Administrative Professionals Speaker & Trainer
Administrative Professionals Programs ~ Admin Staff Training & Development
Administrative Professionals Day Programs ~
Customized Keynote & Breakout Programs to Educate, Inform and Support the Supporters of your organization from an administrative professionals speaker with 20+ years of administrative experience!
Sandy’s topics for Administrative Professionals:
- The Invaluable Assistant: 15 Hard-Hitting Ideas From the Field (Read more)
- The Admin’s Guide to Leading Without Rank (Read more)
- Don’t Drop the Ball… Methods to Help With Multi-Tasking (Read more)
- Fostering Teamwork and Effective Communication Using Personality Lingo (Read more)
- The Power of Using a Skills Portfolio (Read more)
- No Risk, No Reward: Creating Breakthrough Performance Through Effective Risk-Taking (Read more)
- It’s My Dream… And Who Am I To Stop Me? (The Mindsets and Habits of High Achievers) (Read more)
High Impact Single- and Multi-Day Skills Training Programs (combine them to make your own series!)
- Customer Service: Creating the WOW for Customers (Read more)
- Leadership in the WOWplace (Read more)
- WOWplace® Grammar Workshop: Say What You Mean & Mean What You Say! (Read more)
- WOWplace® Writing Workshop: Effective Writing is a Must! (Read more)
- Publicly Speaking with Clarity, Concision and Confidence (Read more)
- Hindsight, Foresight & Insight: Maximize Your Impact with Critical Thinking (Read more)
The backbone of the organization
Leaders literally put their careers in the hands of their executive assistants every day.
The exceptional administrative professional helps create seamless, efficient and exceptional success for the leader and the entire team.
Sandy Geroux has more than 20 years of experience as an administrative professional, from entry level positions through Executive Assistant for several CEOs. She also has another 16 years of experience training administrative professionals.
Since the year 2000, she has conducted over 125 keynotes, training programs and workshops for more than 15,000 administrative professionals in 41 countries, helping them:
- become more effective leaders by thinking more like the leaders they serve;
- be less hesitant to maximize their full value, demonstrate it and let their leaders know about it;
- handle difficult situations and conversations – up, down and across the organization;
- and find new ways to infuse passion, fulfillment and fun into their position and their career.
Her columns and articles appear in many administrative publications, including ASAP, IAAP, Progressive Business Publications’ Administrative Update, and Executive Secretary Magazine.
Contact Sandy today to discuss bringing an educational and entertaining program to your administrative staff!
Administrative professionals training
The Invaluable Assistant
The Invaluable Assistant: 15 Hard-Hitting Ideas From the Field
Your competence makes you “indispensable.” Beyond that there are mindsets, attributes and skill sets that executives prize in their assistants – features that move you from “indispensable” to “invaluable.” Knowing what your leader is looking for (often before they know), “having their back” by anticipating needs and attending to things they overlook, and acting with the agility and adaptability demanded of executives is as critical to your success as it is to theirs. Direct from executives, get 15 hard-hitting tips, skills and mindsets that they desire and you need in order to stay on top of your game and help your executives stay on top of theirs.
In this program you will:
- Learn the difference between being “indispensable” and being “invaluable” – and why it matters
- Recognize what leaders are truly looking for in their executive assistants
- Receive over 30 tips and ideas for serving your executive at a higher level
- Discover the mindsets and habits of the most invaluable assistants
- Understand the “trade-offs” that come with being the right-hand person for a busy executive who doesn’t keep “normal” business hours
- Hold interactive discussions to raise the respect and credibility of the entire Administrative team
- Get tools and templates to help you raise your impact to the level of “WOW”!
What Sandy's Clients have to say:
"Thank you for speaking at today’s Administrative Professional Network Luncheon at Pepsico. I especially appreciated your enthusiasm. You are right that it is contagious. I feel more comfortable in my new role here at Pepsico. Your presentation gave me confidence to try and make a difference here in all that I do. I hope to be a “Victor” here and will remember your enthusiasm and try to strive for that level of commitment in my professional life going forward."
"Thank you again Sandy. I do have to admit the very best part of your presentation was YOU! I felt such a connection to you like I have known you forever. "
"Thank you so much for the inspirational presentation you gave at the MAHAP conference last Friday! I learned some great tips about being invaluable to the executive I support every day."
The Admin's Guide to Leading Without Rank
Be a more effective administrative leader
Congratulations! You have been asked to serve on or lead a team at work. You have responsibility and deliverables, but little real organizational authority. Now what? Since the title was invented, administrative professionals have been vested with great power and unofficial leadership. Join Sandy as she shares informal leadership processes that allow you to lead without rank, up down and across the organization.
