December 6, 2023 • 24 mins
This episode is sponsored by Autograph Events - THE experts in providing a complete event management solution – from free global venue finding through to full onsite event management. https://www.autograph-events.co.uk Connect today and ask more about the collaborative promotion for our listeners!
Ready to supercharge your administrative skills with the latest tech? You're in the right place! We're taking you through the dynamic world of new technology and how it applies to administrative professionals like us.
We're talking about the value of lifelong learning and continuous professional development, and how it aids in navigating the ever-changing tech landscape.
From our personal experiences with CPD (continuous professional development), we've seen it boost career growth and help us utilize a range of communication tools and apps for improved productivity and collaboration. Stay tuned as we discuss embracing advancements and nurturing an attitude of relentless curiosity.
We're also sharing some real-world wisdom on how to handle the inevitable difficult interactions with prickly clients or colleagues - it's all about kindness, understanding, and patience.
Listen to our engaging listener question about fostering a positive relationship with a challenging executive assistant; we've got some insightful advice up our sleeves. And we're not shying away from the tough stuff - initiating those hard conversations and setting those much-needed boundaries.
It's all part of reaching that desired work-life balance. So lean in, soak up the knowledge, and let's tackle these challenges together! If you have a question for us, send it in via email starting with "Hi Crodie..." to be featured on the show. You can also do this anonymously.
Value Bombs
Jodie Mears - ‘Network with a VA, ask them the difference between an employed corporate EA and VA’.
Craig Bryson – ‘Champion of change, you can be the Champion of change by learning new software, being one step ahead.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Craig Bryson (00:00):
This episode was brought to you by Autograph
Events, our sponsor.
Thank you for tuning into theCodie Files.
Jodie Mears (00:26):
I'm Craig Bryson and I'm Jodie Mears and together
we are the Codie Files.
Craig Bryson (00:32):
In this episode, we are going to talk about an
administrative assistance guideto using new tech.
This is always difficult, isn'tit?
Jodie Mears (00:55):
It is Again.
It's a hot topic, isn't it?
It is Everybody's talking aboutit AI is the new technology,
but there are hundreds of othernew technologies out there.
Craig Bryson (01:05):
I think because the hardware of computers is
evolving with every six monthseverything goes out of date, so
hardware becomes obsolete,because the software is sort of
working on the hardware.
So that's why new softwarealways coming out with it, maybe
every week.
Jodie Mears (01:20):
that I found this new Feels like it.
Craig Bryson (01:22):
There's another software to learn, another
software to learn.
Jodie Mears (01:25):
And because they're usually productivity time,
efficiency saving types ofcollaborative software, it
really relates to our industry.
Craig Bryson (01:33):
It does.
Jodie Mears (01:35):
And it's really important that we do sort of
stay on top of what's coming out, just to be knowledgeable and
ready for any change.
Craig Bryson (01:42):
Yeah, I think sort of playing around with software
, new tech, is really fun for me.
You always call me the geek.
Jodie Mears (01:50):
It's not your thing , I can think of other things to
do A bit more fun.
Craig loves a laptop.
Craig Bryson (01:58):
I do With a new technology and new I'm okay, I'm
okay.
Jodie Mears (02:02):
I definitely embrace the software part of it.
Yeah, laptop, I don't reallycare how thin or thick it is,
does it?
Craig Bryson (02:07):
switch on.
Jodie Mears (02:09):
Yeah, what's my password?
Yeah great, let's go.
Craig Bryson (02:13):
You're a bit more wooed.
Yeah, because, as a graphicdesigner, to make sure, when
you're rasterizing something inPhotoshop.
Jodie Mears (02:20):
What a tech what Arising?
Craig Bryson (02:22):
Rasterizing.
Jodie Mears (02:23):
Rasterizing.
Craig Bryson (02:25):
The computer has to convert all the colours and
stuff.
It takes hours if you haven'tgot a fast-forward laptop or a
high-definition screen.
So the hardware is important aswell as the software.
Jodie Mears (02:35):
I was going to say why are you not in IT support?
Craig Bryson (02:37):
You are, aren't you, everybody in the office
always comes to me.
It is on the first floor.
It's all quick setting rightover there.
Jodie Mears (02:46):
We spoke about internal networking and getting
to know your IT guy.
Craig Bryson (02:51):
I am the IT guy.
You're just everything mixed up.
Jodie Mears (02:55):
So, with learning and development, this all comes
part and parcel of learning newthings in general.
We've had a few questionsconcerning CPD.
What is it?
How does it tie into what we'retalking about as well?
So we thought we would coverCPD.
Craig Bryson (03:12):
What is that?
Jodie Mears (03:13):
I'm going to tell you it is continuous
professional development, cpd Inthe UK.
That's something that's quitepoignant in learning and
development.
I'm pretty sure it's similareverywhere else as well.
Let us know, because I know wehave a lot of listeners globally
.
So if continuous professionaldevelopment is different in your
(03:34):
country, do let us know, emailus.
Craig Bryson (03:36):
We'd like to know and understand a bit more.
Share the knowledge, yeah.
Jodie Mears (03:40):
There's also CIPD, which is a governing body.
So for me it's been reallyuseful understanding what CPD is
, how it works, how it affectsme and how it can benefit me.
First of all, understandingwhat does it mean in the
workplace and, for me,understanding it and being able
(04:00):
to relay it to the person payingfor the training course I was
requesting is really importantBecause I could bat out those
unnecessary questions that say Iwant to go on this course, it
is accredited and it does giveme CPD points, which aids
towards my collection of thepoints.
Craig Bryson (04:19):
What is points?
How does that work?
Jodie Mears (04:21):
Yeah, so, cpd, you can collate the points.
There are various platforms andagencies or companies, if you
like, that help you collate themFor me.
I'm a member of the IAM, theInstitute of Administrative
Management.
Every year I, in the membersportal, I will document and
upload my evidence of what I'vedone, learning and
(04:44):
development-wise.
