Learn from two decades of specialist equality & inclusion expertise and the pitfalls to avoid, plus adventures in self-discovery. Participants enjoy the engaging and motivational style, building up the confidence to apply deepened insights and practical tools.
The course is relevant to anyone requiring an understanding of the use of Agile or looking to adopt it. This includes, but is not limited to, organisational leaders and managers, marketing executives and managers, and/or all professionals working in an Agile environment, including software sesters, developers, business analysts, UX designers, project management office (PMO), project support and project coordinators.
Elite EA/PA Forum We are delighted to announce that the Elite EA/PA Forum for Australia & New Zealand will be on the 25th of September 2025. Our workshop aims to: Enhance your influence and impact by mastering assertive communication, negotiation, and self-advocacy skills. Stay composed and solution-focused in high-pressure situations with practical tools for crisis management and clear decision-making. Embrace evolving technology by understanding how AI and automation can streamline your role and boost efficiency. Future-proof your career by building strategic value, resilience, and adaptability in an ever-changing professional landscape. Keynote Address with Q&A from the audience: What to expect from Sam's Keynote: With over 30 years supporting leaders at the highest levels, Sam Cohen brings a wealth of insight, experience, and stories (the kind she can share) to the stage. From 18 years serving within The Royal Household - including as Deputy Private Secretary and Press Secretary to Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II - to working with The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, running the Prime Ministerās Office at Downing Street, and serving as Chief of Staff to the global CEO of Rio Tinto, Samās career is a masterclass in discretion, diplomacy, and delivering at the top. In this exclusive keynote, Beyond the Role, Sam will explore how Executive Assistants donāt just support leaders - they shape leadership, drive strategy, and build legacy from behind the scenes. Join us for this rare opportunity to hear from someone whoās been at the epicentre of power - and bring your questions! The keynote will include a live Q&A, where you can ask Sam about her remarkable career, leadership insights, and how to truly excel in high-performance environments. (Donāt ask her what the Queen kept in her handbag - sheās not telling.) Sam Cohen Career Bio: Sam Cohen has spent the last 30 years working to support leaders in the public and private sectors. Sam spent 18 years serving The Royal Household, as Deputy Private Secretary to Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and Press Secretary to The Queen. Sam also served as Private Secretary to The Duke and Duchess of Sussex. Following this time, Sam worked as Director of the Prime Ministerās Office at Downing Street under Boris Johnson and, most recently, was Chief of Staff to the global CEO at Rio Tinto. Source: ABC News - YouTube Channel. Facilitator - AM: The Future-Proofed Assistant: Speak Up, Stand Out & Shape Your Career Path How to reimagine your Assistant role in 2025 and beyond - How the EA role is evolving (and what Executives now expect) & why Assistants who think like strategists will be indispensable Assertiveness as an Assistant ā The key to retaining your role & the difference between being āhelpfulā and being āheardā Self-Advocacy as a Career Growth Strategy ā The importance of advocating for your career development, workload boundaries and recognition Own Your Professional Future - Map your career development. Whether you're an EA for life or looking to a role beyond in the future, this is for you. Ruth Kilah Career Bio: Ruth is an international executive career coach and founder of Hoxton Hyde ā Executive Career Coaching & Mentoring, delivering 1:1 and group programs for experienced Executive Assistants. She specialises in helping EAs step into higher-level roles, increase their income, and expand their professional impact. With 14 yearsā experience supporting C-suite executives in Australia and the UK, Ruth brings deep industry insight and a strategic approach to career development. She empowers Assistants to gain clarity on their next move, adopt a strategic mindset, communicate their value effectively, and lead their own growth conversations with confidence. A former EA turned Stakeholder Relations and Project Manager, Ruth launched Hoxton Hyde in 2018 after spotting a clear gap in the market for tailored coaching for career-driven EAs. She is a recognised member of the World Administrators Alliance and a respected thought leader in the EA space, regularly sharing insights via LinkedIn and Instagram. Ruth is also a certified fitness and wellness coach, passionate about helping Assistants achieve long-term career fulfilment through intentional development and well-being. Panel: Crisis Mode: What to do when everything goes wrong Master a step-by-step approach to prioritising and problem-solving under pressure. Strengthen emotional resilience and calm decision-making during unexpected disruptions. Learn how to communicate clearly and lead from behind in high-stress situations. Emma-Kate Bos Bio Emma-Kate works