PA (Personal Assistant) Retreat

The PA Retreat is an entirely new approach to the professional development of the new breed of "super" PAs who are consistently required to operate effectively and confidently at senior management level, with significant input into the operations of the executives that they support.

The core focus for this programme is to provide you with the time, environment and knowledge to return to work fully equipped to excel as an integral and influential member of the management team.

If you aspire to join the elite core of management PAs who possess the vital management and leadership skills to work in partnership with the worlds most eminent business leaders - this is the development programme for you.

The PA Retreat gives participants a unique opportunity to stand back and fully focus on themselves, their role and their skills in an environment which will challenge and support significant and meaningful growth and progression. You will develop your skill sets and advance the scope and responsibilities of your role whilst retaining focus on the vital objectives of your executive and the organisation.

The PA Retreat is a residential two day programme held at The Vineyard at Stockcross, a luxury 5 Star Hotel and Spa famed for its 2 Star Michelin Restaurant run by Masterchef judge John Campbell. Just a short train journey from London, delegates will be spoilt rotten with complimentary use of the spa, their own private suite with direct access to the gardens, and of course, have their meals prepared by John Campbell and his team. This is the perfect environment in which to develop, gain more skills and network with your fellow delegates. The PA Retreat is held in small groups to ensure maximum interaction between delegates and facilitator away from the noise, speed and unrelenting pressure of corporate life.

Our philosophy is that this is a true retreat in every sense. Accommodation and meals are provided and the dress code is strictly casual, jeans are the order of the day as opposed to business suits. You even receive one of our exclusive True to Nature Indulgence Sets to make your experience a little more special.

You will be developing alongside an influential group of senior Assistants from a range of companies and industries, sharing knowledge and best practice and be participating in the on-going evolution of the role of the senior management PA. The learning is not restricted to the training room, during the evening you are invited for drinks and dinner with facilitated discussions of the future role of the PA - giving you the opportunity to continue to network with your peers and contribute to the future direction of the role of the management PA.

This syllabus is specifically designed to give you the core management skills, tools and autonomy to become a confident and effective management PA whilst retaining strong focus on your own and your executives' business priorities and objectives.

Programme Content

Advanced Communication and Influencing skills

Understanding and using the power of both verbal and non-verbal communication to get the best out of yourself and those around you. Strong influencing skills are essential for PAs to be able to operate professionally at all levels within the organisation, by developing your own personal presence and authority through non-verbal techniques you will create your own "aura of authority". You will learn how to manage conflict, personality types, and adapt your own style to match others to achieve the results you require.

Leading the imperative business partnership with your executive

Operating successfully within executive teams whilst advancing the scope of your role. Management PAs are required to operate within powerful executive teams, often with little guidance or support, this element of the programme will equip you to become a confident, fully integrated member of the executive team by unleashing your inner-executive. Success strategies on how to work proactively and productively with fast faced, tough executives. You will develop strategies to enable you to plan and priorities your own and your executives objectives proactively and effectively.

Project Management skills and managing relentless multiple priorities

Complex and demanding priorities can be challenging to manage, developing your project management skills is essential to enable you to work proactively within project teams. This workshop will equip you to plan and run projects and projects teams effectively and confidently, whist achieving the results you require. You will develop a framework to mange projects from the planning stage to implementation to the successful post evaluation of a project.

Developing and managing successful PA teams to underpin the operations of the management team

PAs frequently work in silos with their executives often duplicating work done else where in the company. By bringing the PAs together as a professional structured team to underpin the operations of the management team as whole has real benefit to both the PAs and the management team by sharing knowledge, systems and process. By understanding group dynamics and utilising the talent of each team member and ensuring continued motivation and momentum of all management PAs creates a strong "Professional Identity" for the PAs in the organisation and creates a model of excellence and career structure to other PAs and administrate staff in the organisation.

Work/Life balance

Understanding your own boundaries and value structures is an important element of gaining control of your own work/life balance. This workshop with allow you to build in day to day strategies to ensure that you can perform at the peak of your potential. You will understand your own stress triggers whilst under pressure and be able to anticipate and manage these situations, giving your greater control over your work and personal life.

Following your experiences on The PA Retreat you will be invited to become a member of The 100 Network, an exclusive member's only club made up of previous delegates from Castalia's coaching and training programmes. Membership is complementary and gives you access to a dedicated members only website with private forums enabling delegates to keep in touch easily. You will also be invited to special networking events with a focus on continued learning and development with other senior level PAs.