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Amid the drastic changes business leaders faced this year, one thing remained consistent: their reliance on strong Executive Assistant support. There are 7 key tasks effective Executive Assistants can tackle before year-end to ensure their executives start 2024 off strong.
1. Create a Backwards Timeline
Are there loose ends that need to be tied up before January 1? What projects or goals may have been put on the back burner that now need attention? Also consider important dates to remember – both professional and personal matters, such as expirations of certain memberships or regular car registrations or maintenance. Create a backwards timeline, accounting for holidays, building closures and time off, to ensure things are getting done before the New Year.
2. Anticipate What They’ll Need
Anticipate what reports the executive will need at the end of the year or at the start of next year and begin working on those now so they’re ready should they ask for it. Make note of important trends or changes from prior years if applicable.
3. Update Documents
Plan ahead for upcoming travel. Check all identification cards and note anything that may be expiring, like IDs, passports, public transit cards or toll lane passes. While they may or may not have specific travel plans, it is important to be prepared for anything.
4. Update Contacts
An updated list of contacts is crucial for executives, so be sure to go through and add/remove contacts before year-end. Especially if certain organizations have moved offices or are operating remotely or hybrid, update profiles with new addresses or phone numbers, as well.
Also consider which contacts may need reengagement, or top clients the executive should connect with before the end of the year. Preemptively create a list of these contacts to present for scheduled one-on-one time to strengthen relationships and wrap up the year strong.
5. Thank Vendors
In a support role, it’s likely Executive Assistants work with many vendors throughout the year. Writing each a personalized note can go a long way to starting the year off on the right foot. If there are vendors typically partnered with that were not used this year, consider sending them a note as well to help maintain relationships for the future.
6. Plan Next Year’s Calendar
Executive Assistants should look at the 2023 calendar with their executive and block out planned vacations, typical meetings and annual conferences they plan on attending. While acknowledging that some of these plans may shift, schedule like they will occur as normal in order to set the executive up for success. It is more difficult to add these plans back into a crowded schedule than to modify or cancel events as needed.
7. Personal Support
For Executive Assistants who also help manage elements of the executive’s personal life, consider regular personal assistance in the executive’s life, such as landscapers, dog walkers, childcare, etc. A holiday card or personalized note may go a long way in helping maintain relationships with key personnel.
Don’t limit helping an executive to just professional goals but see also how they might need assistance in achieving personal goals or helping problem-solve challenges they have encountered. This could be preemptively scheduling time with family, helping remember and prepare gifts or plans for special events like anniversaries or birthdays, and ensuring their personal vacation time is blocked off.
How an Executive Assistant prepares now for the year ahead is pivotal to ensure themselves and their executives are set up for success in 2023.
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