As 2025 approaches, the most effective Executive Assistants are those who anticipate needs and act proactively to help drive leadership success. With the year-end in sight, now is the time to take action that sets your leader—and yourself—up for a strong start. Here are 7 impactful tasks to focus on today.
Don’t Get Caught Scrambling: Plan Backwards
Start by creating a backwards timeline to tie up loose ends before January 1. Assess ongoing projects, outstanding tasks, and sidelined goals that need attention. Be sure to include critical dates like membership renewals, vehicle registrations, and other personal matters.
When building the timeline, don’t forget to account for holidays, building closures, and time off to meet year-end deadlines without stress.
Anticipate Needs Before They Even Ask
If you’re waiting for your executive to request reports, you’re already behind. Get ahead by preparing any year-end or Q1 reports they may need now. Review trends and changes from previous years to highlight actionable insights that could inform strategic decisions.
Ensure Travel Documents Are Up-to-Date
Whether your executive has immediate travel plans or not, it’s crucial to ensure all IDs, passports, transit cards and toll passes are current. Last-minute trips are always a possibility—don’t let expired documents cause a scramble.
Refresh and Optimize the Contacts List
A well-maintained contacts list is invaluable. Take this time to review and refresh your executive’s contacts by adding or removing entries, especially as companies have shifted to hybrid or remote setups. Confirm addresses and phone numbers are current.
Beyond the basics, think strategically. Curate a list of key clients and partners your executive should reconnect with before the year ends. These one-on-one touchpoints can strengthen relationships, setting the stage for successful partnerships in 2025.
Strengthen Vendor Relationships with a Personal Touch
Executive Assistants often work with a range of vendors throughout the year. Sending personalized thank-you notes can solidify these relationships. Don’t forget to reach out to vendors who weren’t engaged this year—keeping them in the loop could pay off in the future.
Strategically Plan the 2025 Calendar
Get a head start by collaborating with your executive to block off key dates for next year, including vacations, recurring meetings and annual conferences. While plans may change, it’s easier to adjust a structured calendar than to squeeze in events last minute.
Support Beyond the Office: Focus on Personal Goals, Too
Being an exceptional Executive Assistant means supporting your leader both professionally and personally. Whether it’s scheduling landscapers, managing childcare arrangements, or organizing family gatherings, your attention to detail in their personal life can relieve stress and build trust.
Preparation now ensures you and your executive are set up for a successful 2025. Take charge of these strategies to demonstrate your value and become an irreplaceable asset.
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