The EA Campus Podcast

In this episode of The EA Campus Podcast, we’re diving into one of the most powerful strategies you can adopt as an Executive Assistant: goal-driven scheduling.If your Executive is constantly running from one meeting to the next with no time to think, strategize, or actually do the work, this episode is for you. I’ll walk you through how to shift from reactive calendar management to a more purposeful, high-impact way of structuring the schedule — and why this is a game changer for both you and your Executive.We’ll explore what goal-driven scheduling actually means, how to build it into your workflow, how to handle pushback, and the tech tools that can make it all feel easier and more doable.💡 Mentioned in this episode:Tools & Tech for Assistants Masterclass – Friday 4th AprilEmail Management & Triaging Inboxes Masterclass with Steuart Snooks – Friday 25th AprilEffective Calendar Management Online CourseVimcal EA – The First Calendar Built for EAsRead the Full Vimcal EA Review on The EA Campus BlogResources to Help Run Better 1:1s with Your ExecutiveThank you to this week's sponsor - Vimcal EA.  The EA Campus

In this episode of The EA Campus Podcast, we explore the world of event technology, specifically for Executive Assistants. If you're responsible for planning, managing, or supporting events in your role, this episode offers valuable insights and 15 carefully selected tech tools that will help you streamline your entire planning process.From venue sourcing and attendee registration to engagement tools and multilingual support, we cover all the platforms that will make your life easier as an EA. Nicky also shares personal experience managing countless events and previews two upcoming EA Campus events focused on tech and tools.✨ Don't miss out!The Evolve Virtual Summit is happening Friday, 28th March — there’s still time to grab your ticket!Our Tools & Tech Masterclass is taking place next Friday, 4th April — come join us live!🎁 Resources Mentioned:DOWNLOAD PRODUCT: Events Management Template Pack – $90Show Notes:CventWhovaEventbriteRegFoxSplashAttendifyHeySummitHubiloBizzaboEventcomboMixhaloZipKister (or search relevant badge printing tools if this is not publicly available)VenueScannerGripInterprefy The EA Campus

In this episode of The EA Campus Podcast, we’re diving into the topic of career mapping for Executive Assistants. Career progression in the EA world isn’t always linear, and for many of us, it’s something we don’t often prioritize. Whether you see the EA role as a stepping stone to another career or you’re committed to excelling in this profession, having a clear career map is essential.We’ll walk through the five key steps to career mapping, from setting clear goals to identifying skill gaps and building an action plan that aligns with your professional aspirations. We also discuss common challenges EAs face when planning their careers—like falling into the role without a plan, not having enough time to focus on development, or chasing salary increases without a long-term strategy.You’ll also hear about the latest trends in career mapping, including:The importance of soft skills and how to develop themThe rise of technology in the EA role and why embracing digital tools is crucialNon-linear career paths and why the EA profession offers more flexibility than you might thinkThis episode is packed with practical steps, insights, and advice to help you take charge of your career and make intentional choices about your professional growth.Show Notes:Career Mapping TemplateEpisode 44: Setting Meaningful Career Goals as an EA – eacampus.com/podcast/ep44Upcoming Events at The EA Campus:Automation Masterclass – Tuesday, 25th MarchEVOLVE Virtual Summit – Friday, 28th March The EA Campus

In this episode of The EA Campus Podcast, we welcome back the inspiring Becky Kaapuni, author of The Unstoppable EA and founder of the EA Social Club. Becky shares her incredible journey of resilience, mindset shifts, and what it truly means to be the CEO of your own life. We delve into the pivotal moments that shaped her career, the challenges she's overcome, and the power of embracing vulnerability as an Assistant. Becky also shares insights on building supportive communities, why mindset is key to success, and how to navigate setbacks while staying true to your goals.Plus, we talk about the exciting upcoming events at The EA Campus, including the Automation Masterclass on Tuesday, 25th March, and the EVOLVE Virtual Summit on Friday, 28th March. Don’t miss out—check the show notes for all the details!Show Notes:Becky Kaapuni’s Website: easocialclub.comJoin the EA Social Club: Sit With BeckyBecky’s Book – The Unstoppable EA: Available now—details on Becky’s website.Upcoming Events at The EA Campus:Automation Masterclass – Tuesday, 25th MarchEVOLVE Virtual Summit – Friday, 28th March ➡️ Full event details and registration are available in our show notes.Stay connected with The EA Campus for more insights, events, and resources to empower your EA career! The EA Campus