Craig Bryson (04:45):
Attending events or doing a course?
Jodie Mears (04:47):
Yeah, all of that Webinars, attending events,
industry-related events,networking is on there as well.
Having panel discussions that'son there.
Of course, all theindustry-related learning and
development courses as well, andat the end of the year it gives
me an overview, a tally, mebeing organised and make sure
(05:10):
I'm accountable for my ownlearning and development.
That's what I find it reallyuseful.
Craig Bryson (05:14):
It's like a digital imprint of you, isn't?
Jodie Mears (05:17):
it Of my year yeah.
Craig Bryson (05:19):
Which you can use at the end of your reviews.
God couldn't you?
Jodie Mears (05:22):
Yeah, my annual appraisal, end of year review.
I will bring that up as areally good reminder.
Not only do we have that tallyor that sheet that we spoke,
about before what you keep alist of all the projects you've
been involved with, but also onthe professional development
side of things.
I will download the report atthe end of the year from the IAM
(05:44):
to support my review in my chat.
Craig Bryson (05:48):
Well, that's exciting.
And how did you do that?
Jodie Mears (05:51):
You just go into IAM and sort of set it up, count
, or yeah, you become a memberand you can use the member
portal to track your learningand development.
There's a minimum number ofpoints you need every year, but
it really does give you a focuson your own accountability for
learning and development.
(06:12):
So I like doing that.
It really does help me supportconversations, because at the
end of the year you say what didI do?
Craig Bryson (06:20):
It's so exhausting because you might have done so
much Exactly Remembering.
Jodie Mears (06:25):
So I think it's quite important, and using new
technology kind of wraps intothat the importance of
continuous professionaldevelopment.
If you think of that, you'reconstantly keeping abreast of
what's happening in our industry.
But don't be afraid of newtechnology at all.
Be excited, be curious, askquestions and try them out.
(06:48):
There's loads of communicationtools and apps Mondaycom.
Craig Bryson (06:52):
Trello.
Jodie Mears (06:53):
Light Trello Click up Mirror boards.
Mirror boards yeah, we usethose and Asana.
That's just like a couple, Justlike just a few.
There's so many more.
Craig Bryson (07:04):
What I do.
Well, I don't do this at work.
I do it on my personal time onthe weekend, as you know, like a
bit of a geek.
So download the software.
You have a sort of a two weekor 30 day trial period and you
can play around and see if youlike it or not.
And then there's always asubscription of like six pounds
per month.
(07:25):
After that I use that withPhotoshop it's so much easier to
buy, sort of buying 3,000 poundworth of the software.
You can pay six quid per monthand I can use the software and
it cater what I wanted to do.
I just that FYI.
If you do download a software,put a little diary sort of
reminder to cancel it.
Jodie Mears (07:46):
If you don't want it, forever.
If you don't want it forever.
Craig Bryson (07:49):
You're just trying for two weeks or 30 days.
Make sure you have a diaryreminder, because when you've
got a credit card, that sort ofstatement, and it's like where
did that come from?
And they're oh, I've got tocancel that software.
Jodie Mears (07:59):
And don't download it on your work.
Pc Just in case you know, itcome purling through the doors
and I want to shut you down andkick you out of the door.
Do ask questions.
It might be something thatyou're asking for that's already
purchased as a license throughIT and they hadn't realized that
(08:20):
you might want to use it inyour role because they just
assumed that that license forthat software is for project
managers or for the architects.
So, be curious, ask thequestion first at work to say do
we have so and so Do we haveaccess to this?
You?
Craig Bryson (08:38):
know with Y company they've been amazing
because being dyslexia, it'ssomething that you can't have
any control over.
So when I spoke to my boss andthey spoke to IT and they
actually got software called Gotit you can download that and it
says on my work PC anytime Ineed to proofread anything, I
can copy that information andput it into this software, it
(09:00):
will tell you the grammar here,full stop, there and actually
teaches me how to actually, whenyou visually see it.
Oh okay, then you'll rememberit, because you're always visual
recognition.
Exactly that's how I would workmore with images than with
thinking of words.
And the reason why they usethat particular one, not
Grammarly, is because Grammarlyis a third party server.
(09:20):
So when you load up a documentthat's confidential, it will be
taken to a server to be assessed.
So with the software that's onmy computer, it's only limited
to my laptop.
Jodie Mears (09:30):
We have Grammarly.
I like using Grammarly.
It's a really good reminder,especially like once I get
creative and into the flow ofthings.
I'm typing it a million milesan hour and making a lot of
mistakes and having to go backand proofread it.
I do like Grammarly.
Craig Bryson (09:45):
Grammarly I use personally.
Jodie Mears (09:46):
I like that, but we have a license at work, so
maybe there's like a corporateversion of.
Grammarly?
I'm sure there is, but do checkthem all out.
Ask IT.
You might be surprised.
There might already besomething that the company has
subscribed to anyway, yeah.
Yeah, be curious.
Keep on top of new and emergingtechnology, because that will
(10:06):
lead you into becoming more of astrategic yeah, we discussed
that.
So yeah, keep on top of newemerging technology, because we
feel like this is the entryroute of becoming that strategic
PA.
Craig Bryson (10:20):
Yes.
Jodie Mears (10:21):
I do believe you can be a strategic VA as well,
and we speak to a lot of virtualassistants.
Craig Bryson (10:25):
Yeah, we do.
Jodie Mears (10:26):
They are so knowledgeable with their tech.
Craig Bryson (10:27):
Oh my goodness, it is shocking.
They are really on top of it,did you feel?
Jodie Mears (10:32):
slightly threatened .
Craig Bryson (10:33):
There you did say oh, hello, where did this come
from?
Jodie Mears (10:37):
A fellow, a fellow.
Craig Bryson (10:39):
IT boss.
Jodie Mears (10:40):
VA's.
I take my how.
Craig Bryson (10:41):
Yes, me too.
Jodie Mears (10:42):
You learn so much.
