The EA Campus Podcast

In this special Admin Week episode of The EA Campus Podcast, we’re exploring one of the most important (and often most uncomfortable) topics for Executive Assistants: asking for a training budget.

If you've ever felt awkward or unsure about asking for professional development support, this episode is for you. We’re unpacking the mindset shift that turns “asking for permission” into “claiming what’s already available to you” - because training isn’t a luxury, it’s a necessity.

We cover:

• Why EA-specific training matters more than ever
• The reasons assistants hold back from asking for budget—and how to move past them
• How to make a confident, strategic ask (with a strong ROI)
• What to do if the answer is “no”
• The tools and templates available to make your ask easier (including our free Business Case Template)

Plus, to celebrate Admin Week, we're offering 40% off all EA Campus online courses through April—the perfect reason to take that next step.

This is your moment. You deserve professional development, and in this episode, we’ll show you how to ask for it with clarity, confidence, and purpose.

The EA Campus

In this episode, we’re diving into a topic that sparked a massive response on LinkedIn - KPIs for Executive Assistants. If you've ever struggled to explain your value, felt stuck in performance reviews, or wondered how to track the impact of your work, this is the episode for you.

We explain KPIs, why they matter in our role, and how you can start measuring your impact in simple, practical ways without adding to your workload. We also discuss how to use this data in one-to-ones, performance reviews, interviews, and even casual conversations with your Executive (yes, without feeling like you’re bragging!).

And a huge thank you to our sponsor, Vimcal EA, for supporting this episode. Their brand-new Executive Calendar Audit feature is a game-changer for Assistants looking to save time and prove their value. Make sure to check out the free upcoming webinar!

Links and Resources Mentioned

• Free KPI Template for Executive Assistants
  → theeacampus.com/podcast/ep58
• Vimcal EA – Executive Calendar Audit Tool
  → https://vimcal.com/ea
• Vimcal EA Webinar – Hosted by CTO Michael Zhao
  → Next session: April 18th, 2025 – Register here: https://lu.ma/ro0ylk6k
• 📌 Recommended Tools to Track KPIs
  • Project/Task Management: Asana, ClickUp, Trello
  • AI Tools: ChatGPT, Zapier, Microsoft Power Automate
  • Travel & Expense Management: Concur, Expensify, Navan
  • Feedback & Survey Tools: Google Forms, Typeform

The EA Campus

In this inspiring episode of The EA Campus Podcast, Nicky Christmas sits down with the one and only Hallie Warner - Force Multiplier, coach, consultant, and co-author of The Founder and the Force Multiplier. If you’ve followed Hallie’s work, you’ll know how much she’s impacted the assistant community. And if this is your first introduction to her, you’re in for something really special.

Hallie shares her career journey from early assistant roles to becoming Chief of Staff and now launching her own business, including the brand-new Force Multiplier Academy. We dive into what it means to show up as a strategic partner, how Hallie defines the Force Multiplier mindset, and what makes a true, trusted partnership with your Executive.

We also talk about:

• The transition from EA to Chief of Staff (and how to know if it’s right for you)
• Building your personal brand intentionally (even if you're an introvert)
• Taking a meaningful career break and learning to rest
• The power of self-awareness and communication style in building influence
• Her current coaching and consulting work, plus exciting new projects on the horizon

And yes, Hallie shares her latest book recommendations, her love for reality TV (hello, The Traitors), and what’s always on her desk, even on a deserted island.

Whether you're just starting out in your career or stepping into a senior EA or Chief of Staff role, Hallie’s honest, practical advice will leave you feeling empowered and ready to take the next step.

