5 Reasons Why Successful Executives Need an Assistant

Think you don’t need an assistant? Think again. Contrary to popular belief, a skilled executive assistant or administrator is needed for business productivity and organization. An executive assistant with the right skills and traits  can reduce the amount of tasks, meetings, and communications that often muddle an executive’s schedule. And according to Robert Pozen, former chairman of MFS Investment Management, a top-notch assistant “is crucial to being productive.”

If you’re feeling stressed at work with too many meeting requests, emails, and new projects flooding your desk, it’s time to hire an executive assistant. Through excellent organization, communication, strategic planning, and more, an executive assistant could make you a more efficient and successful executive.

To help demonstrate all of the ways an assistant or admin could make your life easier, we’re sharing the five reasons why you need to hire an assistant. Check them out below.

1. They Make You Look Good

As an executive, you’re well aware that you can’t be in two places at once—even though you’re often asked to be. In a dire situation like this, your assistant serves as your face and voice when you’re not around.

Once an assistant is clear on your business objectives and priorities, they can easily sit in on meetings, phone calls, and conferences for you, freeing up valuable time in your schedule. Through their excellent verbal and written communication skills, they make you look good even when you’re not present. And while you might not have time to respond to every email you receive, an assistant will help you appear more responsive to others and reply to emails you may have skipped otherwise.

2. A Constant Support

When you’re on the road, working over the weekend, or on vacation, it can be hard to find support from your team. Afterall, they’re busy with their own tasks and responsibilities. An assistant, however, is there to support you no matter where you are or what you’re doing. It doesn’t matter if you took PTO or are out of the office for a conference, a good executive assistant is aware of everything at any time and even supports you while you’re gone.

3. You Can Trust Them With Delegated Tasks

While executives manage whole departments or teams, there are some tasks and responsibilities you don’t want to delegate. For example, you might not want to take up your team’s time with managing your schedule, manning your phone, or answering emails. But that is exactly what your assistant is there for. With a talented executive assistant, you can delegate tasks and trust that they will get done right. They can conduct market research, compile reports, schedule appointments, and more, taking time consuming tasks off of your plate.

4. Keep Yourself on Schedule

To keep your company growing, there are many road trips, meetings, and conference calls you need to make day in and day out. And while maintaining your calendar might seem manageable on your own, you may feel differently when your whole day becomes booked from nine to five. An executive assistant is there to keep you on pace to make all of your meetings, handle any new cancellations or invitations that come up, and is even there to attend meetings or calls in your stead. After working with you so closely, they have ample knowledge to be your representative in important conversations.

5. Anticipate Your Needs

Sometimes it feels like more work to keep someone else busy and being productive. The difference between a good assistant is a great one is being able to anticipate your needs. Without delegation or supervision, a great assistant is able to know what you need before have to ask for it. This not only saves valuable time, but it also shows great initiative and judgement.

Find Your New Secret Weapon

A highly skilled executive assistant can mean the difference between simply keeping up and charging ahead. Learn more about how our administrative staffing services  can help you find a qualified executive assistant or start requesting talent today.