Ad-hoc tasks are an inevitable part of the Assistant role, but when they start taking over your day, they can prevent you from focusing on strategic, high-impact work. In this episode, we break down how to manage, track, and take control of ad-hoc tasks so they don’t define your role.We’ll cover: What ad-hoc tasks are and why they impact Assistants more than other roles How to quantify them so they don’t disappear into ‘invisible work’Strategies to push back on unnecessary requests while maintaining great relationshipsHow to approach your Executive when ad-hoc work is dominating your workloadWhat to do if your role has become entirely reactiveListen in for practical tips and a step-by-step approach to making sure these tasks work for you, not against you.Resources & Links Mentioned:Ad-Hoc Task Tracker & Prioritization Template – Start tracking your ad-hoc tasks and take control of your workload. Download the templateAssistant Fundamentals Masterclass – Strengthen your foundational skills. Join the masterclassCommunity Webinar: Creating a User Manual for Your Executive – Learn how to set expectations with your executive. Sign up hereMastering Automation Masterclass – Learn how to streamline and automate repetitive tasks. Register nowShow Notes00:00 – Welcome & March Event Round-UpOverview of upcoming EA Campus events and why you should join.04:15 – What Are Ad-Hoc Tasks & Why They MatterDefinition of ad-hoc tasks and why they impact Assistants more than other roles.09:30 – The Challenge: Requests from Colleagues vs. ExecutivesWhy colleagues don’t always recognize the impact of their requests.How to manage last-minute requests from your Executive.15:45 – How to Quantify & Track Ad-Hoc TasksThe importance of tracking and logging these tasks.How to use data to make a case for workload balance.22:10 – How to Take Control & Set BoundariesPractical strategies to manage ad-hoc tasks effectively.How to push back professionally while maintaining strong relationships.30:00 – What to Do if Ad-Hoc Tasks Are Your Whole JobSigns your role needs redefining.How to have a productive conversation with your Executive.The impact of updating your job description and performance review criteria.38:20 – Final Thoughts & Call to ActionTry the one-week ad-hoc tracking challenge and share your insights in The EA Campus Community. The EA Campus

In this episode of The EA Campus Podcast, we sit down with two incredible industry voices, Candice Burningham and Jodie Mears, for an insightful and lively discussion on the evolving role of Executive Assistants. We cover everything from key industry trends, AI and automation, and the future of job titles to some of the more controversial topics shaping the profession today.Is the Executive Assistant role evolving or disappearing?How do we ensure assistants are recognized, compensated, and empowered?Is "Strategic Business Partner" a mindset shift or a new job title?What does the future hold for EA career progression?If you enjoyed this conversation and want to be part of more discussions like this, join The EA Campus Community for free for one month! Gain access to exclusive content, live discussions, networking opportunities, and a support network of like-minded professionals.  Listen to the full, unedited conversation inside The EA Campus Community!Connect with Candice & Jodie🔗 Candice BurninghamFounder of Admin AvenuesCo-founder of The Future Focused AdminLinkedIn: Candice Burningham🔗 Jodie MearsExecutive Assistant & LinkedIn Thought LeaderCo-host of The Crodie Files PodcastLinkedIn: Jodie MearsLoved this episode?⭐ Leave us a review📢 Share it with your network📩 Subscribe so you never miss an episode The EA Campus

Dive into the challenges of managing an overflowing inbox! Discover practical strategies for improving email efficiency and how to kickstart conversations with your Executive about email management. Learn about setting expectations and creating structured systems to boost productivity. Whether your Executive prefers frequent checks or a hands-off approach, these insights will transform your workflow. Plus, grab tips on mastering Outlook shortcuts to enhance your email efficiency!