This program focuses on focuses on informal leadership processes that allow you to:
- capitalize on that power;
- gain greater visibility in your company’s culture;
- unlock tremendous leadership abilities using relationships, feedback and team-building skills;
- think more like the leaders you serve; and
- use Indirect Influence to persuade others to act… without ever issuing a directive.
What Sandy's clients have to say:
"Thank you! I felt your leadership program gave me a different perspective (even with my 40 years of experience) and I needed that."
"Thank you, Sandy. I thoroughly enjoyed your presentation!"
Administrative professionals speaker, APC, conference speaker, Sandy Geroux
Don't Drop the Ball!
Methods to Help with Multi-Tasking & Productivity
In the old days, support staff had limited responsibilities and could focus on one task at a time.
No more! Today’s admin typically has not only routine daily tasks, but also undertakes special projects, managerial responsibilities, and teamwork. That’s not to mention the unexpected and urgent things that come up each day. Help is here.
This fast-paced session from an administrative professionals speaker with over 20 years of actual administrative experience provides realistic techniques for setting priorities, tips on managing time so that the unexpected doesn’t control you, and ideas for boosting your ability to focus and reduce distractions.
In this program, you will:
- Discover the critical distinction between multi-tasking, background tasking, single-tasking and switch-tasking;
- Prioritize and categorize what should be multi-tasked and what should not;
- Learn simple tools to help you become less hesitant to speak up, set boundaries and request the time and resources you need to get things done;
- Learn how to manage your time, your actions and your emotions;
- Uncover how to optimize your best time;
- Obtain strategies for maximizing your strengths and those of your team;
- Learn effective methods for allocating your time and breaking up your activities; and
- Discover tools and techniques to help you get more organized.
What Sandy's clients have to say:
"I attended your session on multi-tasking at the CSDA Board Secretary Conference in Seaside, CA, and I thought you were a wonderful speaker – knowledgeable, personable, and honest. "
"Thank you for your keynote address at the CSDA Board Secretary’s conference in Seaside. As someone working in a small office juggling multiple priorities, I look forward to implementing most of your tips."
"Thank you for your keynote presentation at the CSDA Board Secretary Conference at Seaside. It’s really helpful for me to hear and see concrete plans that can help me have more agency over my time and refocus on what I want and need to accomplish."
Fostering Teamwork and Effective Communication
Using Personality Lingo
Imagine a world where people understand your way of doing things. Better yet, you understand why they do things so differently from you (and each other) so you know exactly how to communicate with them to build relationships, foster teamwork and get things done.
In this program, motivational administrative professionals speaker Sandy Geroux will guide us through four personality styles (identified by colors and identifying descriptors) and help us understand the “lingo” that is natural to each style.
Through stories, examples and tips, she’ll illustrate how we can bring out the best in each other instead of driving each other crazy! You’ll identify your own true personality style and that of your colleagues, allowing you to enhance your communications and reduce stress – not only at work, but at home and in your communities, as well!
After this program, attendees will:
- recognize their dominant personality styles and understand the core values that drive them;
- utilize new behaviors and approaches to others based on a higher understanding of what drives them;
- break down barriers to effective communication in and out of the workplace; and
- build a work culture that honors differences, rather than struggling against them.
What clients say about Administrative professionals speaker trainer Sandy G
"Thank you so much for today. You were fantastic and everyone enjoyed hearing from you. We have received so many thank notes already."
"We have had an amazing week, and you started us off! Thank you so much for coming here to speak. Everyone loved your session!"
The Power of Using a Skills Portfolio
Get hired ~ get promoted ~ get retained!
Skills Portfolios have been used for many years in the creative and artistic fields. However, many professionals in other areas are beginning to realize the power of using this invaluable tool to advance their careers, differentiate themselves in job interviews and demonstrate their unique skills.
Join Sandy as she shows you how to create an effective physical or electronic Skills Portfolio, how to use it properly in an interview… and how to advance your career – or even create a new position for yourself – within your current company.
In this workshop, participants will work with Sandy and each other to begin thinking about, writing and actually creating their own personal Skills Portfolio before the course ends!
In this program, you will:
- Discover how to use a Skills Portfolio to ace performance reviews, advance your current position, obtain a new position or demonstrate your ability to take on new responsibilities within your organization
- See how a Skills Portfolio is most effectively organized and used
- Learn the value of standing out in any situation – especially in interview and review situations
- Understand the importance of a personal mission statement and begin to craft your own statement
- See examples of critical elements of a Skills Portfolio
- Learn the value of a leave-behind item, and how it can be effectively utilized.
What Sandy's clients have to say:
"I had the pleasure of being in your skills portfolio class last month in New Orleans. I was blown away at your class and had a great time laughing and learning with you."
"Your presentation was ABSOLUTELY WONDERFUL! And I look forward to applying what you have taught."
