The Crodie Files Podcast- For Administrative Assistants and Business Support Professionals globally Craig Bryson & Jodie Mears

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!

In this episode, Craig and Jodie discuss five common hurdles that administrative assistants face and provide strategies to overcome them with our expert contributor- Abigail Barnes adding her insightful wisdom to our listener question.

You will learn proven strategies for improving communication, organization, tech skills, time management and implementing feedback effectively.
From leveraging the right tools and upskilling executives to applying expert techniques like the "TTT" model, this is a masterclass in overcoming common roadblocks and levelling up as a top-performing assistant.

Our listener question:  Hi Crodie: "I am an EA of 10 years and love my role! I have attended time management courses in the past but cannot seem to implement the tips when I get back to my desk, I have to juggle all of the time which I have learned to do really well - do you have any tips for me to retain knowledge"?

Time management expert Abigail Barnes reveals a powerful 3-step process to retain and implement training learnings before returning to your desk. By identifying your "why" for the training, listing key takeaways, mapping them to your challenges, and creating an action plan for the biggest overlap area - you'll turn knowledge into application. This method helps you truly own what you've learned and start sequencing tasks more effectively, rather than constantly juggling.

Our expert contributor: Abigail Barnes
Abigail Barnes is the founder and CEO of Success by Design Training, an award-winning entrepreneur, author, speaker, and corporate trainer on time management and productive wellbeing. She is a qualified coach and creator of the renowned 888 Formula and host of The Time Management Podcast.

Connect with Abigail today and check out her podcast too!
Linkedin
Website
The Time Management Podcast
Value Bombs

Jodie Mears - "I think assumptions can be made if you don't communicate effectively at the beginning of a professional relationship".
Craig Bryson - "I always want feedback, even if it's positive or negative. How am I supposed to develop myself if I don't know what is wrong".
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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 Role

Join 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 question
Hi 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 help

Craig, 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 Mears

Check out The Whole Assistant Podcast HERE for more information and inspiration! 
Support the Show.
Please 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.

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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 LinkedIn
Free Webinars from Joan
Value Bombs
Joan 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 Show.
Please 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.

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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 Bombs
Amelia 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 Show.
Please 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.

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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 Podcast

We 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 Show.
Please 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.

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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 Bombs
Jodie Mears - "So, therefore worklife balance, worklife has changed permanently".
Craig Bryson – "Putting yourself at the front, instead of putting others before you".
Please 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.

Follow and contact us on our socials
Website
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Support the Show.
Please 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 socials
Website
LinkedIn
Pinterest
X
TikTok