FAQ & Help
While some of the module topics listed may sound similar to programs you’ve previously conducted, it is important to remember that these topics are combined to be most effective when implemented cumulatively. The information presented in each module builds upon the previous module’s content, growing in complexity as the series progresses.
While your administrative and support staff may participate in continuing
education programs, the training is often not designed to meet their specific needs.
For example, management training programs are often only slightly adapted for support-staff purposes. While skills like communication may be taught to both managers and administrative staff alike, the specific application to their respective daily job functions are vastly different. Therefore, the training must be custom in order to effect real change.
Yes! We have carefully adapted the renowned Star program into a virtual platform. While we firmly believe that this course is most effective when conducted in-person, we recognized the need to continue to provide top-tier education regardless of whether your administrative staff is in the office or working from home. The virtual edition of Star still packs a punch and provides the same transformational experience attendees have come to expect.
The length of time to complete a Level or the entire Series depends on the organization and their timeline. Some organizations choose to have their staff complete the program in a short amount of time while others spread the classes out over several months. Joan Burge will help you determine what is best for your organization.
The levels do not correlate to the number of years someone has been in the profession. The levels relate to concepts and philosophies taught in Star Achievement, similar to college courses. “In more than 35 years in the business world, I have found that experience doesn’t necessarily equate to success in a given profession. Star Achievement Series® attendees working in the administrative field for more than 30 years have told me they still learned something new in Level I.” – Joan Burge
Healthcare companies, accounting firms, law firms and other businesses have used the Star Achievement Series® for their paralegals, corporate library support staff, mailroom staff, office and department managers, human resource staff, and every position in between. They have all benefited from the Star Achievement concepts and techniques.
The Series focuses on innovative methods of teaching, including interactive role-playing, presentations, exercises, timed activities, team competitions, case studies, brainstorming, modeling, demonstrations, and more. These exercises are energizing, challenging and fun.
- Proven classroom techniques specifically designed for the Star Achievement Series®
- How to weave the Star Philosophy throughout all your sessions
- Joan Burge’s secrets for keeping attendees motivated, even at 2:00 p.m.
- Effective use of the participant workbooks, additional resources and workbook companion pages located on the Office Dynamics website
- The typical questions asked by attendees and appropriate responses
- Maximize your message with effective props, training aids and visuals, all specifically designed for this Series
- Experience the same learning exercises as your participants will when you facilitate class
- Ideas for planning a stellar celebration for those employees who complete an entire Level of learning
- Marketing tips, sample documents and communications for internal Star program announcements
- Ways to customize the material so it aligns with your organization’s mission, vision and values
- Fully scripted Instructor Guide
- Pre-class preparation checklists
- Time agendas
- 4 participant workbooks (for facilitator’s reference) for each Level
- PowerPoint slides and video clips
- Masters for training props
- Suggested books, products, and more to complement the Series
- Supplier contacts for training aids and materials
- Access to private online support portal for Certified Trainers
- Example communications for announcing the Series to your organization
- Professionally designed flier to market the program
- Digital artwork to print posters for in-person classes
- Digital artwork of the Star Achievement logo to add to in-house course materials
To gain the most benefit of the Star Achievement Series, we highly recommend your company offers all three Levels as the program progressively gets more difficult and builds over 40 interpersonal and soft skills necessary for business success.
At minimum, we recommend teaching Levels I and II. If your organization wants to be able to offer a certification/designation to their assistants, they will have to teach Level I and II.
Every organization is different. Some Office Dynamics Star Achievement clients like to use the CEAP achievement for succession planning; others feel it demonstrates an assistant’s commitment to his or her career.