"I was in your class at the APC Conference and definitely walked away motivated to work on my portfolio."
"Your workshop was the MOST USEFUL session I attended during the conference.
I am so grateful I was able to attend and thank you for being there. I am excited to have this secret weapon!" 😊
No Risk, No Reward!
Creating Breakthrough Performance Through Effective Risk-Taking
As a society, we’re often taught to avoid risk and focus on playing it “safe.” What we’re not taught is that some level of risk is necessary in order to progress forward, nor are we taught what this level is, how to gauge and leverage it for our own success, and the high personal cost of “playing it safe” – especially in today’s competitive business environment.
This program is designed to help attendees create breakthrough performance by learning to think differently about taking risks and realize the critical importance of taking calculated and appropriate risks. They will also discover the factors they will face when deciding to take risks, as well as principles to follow to achieve their goals and gain buy-in from others.
Sandy shares personal experience and the experiences of others who have escaped the trap of “playing it safe” to inspire attendees to think more creatively about taking personal and professional risks.
With this program, Sandy also helps organizations create a climate that encourages and rewards reasonable and appropriate risk, so employees feel empowered to connect with their values and creativity to produce exceptional experiences for themselves, their colleagues and their customers!
Following this program, you will:
- Recognize the absolute necessity and benefit of taking appropriate risks in business and life.
- Identify and mentally prepare for the 4 factors you must fight when deciding to take risks.
- Learn 5 valuable principles for taking risk, including steps to take to motivate yourself and how to gain buy-in from others whose help you may need/want.
- Identify and eliminate the excuses you use to hold yourself back, and begin a plan to add more risk in your life to accomplish your goals.
- Learn the importance of being a positive role model of high personal and professional performance.
What Sandy's clients have to say:
"I attended the no risk no reward session on Thursday through ASAP. It was fantastic! I learned so much and was able to leave your session and apply the tips and suggestions you gave right away. Thank you for sharing your gift with others and your time!"
- No Risk, No Reward program attendee
"Thank you so much for giving us some much of your precious time yesterday! The event was amazing, and I’m sure we could have gone a few more hours! Your presentation was spot on! I can’t begin to thank you for bringing your energy, charm and style to the Freddie Mac A-Team! Thank you so much."
- Ella Lee, Freddie Mac
It's My Dream and Who Am I to Stop Me?
The Mindsets and Habits of High Achievers
Are you good at setting goals? Maybe you’re great at it…but do you usually accomplish them, or do they often go by the wayside, like so many New Year’s resolutions? Are you continually setting goals, or “getting ready” to accomplish them…without ever reaching the desired result? Do you feel you’re being held back?
We’re all good goal-setters, but how many of us actually achieve the goals we set – especially the big ones? Let’s face it – it’s a Do-It-Yourself World! We must accept personal responsibility for successfully achieving our dreams, or we’ll never reach the desired results.
Whatever your dreams, this interactive, hands-on program is designed to help you discover how to effectively make plans to accomplish your dreams. You will learn key principles and tips for doing so by developing the right mindsets, creating a framework and plan to achieve success, and increasing your self-reliance and self-confidence. You will actually begin the path to setting – and achieving – your own personal and professional dreams before you leave this session!
In this program, you will:
- Learn 7 critical mindsets and habits of high achievers, and how they succeed.
- Discover the basics of success and motivation: why we fail; how we plan for success; eliminating instant gratification and other unrealistic expectations; personal responsibility.
- Learn 10 tips for ensuring goals are attainable – and attained.
- Learn 5 additional tools, tips and techniques to keep yourself motivated and accountable.
Develop action items in “baby steps” to accomplish goals, including deadlines, budgets and monitoring tools to track your progress along the way!
What Sandy's clients have to say
"In honor of Sandy, who talked about following your dreams; I was talking about dreams with one of my clients and what they wanted for themselves. She got so motivated she made her dream board. Sometimes we forget the littlest things to us are someone's big dreams. The pic isn't clear, but she wants to one day buy a car, get out of debt, buy a home and start a mentoring program. She was so proud she had to send me the pic this evening that I wanted to share. Don't forget your dreams guys!"
- Dream program attendee
"The re-inspiration is catching on already. Thanks for being so amazing & sharing your wisdom and words with us."
- Chevelle Howard, Safe at Home Central Florida Director
"This is total change of life during a change of life which is life changing... but it is my dream and as Sandy wrote... I shouldn't stop me."
- Dream book purchaser
"WOW!!! We loved your presentation and You!!!
- Linda Saltarelli, McNeil
"I just had to send you a note and say THANK YOU for your words of inspiration the past couple of days when you came to our organization and talked to our group of admins. You are a very special person doing very special work, and I appreciate you and the path that led you to where you are – and to us."
- Dream program attendee