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Star Achievement Series
Office Dynamics International's Flagship Certificate and Designation Program for Administrative and Executive Assistants
Unparalleled Training for Administrative and Executive Assistants
Imagine what it would be like if your organization could increase their executives’ and managers’ productivity by 30% or more?
- To what degree would that impact your organization’s bottom line?
- How would that reduce your management team’s stress level?
- What could your leaders be doing with the extra they would reap that would add value to the organization?
- How would you feel if you were a catalyst for enhancing the level of performance in your administrative staff thus creating a cultural shift?
The Solution: Star Achievement Series
The Star Achievement Series® is a philosophy-based, career-specific training program for administrative and executive assistants, secretaries, and administrative support staff. Star Achievement teaches assistants a way of thinking. . . being. . . and performing to elicit success.
The Star Achievement Series® was the brainchild of Joan Burge, founder and CEO of Office Dynamics, who used her renowned expertise on workplace effectiveness and administrative excellence to develop a course that is simply beyond compare. Her 50 years of experience in the field adds tremendous value and credibility to the program, assuring buy-in from participants. Her unique experience working as an administrative assistant and as an executive has given her incredible insight that enables administrative professionals to shift their thinking and attitudes.
The Star Achievement Series® training program has a proven track record since 1990, with 16 updates since its inception, leading to its demand in Fortune 500 companies such as Procter & Gamble, Nationwide Insurance, Walt Disney World, Humana, and Cisco.
The Magic Formula
It is the unique combination of four components that make the Star Achievement program powerful and life-changing.
ATTITUDE
Achieving and sustaining a positive attitude about your employer, your co-workers, your clients, and yourself.
SKILL
Developing new and enhancing current intangible skills that are vital to workplace success.
TEAMWORK
Being a part of and contributing to various team relationships, both internal and external to the organization.
STRATEGY
Setting goals and cultivating enriching relationships to actualize your professional self.
Participants walk away
from Star Achievement Series with:
Long-term behavioral changes.
Considerably elevated standard of performance.
More self-confidence.
Comprehension of work from an executive’s perspective.
A more proactive, self-starting attitude.
An integration of the organization’s big-picture view into work style.
Enhanced communication abilities.
Increased individual productivity and effectiveness.
Decreased stress levels and increased personal job satisfaction.
The ability to anticipate and meet the demands of today’s changing workplace.
New critical and strategic thinking skills.
Renewed excitement about the administrative profession.
Improved collaborative skills and enhanced business strategies.
Star Achievement as a Succession Planning Tool
Just as organizations have succession plans for upcoming managers who will someday fill the senior level positions, they should have a similar plan in place for senior level executive assistant positions. High-powered executives need talented, well-qualified, trained executive and administrative assistants. Star Achievement ensures your emerging administrative professionals will be ready to fill those openings and possess the advanced skills necessary to do the job well.
How Star Achievement Series Works
The Star Achievement Series® format is progressive in nature. Each Level builds upon the skills and concepts taught in the previous Level. Level I must be completed before advancing to Level II and so on. The modules build precepts and teach concepts that are strongly interwoven.
Star Achievement is a holistic, encompassing whole-person response to the “silo” of modern life. Star Achievement shows how to put the many confusing puzzle pieces together to achieve balance, success, great results, good attitude, leadership, and good ethics and values as participants learn how to make a choice to embrace the Star philosophy.
LEVEL i
Level I provides a rich, holistic overview to build and shape a strong foundation. Concepts are introduced in layers, with strategic thinking philosophies overlaid onto tasks, attitudes, values, and work ethics. A heavy emphasis is placed on confidence building, growth, communication, and conflict resolution, with specific tools and steps so that participants can successfully navigate through office politics, downturns, personal fears, and avoidance of growth initiatives.
Module 1: Be A Star Achiever™ (Attitude)
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Module 2: Star-Achieving Techniques™ (Skill)
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Module 3: Building A Star Partnership™ (Teamwork)
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Module 4: Reaching Stardom™ (Strategy)
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A person’s attitude is fragile and delicate. It can be easily broken by poor self-image, or it can become hard and cold. Attitudes are also susceptible to outside forces, such as family, co-workers and society. Yet attitudes are the foundation upon which our work performance, productivity, relationships and health are built. When people feel hurt, angry or put down, they cannot perform their jobs well. Therefore, it’s important to help them guard and protect positive attitudes – among their most important assets to success in the workplace.
