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Quick Look Course Summary:Executive Assistant, Personal Assistant and Administrator Training (2 days)
  • Length: 2 day(s)

  • Price (at your venue): 1 Person R 10,326 EX VAT 3 Person R 7,594 EX VAT 10 Person R 5,537 EX VAT

  • Certification Type:Non-Accredited

  • Locations & Venues: Off-site or in-house. We train in all major city centres throughout South Africa.

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    ★★★★★ 4.8 on Google from 770+ reviews

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    Executive Assistant, Personal Assistant and Administrator Training (2 days)

    An assistant who runs the executive's diary, information and office so the executive can concentrate on their own work.

    A strong executive or personal assistant multiplies the time of the person they support; a struggling one becomes another thing the executive has to manage. This executive assistant training builds the skills that make the difference: understanding how your manager works, running a crowded diary, controlling access and information, and keeping the office running smoothly in the background.

    Day one focuses on the assistant's role: agreeing responsibilities with the manager and knowing when to take the initiative, calendar and time management, preparing agendas and taking minutes, email and business writing, gatekeeping and saying no, confidentiality, and special tasks such as small projects, events and client contact. Day two focuses on the executive office itself: documenting its procedures in a guide that lets someone else stand in during leave or illness, deciding what belongs in that guide, keeping confidential information out of it and secure, and putting it to work.

    Delegates practise with realistic diary clashes, gatekeeping scenarios and minute-taking, and leave with a working procedure template and an action plan to agree with their own manager. It is a practical two-day PA course for secretarial staff and experienced executive assistants alike.

    Why this course

    For your organisation

    • Executives who get more of their own time back
    • Diaries, meetings and correspondence that run on time
    • Confidential information handled with discretion
    • An executive office that keeps running during leave and handovers

    For your delegates

    • A clear, agreed picture of your responsibilities
    • Practical diary, meeting and minute-taking routines
    • Confidence to filter requests and say no diplomatically
    • A procedure template for documenting how your office runs

    What delegates will be able to do

    • Agree responsibilities and working preferences with the manager you support
    • Anticipate your manager's needs and judge when to act on your own initiative
    • Manage a complex diary, prioritise requests and handle last-minute changes
    • Prepare agendas, take clear minutes and help keep meetings on time
    • Filter calls, visitors and requests as an effective gatekeeper
    • Handle confidential information discreetly and keep data secure
    • Write clear, professional emails and business correspondence
    • Document the executive office's procedures so that others can stand in

    Who should attend

    Executive assistants, personal assistants, executive secretaries, office administrators and receptionists moving into a PA role, and assistants who support more than one manager. It also suits HR and L&D teams looking for a consistent baseline for new or recently promoted assistants.

    Course outline

    Day 1 – The assistant's role and toolkit

    Working with your manager
    • Understanding your manager's working style and preferences
    • Agreeing responsibilities and decision limits
    • Anticipating needs before you are asked
    • When to take the initiative and when to check first
    • Supporting more than one manager
    Diary and time management
    • Running the executive's calendar: blocks, buffers and travel time
    • Handling clashes and last-minute changes
    • Keeping others on track with reminders and follow-ups
    • Prioritising your own work with the urgent-important matrix
    • Planning the next day before you leave
    Meetings and minutes
    • Preparing an agenda and meeting pack
    • Taking clear minutes and action lists
    • Helping the chair keep to time
    • Board meetings versus small team meetings
    Communication tools of the trade
    • Email protocol and managing a shared inbox
    • Business writing: letters, memos and short reports
    • Telephone and voicemail standards for the executive's office
    • Online research and preparing briefing notes
    • Scheduling and sharing tools in Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace
    Gatekeeping and confidentiality
    • Filtering calls, visitors and information
    • Saying no diplomatically
    • Handling difficult and persistent people
    • Spotting pressure tactics and social engineering
    • Your duty of confidentiality and POPIA basics
    • What to do when you are put in an awkward position
    Special tasks
    • Coordinating small projects
    • Organising events, exhibitions and visits
    • Dealing with clients and senior stakeholders
    • Supporting the company's social media

    Day 2 – Running the executive office

    Why the executive office needs written procedures
    • Continuity when the assistant is on leave or ill
    • Handovers and succession
    • Supporting audit and governance requirements
    • Recovering after a system failure or disruption
    Capturing what you do
    • Logging your tasks over a typical week
    • Listing recurring tasks in a spreadsheet
    • Asking the executive and colleagues what they rely on you for
    • Choosing the procedures to document first
    Writing the procedures
    • A standard template: purpose, steps, contacts and forms
    • Numbered steps with enough detail for a stand-in
    • Worked examples: travel bookings, board packs, expense claims and diary rules
    • Testing a procedure on a colleague
    What stays out and how to store it
    • Keeping passwords out of the guide
    • Separating confidential executive and personal information
    • Secure storage and access on paper and on shared drives
    • Version control and review dates
    Putting the guide to work
    • Review and sign-off by the executive
    • Briefing colleagues and stand-ins
    • Keeping the guide current
    • Personal action plan to agree with your manager
    • Evaluation and close

    How it is delivered

    Two days, 08:30-16:00. In person at your offices anywhere in South Africa, at a BOTI venue, or live online. One delegate or a group of up to 20; scenarios can be built around your executives' real diary and meeting patterns. Workbook, templates and a personal action plan included. We deliver it at your offices in Johannesburg, Pretoria, Durban, Cape Town and anywhere else in South Africa, at a BOTI venue in Johannesburg, or live online for teams in different places.