It's quite astounding really.
It's so interesting to workwith or speak with, network with
a VA.
Ask them the differencesbetween an employed corporate EA
and a VA.
Really interesting to learn.
They are always on top of newtech because their time
(11:03):
efficiencies need to be therewhen they're working on certain
clients.
Craig Bryson (11:05):
They're not.
They're not.
They're not invisible, are they?
Jodie Mears (11:08):
That's probably why I think yeah, that too, but we
work for just one entity.
Craig Bryson (11:13):
Exactly.
Jodie Mears (11:14):
VAs can work for up to I don't know how many can
you take on Like four or?
Five entities, companies thatyou're working on so having
these platforms to keepeverything together.
They do get exposed to a lot ofnew tech.
So if you do network andthere's a VA in your group, do
ask them what do they use, howdo they use it, and see where
you can merge that into yourday-to-day role in the office.
Craig Bryson (11:37):
Yeah, be open to trying new things.
I think that's also important.
Don't be afraid to experiment.
I just think you try it If youdon't like it.
Sometimes you're being likewith that.
So we were talking about inanother episode.
Oh, I don't like using Googlebecause the way it is, I only
can use it out.
But we are trying it.
We're using it in our personalstyles.
Jodie Mears (11:57):
We're using that.
Craig Bryson (11:58):
So that is new technology.
Jodie Mears (12:00):
And just because it don't maybe look a certain way
of what you're used to, thereprobably is the capability there
to adjust the settings.
So if you're at a loss as towhy is it looking like this, why
doesn't it do that?
It probably does.
You can probably just need togo and listen to a webinar.
I think we can say the problemis?
Craig Bryson (12:20):
well, no, it's not a problem.
I think when computers startedcoming out, microsoft was on the
forefront and therefore we hadto learn how that software
worked.
So the layout, this is how youdo it, control C, all that.
But now new software coming out, it's evolving, so anything
that you'll train many, manyyears ago it's now changing to
(12:42):
make it easier and quicker foryou.
But you overthink it and try tomake it.
No, but I did this in Outlook.
Why is it not doing it to thisone?
It's because you just click it.
You don't need to right clickand add it.
It's all simple, but youoverthink it sometimes on new
technology.
And you don't need to.
You just need to take a stepback.
You don't need to think becauseit was like that.
(13:02):
It's going to be like.
This isn't just more basic.
Jodie Mears (13:06):
And attend those webinars Definitely.
Be, furious Enlisted to help anexpert, our contributor Shelly
Fischel.
She is an amazing MS Officesuite guru.
Tap into those resources.
There's paid resources.
They're free.
Sometimes there's newslettersthere's.
Craig Bryson (13:23):
YouTube as well.
There's YouTube.
Jodie Mears (13:25):
Yeah, there are so many different ways to get the
information you need, so if youdo need any sort of personal
recommendations, do get in touch.
Email us through the website.
Greg and Jodicom would be morethan happy to sort of tailor
some advice to you.
Craig Bryson (13:41):
And if we don't know, we can reach out to our
networks.
Jodie Mears (13:44):
Definitely, we're always able to say I'm not sure,
but I'm going to find that outfor you.
The CRODIFILES is brought toyou by Autograph Events, our
show sponsors.
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(14:05):
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(14:48):
Next is our listener questionfrom Charmaine Diplosie.
Craig Bryson (15:04):
Hi CRODIFILES.
I have two liais with anotherEA and another organization to
organize meetings between ourtwo executives.
This EA is rather prickly andthe tone of their emails is
always short and snappy.
Do you have any tips inbuilding a record in gaining
their trust, please?
So this is a difficult one.
(15:24):
I've always I've had difficultclients that are prickly.
Jodie Mears (15:30):
What is prickly to you.
Let's give some context to that.
Craig Bryson (15:34):
I think when it's a sentence.
Remember when I was talkingabout one sentence no, yes, or I
need this done now.
You haven't replied back to myemail, you know.
And then they see see, yourboss is there.
Jodie Mears (15:45):
So a little bit.
You know you're brushing me upthe wrong way.
You sound a bit off you sound abit curt, you sound a bit rude.
Rude yeah a bit to the point,but not everyone's going to have
those fluffy intros and outrosto their.
I know you just I always do.
Craig Bryson (16:02):
I did I always do because I think every person is
the new person that you're goingto meet and you don't know who
you're talking to.
Jodie Mears (16:09):
Definitely.
I was working with someoneyears ago that was racing to a
meeting in London.
There was a lot of pushing andshoving on the tube and anyway
it was a long story.
But it turns out that shedidn't realize the person she
was, let's just say, exchangingwords with on the escalators
down to the tube and getting abit short tempered, was exactly
(16:32):
the same person who ended up inour conference.
So you've got to be reallycareful how you address people,
how you approach situations.
You never know.
So in our world and whatCharmaine is alluding to the
emails can be short and snappy.
You don't want to continue thatcycle.
You never know when you'regoing to come face to face with
(16:53):
that prickly client EA, and youdon't want there to be an air of
animosity, yeah, just a bit ofnegativity.
Craig Bryson (17:02):
Yeah, I've always stuck with it.
Kill them with kindness,definitely Kill them with
kindness.
You catch more flies with honeythan you do with vinegar.
Jodie Mears (17:09):
Just being sweet as anything.
Craig Bryson (17:12):
And then, if that doesn't work, pick up the phone,
have a father, might have diedor somebody needs you know
something that has happened onthat side for that person to be
prickly.
But I mean, if it's once, okay,fair enough.
If it's twice, okay, and thenthree strikes, we need to have a
conversation.
Jodie Mears (17:28):
We need to have a conversation, yeah, and if you
don't and you don't feelconfident to have a conversation
and it's going to be difficultapproaching it.
But sometimes you'll besurprised where they say I
didn't even know, I'm so sorryit come across like that.
Just let me know.
If I'm ever like that to youagain, let me know.