alongside the CEO at Squadron Energy, one of Australiaās leading renewable energy companies. With over 28 years of experience in Executive Assistant and Operational roles supporting business leaders in professional services, politics, membership industries, sporting and not-for-profit organisations, Emma-Kate has a deep understanding of business support roles and has managed large teams of assistants and receptionists. She is passionate about developing and mentoring team members Emma-Kate holds an Associate Degree in Law, Mini MBA and Certificate in Public Relations. Sepi Nowlands Sepi has also worked as an EO for Deloitte and spent 18 years previously as an Executive Assistant at the ATO, Law Council of Australia, Grains Research and Development Corporation and Air Services Australia. Holly Clareburt Hollie Clareburt is an experienced Executive Assistant, currently supporting the Managing Director of Microsoft New Zealand and the Chief Partner Officer. Known for her professionalism and discretion, she excels in providing high-level support in fast-paced, executive environments. Prior to Microsoft, Hollie was Executive Assistant to the Chief of Corporate & Enterprise Systems at BECA, and previously supported the CEO at SKY News New Zealand. Her career reflects a strong track record of reliability, organisation, and executive partnership. Liv Wilson With over 20 years of experience across banking, government, creative industries, and global tech, Liv has supported senior leaders at companies including LinkedIn and Slack. She brings a strategic lens to the business support function, with deep expertise in operations, leadership enablement, and organisational effectiveness. As a passionate advocate for elevating the role of Executive Assistants, Liv has led womenās networks, championed DEI and social impact initiatives, and continues to push for recognition of business support as a critical driver of business success. She is currently working on her side hustle business - collaborating with executives, entrepreneurs, and small business owners to amplify their impact by removing operational barriers, optimising systems, and unlocking their capacity to lead and grow. Facilitator - PM: Justin Kabbani AI Is Not Here to Replace You. It's Here to Upgrade You. We'll explore Justin's proven 3P framework: Priming ā How to set up AI like a strategic advisor by feeding it context, tone and mindset Prompting ā How to craft clear, structured instructions to get consistently great results Producing ā How to turn AI outputs into high-leverage work that makes you stand out Your session outcomes: Real examples from admin professionals already using AI to elevate their work Prompts you can copy, adapt, and test live Interactive exercises to build confidence fast A practical challenge to implement right after the session If youāve been overwhelmed by AI, or underwhelmed by its impact, this session will change that. You'll leave with tools you can use today, and a mindset youāll carry forward for the rest of your career. Justin Kabbani Career Bio: Justin Kabbani is one of Australiaās most in-demand AI trainers and keynote speakers, known for making AI feel simple, powerful, and immediately useful. Heās worked with brands like Uber, Treasury Wine Estates, and Udemy, helping their teams embed AI into daily workflows, strategic planning, and executive communication. Over the past two years, Justin has trained more than 2,000 professionals across Australia and beyond, consistently earning feedback like āmind-blowing,ā and āgame-changingā. His signature Prime, Prompt, Produce framework has transformed how business leaders, executive assistants, marketers, and teams think, work, and communicate with AI, without needing to be ātech people.ā Justin believes AI isnāt here to replace people. Itās here to take the robotic work off our plate, so we can focus on what humans do best. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justinkabbani/ Website: https://justinkabbani.com/ Speed Connections Networking Session Join us for Speed Connections, a lively 30-minute networking session designed to foster meaningful connections in a fun, fast-paced environment. Every 10 minutes, attendees will be placed into new breakout rooms with small groups, giving everyone the chance to meet a diverse range of peers. Each breakout session will feature engaging prompts to spark conversations and make networking enjoyable and memorable! Who will attend this event? Executive Assistant (EA) Personal Assistant (PA) Virtual Assistant (VA) Legal Secretary Legal Executive Assistant Administrative Assistant Office Manager Health Care Office Manager Chief of Staff Additional roles may be relevant depending on role responsibilities, along with development opportunities. This workshop is open to females, male including trans women/males and non-binary professionals. Group Rate Discounts: To discuss our group rates in more detail, please email support@elite-forums.com and provide the following: Group Number (How many would like to attend) Event Date (If numerous dates, please advise if we are splitting attendees across multiple dates) Attendee Contact details (Or request our Group Rate Document. Complete and return - we'll sort the rest.) Group discounts are on request - see below group rate discount brackets: š§© You just need one piece to come together - to unlock your Elite Potential. š
