The biggest event of the year for PAs, EAs, VAs and Office Managers, the 2017 office* show is set to impress as a line-up of visionaries, innovators and industry leaders make up the panels, keynotes and seminars for the two-day event between 1-2 March at Olympia London. Here’s a rundown of this year’s sessions and what to expect.
9am-9.45am: VA Breakfast: Mapping your VA Strategy with the UK VA Market Knowledge – Angela Dawson from The VA Doctor, Caroline Wylie from Virtually Sorted and John Palmer from BeMyVA
As the owner of SVA (Society of Virtual Assistants), long-established VA Caroline Wylie has regularly surveyed the VA profession and the results are enlightening for both start-up and established VAs. Caroline will share some of the findings of the latest survey, and the panel will interact with an audience Q& A session.
10am-10.45am: 2020 Vision: Future proofing your business and your career – Russell Beck, Head of Consulting for Impellam Consulting Group
With a constantly changing working world, the future could be unrecognisable by today’s expectations. Robots could replace many employed today, but yet the retirement age is rising beyond our 70s and 80s. Covering macro trends of urbanisation, life expectancy and the capability of technology, Russell Beck is exploring what it means to be an assistant in a world where five billion people will have smart phones within five years.
11am-12pm: What they don’t tell you about becoming a Virtual Assistant – Annabel Kaye, KoffeeKlatch
The world of running your own business, setting yourself up properly and working with clients is going to put you into a new place; talk to Annabel to get some real information to help you plan your business going forward.
11am-11.45: Keynote: Achieving leadership and success in the corporate world – Dr Linda Papadopoulos
Dr Linda Papadopolous, one of the UK’s most well-known and respected psychologists in the UK shares cutting edge thought leadership and anecdotes on the psychological tools for success in the business world. Passionate, motivating and entertaining, this session with Linda will leave you empowered and inspired to reach your goals.
12pm-12.45pm: Setting Industry Standards through professional membership and qualifications: Does it matter? – Andrew Jardine from IAM and Vivienne Edwards from Cornerstone 42
Most professional industries have a certain standard to adhere too. Do we really need the same administration profession? This session explores the belief that continuous learning and development is proving advantageous in the work place and that it is necessary to receive reward and recognition for your talents.
12.30pm-1.30pm: Roundtable discussions
Join roundtable discussions covering topics such as understanding your boss, learning to network and planning your career path. Identifying key interview skills and managing your workplace relationships could be the key rung stopping you from climbing the career ladder.
2pm-2.30pm: Office Technology: Top 10 apps to make your life easier
As an office professional, you are expected to do more than most in the office. You’re the meetings manager, appointment booker, travel booker, office shopper and so much more. Keeping all of these roles manageable is dependent on one key factor: the office management tools you use. How do you know which tools are the most effective?
2pm-3pm: Building your own networking group with Esther Dawson & Emily Darnell
Take part in a round table with EA to CEO of PVL UK Emily Darnell and EA to CEO of Ridgeview Esther Dawson as they discuss how to build your own networking group and how to avoid the risk of isolation through socialisation.
2.45pm-3pm: VA Award Presentation – John Palmer, CEO of BeMyVA
3.15pm-4.15pm: Roundtable discussions
Join roundtable discussions covering topics such as understanding your boss, learning to network and plan your career path. Identifying key interview skills and managing your workplace relationships could be the key rung stopping you from climbing the career ladder.
