Testimonials

Joan, I really enjoyed the book (Underneath It All). You nailed what assistants need to do in order to become a professional strategic partner. - Brenda

This program (World Class Assistant) gives me the assurance I need that my star can shine higher than I would have thought before. My expectation levels for myself have risen drastically. - Cornna

I sincerely appreciated Joan's energy, professionalism, and her unwavering enthusiasm for what we do and who we are as administrative professionals. She spreads support for the growth of our profession and our own unique identities within that profession like seeds from a gardener's green thumb! Thank you - Reneé 

I just wanted to say thank you again for your labor of love. I hope I represent it well in my profession and help further the attitude toward Administrators worldwide. You have given me so much to ponder and work on. Enjoy your San Diego conference - I'm so excited for all those who participate, they will go home changed and most importantly they will go back to their jobs and bring much needed change to offices everywhere. - Brenda

Joan, your feedback and wisdom helped me negotiate a better salary. Many thanks for taking time out of your busy day to speak to me. - Theressa

I honestly believe the effects of this Series had a role in my getting into management. I didn’t ask for it; they saw the possibility in me. I practice what I’ve learned at work. - Christee

I just bought your new book & I love it! Keep up the good work, I love watching you reach for the stars in your business, professional and personal life. "Here's to great women, may we know them, may we raise them & may we be them." - Shelly

By striving to be a Star Performer on the job, I am more confident, more creative, more efficient. This is one training course where you don’t passively listen in a classroom, then go back to your desk and forget everything you learned. With all the group interaction, activities and workbook exercises, each person is actively involved. I find myself practicing Star principles every day. - Dixie

STAR addressed 23 of the 29 competencies identified as necessary to excel . . . It provided the best match in terms of addressing the competencies with high-quality facilitators, excellent materials and extraordinary customer service. - Joe Curry, Director Administration & Development

It’s refreshing to have these resources available to help support staff excel. When reading Ms. Burge’s books, it feels like she is talking to me! I discovered Office Dynamics this past year, and refer to your Website regularly to maintain my professionalism and help keep a positive attitude. - Julie

The material was outstanding. It really got you thinking about yourself and how you can start improving on your qualities and ways you cna improve in your current job. - Karen

I feel refreshed; this course continued to help me strive to be a world class admin. - Kimberly

I have been promoted three times since working with Joan as my personal excellence coach. - Jennifer

With all that has gone on in my personal life this past year, attending class has given me a renewed energy to succeed in my current profession. I feel that I am ready to pick up where I left off. - Monica

I love teaching Star! The managers and peers of those who have and are taking this course indicate that they definitely see a 'huge difference’ in the way those administrators are performing. - Debbie 

I'm only on Chapter 3 of your new book, but have already gained a book's worth of ideas, inspirations, and building blocks. - Jenny

Thank you, once again, for opening my mind to opportunities already inside of me. You just helped me find them. - Christina

I appreciate the weekly Monday Motivators and the other books I’ve read and studied authored by Ms. Burge. I enjoy a solid reputation at work, and am fortunate to be considered an inner circle assistant. This is due, in part, to the sound advice and techniques I learn through your publications. - Julie

This is an excellent program to have with our executive assistant team. It will help us work better as a team & communicate to help each other be more efficient. - Kathy

I look at problem solving in a new way. I utilize techniques we learned when facing challenges. I have more self-confidence, especially when dealing with difficult situations or people. I offer my opinions and feelings more readily and in a tactful manner. I am less afraid to try new things. - Shari

Having been hooked on John Maxwell books for the last 6 years, (after seeing Joan speak) I am now hooked on Office Dynamics and all it has to offer. - Jenny

Joan has honed her talent for scouting out a company’s core competencies, learning them, and then tailoring her program to incorporate her teachings with relevant company objectives. - Bonnie Hathcock, Sr. VP and Chief HR Humana

Joan's WCA classes are electrifying and energize you to go back to your boss & start making improvements where it's needed. I would strongly encourage any admin professional to attend this series. - Tammy  

Your Star Achievement class has had a lasting effect on me that no other class I’ve taken has ever had. – Cindy

I asked the managers to provide me with feedback at some point if they had seen changes in their admins. One stood up immediately and said, 'I don’t need to wait until later. I can tell you right now that Robbin came back a different person and has been continuing to shine every day since! She’s sharing what she’s learning with others and is definitely energized.'– Annette Brown, Star Achievement Facilitator

With a new manager I find that I'm busier than ever before and I credit Star Achievement for "putting myself out there" and volunteering to take on functions that were somewhat out of my area of expertise, but I took the risk and dove in. I'm learning new things, meeting and working with other people and also find myself mentoring a couple of young, new-to-the-workplace people who thank me all the time for helping them transition. I'm in my 28th year at my current job and intend to retire from the workplace from this job. Thank you again for your expertise, encouragement and excellent advice & training - you'll always be a special person to me.  - Veronica

I’m very excited and very thankful to have been part of the Star program. It really helped strengthen many of my weaknesses and enhanced my strengths – developed good assessment and strategy tools for setting goals and achieving them. I saw so much growth in everyone and me, too! – Bernadette

I know that by attending the Star Achievement program I have elevated my position as an administrative professional, and my self-confidence has increased quite a bit. – Sheila

I honestly believe the effects of this Series had a role in my getting into management. I didn’t ask for it; they saw the possibility in me. I practice what I’ve learned at work. – Christee

I was given an opportunity to do a presentation for some upper management and impressed them all! I am shining here and, to my amazement, others in the company actually notice. I could not shine without having been in the Star Achievement program. – Tammy

By striving to be a Star Performer on the job, I am more confident, more creative, and more efficient. This is one training course where you don’t passively listen in a classroom, then go back to your desk and forget everything you learned. With all the group interaction, activities and workbook exercises, each person is actively involved. I find myself practicing Star principles every day. – Dixie

I know I was becoming complacent in how I did things, and I felt I was extremely good at what I did. The Star Achievement program made me realize I am not as good as I think I am…. That is positive – gives me something to strive for and will help me long term! – Teresa

Your program made a difference. I am a different person with sharper skills and the right attitude about getting to the next level. – Karen

What I’ve changed as a result of Star Achievement is my whole attitude and my belief in my abilities and potential. I realize that I am a professional; it is up to me to be the best I can be, and that I am a valuable asset to my team. – Diane

I look at problem solving in a new way. I utilize techniques we learned when facing challenges. I have more self-confidence, especially when dealing with difficult situations or people. I offer my opinions and feelings more readily and in a tactful manner. I am less afraid to try new things. – Shari

I wanted to thank you for teaching me all those public-speaking tips, poise, confidence, organizational skills, preparedness, etc., in Star Achievement classes. I put them all to work and won our RCOPO election last night. – Frances

This series has literally changed my life. It has reinforced many of my beliefs about my work and attitude, but you have opened my eyes to so many other avenues for me to grow. – Carol

We feel that Star Achievement, coupled with the MOUS program, has had a direct impact on staff retention and staff morale, which was the goal. – Melanie

I have sat through many evening classes while going to college that lasted up to 3 ½ hours each night. But the 8 hours in this class did not make me feel tired, since the activities and feedback provided me with information to apply. – Vannessa

Thank you for bringing a quality training program to Humana. My performance at work has improved as a result, and I have been able to implement the ideas and techniques in my personal life as well. – C. V.

As I have told Learning and Development, the Star program is the most important course that I have seen that has hit Rockwell Collins in my 14 years with the company. The value of the program to the administrative staff here cannot be put into words. – Linda