Andrea Macarie

Key aspects covered: – Innovation distinguishes between a reactive and a proactive Assistant – AI as an enabler for human Assistants to become strategic business partners – Leading yourself through change – The importance of training and development #neverstoplearning Abstract: In this session, we will discuss the future of our profession in the context of organizational change and technological advances. Most of us have tested several AI assistants by now and I believe we should not feel threatened by technology but embrace it as a way to work smarter. AI assistants are content-based and, as we know, our role involves much more; context, social and emotional intelligence add real value and place us as strategic business partners to our executives.

Key aspects covered: – Understand organizational change and how it impacts our role – Know and lead ourselves as 21st century EA business partners Abstract: According to recent studies published by world-renowned consultancy firms, in the last decade organizational change has become a permanent feature in the corporate landscape. Our brains, most of the times on a cozy autopilot, struggle to cope with the transition this process involves. In this interactive session, we will see organizational change from a different angle, embracing the opportunities it brings for our professional growth towards a business partner role. It all starts with us: to influence and lead others, we need to understand and lead ourselves first. Self-leadership enables us to cope with stress, tackle difficult conversations and be more self-aware and self-confident. We will connect the dots between past, present and future through a series of thought-provoking activities.

Key aspects covered: -Challenges of corporate culture in the digital age and best-in-class cultures -Assistants, a prominent role in corporate culture: the glue that holds things together -Busting silos and promoting cross-functional collaboration -The power of culture transformation Abstract: Mix the right ingredients and you will create an eau de parfum; mix the wrong ones and you might end up with a bomb. Welcome to the fascinating world of chemistry! Companies work in the same way: the adequate combination of talent and culture is the basis of a healthy and high performing team, as opposed to brilliant professionals unable to work with one another. In this interactive session, we will discuss about best-in-class cultures, the challenges in the digital age and how we as EA/PA can help bust silos and promote cross-functional and cross-departmental collaboration.