It could have more of thatoutcome than your ex-wife
argument.
Craig Bryson (17:47):
Just suck it up.
What do you mean?
I'm not like that.
I'm not like that.
Yeah, in these three strikes.
Jodie Mears (17:53):
I think you owe it to yourself to let people know
how you want to be treated.
Craig Bryson (17:57):
Yeah, but it's like you getting blamed for
being the victim.
What were you saying the lasttime?
You said you're having?
Jodie Mears (18:03):
this animosity and you're the victim.
Yeah, that's how I spoke to.
Yeah, when you get told to bethe bigger person.
Craig Bryson (18:10):
Oh, bigger person.
Yeah, I don't like that, no.
Jodie Mears (18:13):
Because why should you bear the brunt of someone
else's rudeness?
By being the bigger person.
It never comes back to theinstigator.
Craig Bryson (18:21):
Yes, yeah.
Jodie Mears (18:22):
The instigator of the rudeness in this example.
Craig Bryson (18:25):
They should be the bigger person.
Jodie Mears (18:27):
Yeah, yeah, exactly .
Why does it always fall on theshoulders?
Of the victim.
Or the receiving end of someoneelse's rudeness and it's
because we don't like havingdifficult conversations.
Craig Bryson (18:39):
We don't.
We always push under the carpetand then we talk about it.
Jodie Mears (18:42):
Oh, did you see that email.
For me.
I will say well, did you lether know Exactly?
Craig Bryson (18:46):
Like no, I didn't.
I'm too scared to yeah well.
Jodie Mears (18:50):
Well then it's still going to keep on to
continuing.
It's going to be a viciouscycle.
Yeah, I would pluck the courageto have that conversation and
the ways you can do that,because I know for me I would be
thinking it's all right you'resaying that, but how do you
approach that?
Craig Bryson (19:06):
From me I would say you have one is a reaction
which is talking from the heart,so your feelings.
The other one is a responsewhich is thinking with your head
.
So I would either leave theoffice, walk around and get a
coffee, just calm down and thenapproach it so you take your
mind off it, you assess it andthen you come back so that you
(19:28):
don't want to be sort of usingyour heart.
You know your emotions.
You want to have a thoughtfulprocedure on how you think this
is strategic, because you'realways going to be a listener.
You always need to listen.
Jodie Mears (19:40):
So don't react immediately.
So having our three strikes iskind of good because you're
allowing that buffer time forthings to reoccur again.
Yeah, maybe sleep on it, letemotions die down, but I really
think it's important.
You should be able to let meknow how I made you feel.
Craig Bryson (19:57):
Yes.
Jodie Mears (19:59):
Because I might be repeating unconscious biases and
unconscious catchphrases in myhead that I don't realize are
offensive.
And I've heard people do thatto me.
Craig Bryson (20:11):
And.
Jodie Mears (20:11):
I've had to say do you realize the way you respond
to certain questions?
Craig Bryson (20:17):
It's really a nice thing.
Jodie Mears (20:18):
Yeah, it's actually not the dumb thing to do in
this day and age.
Craig Bryson (20:20):
Yeah, people don't like talking about their
feelings, do they?
It's like, but thatvulnerability of you upset me,
oh okay, so what do we do about?
That Right yeah.
Jodie Mears (20:29):
Partnerships and relationships at work are really
important.
You need to set your boundarieswith people, how you want to be
spoken to and just approach itcalmly, collectively.
Don't send texts.
Don't fight the fire with thefire.
Don't send back a lengthy emaileither.
Craig Bryson (20:44):
Yeah.
Jodie Mears (20:44):
Pick up the phone, see if we can have a
conversation, if you'reinterested in maintaining that
relationship.
Yeah but you know it's still.
Craig Bryson (20:52):
Respect for myself .
I would give her a call andjust be sort of you know, in a
nice voice and say how are youand all that, but don't say you
really hurt my feelings.
Jodie Mears (21:03):
You're like there's a way of saying it yeah, if you
want to escalate it you cancome with me with that one.
Craig Bryson (21:10):
Yeah.
Jodie Mears (21:12):
We have got to have some conversations.
Those emails, as we mentionedin a previous episode, is try
not to use them one-liners.
No that will come across shortand snappy, using like three or
four words, and then you readthose three or four words You're
going to think, oh, okay.
Craig Bryson (21:28):
Is that all I get?
Jodie Mears (21:30):
Yeah, it will come across like that.
So using effective language toget the point or the question
across initially really helpseliminate that if you're the
instigator of the pricklyconversations.
Craig Bryson (21:42):
Yeah, so what are your top tips in this episode,
if we have two conversations,one with tech and one with
prickly so interesting?
Jodie Mears (21:52):
With the new technology again, just like with
the AI, be curious, network,understand what others are using
, ask questions and if you'renot able to use the new
technology now, don't just goalong to these webinars and
training sessions just becauseTry and take some of what you've
(22:14):
learned and absorb and applythem into your personal life.
Break gloves Doing that andusing these new technologies and
look where you're able to shareknowledge, even though your
company are not using half ofthe things that you're aware of.
Craig Bryson (22:29):
But I'm always putting out fires every time
Because we have this problem.
Yeah, if we just do this andthis and this, we're going to
use SharePoint for that.
We can use Teams for that.
So, knowing that you can alwayssort of have answers to
solutions or problems,definitely Mine would be
Champion of Change.
Oh yeah, champion of Change.
You can be the Champion ofChange by learning new software,
(22:50):
being one step ahead of thecurve.
Jodie Mears (22:53):
And not being afraid of having difficult
conversations.
Craig Bryson (22:56):
Be patient.
Jodie Mears (22:57):
Be patient with people and allow people to
breach your boundaries.
Have the confidence to approachdifficult conversations and let
people know when they've upsetyou.
There's a style of conversationfor everything and again, if
anything is bothering you andyou want some personal,
one-to-one advice, just emailCraig and I via the website at
(23:20):
craigandjodycom, and we will bemore than happy to listen to
your personal situation andadvise you accordingly or point
you into the direction of whereyou can get some advice.
