Agenda

The Assistant as Manager

• Why your role is changing, and why more is expected from you: you'll learn how to incorporate personal and professional growth into your job
• Your plan for taking more responsibility: how to devise a short- and long-term strategy with your manager, and how to make this meeting happen!
• Assessing your readiness for added responsibility: You may surprise yourself with our illuminating self-test!

Planning and Scheduling

• How to stay one step ahead — you'll get things done before you're asked and avoid stressful "crisis" situations
• Planning particulars: the who, what, when, where, and how of indispensable work plans. Step by easy step, we'll show you how!
• Identifying and clarifying your priorities: Know what to do when dozens of people and tasks demand your attention
• Merging your priorities with your manager's: Travel on the same track, and get more done!

Negotiating

• Working with suppliers and vendors: a 4-step plan that enhances your purchasing effectiveness and improves the customer-supplier relationship!
• How to face off with people who are unwilling to compromise (and still exceed your targets!)
• Win-win negotiating: what it really means, and how to achieve it — consistently and easily

Managing, Motivating, and Leading People

• Leading when you're not in a position of authority: straightforward approaches that win the support and respect of key people
• Why people want to work with leaders … and why they hate being pushed. We'll show you the critical difference!
• What to do when your boss gives you authority but your coworkers don't accept it
• What really motivates people? You'll be surprised at how many innovative ways you can encourage people and generate excitement
• Fantastic feedback techniques: how to build "feedback loops" with coworkers and managers that keep you well-informed
• Getting things done through others: how to delegate tasks and ensure they're done right

Presentation and Communication Skills: Getting Your Point Across

• "Total communication": how to build an extensive, powerful communication "network" throughout your organization. (You'll always be "in the know!")
• Strategies for power persuasion: how to get your point across, win support, and get people on your "bandwagon."
• Be more than just an observer at meetings! Discover 8 specific actions that help you contribute more in meetings and get more out of them
• Mastering the art of presentations: time-tested tools to influence and motivate groups, individuals — anyone!

Decision-Making and Problem-Solving

• Should you "take the initiative"? When to bring a decision to your boss, and when to handle it yourself
• A good decision now is better than a great decision later! Find out how to attack "decision fear" in yourself and others
• Get to the bottom of any problem: a step-by-step technique to "decipher" baffling dilemmas (even complicated, long-standing problems)!
• When you can't solve a problem alone: a 6-point procedure for successful group problem-solving