    Certificate: Delegates receive a BOTI certificate of attendance. This is a non-accredited short course; the training spend may count towards your B-BBEE skills development – check with your verification agency.

    What our clients say

    ★★★★★ 4.8 on Google from 770+ reviews · word-for-word quotes from signed letters of reference, from clients on this and/or related BOTI courses

    “The course was efficiently scheduled and planned around our timetable. We were impressed by both the quality of training and the Facilitators.”

    A private higher-education institutionHR Business Partner · Course: Time Management Training · 2024

    “The training was very informative and practical, leaving our employees feeling confident in their ability to leverage Excel more effectively.”

    A non-profit housing companyHC Officer · Course: Microsoft Excel Training · 2024

    “We have been very impressed with their service and rollout of the training.”

    A medical schemeTalent Manager · 2024

    Read what our clients say

    Frequently asked questions

    Can you run this course at our offices?

    Yes. Most groups are trained at the client's premises anywhere in South Africa; we can also host it at a BOTI venue or deliver it live online.

    How many people can attend?

    From one assistant to groups of about 20. Many organisations train all their executive assistants together so they share one standard.

    Is it accredited?

    No – it is a non-accredited short course and delegates receive a BOTI certificate of attendance. It is not a certified executive personal assistant programme.

    Is there a longer version?

    Yes. The three-day Executive Assistant Personal Assistant and Administrator Training Development Course adds a full day on meeting management. This two-day course covers meetings in a single module.

    Can it be tailored to our executives and tools?

    Yes. Tell us which calendar and email tools you use and describe a few typical situations, and the facilitator uses them in the exercises.

    Does it cover telephone and front-desk etiquette?

    Only as it applies to the executive's office. For a full treatment, see Reception and Telephone Etiquette Training.

    Related courses

    DAY 1 Telephone skills and Etiquette Introduction to Telephone Communication The Importance of Answering Calls in a Professional Manner Company Image Different Communication Styles Elements of speech – Pronunciation Customer Focus A Polite and Friendly Image Needs and Benefits of Customer Service Cultivating a Service Attitude Assisting Customers with Requests Handling difficult callers Communicating on the telephone Build Customer Loyalty Communicating successfully with the caller Telephone Time Management Technology Teleconferencing Telephone aids Telephone toolkit Telephone Aids Hands-free Recording Bridges/Conferencing Other Telephone Etiquette Good Telephone Manners Transferring and holding calls correctly Do’s and Taboos Dealing with Difficult Callers Role-Play How to handle difficult callers successfully Basic Errors Constructive feedback Incoming and Outgoing Telephone Calls Effective questioning Establishing the caller’s needs Listening skills and rapport building Create a positive impression of your company Taking Messages Be Accurate and Effective Being responsible and accountable Practical Skills Application Action plan to apply learned skills DAY 2: Business Etiquette and Protocol Introduction Definition Protocol guidelines Protocol in the business sector Business Introductions Name Tags Titles and Seniority Ethics Do’s and Don’ts Punctuality Holy and National Days Business Cards Level of Communication Personal Circumstances Protocol in the Business Sector Questionnaire General Guidelines Company Protocol Behaviour Being an Ambassador Respect Confidence and Body Language Be Informed Forms of address Guidelines Professional Image Time Concept Attitude and Emotions Dress Code Relationships Guidelines for Business Dress Codes Classic Styles and Colours Hairstyle, Make-up and Accessories Dress codes for different occasions Meeting Protocol Purpose Punctuality Communication Documentation Facilities Safety Cultural Context and Interactions High Context and Low Context Cultural Commonalities Gender Roles Non-verbal Communication Visual Aids Interpreters Cultural Guidelines – Gifts Exchange of Gifts Gift Policy Guidelines Presentation of Gifts Conversation Attitude Topics for Conversation Sensitive Topics Cultural Diversity and Respect Ethnic Jokes Questions Listening skills 7 Ways to be a Good Conversationalist Do’s and Taboos Related Terms include Receptionist Short Course, Company Secretary Courses South Africa, Office Administration Courses, Company Secretary Training, Secretary Conference, Office Administration Course Fees, Personal Assistant Short Course, Office Manager Training, Administrative Officer Courses, PA Short Course, Administrative Professional Conference, Admin Clerk Training, Office Manager Courses, Office Administration Workshop.

    Executive Secretaries Personal Assistant Training: Course Duration

    2 day/s

    Executive Secretaries and Personal Assistants: Who should attend

    This Secretary Course (or Receptionist Courses, Office Administration Short Course, Admin Clerk Courses, Receptionist Training, PA Courses, Office Administration Training)  is intended for receptionists and PA’s. **Quote does not include Any Exam Fees (if applicable)   IMPORTANT ACTION: Do Not Wait To Improve Your Skills.  Book Now for Secretary Course (or Receptionist Courses, Office Administration Short Course, Admin Clerk Courses, Receptionist Training, PA Courses, Office Administration Training) By Completing Online Booking Form / Customised Proposal or Obtain Approval For Your Already Received Customised Proposal   Don’t delay. Skill up at BOTi Today.     (or Receptionist Courses, Office Administration Short Course, Admin Clerk Courses, Receptionist Training, PA Courses, Office Administration Training)  

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