So thank you for listening.
It's been a great episode.
Don't forget to check out ourwebsite, craigandjodycom, or on
(23:42):
any of the social mediaplatforms, the CRODI files, and
we look forward to receivingyour high CRODI messages through
the website, sending youremails, bugbears, questions,
comments, concerns within theindustry and remember you're not
alone and keep sharing theknowledge.
Craig Bryson (24:01):
Next episode we shall be discussing how can
administrative assistantsachieve a better work-life
balance?
I'm Craig Bryson.
Jodie Mears (24:10):
And I'm Jody Mears.
Craig Bryson (24:12):
And together we are the CRODI Files.
This episode was brought to youby Autograph Events, our
sponsor.
This episode was brought to you by Autograph
Events, our sponsor.
Thank you for tuning into theCodie Files.
Jodie Mears (00:26):
I'm Craig Bryson and I'm Jodie Mears and together
we are the Codie Files.
Craig Bryson (00:32):
In this episode, we are going to talk about an
administrative assistance guideto using new tech.
This is always difficult, isn'tit?
Jodie Mears (00:55):
It is Again.
It's a hot topic, isn't it?
It is Everybody's talking aboutit AI is the new technology,
but there are hundreds of othernew technologies out there.
Craig Bryson (01:05):
I think because the hardware of computers is
evolving with every six monthseverything goes out of date, so
hardware becomes obsolete,because the software is sort of
working on the hardware.
So that's why new softwarealways coming out with it, maybe
every week.
Jodie Mears (01:20):
that I found this new Feels like it.
Craig Bryson (01:22):
There's another software to learn, another
software to learn.
Jodie Mears (01:25):
And because they're usually productivity time,
efficiency saving types ofcollaborative software, it
really relates to our industry.
Craig Bryson (01:33):
It does.
Jodie Mears (01:35):
And it's really important that we do sort of
stay on top of what's coming out, just to be knowledgeable and
ready for any change.
Craig Bryson (01:42):
Yeah, I think sort of playing around with software
, new tech, is really fun for me.
You always call me the geek.
Jodie Mears (01:50):
It's not your thing , I can think of other things to
do A bit more fun.
Craig loves a laptop.
Craig Bryson (01:58):
I do With a new technology and new I'm okay, I'm
okay.
Jodie Mears (02:02):
I definitely embrace the software part of it.
Yeah, laptop, I don't reallycare how thin or thick it is,
does it?
Craig Bryson (02:07):
switch on.
Jodie Mears (02:09):
Yeah, what's my password?
Yeah great, let's go.
Craig Bryson (02:13):
You're a bit more wooed.
Yeah, because, as a graphicdesigner, to make sure, when
you're rasterizing something inPhotoshop.
Jodie Mears (02:20):
What a tech what Arising?
Craig Bryson (02:22):
Rasterizing.
Jodie Mears (02:23):
Rasterizing.
Craig Bryson (02:25):
The computer has to convert all the colours and
stuff.
It takes hours if you haven'tgot a fast-forward laptop or a
high-definition screen.
So the hardware is important aswell as the software.
Jodie Mears (02:35):
I was going to say why are you not in IT support?
Craig Bryson (02:37):
You are, aren't you, everybody in the office
always comes to me.
It is on the first floor.
It's all quick setting rightover there.
Jodie Mears (02:46):
We spoke about internal networking and getting
to know your IT guy.
Craig Bryson (02:51):
I am the IT guy.
You're just everything mixed up.
Jodie Mears (02:55):
So, with learning and development, this all comes
part and parcel of learning newthings in general.
We've had a few questionsconcerning CPD.
What is it?
How does it tie into what we'retalking about as well?
So we thought we would coverCPD.
Craig Bryson (03:12):
What is that?
Jodie Mears (03:13):
I'm going to tell you it is continuous
professional development, cpd Inthe UK.
That's something that's quitepoignant in learning and
development.
I'm pretty sure it's similareverywhere else as well.
Let us know, because I know wehave a lot of listeners globally
.
So if continuous professionaldevelopment is different in your
(03:34):
country, do let us know, emailus.
Craig Bryson (03:36):
We'd like to know and understand a bit more.
Share the knowledge, yeah.
Jodie Mears (03:40):
There's also CIPD, which is a governing body.
So for me it's been reallyuseful understanding what CPD is
, how it works, how it affectsme and how it can benefit me.
First of all, understandingwhat does it mean in the
workplace and, for me,understanding it and being able
(04:00):
to relay it to the person payingfor the training course I was
requesting is really importantBecause I could bat out those
unnecessary questions that say Iwant to go on this course, it
is accredited and it does giveme CPD points, which aids
towards my collection of thepoints.
Craig Bryson (04:19):
What is points?
How does that work?
Jodie Mears (04:21):
Yeah, so, cpd, you can collate the points.
There are various platforms andagencies or companies, if you
like, that help you collate themFor me.
I'm a member of the IAM, theInstitute of Administrative
Management.
Every year I, in the membersportal, I will document and
upload my evidence of what I'vedone, learning and
(04:44):
development-wise.
Craig Bryson (04:45):
Attending events or doing a course?
Jodie Mears (04:47):
Yeah, all of that Webinars, attending events,
industry-related events,networking is on there as well.
Having panel discussions that'son there.
Of course, all theindustry-related learning and
development courses as well, andat the end of the year it gives
me an overview, a tally, mebeing organised and make sure
(05:10):
I'm accountable for my ownlearning and development.
That's what I find it reallyuseful.
Craig Bryson (05:14):
It's like a digital imprint of you, isn't?
Jodie Mears (05:17):
it Of my year yeah.
Craig Bryson (05:19):
Which you can use at the end of your reviews.
God couldn't you?
Jodie Mears (05:22):
Yeah, my annual appraisal, end of year review.
I will bring that up as areally good reminder.
