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Fundamentals for the
Modern EA

Fundamentals for the Modern EA ​

Looking for proven strategies to succeed as an Executive Assistant?

For those in executive support roles it is easy to be lost in the “busy” of a fast-paced role and organisational environment. This course is designed to deliver professional and personal development for those in the early to mid-stages of their EA or PA role. With four key modules delivered over two days, this course will cover:

Key Learning Outcomes

  • What are the pillars of success for a modern EA?
  • How can you build core competencies to take your career to the next level?
  • Understanding professionalism and relationship management
  • Is it possible to find the perfect time-management strategy?
  • Identifying and managing the root causes of professional stress in the workplace?

*1 1-Day Pass Ticket per person for The Office, PA & Event Planner Show, for the registered attendee or other person from same organisation, booked on any currently advertised dates for the following public training courses: Fundamentals of the Modern EA, Governance & Board Management for EAs & PAs, Leadership Development for Women – offer valid until 19 December 2025.

Enquire about In-house

Who Should Attend

Those involved with drafting or editing contracts, and those wanting more knowledge around how contracts may impact themselves and their organisations.

Past Attendee Testimonials

“Excellent course, met expectations, informative, good content and entertaining”

– Dave Daly, Purchasing Manager, Ballance Agri-Nutrients Ltd

“I found Terry to be personable, interesting, engaging & easy to understand with great examples”

– Louise Morten, Contract Analyst, Department of Corrections

Module 1: Building role satisfaction and successful careers

  • Introduction & Objectives – determining what you would like to achieve over the next two days
  • Identify the challenges you face in your role and strategies to address them
  • Understand the vital role the EA has in helping the manager achieve their goals & KPIs

Module 2: Developing the skills for success

Building self-awareness in professional settings

  • Increasing self-awareness by understanding what drives our responses to situations & knowing what effective self-management ‘looks like’
  • Understanding your communication/ behavioural style
  • The four communication & behavioural types; understanding yourself and others.
  • Building positive solution-oriented mindsets
  • Personal influence and managing power plays

Developing Effective Communication Skills

  • Examining the barriers to effective communication 
  • Saying what you mean, honestly and transparently, without damaging relationships 
  • Speaking so others will listen and respect your opinion and knowledge  
  • Active listening to improve your comprehension and to connect well with others 
  • Using body language to communicate 
  • Asking great questions to enhance and enable productive discussions 
  • Connecting with others by paraphrasing to show understanding and empathy 

Prioritisation and Time Management

  • Implementing frameworks to help you conquer your workloads
  • The tools and skills for being both efficient and effective in your highly reactive role
  • Creating a prioritisation action plan
  • Developing a results focused action plan
  • Maximising your productivity and handling unwanted interruptions
  • The skills to overcome procrastination – practical strategies, tools and techniques
  • How to say no/ not now, without feeling guilty or damaging relationships

Module 3: Developing professionalism and managing difficult situations

Dealing With Difficult People, Difficult Behaviours and Workplace Conflict

  • Managing the manager – the lessons and tools to help you manage up 
  • Working effectively with manager/s and colleagues across the business, when they impact your ability to do your job well 
  • Avoiding clashes by dealing with situations immediately and effectively  
  • Diffusing difficult situations before they become critical 
  • Overcoming a natural fear of confrontation and conflict 
  • Developing a win/win approach for dealing with difficult people 
  • Objectively identifying the real issues in a conflict 
  • Managing emotions and personality conflicts 
  • Attacking the problem (not the person) with a workable solution 
  • Committing yourself to reaching a resolution through collaboration 

Module 4: Getting a return on your investment

  • Review challenges identified on day 1 and ensure you have sufficient strategies to address them 
  • Develop an action plan to apply these skills and tools in your role/ to discuss with your manager 

Elaine McMeeking

Facilitator, People & Team, EA/PA

Before moving to New Zealand, Elaine started her career in training, HR and recruitment roles in South Africa. For the last six years she has worked as a management and training consultant for a number of large organisations, focusing on the areas of personal efficiency, performance management and appraisal, presentation, facilitation, sales and customer service.

Elaine’s enviable academic achievements and international experience as a management training specialist is complimented by her friendly and open style. With an obvious talent for facilitation, her well known professionalism and her knowledge and understanding of the topic, you can count on a practical and results oriented course.

Register for this Event

This is a 2-day course.
Courses start 9am (coffee & registration from 8.30am) and run until 4.30pm / 5.00 pm each day.

Expand dates below for more details.

2 day course. Register $2399+gst by 6 October.
  • Last Minute $2699+gst per person
  • Cliftons, Wellington
Register now
2 day course: Register $2399+gst by 18 March, 2026.
  • Last minute price: $2699+gst per person per person
  • Cliftons, Auckland
Register now
2 day course: Register $2399+gst by 19 October, 2026
  • Last Minute: $2699+gst per person
  • Cliftons, Wellington
Register now
CONTACT US
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Brightstar Spring Sale Promotion Terms & Conditions

1. The Offer

This promotional offer is for a 15% discount on the current advertised price of eligible Brightstar owned and partnered conferences and public training courses.

2. Promotional Period

The Spring Sale promotion is valid only from 13 October 2025 through 15 November 2025 (the “Promotion Period”).
All course and conference registrations must be fully completed, paid for, and confirmed by Brightstar within the Promotion Period to qualify for the discount.

3. Eligibility and Redemption

3.1 Eligible Products

The discount applies only to the standard price of Brightstar’s public training courses and conferences as listed on the Brightstar website.

3.2 How to Redeem

To receive the 15% discount, customers must enter the promotional code SPRING15 during the checkout process.

3.3 Exclusions and Limitations

The discount does not apply to, and cannot be used for:
• Custom, private, or in-house training programs.
• Courses or conferences already registered for, or attended, prior to the Promotion Period.
• Any associated costs, including but not limited to, taxes, travel, or accommodation.

3.4 Discount Stacking

This 15% discount cannot be combined with any other offer, promotion, coupon, or discount code. If an eligible course is already subject to another discount, the customer will receive the greater of the two discounts, but not both.

4. Payment and Enrollment

4.1 Full Payment Required

Full payment of the discounted course or conference fee is required at the time of registration. Enrollment is not confirmed until full payment is received and processed by Brightstar.

4.2 Standard Terms Apply

All bookings are subject to Brightstar’s standard terms and conditions of sale for training and conferences, which are available here.

5. Transfers, Cancellations, and Refunds

5.1 Refund Policy

In the event of a cancellation or request for a refund, the refund amount will be calculated based on the actual discounted price paid by the customer, not the original standard price. Standard Brightstar cancellation policies apply.

5.2 Registration Transfers

If a registration is transferred to another individual, no further or additional discount will be applied to the new registration.

6. General Provisions

6.1 Right to Modify

Brightstar reserves the right to modify, suspend, or terminate this promotion, including these Terms and Conditions, at any time without prior notice. However, all registrations completed and fully paid for prior to such modification or termination will be honored.

6.2 Acceptance of Terms

By proceeding with a registration using the promotional code [SPRING15], the customer agrees to be bound by these Terms and Conditions.