Monrovia – The West African Institute for Financial and Economic Management (WAIFEM) has started the training of Executive Assistants and Personal Secretaries of Chief Executive Officers in a regional course on productivity enhancement.
“On this note, it is my singular honor to declare open the Regional Course on Productivity Enhancement for Assistants and Personal Secretaries of CEOs,” said Central Bank of Liberia Executive Governor Milton Weeks, when he delivered the opening speech of the course.
Governor Weeks commended the WAIFEM for bringing such an “invaluable course to Liberia.”
“Let me at the onset, commend the West African Institute for Financial and Economic Management for bringing this invaluable course to our doorstep, and for the honor done me by this invitation to deliver the keynote address,” Governor Weeks added.
Governor Weeks said the role of Executive Assistants and Secretaries is not limited to typing as was done in the past, adding that Executive Assistants, secretaries and personal assistants are an essential part of the workforce in all organizations, providing critical support to executives.
“In the past, the role of the secretary was limited to typing, answering telephone calls and taking notes. The Secretary was seen as a person employed to take orders, write letters carry out dispatches and keep records”, he continued.
“The expectations were all about the clerical aspects of secretarial work and this was the job description that floated around up to 1970s.”
The CBL Governor said the expectations of executive assistants have changed a great deal. “Their roles and responsibilities in organizations have also evolved.”
Governor Weeks stressed the need for executive assistants to have good business knowledge, adding that it is important in understanding the working environment.
The CBL Boss named good interpersonal skills, good decision making capabilities, and excellent written, analytical and organizational skills as pre-requisite for executive assistants.
“It is clear that greater professionalism has been introduced into the work of executive and personal assistants. Executive may set up and oversee administrative policies and procedures for officials,” Governor Weeks said.
“They may work with departmental and corporate officials, and liaise with other organizations and associations on behalf of the executive,” he added.
“Indeed, the personality and capability of an assistant can impact on how the senior executive is perceived by others, and how the organization is perceived by key stakeholders.
As the first contact point for internal and external clients, the executive assistant is the face of the executive team.”
He urged the trainees to utilize the skills gain from the training for maximum productivity at their various organizations.
“I urge you to take maximum advantage of this opportunity to enhance your knowledge and skills for maximum productivity at your various organizations.”
