In this latest episode of The Future Focused Admin Podcast, we’re discussing the Joys of Networking and our wrap-up of the 2024 APC Conference we attended in October at the Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center. We wanted to reflect on our time at the conference. This is a much lighter-hearted episode than our other ones as we wanted to take the time to celebrate the joys of networking, the fun of meeting fellow admins from around the world in person, and the meaningful connections we made. Tune in as we share our favorite moments, key takeaways, and the value of building a strong network within the admin profession.

To see the highlights reel of the event click here: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DCGbT0_smaX/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

To find out more about ShareCal go to https://sharecal.io and connect with Haefa Mansour via LinkedIn click here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/haefa-mansour

To see The EA Salary Surveys for UK, USA & Australia click here: https://www.easalarysurvey.com

We forgot to mention, Leah also interviewed Candice for the ASAP ‘The Admin Edge’ Podcast. It will go live in 2025. We’ll keep you posted when that goes live but there are SO many great eps to listen to: https://www.asaporg.com/podcast

Here is the reel of my experience with Savoya Concierge Car Service. Honestly, I can’t speak more highly of my experience with Savoya Chauffer Services. I’ll definitely be using them again! Receive 20% off your first 3 trips by clicking here: https://www.savoya.com/welcome/admin-avenues and find out more about their services on their website: https://savoya.com.

Congratulations to the winners of the ASAP Admin Awards. See more details and all the winners here: https://www.asaporg.com/awards

If you haven’t heard of Candace Doby, you need to check her out here: https://candacedoby.com. Her session on ‘Courage at Work: How to Speak Up and Own Your Brilliance‘ was on point!

If you need a professional development PLAN template, click here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1O98oi3qFHnRbbnMHAImClbKI3eRTr-jT9nPx7Ak1o24/edit?usp=sharing

If you would like a Learning and Development Business Case template, to request investment to attend an admin conference / event, click here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1w7B4GZ9uXOyKxhTpwT_ozlJeiFKQibEstxqwR46BtcA/edit?usp=sharing

The 2025 APC Conference will be September 7-10, 2025 at the Seattle Convention Center, Seattle, WA. Find out more details here:

Show Notes:

In today’s episode, we are chatting with Victoria Wratten, Founder of EPAA (Executive and Personal Assistants Association), Former Senior Executive Assistant & Top 30 Inspirational & Influential Women in the City 2017-Brummell Magazine. Vic has been talking about ‘The Great EA Returement’ for years, but it’s only now that people are starting to take notice.

Tune in and join the conversation!

Link to Victoria Wratten’s article about The Great EA Retirement: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/great-ea-retirement-victoria-wratten-n050e/?trackingId=8HTXD62FI2uSFLCnZZHrpg%3D%3D

If you’d like to connect with our guest Victoria Wratten, you’ll find her at:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-wratten-0893b017/

Web: https://epaa.org.uk/

Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/5we28xhJnEyMEoKvNq5umt

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCu6NZ-8eBvVuGEaW3uE_-Bg

This episode is sponsored by The Tech Savvy Assistant, your guide to a more relaxing work life through technology. Are you an administrative professional or freelancer? Want to stay ahead of the curve with AI, ChatGPT, and more? Tech Savvy Assistant has just what you need. Subscribe to our premium newsletter packed with exclusive insights, tips, and guides tailored to help you excel in your career. It's a must-have for anyone looking to improve their working conditions and embrace the future of tech. Go to ⁠⁠techsavvysistant.com⁠⁠, and you can sign up on Jessica's webpage.

Stay connected with us on our YouTube and social channels for updates on new episodes, and exclusive content. Follow us on @techsavvyassistant @adminavenues and @candice_burningham to join our growing global communities of admin enthusiasts!

Remember, this podcast is all about admins, so let's have some fun, maybe learn something, and grow in our careers together! Thank you for being a part of The Future Focused Admin Podcast. If you like what you hear, please subscribe and share with your admin friends and community. We welcome you all!

If you prefer to watch your podcasts and/or want to see the full version of our chats (bloopers and all), you can watch our episodes via our YouTube channel here at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://youtube.com/@TheFutureFocusedAdmin-kx6rx⁠⁠⁠⁠.

If you have anything you want to share, have an idea or just want to connect, drop us an email at ⁠⁠⁠⁠tffapodcast@outlook.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ and join us on Instagram here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/thefuturefocusedadmin⁠⁠⁠⁠.

In today’s episode, we’re having a healthy debate with Jeremy Burrows Author of The Leader Assistant: Four Pillars of a Confident, Game-Changing Assistant, and founder and host of The Leader Assistant Podcast which Jessica and Candice have both been guests on.

We start with the debate of the Title “Assistant” referring back to Candice’s viral LinkedIn post that sparked this debate (link below). Jeremy has a different opinion to Candice and also brings feedback from some of the admins in his community about how they feel on this topic. Jessica gives feedback from her admin community and shares her experience with titles and gives an example of how a title change caused a huge financial impact in her family.

We discuss how all 3 of us have held the same title of “Executive Assistant”, but had VERY different careers, opportunities and salaries. We discuss the privilledges that some of us have had, and acknowledge that others in our communities don’t have these privileges, including the gender pay-gap.

We discuss the varying costs of training, development and events in admin from different sides of the globe. What some see as expensive and what some see as investments and get their companies to pay for the investment. We discuss pay disparity and talking about your salary with other admins.

We touch on the ugly side of some of the thought leaders in the admin space. We discuss the lack of diversity in this space and the need for more younger people to start showing up in this space, without the fear of being torn-down for their efforts.

(This was recorded just after episode 2 with Dominique Givens. We interviewed Dominique about her experience as a younger african-american female who was on the receiving end of a known bully in the admin community for giving her opinion and making her way as a thought leader on LinkedIn in the admin space).