Elite EA/PA Forum We are delighted to announce the Elite EA/PA Forum for ANZ will be on the 25th of September 2025. Our workshop aims to: Enhance your influence and impact by mastering assertive communication, negotiation, and self-advocacy skills. Stay composed and solution-focused in high-pressure situations with practical tools for crisis management and clear decision-making. Embrace evolving technology by understanding how AI and automation can streamline your role and boost efficiency. Future-proof your career by building strategic value, resilience, and adaptability in an ever-changing professional landscape. Keynote Address with Q&A from the audience: What to expect from Sam's Keynote: With over 30 years supporting leaders at the highest levels, Sam Cohen brings a wealth of insight, experience, and stories (the kind she can share) to the stage. From 18 years serving within The Royal Household - including as Deputy Private Secretary and Press Secretary to Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II - to working with The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, running the Prime Ministerās Office at Downing Street, and serving as Chief of Staff to the global CEO of Rio Tinto, Samās career is a masterclass in discretion, diplomacy, and delivering at the top. In this exclusive keynote, Beyond the Role, Sam will explore how Executive Assistants donāt just support leaders - they shape leadership, drive strategy, and build legacy from behind the scenes. Join us for this rare opportunity to hear from someone whoās been at the epicentre of power - and bring your questions! The keynote will include a live Q&A, where you can ask Sam about her remarkable career, leadership insights, and how to truly excel in high-performance environments. (Donāt ask her what the Queen kept in her handbag - sheās not telling.) Sam Cohen Career Bio: Sam Cohen has spent the last 30 years working to support leaders in the public and private sectors. Sam spent 18 years serving The Royal Household, as Deputy Private Secretary to Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and Press Secretary to The Queen. Sam also served as Private Secretary to The Duke and Duchess of Sussex. Following this time, Sam worked as Director of the Prime Ministerās Office at Downing Street under Boris Johnson and, most recently, was Chief of Staff to the global CEO at Rio Tinto. Source: ABC News - YouTube Channel. Facilitator - AM: The Future-Proofed Assistant: Speak Up, Stand Out & Shape Your Career Path How to reimagine your Assistant role in 2025 and beyond - How the EA role is evolving (and what Executives now expect) & why Assistants who think like strategists will be indispensable Assertiveness as an Assistant ā The key to retaining your role & the difference between being āhelpfulā and being āheardā Self-Advocacy as a Career Growth Strategy ā The importance of advocating for your career development, workload boundaries and recognition Own Your Professional Future - Map your career development. Whether you're an EA for life or looking to a role beyond in the future, this is for you. Ruth Kilah Career Bio: Ruth is an international executive career coach and founder of Hoxton Hyde ā Executive Career Coaching & Mentoring, delivering 1:1 and group programs for experienced Executive Assistants. She specialises in helping EAs step into higher-level roles, increase their income, and expand their professional impact. With 14 yearsā experience supporting C-suite executives in Australia and the UK, Ruth brings deep industry insight and a strategic approach to career development. She empowers Assistants to gain clarity on their next move, adopt a strategic mindset, communicate their value effectively, and lead their own growth conversations with confidence. A former EA turned Stakeholder Relations and Project Manager, Ruth launched Hoxton Hyde in 2018 after spotting a clear gap in the market for tailored coaching for career-driven EAs. She is a respected thought leader in the EA space, regularly sharing insights via LinkedIn and Instagram. Panel: Crisis Mode: What to do when everything goes wrong Master a step-by-step approach to prioritising and problem-solving under pressure. Strengthen emotional resilience and calm decision-making during unexpected disruptions. Learn how to communicate clearly and lead from behind in high-stress situations. Emma-Kate Bos Bio Emma-Kate works alongside the CEO at Squadron Energy, one of Australiaās leading renewable energy companies. With over 28 years of experience in Executive Assistant and Operational roles supporting business leaders in professional services, politics, membership industries, sporting and not-for-profit organisations, Emma-Kate has a deep understanding of business support roles and has managed large teams of assistants and receptionists. She is passionate about developing and mentoring team members Emma-Kate holds an Associate Degree in Law, Mini MBA and Certificate in Public Relations. Sepi Nowlands Sepi has also worked as an EO for Deloitte and spent 18 years previously as an Executive Assistant at the ATO, Law Council of Australia, Grains Research and Development Corporation and Air Services Australia. She is now EA and EO to the CPO. Holly Clareburt Hollie Clareburt is an experienced