Not only do we have that tallyor that sheet that we spoke,
about before what you keep alist of all the projects you've
been involved with, but also onthe professional development
side of things.
I will download the report atthe end of the year from the IAM
(05:44):
to support my review in my chat.
Craig Bryson (05:48):
Well, that's exciting.
And how did you do that?
Jodie Mears (05:51):
You just go into IAM and sort of set it up, count
, or yeah, you become a memberand you can use the member
portal to track your learningand development.
There's a minimum number ofpoints you need every year, but
it really does give you a focuson your own accountability for
learning and development.
(06:12):
So I like doing that.
It really does help me supportconversations, because at the
end of the year you say what didI do?
Craig Bryson (06:20):
It's so exhausting because you might have done so
much Exactly Remembering.
Jodie Mears (06:25):
So I think it's quite important, and using new
technology kind of wraps intothat the importance of
continuous professionaldevelopment.
If you think of that, you'reconstantly keeping abreast of
what's happening in our industry.
But don't be afraid of newtechnology at all.
Be excited, be curious, askquestions and try them out.
(06:48):
There's loads of communicationtools and apps Mondaycom.
Craig Bryson (06:52):
Trello.
Jodie Mears (06:53):
Light Trello Click up Mirror boards.
Mirror boards yeah, we usethose and Asana.
That's just like a couple, Justlike just a few.
There's so many more.
Craig Bryson (07:04):
What I do.
Well, I don't do this at work.
I do it on my personal time onthe weekend, as you know, like a
bit of a geek.
So download the software.
You have a sort of a two weekor 30 day trial period and you
can play around and see if youlike it or not.
And then there's always asubscription of like six pounds
per month.
(07:25):
After that I use that withPhotoshop it's so much easier to
buy, sort of buying 3,000 poundworth of the software.
You can pay six quid per monthand I can use the software and
it cater what I wanted to do.
I just that FYI.
If you do download a software,put a little diary sort of
reminder to cancel it.
Jodie Mears (07:46):
If you don't want it, forever.
If you don't want it forever.
Craig Bryson (07:49):
You're just trying for two weeks or 30 days.
Make sure you have a diaryreminder, because when you've
got a credit card, that sort ofstatement, and it's like where
did that come from?
And they're oh, I've got tocancel that software.
Jodie Mears (07:59):
And don't download it on your work.
Pc Just in case you know, itcome purling through the doors
and I want to shut you down andkick you out of the door.
Do ask questions.
It might be something thatyou're asking for that's already
purchased as a license throughIT and they hadn't realized that
(08:20):
you might want to use it inyour role because they just
assumed that that license forthat software is for project
managers or for the architects.
So, be curious, ask thequestion first at work to say do
we have so and so Do we haveaccess to this?
You?
Craig Bryson (08:38):
know with Y company they've been amazing
because being dyslexia, it'ssomething that you can't have
any control over.
So when I spoke to my boss andthey spoke to IT and they
actually got software called Gotit you can download that and it
says on my work PC anytime Ineed to proofread anything, I
can copy that information andput it into this software, it
(09:00):
will tell you the grammar here,full stop, there and actually
teaches me how to actually, whenyou visually see it.
Oh okay, then you'll rememberit, because you're always visual
recognition.
Exactly that's how I would workmore with images than with
thinking of words.
And the reason why they usethat particular one, not
Grammarly, is because Grammarlyis a third party server.
(09:20):
So when you load up a documentthat's confidential, it will be
taken to a server to be assessed.
So with the software that's onmy computer, it's only limited
to my laptop.
Jodie Mears (09:30):
We have Grammarly.
I like using Grammarly.
It's a really good reminder,especially like once I get
creative and into the flow ofthings.
I'm typing it a million milesan hour and making a lot of
mistakes and having to go backand proofread it.
I do like Grammarly.
Craig Bryson (09:45):
Grammarly I use personally.
Jodie Mears (09:46):
I like that, but we have a license at work, so
maybe there's like a corporateversion of.
Grammarly?
I'm sure there is, but do checkthem all out.
Ask IT.
You might be surprised.
There might already besomething that the company has
subscribed to anyway, yeah.
Yeah, be curious.
Keep on top of new and emergingtechnology, because that will
(10:06):
lead you into becoming more of astrategic yeah, we discussed
that.
So yeah, keep on top of newemerging technology, because we
feel like this is the entryroute of becoming that strategic
PA.
Craig Bryson (10:20):
Yes.
Jodie Mears (10:21):
I do believe you can be a strategic VA as well,
and we speak to a lot of virtualassistants.
Craig Bryson (10:25):
Yeah, we do.
Jodie Mears (10:26):
They are so knowledgeable with their tech.
Craig Bryson (10:27):
Oh my goodness, it is shocking.
They are really on top of it,did you feel?
Jodie Mears (10:32):
slightly threatened .
Craig Bryson (10:33):
There you did say oh, hello, where did this come
from?
Jodie Mears (10:37):
A fellow, a fellow.
Craig Bryson (10:39):
IT boss.
Jodie Mears (10:40):
VA's.
I take my how.
Craig Bryson (10:41):
Yes, me too.
Jodie Mears (10:42):
You learn so much.
It's quite astounding really.
It's so interesting to workwith or speak with, network with
a VA.
Ask them the differencesbetween an employed corporate EA
and a VA.
Really interesting to learn.
They are always on top of newtech because their time
(11:03):
efficiencies need to be therewhen they're working on certain
clients.
Craig Bryson (11:05):
They're not.
They're not.
They're not invisible, are they?
Jodie Mears (11:08):
That's probably why I think yeah, that too, but we
work for just one entity.
Craig Bryson (11:13):
Exactly.
Jodie Mears (11:14):
VAs can work for up to I don't know how many can
you take on Like four or?
Five entities, companies thatyou're working on so having
these platforms to keepeverything together.
They do get exposed to a lot ofnew tech.