In this episode of The EA Campus Podcast, host Nicky Christmas dives into one of the most critical topics in the Executive Assistant profession—salary transparency. Assistants often struggle to access clear, unbiased salary data, but today’s guests have taken a groundbreaking step to change that.Joining Nicky are Yvette Pearson, founder of Admin Wrap, and Alicia Fairclough, founder of EA How To. Together, they’ve created the EA Salary Survey, a report that brings real salary data to the table—without bias, without agenda, and purely for the benefit of the EA community.In this episode, we discuss:The inspiration behind the EA Salary Survey and how it differs from traditional salary reportsSurprising findings—such as the unexpected correlation (or lack thereof) between education and salaryRegional differences across the UK, US, and Australia, including the highest-earning job titlesHow salary transparency impacts career progression and job satisfactionWhy EAs should have open conversations about salary and how the survey can help Download the EA Salary Survey: EASalarySurvey.comEA How To: eaHowTo.comAdmin Wrap: adminwrap.comThe EA Campus: theeacampus.com The EA Campus

In this episode of The EA Campus Podcast, host Nicky Christmas explores how Executive Assistants can leverage AI to streamline their workflow, reduce administrative burdens, and focus on strategic, high-impact tasks.Key Takeaways:AI is not about replacing assistants—it’s a tool for efficiency, helping with email drafting, scheduling, meeting summaries, and report generation.Assistants can use AI to manage complex calendars, generate executive briefings, draft presentations, research industry trends, and create training materials. Effective AI usage starts with well-structured prompts. The more context and detail provided, the better the AI output.Practical AI Tools for EAs:Multimodal AI: Upload PDFs, images, and documents for analysis.Advanced Voice Mode: Use AI for voice-to-text brainstorming and dictation.AI Data Privacy: Secure sensitive company data by using AI responsibly.Once comfortable with AI, assistants can explore automation, custom AI workflows, and tools like Claude for long-form content creation.💡 Call to Action: Start small—experiment with AI for emails, reports, and task automation. Download the ChatGPT Prompts for Assistants freebie at eacampus.com/podcast/ep48.🎧 Listen Now & Work Smarter with AI! The EA Campus

Today’s episode is all about the 80/20 rule, also known as the Pareto Principle. What if 80% of your results come from just 20% of your effort? Sounds like a game-changer, right?In this episode, we’ll explore how Executive Assistants can apply this powerful principle to cut through distractions, prioritize high-impact tasks, and truly make a difference in their role. You’ll learn practical strategies for identifying the tasks that drive the biggest results, how to protect your focus and manage interruptions, and simple ways to track your progress for continuous improvement.🔹 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:✔️ Why the 80/20 rule is a productivity superpower for EAs✔️ How to identify the high-impact tasks that truly move the needle✔️ Daily prioritization strategies to stay focused and in control✔️ How to protect your time, set boundaries, and reduce distractions✔️ Tracking your progress and making data-driven decisions about your workload📢 What’s Happening on The EA Campus?Our first Virtual Summit of 2025 is happening this Friday, focusing on developing your EA career. There’s still time to grab your ticket! Next Friday, 7th January, we’re hosting the Strategic Time Management Masterclass—a high-impact session designed to help EAs take control of their workload. Spaces are limited to just 20 participants, so don’t wait too long to register!🎁 FREE TEMPLATE ALERT!Saying no is a crucial skill for any high-performing EA, and we’ve got a free template to help you do it gracefully and effectively. Download it here: eacampus.com/podcast/ep47.💡 If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, share it with fellow EAs, and leave us a review! See you next time on The EA Campus Podcast!🔗 Links & Resources:Sign up for the Virtual Summit: The EA Campus Virtual SummitRegister for the Strategic Time Management MasterclassDownload the FREE Saying No Template: eacampus.com/podcast/ep47 The EA Campus