Executive Assistant, currently supporting the Managing Director of Microsoft New Zealand and the Chief Partner Officer. Known for her professionalism and discretion, she excels in providing high-level support in fast-paced, executive environments. Prior to Microsoft, Hollie was Executive Assistant to the Chief of Corporate & Enterprise Systems at BECA, and previously supported the CEO at SKY News New Zealand. Her career reflects a strong track record of reliability, organisation, and executive partnership. Liv Wilson With over 20 years of experience across banking, government, creative industries, and global tech, Liv has supported senior leaders at companies including LinkedIn and Slack. She brings a strategic lens to the business support function, with deep expertise in operations, leadership enablement, and organisational effectiveness. As a passionate advocate for elevating the role of Executive Assistants, Liv has led womenās networks, championed DEI and social impact initiatives, and continues to push for recognition of business support as a critical driver of business success. She is currently working on her side hustle business - collaborating with executives, entrepreneurs, and small business owners to amplify their impact by removing operational barriers, optimising systems, and unlocking their capacity to lead and grow. Facilitator - PM: Justin Kabbani AI Is Not Here to Replace You. It's Here to Upgrade You. We'll explore Justin's proven 3P framework: Priming ā How to set up AI like a strategic advisor by feeding it context, tone and mindset Prompting ā How to craft clear, structured instructions to get consistently great results Producing ā How to turn AI outputs into high-leverage work that makes you stand out Your session outcomes: Real examples from admin professionals already using AI to elevate their work Prompts you can copy, adapt, and test live Interactive exercises to build confidence fast A practical challenge to implement right after the session If youāve been overwhelmed by AI, or underwhelmed by its impact, this session will change that. You'll leave with tools you can use today, and a mindset youāll carry forward for the rest of your career. Justin Kabbani Career Bio: Justin Kabbani is one of Australiaās most in-demand AI trainers and keynote speakers, known for making AI feel simple, powerful, and immediately useful. Heās worked with brands like Uber, Treasury Wine Estates, and Udemy, helping their teams embed AI into daily workflows, strategic planning, and executive communication. Over the past two years, Justin has trained more than 2,000 professionals across Australia and beyond, consistently earning feedback like āmind-blowing,ā and āgame-changingā. His signature Prime, Prompt, Produce framework has transformed how business leaders, executive assistants, marketers, and teams think, work, and communicate with AI, without needing to be ātech people.ā Justin believes AI isnāt here to replace people. Itās here to take the robotic work off our plate, so we can focus on what humans do best. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justinkabbani/ Website: https://justinkabbani.com/ Speed Connections Networking Session Join us for Speed Connections, a lively 30-minute networking session designed to foster meaningful connections in a fun, fast-paced environment. Every 10 minutes, attendees will be placed into new breakout rooms with small groups, giving everyone the chance to meet a diverse range of peers. Each breakout session will feature engaging prompts to spark conversations and make networking enjoyable and memorable! Who will attend this event? Executive Assistant (EA) Personal Assistant (PA) Virtual Assistant (VA) Legal Secretary Legal Executive Assistant Administrative Assistant Office Manager Health Care Office Manager Chief of Staff Additional roles may be relevant depending on role responsibilities along with development opportunities. We understand the challenge. Professional development for assistants is often undervalued, and securing budget or approval for external training can be difficult. Thatās why weāve created a ready-to-use business case template to help you justify attendance at this event and highlight the value it brings to both you and your organisation. If you need support or costings confirmed for single or group attendance, please reach out to our support team at: support@elite-forums.com You can download and edit the template below: This workshop is open to females, male including trans women/males and non-binary professionals. Group Rate Discounts: To discuss our group rates in more detail, please email support@elite-forums.com and provide the following: Group Number (How many would like to attend) Event Date (If numerous dates, please advise if we are splitting attendees across multiple dates) Attendee Contact details (Or request our Group Rate Document. Complete and return - we'll sort the rest.) Group discounts are on request - see below group rate discount brackets: š§© You just need one piece to come together - to unlock your Elite Potential. š Please note: All facilatators, panelists, and speakers are all PAID with applicable contracts in place. We value our speakers and want the best to ensure our attendees get the best development. Media outlets/organisations will not be permitted to attend this event.
