The Secretary/PA

He or she is the most important, if not the most indispensable staff member in any organisation or business. A secretary/PA needs to have common sense, be organised, hard working, and should possess excellent skills in communication (written and verbal). She /he also needs to be forward thinking, offer solutions for challenges that may arise and easily handle “delicate” situations with gracefulness.

The Secretary's Prayer - Anonymous
Help me to be a good secretary and have the memory of an elephant, to be able to do six things at once, answer four telephones at the same time while typing out a letter that must go out today. And when that letter doesn’t get signed in time, give me the strength to keep going over the brink of hysteria. Never let me lose patience, even when the boss has me searching for hours for something that is later discovered in his desk.

Help me to understand and carry out all instructions without being given clear explanations. Let me always know where the boss is, even though he left without telling me where he was going. Help me keep a level head and my feet on the ground, so that my secretarial performance will be a proper reflection of the pioneer who made a place for me in the business world.

The following courses are designed around transferring the skills mentioned to assist participants in becoming efficient and professional PA's.

"Be the next CBE" Chief Breakthrough PA
Make 2010 the year of your personal and financial breakthrough. Are you prepared for the possibilities of abundance? Reignite and relocate your mindset in order to position yourself for the coming breakthrough in the economy, but your personal breakthrough must come first! This presentation will empower you with practical tips, strategies and tools on how to:

• create a remarkable impression with your visual brand
• design and live a meaningful personal brand
• be ahead of the pack and prepare yourself for this time of possibility

First Impressions For Lasting Opinions
Discover the power of first impressions and the key to designing an authentic personal brand that will yield the results you desire. Topics include investment dressing, the essentials of a polished professional, the five A’s of an ideal outfit, workplace warts – absolute no-no’s, and how to buy smart and look great on any budget, among others.

Power Etiquette
What you don’t know can destroy your career. Wherever you may be and whomever you meet during your business interactions, the correct business etiquette will accelerate your career opportunities and provide you with a one-way ticket to success. Learn why manners make a difference, office dos and don’ts and what your handshake says about you. Other topics covered in this presentation include cell-phone, email, and meal manners; business card etiquette; the fine art of small talk; mastering the first greeting; impressive introductions and office-party etiquette. Presented by Haydee Antezana.



Time Management
This workshop will equip you to set “smart” goals, plan, prioritise, delegate and avoid procrastination. Presented by Mariette Malherbe.

Communication Excellence
The key to success is the ability to communicate effectively. This workshop will assist you in planning your communication, identifying its purpose, constructing a message, structuring your ideas logically and speaking your client’s language. Presented by Mariette Malherbe.

Telephone Skills
This training is aimed at improving the professionalism and efficiency of PAs to communicate over the telephone. Conducted by Marija Ruygrok.

Effective Business Writing
Ensure your business writing is effective by learning to plan and strategise, write for your reader and get rid of pretentious corporate-speak and jargon. From the importance of layout to keeping your reader captivated, every business person will benefit from this course. Conducted by Mariette Malherbe.

The Superwoman Syndrome
Designed for women who are feeling overwhelmed by the many pressures of life, this interactive and lively presentation conducted by Haydee Antezana will help you to discover how to simplify your life, get where you want to be, become less of a perfectionist, learn to take care of yourself and cope with daily stress. Recommended for any woman who has ever wished she had an extra pair of hands or more hours in the day!

Phenomenal You
In this workshop, Haydee Antezana focuses on attitude and confidence. Learn how your self-talk can make or break you, establish a powerful new perspective on life, develop the habits of a confident person and boost your self-esteem as you learn the worth of an attitude of altitude.

For more info:
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