and how it aids in navigating the ever-changing tech landscape.  From our personal experiences with CPD (continuous professional development), we've seen it boost career growth and help us utilize a range of communication tools and apps for improved productivity and collaboration. Stay tuned as we discuss embracing advancements and nurturing an attitude of relentless curiosity.  We're also sharing some real-world wisdom on how to handle the inevitable difficult interactions with prickly clients or colleagues - it's all about kindness, understanding, and patience.   Listen to our engaging listener question about fostering a positive relationship with a challenging executive assistant; we've got some insightful advice up our sleeves. And we're not shying away from the tough stuff - initiating those hard conversations and setting those much-needed boundaries.  It's all part of reaching that desired work-life balance. So lean in, soak up the knowledge, and let's tackle these challenges together! If you have a question for us, send it in via email starting with "Hi Crodie..." to be featured on the show. You can also do this anonymously. Value BombsJodie Mears - ‘Network with a VA, ask them the difference between an employed corporate EA and VA’.Craig Bryson – ‘Champion of change, you can be the Champion of change by learning new software, being one step ahead.  Support the showPlease support us Help us stay visible to you by sharing this episode with someone in your circle as well as following and subscribing so you never miss an episode.Supporters will get a shout-out on social media and in future episodes.Got questions? Don't hesitate to submit them via our website. Buckle up and join us on this journey of discovery and personal growth. Follow and contact us on our socialsWebsiteLinkedIn PinterestXTikTok

This episode is sponsored by Autograph Events - THE experts in providing a complete event management solution – from free global venue finding through to full onsite event management.  https://www.autograph-events.co.uk Connect today and ask more about the collaborative promotion for our listeners! Ever wondered when the right time might be to call it a day and explore fresh opportunities beyond your current job? You're not alone. We're diving headfirst into a robust discussion on recognizing the right moment to move on and the art of navigating the choppy waters of job searching. We tackle harsh realities like toxic work environments and the importance of empathy and loyalty in the ever-evolving job market. Take a walk with us as we explore the outside world and its opportunities that may seem like a distant horizon to you right now, but could soon be your reality. Our guest for this episode is Flo Hancox, director of Autograph Events who expertly answers our listener question on arranging internal office events.  We leave no stone unturned, providing you with tangible tips on researching salaries, and job opportunities. Brave the discomfort of discussing earnings and salaries and learn the importance of feeling at ease with your income.   Finally, we share our mantra of 'network, learn, grow’ and how it can set you on a path to career success and provide a glimpse of our next episode discussing administrative assistance and tech. Support the showPlease support us Help us stay visible to you by sharing this episode with someone in your circle as well as following and subscribing so you never miss an episode.Supporters will get a shout-out on social media and in future episodes.Got questions? Don't hesitate to submit them via our website. Buckle up and join us on this journey of discovery and personal growth. Follow and contact us on our socialsWebsiteLinkedIn PinterestXTikTok

This episode is sponsored by Autograph Events - THE experts in providing a complete event management solution – from free global venue finding through to full onsite event management.  https://www.autograph-events.co.uk Connect today and ask more about the collaborative promotion for our listeners!In this episode of The Crodie Files, Craig Bryson and Jodie Mears discuss the typical tasks of an administrative assistant, emphasising the need to go beyond these tasks and take initiative to add value to the role. They cover good communication skills, proactive work and effective email communication, as well as delving into how different learning styles impact how teams work. Thank you to our listener who sent in a "Hi Crodie..." question:  "How can I manage files and folders in a cloud-based system? What I am doing now is old-fashioned and I would like something new and innovative. Any suggestions?" If you would like to get involved, send in your "Hi Crodie..." question via our website Guest contributor- Shelley Fishel, the MS Office Maestro -world-renowned trainer and speaker shares expert insights on using Microsoft Teams and other Microsoft 365 applications for increasing efficiencies, including the new MS Loop app! Check out Shelley's website for many masterclasses and training options. Value Bombs“Be proactive and anticipate needs is my tip"- Craig Bryson"Really get to grips on timezones!" - Jodie Mears “Generalised tasks are a thing of the past, that kind of rhymes, but I really feel we are on that edge.” - Jodie MearsSupport the showPlease support us Help us stay visible to you by sharing this episode with someone in your circle as well as following and subscribing so you never miss an episode.Supporters will get a shout-out on social media and in future episodes.Got questions? Don't hesitate to submit them via our website. Buckle up and join us on this journey of discovery and personal growth. Follow and contact us on our socialsWebsiteLinkedIn PinterestXTikTok

This episode is sponsored by Autograph Events - THE experts in providing a complete event management solution – from free global venue finding through to full onsite event management.  https://www.autograph-events.co.uk Connect today and ask more about the collaborative promotion for our listeners!In this episode, hosts Craig Bryson and Jodie Mears discuss the evolving role of Executive Assistants in the age of artificial intelligence (AI), including Chat GPT. They address the concerns around potential job redundancy, the future of the Assistant's role and stress the importance of staying curious, learning about AI, and using it to enhance efficiencies. Listener Lauren Foster asks an important question which expert guest David Philp, Chief Value Officer at Cohesive Group, shares his insights on AI's opportunities and challenges for Executive Assistants.Value Bombs"One of the things I believe is the role of the Executive PA/EA is incredibly important to well-performing organisations" - David Philp CVO Cohesive Group"Be curious, ask questions, stay on top of the technology, don't shy away from it"- Jodie Mears"Download an AI app and then just give it a go- try it, don't fear it" - Craig BrysonSupport the showPlease support us Help us stay visible to you by sharing this episode with someone in your circle as well as following and subscribing so you never miss an episode.Supporters will get a shout-out on social media and in future episodes.Got questions? Don't hesitate to submit them via our website. Buckle up and join us on this journey of discovery and personal growth. Follow and contact us on our socialsWebsiteLinkedIn PinterestXTikTok

This episode is sponsored by Autograph Events - THE experts in providing a complete event management solution – from free global venue finding through to full onsite event management.  https://www.autograph-events.co.uk Connect today and ask more about the collaborative promotion for our listeners! In this episode of The Crodie Files, hosts Craig Bryson and Jodie Mears delve into the complexities of building effective relationships with executives. They discuss key questions to ask, share personal experiences, and offer valuable insights on how to establish trust and understand an executive's priorities. The listener question on improving collaboration with executives is addressed as well as a VA-related question answered by guest contributor  Suzy Sanders, founder of Alchemy Virtual Assistants, who sheds light on the differences between Executive Assistants and Virtual Assistants. Value Bombs"What does a virtual assistant do compared to an executive assistant?" - Lauren Foster "Real-life listener questions from you, our audience who are live in the roles of EAs, PAs, VAs, and all business office support roles." - Jodie MearsSupport the showPlease support us Help us stay visible to you by sharing this episode with someone in your circle as well as following and subscribing so you never miss an episode.Supporters will get a shout-out on social media and in future episodes.Got questions? Don't hesitate to submit them via our website. Buckle up and join us on this journey of discovery and personal growth. Follow and contact us on our socialsWebsiteLinkedIn PinterestXTikTok