Designed as a follow-on to The Practical Manager, this course will take your managers to the next level. Give them the skills to develop high performing teams through the application of tailored motivation strategies, effective performance appraisal and razor-sharp decision-making.
Being a leader can take you into vulnerable places - the unfamiliar, high expectations and high visibility, with everyone looking to you for guidance in the big moments. It is natural for doubts to creep in, including the echoes of past knock-backs, put-downs, pressures, stereotyping and internalised oppression.
Duration 2 Days 12 CPD hours This course is intended for Team leaders, managers, executives and other business professionals, as well as those who would benefit by being able to assert themselves more effectively in a professional environment will benefit from this course. Overview Develop the necessary skills to communicate with confidence Apply communication styles that maximize benefits Augment your listening and hearing skills to increase engagement Utilize that art of asking questions to elicit more from others Leverage your body language for full communication Make the best first impressions by looking, sounding and being confident In this course, students will discover the best techniques to be properly assertive, and what are the ideal approaches in differing situations. Private classes on this topic are available. We can address your organization?s issues, time constraints, and save you money, too. Contact us to find out how. 1. What is Assertiveness? Differentiating Self-confidence from Assertiveness Understanding the Four Styles of Communication What Separates Assertiveness from Passiveness, Aggressiveness, and Passive-Aggressiveness 2. Dimensions of Communication Differentiating Listening from Hearing Developing Emphatic Listening Skills Utilizing Question Types - Open, Clarifying, and Closed Converting Negative Thinking into Positive Thinking 3. Body Language Says It All Managing Your Appearance Understanding Non-verbal Communication Making the Right First Impression Speaking with Confidence Relaxing and Reducing Anxiety 4. Dealing with Difficult Situations Dealing with Difficult People Building Rapport and Trust Appreciating the Different Ways that People Send and Receive Information Breaking Down Barriers and Building Consensus Applying PEGASUS Utilizing a Tactical Approach Choosing the Proper Form of Communication
Duration 3 Days 18 CPD hours This course is intended for IT Professionals who expect to or who have recently transitioned into a management role will benefit from this course. Overview Make a smooth transition into management Develop your authentic leadership style Engage and empower staff to achieve excellence Build high-performing, collaborative teams Apply delegation best practices Attract and retain great staff From developing an inspiring vision and empowering members to reach it, to meeting deadlines, and evaluating results. This course will teach students the skills and behaviors needed to successfully transition into an IT manager role. Private classes on this topic are available. We can address your organization?s issues, time constraints, and save you money, too. Contact us to find out how. 1. Making the Transition into Leadership Defining Success Developing Leadership Competencies Acting as Leader, Liaison, Figurehead. Monitor, Disseminator, and Spokesperson Allocating Resources Acting Entrepreneurially Negotiating and Handling Disturbances 2. Building Trust, Engagement and Involvement Applying SCARF Leading by Example with the 5 Components of Emotional Intelligence - Self-Awareness, Self-Regulation, Motivation, Empathy, and Social Skill Engaging, Involving, and Motivating Others The 4 Disciplines of Motivation - Behavioral, Cognitive, Psychodynamic, and Humanistic Working with Differing Personality Styles Developing Your Leadership Psychological Toolkit Discovering and Meeting Stakeholder Expectations 3. Collaboration & Teams Creating, Facilitating, and Maintaining Teams Building a Team through Culture, Human to Human Relationships, Effective Communication, and Setting and Meeting Goals & Objectives Modern, Autonomous, Self-Organizing, and Cross-Functional Teams 4. Building People with Challenging Work Willingness to Delegate Delegating Successfully - Preparing and Researching, Clarifying the Intent of the Task, Planning Your Delegation, Delegating Responsibility and Empowering Your Staff to Take Action, and Providing Ongoing Support and Oversight 5. Attracting and Keeping Great People Managing Performance Knowing Your Staff Checking Assumptions Engaging Your Team Leading and Coaching for Success Managing Disruption