Who Should Attend:

Administrative assistants, executive assistants, and employees in administrative or service-oriented roles.

Series Overview:

This is a three-part series of classes that provides utility-specific information directed toward administrative assistants and executive secretaries who want to become more effective in managing their tasks and in communicating with others. By registering for all three classes, you will receive a discount off the total registration fee.

Using Diplomacy, Tact, and Discretion to Build Trust, March 9 and 11, 2021

Diplomacy, tact, and discretion are all key communication concepts in building a professional image and in building the trust that is necessary in good relationships. As an administrative professional, you are in situations with internal and external customers that must be handled diplomatically and tactfully. Your position also makes you privy to information that must be handled with the utmost discretion. In this two-part webinar, the importance of these concepts will be thoroughly examined. Specific examples of situations, phrasing, and ethical dilemmas that call for diplomacy, tact, and discretion will be used during class instruction and role play.

Getting Support for Your Ideas, March 16 and 18, 2021

This webinar builds specific skills that will help you explain and gain support for ideas that may entail difficult, complicated, or unpopular ideas, policies, or changes. Skills will include how to state the purpose and main point of a message; how to present points to aid understanding; how to summarize main points; and how to handle reactions to what is presented. One-on-one interactions, as well as skills for presenting ideas to a group, will be covered. You will leave with new verbal and non-verbal skills to help you organize, prepare, and present your ideas while overcoming any fear of speaking or speaking up.

Professional Development Through SMART Goals and Self-Appraisals, March 23 and 25, 2021

You need a clear view of your role in the organization’s success. To do that, you must clearly understand the organization’s vision, mission, goals, and objectives. This can only happen when there are mutually agreed upon, straight-forward performance expectations. This two-part webinar introduces the importance of administrative professionals' professional development through the use of SMART goals that align your development with your manager’s and organization’s goals. It provides you with the skills needed to honestly self-appraise and discuss performance and performance expectations with others in a way that is focused and productive.

Webinar Recordings:

Webinar recordings can be made available to registrants who are unable to attend live.

Webinar Instructor:

Debra Ballard, The Ballard Group

Webinar Schedule:

The webinars will be held on March 9, 11, 16, 18, 23, and 25 at 2-4 p.m. PST. Attendees will be admitted 15 minutes before the webinar begins.

How to Participate:

Instructions will be emailed to attendees within 12 hours of the webinar and we recommend that you test the link to the meeting as soon as you get the instructions. The webinar is best viewed using Chrome as your browser. We recommend that you use a landline for both your phone and your internet connections.

This registration is for one person to attend. We manage our webinars on an honor-system basis; if more than one person from a utility wishes to attend, each is to register separately.

Webinar Fees:

Utility Member Rate: $630
Associate Member Rate: $945
Non-Member Rate: $1,890

Cancellation Policy:

Cancellations are accepted, with full refund, if request is made at least 30 days prior to the course. Within 30 days, fees are as follows: 15-29 days, $100; 1-14 days or no show, 100% of registration fee. When possible, please send a substitute instead of canceling; NWPPA does not charge a fee for substitutions.

Continuing Hours:

This course qualifies for 12 continuing hours. Certificates are issued upon full completion of the course.