• Hallie Warner LinkedIn 
• The Force Multiplier Academy
• Email: [email protected]
• The Inner Circle Weekly Newsletter

Books: 

• All the Colors of the Dark by Chris Whitaker
• The Wedding People by Alison Espach 
• Fierce Conversations by Susan Scott
• Multipliers & Impact Players by Liz Wiseman 

The EA Campus

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 April
• Email Management & Triaging Inboxes Masterclass with Steuart Snooks – Friday 25th April
• Effective Calendar Management Online Course
• Vimcal EA – The First Calendar Built for EAs
• Read the Full Vimcal EA Review on The EA Campus Blog
• Resources to Help Run Better 1:1s with Your Executive

Thank 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 – $90

Show Notes:

• Cvent
• Whova
• Eventbrite
• RegFox
• Splash
• Attendify
• HeySummit
• Hubilo
• Bizzabo
• Eventcombo
• Mixhalo
• ZipKister (or search relevant badge printing tools if this is not publicly available)
• VenueScanner
• Grip
• Interprefy

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 them
• The rise of technology in the EA role and why embracing digital tools is crucial
• Non-linear career paths and why the EA profession offers more flexibility than you might think

This 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 Template
• Episode 44: Setting Meaningful Career Goals as an EA – eacampus.com/podcast/ep44
• Upcoming Events at The EA Campus:
  • Automation Masterclass – Tuesday, 25th March
  • EVOLVE 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.com
• Join the EA Social Club: Sit With Becky
• Becky’s Book – The Unstoppable EA: Available now—details on Becky’s website.
• Upcoming Events at The EA Campus:
  • Automation Masterclass – Tuesday, 25th March
  • EVOLVE 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 relationships
• How to approach your Executive when ad-hoc work is dominating your workload
• What to do if your role has become entirely reactive

Listen 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 template
• Assistant Fundamentals Masterclass – Strengthen your foundational skills. Join the masterclass
• Community Webinar: Creating a User Manual for Your Executive – Learn how to set expectations with your executive. Sign up here
• Mastering Automation Masterclass – Learn how to streamline and automate repetitive tasks. Register now

Show Notes

00:00 – Welcome & March Event Round-Up

• Overview of upcoming EA Campus events and why you should join.

04:15 – What Are Ad-Hoc Tasks & Why They Matter

• Definition of ad-hoc tasks and why they impact Assistants more than other roles.

09:30 – The Challenge: Requests from Colleagues vs. Executives

• Why 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 Tasks

• The 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 Boundaries

• Practical 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 Job

• Signs 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 Action

• Try 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 Burningham

• Founder of Admin Avenues
• Co-founder of The Future Focused Admin
• LinkedIn: Candice Burningham

🔗 Jodie Mears

• Executive Assistant & LinkedIn Thought Leader
• Co-host of The Crodie Files Podcast
• LinkedIn: Jodie Mears

Loved this episode?

⭐ Leave us a review
📢 Share it with your network
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The EA Campus

In this episode, we’re exploring one of the biggest challenges for Assistants: email management! How do you start the conversation with your Executive about taking control of their inbox? What systems can you set up to streamline the process? How do you ensure emails don’t take over your entire day?

Nicky walks you through practical strategies for managing email overload, setting expectations with your Executive, and implementing a structured system that keeps both of you organized and productive. Whether your Executive is a hands-on inbox checker or prefers a more hands-off approach, these insights will help you create a workflow that actually works.

By the end of this episode, you’ll have a concrete plan to take away so you can start transforming how you handle email today!

Show Notes & Resources

🔹 Free Resource: 50 Outlook Hacks for Assistants – Grab your free guide to mastering Outlook shortcuts and email efficiency. Download it here - https://eacampus.com/podcast/ep50

🔹 Upcoming Events:
Events Management Masterclass – Tomorrow! Join us for an in-depth session on planning and executing successful events. Register here.
Free Webinar: Making Your 1:1 Meeting with Your Executive Indispensable – Thursday, 27th February. Don’t miss this essential training! Sign up here - https://theeacampus.com/events/

Want to go deeper? Check out our Effective Email Management for Assistants Course, designed specifically for EAs who want to master inbox management. Learn more here - https://theeacampus.com/online-course/effective-email-management/

🎧 Enjoyed this episode? Leave us a review and share it with another Assistant who could benefit from these tips!

The EA Campus