- Eggs and Attitudes™
- Fighting Office Dragons
- Three Awesome Dragons
- Typical Ineffective Fighting Styles
- Can You Change A Person’s Bad Attitude?
- Weapons to Win
- Overcoming Intimidation
- Feeling Intimidated
- Strategies for Overcoming Intimidation
- Recognizing And Clarifying Fears
- Steps To Conquering Fear
- Leveraging Criticism
- Criticism Can Hurt
- Looking For The Lesson
- Transcending Challenging Personality Styles
- Maintaining A Star Attitude
- Believe In Yourself
- Commit To Goals
- Stay Motivated
- Stay Positive
- Be Professional
Today’s office environment is busier than ever before; so knowing your strengths and areas for growth, along with upgrading core skills, is paramount in today’s fast-paced office. To be successful in the administrative profession and become a rising Star, you must embrace the idea that your core competencies are vital and all the core competencies must be brilliantly performed! Core business skills, such as communication and managing workflow, are keys to developing Star-Performing employees whose advanced skills add more value to the workplace.
- Star Achievement: A Mindset For Stellar Performance
- Foundation Skills: The Platform To Success
- Growth And Success
- Fortifying The Foundation
- What Is a Competency?
- Star-Performing Administrative Competencies
- Cognitive-Being Territory
- Strengthening Communication Skills
- Cultivating Star-Like Communications
- Your Personal Communication Style
- Choose The Right Medium For The Greatest Impact
- The Perils And Pitfalls Of E-mail
- Social Networking
- Preventing Technology From Dominating Your Life
- Be Results-Driven
- First: Kill Multitasking!
- Coping With Conflicting Priorities
- Deadlines and Personal Accountability
- Your Future Begins today: Perpetual Skill Enhancement
- Objectively Assess Yourself
- Pursue Educational Opportunities
- Become Well-Read
- Learn From Co-Workers
- Try Something New
- Challenge Yourself
Building a star partnership takes commitment, open communication, and a desire to work in tandem. Leaders rely on administrative staff for everything from project follow-through to client satisfaction, from travel itineraries to budget meetings. Leaders know their effectiveness improves based on the assistant’s skill, knowledge and ability. Administrators and executive assistants depend on leaders to provide clear direction so they can meet objectives and expectations. By approaching the leader/support relationship as a business partnership you will gain more satisfaction from work.
- Creating A Star Partnership
- Stages Of Growth
- Partnership Building Blocks
- Do You Work For A Manager Or A Leader?
- Communicating With Your Leader
- Establishing “Commonness” Through Communication
- Initiating Conversation
- Importance Of Daily Huddles
- Getting Better Information From Your Leader
- Communication C3: Calm, Cool And Collected
- Enabling Your Leader’s Success
- Interpersonal Skills Give You The Edge
- Be A Dynamic Liaison
- Resolving Team Problems
Great skills, a positive attitude and strong team relationships are three keys to being a Star Achiever. There is a fourth component to reaching stardom – having a strategy for actualizing your professional self. It is your responsibility to set career goals, build networks and to reflect a professional image. In today’s highly competitive marketplace, when you might be equal in skills and attitudes to others, what will give you the competitive edge? What will make you stand out, shine and be different from “the pack”?
- Actualizing Your Professional Goals
- Consider Your Values
- Believe In Yourself
- Write A Plan
- Capitalize On Resources
- Staying On Your Journey
- Recognizing Opportunities For Growth
- Cultivating Business Relationships
- Cultivating Business Relationships Via Social Networks
- Nurturing Internal And External Networks
- Showcasing Your Talents
- Perceptions And Power: Your Professional Presence
- Defining Professional Presence
- Establishing Your Professional Brand
- Credibility Enhancers
- Understanding Casual Dress Rules
LEVEL ii
Level II builds and advances maturing competencies with emphasis on self-management, goal attainment, and executing a plan for the development of lifelong growth patterns. Additional skill sets are introduced, and leadership is taught so that participants are taken higher into what it really means to become someone’s “right hand” who anticipates, is proactive, and always presents a professional image to his or her best advantage.
Participants must graduate from Level I prior to attending Level II.