So if you do network andthere's a VA in your group, do
ask them what do they use, howdo they use it, and see where
you can merge that into yourday-to-day role in the office.
Craig Bryson (11:37):
Yeah, be open to trying new things.
I think that's also important.
Don't be afraid to experiment.
I just think you try it If youdon't like it.
Sometimes you're being likewith that.
So we were talking about inanother episode.
Oh, I don't like using Googlebecause the way it is, I only
can use it out.
But we are trying it.
We're using it in our personalstyles.
Jodie Mears (11:57):
We're using that.
Craig Bryson (11:58):
So that is new technology.
Jodie Mears (12:00):
And just because it don't maybe look a certain way
of what you're used to, thereprobably is the capability there
to adjust the settings.
So if you're at a loss as towhy is it looking like this, why
doesn't it do that?
It probably does.
You can probably just need togo and listen to a webinar.
I think we can say the problemis?
Craig Bryson (12:20):
well, no, it's not a problem.
I think when computers startedcoming out, microsoft was on the
forefront and therefore we hadto learn how that software
worked.
So the layout, this is how youdo it, control C, all that.
But now new software coming out, it's evolving, so anything
that you'll train many, manyyears ago it's now changing to
(12:42):
make it easier and quicker foryou.
But you overthink it and try tomake it.
No, but I did this in Outlook.
Why is it not doing it to thisone?
It's because you just click it.
You don't need to right clickand add it.
It's all simple, but youoverthink it sometimes on new
technology.
And you don't need to.
You just need to take a stepback.
You don't need to think becauseit was like that.
(13:02):
It's going to be like.
This isn't just more basic.
Jodie Mears (13:06):
And attend those webinars Definitely.
Be, furious Enlisted to help anexpert, our contributor Shelly
Fischel.
She is an amazing MS Officesuite guru.
Tap into those resources.
There's paid resources.
They're free.
Sometimes there's newslettersthere's.
Craig Bryson (13:23):
YouTube as well.
There's YouTube.
Jodie Mears (13:25):
Yeah, there are so many different ways to get the
information you need, so if youdo need any sort of personal
recommendations, do get in touch.
Email us through the website.
Greg and Jodicom would be morethan happy to sort of tailor
some advice to you.
Craig Bryson (13:41):
And if we don't know, we can reach out to our
networks.
Jodie Mears (13:44):
Definitely, we're always able to say I'm not sure,
but I'm going to find that outfor you.
The CRODIFILES is brought toyou by Autograph Events, our
show sponsors.
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(14:05):
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(14:48):
Next is our listener questionfrom Charmaine Diplosie.
Craig Bryson (15:04):
Hi CRODIFILES.
I have two liais with anotherEA and another organization to
organize meetings between ourtwo executives.
This EA is rather prickly andthe tone of their emails is
always short and snappy.
Do you have any tips inbuilding a record in gaining
their trust, please?
So this is a difficult one.
(15:24):
I've always I've had difficultclients that are prickly.
Jodie Mears (15:30):
What is prickly to you.
Let's give some context to that.
Craig Bryson (15:34):
I think when it's a sentence.
Remember when I was talkingabout one sentence no, yes, or I
need this done now.
You haven't replied back to myemail, you know.
And then they see see, yourboss is there.
Jodie Mears (15:45):
So a little bit.
You know you're brushing me upthe wrong way.
You sound a bit off you sound abit curt, you sound a bit rude.
Rude yeah a bit to the point,but not everyone's going to have
those fluffy intros and outrosto their.
I know you just I always do.
Craig Bryson (16:02):
I did I always do because I think every person is
the new person that you're goingto meet and you don't know who
you're talking to.
Jodie Mears (16:09):
Definitely.
I was working with someoneyears ago that was racing to a
meeting in London.
There was a lot of pushing andshoving on the tube and anyway
it was a long story.
But it turns out that shedidn't realize the person she
was, let's just say, exchangingwords with on the escalators
down to the tube and getting abit short tempered, was exactly
(16:32):
the same person who ended up inour conference.
So you've got to be reallycareful how you address people,
how you approach situations.
You never know.
So in our world and whatCharmaine is alluding to the
emails can be short and snappy.
You don't want to continue thatcycle.
You never know when you'regoing to come face to face with
(16:53):
that prickly client EA, and youdon't want there to be an air of
animosity, yeah, just a bit ofnegativity.
Craig Bryson (17:02):
Yeah, I've always stuck with it.
Kill them with kindness,definitely Kill them with
kindness.
You catch more flies with honeythan you do with vinegar.
Jodie Mears (17:09):
Just being sweet as anything.
Craig Bryson (17:12):
And then, if that doesn't work, pick up the phone,
have a father, might have diedor somebody needs you know
something that has happened onthat side for that person to be
prickly.
But I mean, if it's once, okay,fair enough.
If it's twice, okay, and thenthree strikes, we need to have a
conversation.
Jodie Mears (17:28):
We need to have a conversation, yeah, and if you
don't and you don't feelconfident to have a conversation
and it's going to be difficultapproaching it.
But sometimes you'll besurprised where they say I
didn't even know, I'm so sorryit come across like that.
Just let me know.
If I'm ever like that to youagain, let me know.
It could have more of thatoutcome than your ex-wife
argument.
Craig Bryson (17:47):
Just suck it up.
What do you mean?
I'm not like that.
I'm not like that.
Yeah, in these three strikes.
Jodie Mears (17:53):
I think you owe it to yourself to let people know
how you want to be treated.
Craig Bryson (17:57):
Yeah, but it's like you getting blamed for
being the victim.
What were you saying the lasttime?
You said you're having?
Jodie Mears (18:03):
this animosity and you're the victim.
Yeah, that's how I spoke to.
Yeah, when you get told to bethe bigger person.
Craig Bryson (18:10):
Oh, bigger person.
Yeah, I don't like that, no.
Jodie Mears (18:13):
Because why should you bear the brunt of someone
else's rudeness?
By being the bigger person.
It never comes back to theinstigator.
