In this episode of The EA Campus Podcast, we sit down with freelance Executive Assistant Kaitlin Bekken for one of our ever-popular Day in the Life conversations.Caitlyn shares her journey into the EA world, how she transitioned into freelancing, and what a typical day looks like supporting multiple clients across industries. From managing inboxes and booking complex travel to using AI tools like ChatGPT and NVO to streamline her workflow, Caitlyn walks us through the systems and mindset that keep her on top of her game.We also dive into the importance of knowing your own working capacity, how to build strong remote relationships with executives, and the career-defining power of problem-solving and tenacity.Whether you’re an in-house EA curious about life as a freelancer, or a virtual assistant looking to refine your own approach, Caitlyn’s insights are full of practical wisdom, humour, and reassurance.In this episode:Caitlyn’s journey into the EA role and her move into freelancingHow she manages her day across multiple clients and time zonesHer favourite tools and tech, including ChatGPT and NVOBuilding trust remotely and setting healthy boundariesAdvice for new EAs (and why “just go for it” might be your new motto) The EA Campus
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EP64: Mastering Meeting Types for Maximum Impact
Welcome to The EA Campus Podcast with your host, Nicky Christmas. In today’s episode, we’re diving into the different types of meetings your Executive attends and how you can manage them strategically to drive real progress.Here’s what we cover:Why meetings matter more than ever—and how EAs can support their Executive’s time as their most valuable resourceThe six key meeting types you need to know:Decision-Making Meetings – Where critical choices happenInformation-Sharing Meetings – Updates and reports that matterBrainstorming/Creative Sessions – Sparking new ideasRelationship-Building Meetings – Building trust and connectionsCrisis/Problem-Solving Meetings – When urgent solutions are neededGovernance/Board Meetings – Formal, high-level decision-makingHow to categorise meetings and tailor your prep: from agendas and pre-reads to setting the right mindset for each typeThe importance of managing transitions between meetings to avoid ‘meeting hangovers’ and keep your Executive focusedTips for asking the right questions when scheduling meetings—like clarifying objectives, success criteria, and your Executive’s roleThe difference you can make as an EA by setting every meeting up for success, transforming from a diary manager to a strategic partner🔗 Resources Mentioned:Free Meetings Checklist Template: theeacampus.com/podcast/ep64EA Campus Online Courses – 30% off with code SUMMER30Upcoming Events:Advanced Management Masterclass – 13th JuneStrategic Time Management Masterclass – 24th JuneAI Virtual Summit – 11th JulyMicrosoft & AI Masterclass – 24th Julyhttps://theeacampus.com/events/🗓️ Stay Connected:Subscribe to The EA Campus Podcast so you never miss an episodeLeave us a review - it helps other EAs discover the showShare this episode with a fellow EA who’d find it helpful The EA Campus
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EP63: Building a travel itinerary your Exec will actually use
Business travel – glamorous on Instagram, chaotic in real life. In this episode of The EA Campus Podcast, host Nicky Christmas revisits one of her most-requested topics: how to expertly plan and manage business travel for your executive. Originally recorded at her first public speaking event back in 2012 (or maybe 2013 – who’s counting?), this session has been fully updated for 2025 with all the latest tools, AI tricks, and tech tips.Whether your executive is flying long-haul or hopping on a train to a regional office, you’ll learn how to build a bulletproof itinerary that keeps them calm, collected, and exactly where they need to be. From pre-flight prep to worst-case scenario plans, we’re covering it all.Oh, and yes – we still print the itinerary. Even in 2025.In this episode, we cover:Why travel planning is still one of the most essential EA skillsSetting clear expectations before your executive sets foot on a planeQuestions to ask before you book anything (trust us, these are game changers)What the purpose of the trip tells you about how to plan itHow to build an itinerary your executive will actually useFour essentials every itinerary needs – plus the added extras that make all the differenceWhy paper copies still matter (yes, really)Who should get a copy of the itinerary – it’s not just your exec!How to prep for delays, jet lag, and all those unexpected curveballsThe best AI and travel tech tools to streamline the process in 2025One final Google Maps trick that will make you look like a total travel genius🎁 Free Download: Grab our customisable Travel Itinerary Template – complete with emergency contact checklist and pre-trip planning questions. The EA Campus
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Ep62: Feedback is Fuel
In this solo episode, host Nicky Christmas dives into a topic that’s often overlooked but absolutely essential for Executive Assistants - feedback. Not just collecting it, but organising it, categorising it, and using it to demonstrate your value, influence, and impact.We’ll unpack how to turn everyday praise into a powerful narrative you can use in performance reviews, salary conversations, and even job interviews. If you've ever struggled to explain your contribution, this episode will give you the tools—and the confidence—to make your invisible work visible.Plus, Nicky shares a free downloadable Feedback Categorisation Template to help you get started.🔗 Download the free template here: https://theeacampus.com/podcast/ep62🗂️ Show Notes:In this episode, you’ll learn:Why feedback often goes unnoticed—and how to start spotting itHow to collect feedback in a way that fits into your busy scheduleA step-by-step system for categorising and analysing your feedbackHow to turn praise into a compelling narrative for performance conversationsWhy sending your feedback summary ahead of time changes the tone of the meetingHow tools like ChatGPT can help structure and polish your feedback log💡 EA Tip of the Week: Track praise like you’d track spending. It doesn’t have to be perfect—it just has to be captured.🎁 Resources Mentioned:Download the Feedback Categorisation TemplateSign up for The Collaborative Assistant Masterclass – Friday 30th May📣 Don’t forget to:Subscribe, share, and leave a reviewFollow us on LinkedIn and Instagram @TheEACampusVisit https://theeacampus.com for upcoming events, courses, and community support The EA Campus
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EP61: How to Encourage an Executive to Delegate to their EA
This week, we’re tackling one of the most common challenges Assistants face - getting your Executive to delegate.If your Executive insists on doing everything themselves, avoids handing off tasks, or says they simply don’t have time to show you the ropes, you're not alone. In this episode, I unpack eight key reasons why so many Executives struggle to delegate and what you can do about it. From perfectionism and fear of failure to not knowing where to start, we’ll explore the mindset behind the resistance and give you practical strategies to break through the barrier.You’ll learn how to:Understand the psychology behind under-delegationUse the “multiple-choice strategy” to make it easier for your Executive to say yesBuild trust and showcase your capability through small winsCreate a system that makes delegation a habit, not a headachePlus, I’ll share tips on how to keep your Executive accountable once they start delegating.👋 A quick heads-up before we dive in - May is a big month here at The EA Campus! Join us for the Project Management Masterclass with Mary Beth Imbarratto on Friday, 9th May, our Impact Virtual Summit on Friday, 16th May, and the Collaborative Assistant Masterclass on Friday, 30th May. We’d love to see you there!Project Management MasterclassImpact Virtual SummitCollaborative Assistant MasterclassReady to help your Executive let go and level up? Let’s get into it! The EA Campus
Do you want to know what it takes to work as a high-performing Executive Assistant? You’ll find out when you listen to The EA Campus podcast. Join Nicky Christmas, the Founder of The EA Campus, for a weekly interview with successful Assistants who all have first-hand experience and lessons to share on what it takes to excel in the role. Tune in, get inspired, and learn how to create an Assistant career where you are valued, motivate,d and ready to face every challenge head-on. Whether you are an Assistant just starting in your career or prepared to move to the next level, building a successful Assistant career just got a little easier with The EA Campus Podcast!
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