Craig Bryson (18:21):
Yes, yeah.
Jodie Mears (18:22):
The instigator of the rudeness in this example.
Craig Bryson (18:25):
They should be the bigger person.
Jodie Mears (18:27):
Yeah, yeah, exactly .
Why does it always fall on theshoulders?
Of the victim.
Or the receiving end of someoneelse's rudeness and it's
because we don't like havingdifficult conversations.
Craig Bryson (18:39):
We don't.
We always push under the carpetand then we talk about it.
Jodie Mears (18:42):
Oh, did you see that email.
For me.
I will say well, did you lether know Exactly?
Craig Bryson (18:46):
Like no, I didn't.
I'm too scared to yeah well.
Jodie Mears (18:50):
Well then it's still going to keep on to
continuing.
It's going to be a viciouscycle.
Yeah, I would pluck the courageto have that conversation and
the ways you can do that,because I know for me I would be
thinking it's all right you'resaying that, but how do you
approach that?
Craig Bryson (19:06):
From me I would say you have one is a reaction
which is talking from the heart,so your feelings.
The other one is a responsewhich is thinking with your head
.
So I would either leave theoffice, walk around and get a
coffee, just calm down and thenapproach it so you take your
mind off it, you assess it andthen you come back so that you
(19:28):
don't want to be sort of usingyour heart.
You know your emotions.
You want to have a thoughtfulprocedure on how you think this
is strategic, because you'realways going to be a listener.
You always need to listen.
Jodie Mears (19:40):
So don't react immediately.
So having our three strikes iskind of good because you're
allowing that buffer time forthings to reoccur again.
Yeah, maybe sleep on it, letemotions die down, but I really
think it's important.
You should be able to let meknow how I made you feel.
Craig Bryson (19:57):
Yes.
Jodie Mears (19:59):
Because I might be repeating unconscious biases and
unconscious catchphrases in myhead that I don't realize are
offensive.
And I've heard people do thatto me.
Craig Bryson (20:11):
And.
Jodie Mears (20:11):
I've had to say do you realize the way you respond
to certain questions?
Craig Bryson (20:17):
It's really a nice thing.
Jodie Mears (20:18):
Yeah, it's actually not the dumb thing to do in
this day and age.
Craig Bryson (20:20):
Yeah, people don't like talking about their
feelings, do they?
It's like, but thatvulnerability of you upset me,
oh okay, so what do we do about?
That Right yeah.
Jodie Mears (20:29):
Partnerships and relationships at work are really
important.
You need to set your boundarieswith people, how you want to be
spoken to and just approach itcalmly, collectively.
Don't send texts.
Don't fight the fire with thefire.
Don't send back a lengthy emaileither.
Craig Bryson (20:44):
Yeah.
Jodie Mears (20:44):
Pick up the phone, see if we can have a
conversation, if you'reinterested in maintaining that
relationship.
Yeah but you know it's still.
Craig Bryson (20:52):
Respect for myself .
I would give her a call andjust be sort of you know, in a
nice voice and say how are youand all that, but don't say you
really hurt my feelings.
Jodie Mears (21:03):
You're like there's a way of saying it yeah, if you
want to escalate it you cancome with me with that one.
Craig Bryson (21:10):
Yeah.
Jodie Mears (21:12):
We have got to have some conversations.
Those emails, as we mentionedin a previous episode, is try
not to use them one-liners.
No that will come across shortand snappy, using like three or
four words, and then you readthose three or four words You're
going to think, oh, okay.
Craig Bryson (21:28):
Is that all I get?
Jodie Mears (21:30):
Yeah, it will come across like that.
So using effective language toget the point or the question
across initially really helpseliminate that if you're the
instigator of the pricklyconversations.
Craig Bryson (21:42):
Yeah, so what are your top tips in this episode,
if we have two conversations,one with tech and one with
prickly so interesting?
Jodie Mears (21:52):
With the new technology again, just like with
the AI, be curious, network,understand what others are using
, ask questions and if you'renot able to use the new
technology now, don't just goalong to these webinars and
training sessions just becauseTry and take some of what you've
(22:14):
learned and absorb and applythem into your personal life.
Break gloves Doing that andusing these new technologies and
look where you're able to shareknowledge, even though your
company are not using half ofthe things that you're aware of.
Craig Bryson (22:29):
But I'm always putting out fires every time
Because we have this problem.
Yeah, if we just do this andthis and this, we're going to
use SharePoint for that.
We can use Teams for that.
So, knowing that you can alwayssort of have answers to
solutions or problems,definitely Mine would be
Champion of Change.
Oh yeah, champion of Change.
You can be the Champion ofChange by learning new software,
(22:50):
being one step ahead of thecurve.
Jodie Mears (22:53):
And not being afraid of having difficult
conversations.
Craig Bryson (22:56):
Be patient.
Jodie Mears (22:57):
Be patient with people and allow people to
breach your boundaries.
Have the confidence to approachdifficult conversations and let
people know when they've upsetyou.
There's a style of conversationfor everything and again, if
anything is bothering you andyou want some personal,
one-to-one advice, just emailCraig and I via the website at
(23:20):
craigandjodycom, and we will bemore than happy to listen to
your personal situation andadvise you accordingly or point
you into the direction of whereyou can get some advice.
So thank you for listening.
It's been a great episode.
Don't forget to check out ourwebsite, craigandjodycom, or on
(23:42):
any of the social mediaplatforms, the CRODI files, and
we look forward to receivingyour high CRODI messages through
the website, sending youremails, bugbears, questions,
comments, concerns within theindustry and remember you're not
alone and keep sharing theknowledge.
Craig Bryson (24:01):
Next episode we shall be discussing how can
administrative assistantsachieve a better work-life
balance?
I'm Craig Bryson.
Jodie Mears (24:10):
And I'm Jody Mears.
Craig Bryson (24:12):
And together we are the CRODI Files.
This episode was brought to youby Autograph Events, our
sponsor.
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