Module 1: Be A Shining Star™ (Attitude)
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Module 2: Give A Stellar Performance™ (Skill)
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Module 3: Stellar Collaborator™ (Teamwork)
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Module 4: Future-Focused Star Performer™ (Strategy)
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BONUS: CEAP Designation
(Certified Executive Administrative Professional)
After participants complete Levels I and II, they can apply to earn the CEAP Designation. The CEAP is a curriculum-based designation awarded to individuals who complete all eight classes in Levels I and II, meet program objectives, actively participate in class, complete the Star in Action™ essay, and obtain a letter from their leader stating observed changes in behavior and processes.
The administrative professional’s role has become complex and increasingly demanding, as the emphasis has shifted to multifunctional, generalized performance. The administrative staff is being asked to do more work, fulfill broader organizational roles, support multiple managers, and still maintain high levels of quality. As a result, interpersonal skills and the ability to manage one’s thoughts and behaviors are imperative.
- Learning Self-Management
- Exploring Work Stressors
- Evaluating Work Stressors
- Top Nine Physical Stressors
- Categories Of Stress Indicators
- Unstress Yourself
- Letting Off Steam Without Burning Others
- Consensus-Building
- Defining Conflict
- Strategies For Consensus-Building
- Creating Positive Self-Esteem
- Defining Self-Esteem
- Applying The Self-Fulfilling Prophecy
- Ingredients Of A Healthy Work Spirit
- 1st Ingredient: Changing Your Mental Outlook
- 2nd Ingredient: Gaining A Full Sense Of Self
- 3rd Ingredient: Becoming A Risk-Taker
- 4th Ingredient: Be Courageous And Live Your Values
- 5th Ingredient: Keep Yourself Competitive
- The 5 Pillars: Lead Boldly And Live BIG
- Lead Boldly In The 5 Pillars Of Life
- Leading Boldly: Start With Your Mindset
- The Foundation Competencies
- Live BIG
You present yourself to others constantly. You make connections by telephone, e-mail and via social media. You send visual messages to individuals you approach. Every day you come in contact with many people: co-workers, customers, vendors and other professionals. Your personal presentation style and speaking ability will either enhance or detract from your message. Equally important is the ability to communicate your needs assertively, but not aggressively. Your ability to communicate clearly with others can be one of your best business assets.
- Developing Personal Presentation Skills
- The Presentation Puzzle
- Questions to Ask Yourself
- Gathering Information
- Getting Your Writing Flowing
- Making It Happen
- Materials, Impactful Propos, Audio/Visual Equipment
- The Rehearsal
- Managing Stage Jitters
- Delivering Your Presentation
- The Workplace Is Your Platform
- Communicate Assertively
- Defining Assertiveness
- Choosing When To Assert Yourself
- The Power Of Persuasion
- Principles of Persuasion
- Persuading Your Leader
- Be Solution-Driven
- The Process Of Being Solution-Driven
- Exercising Your Creative Muscle
- Methods: Step, Brainstorm, Mind Map
Collaboration brings holistic energy. Instead of working in silos, which seems to be the case for many assistants, seek to work with your administrative peers. Doing so will make you well-rounded, full, universal, complete, all-inclusive, and whole. Instead of you trying to figure everything out on your own, wasting precious time and energy, you could be increasing your productivity and experiencing better outcomes. That should motivate you to increase your “hope quotient” by respecting the diversity of your team mates and leveraging the power of teaming together.
- Beyond A Team Of Two
- Teamwork And Collaboration
- Creating A Cohesive Team
- Peer Power: Finding Strength In Unity
- Value Diversity
- 6 Powerhouse Strategies For Creating Peer Power
- Power Plays
- Motivating Non-Team Members
- The Power Of Collaboration
- Collaboration vs. Teamwork
- Disagreeing With Tact And Diplomacy
- Fear And Collaboration
- Enlarge Your Influence
- Creativity And Collaboration
Thriving on change is critical to personal and professional success. Today’s Star-Performing professionals pay close attention to emerging work and cultural trends so they can prepare for success and remain relevant. Trends in office technology, workforce diversity, job pressure, virtual employment and high-quality requirements can and will impact productivity, effectiveness and the company’s bottom line. As organizations continue to experience change, they need administrative professionals who embrace the need for high-quality performance and efforts to streamline work.
- Driving Forces Shaping Tomorrow
- Preparing For The Future
- Harness The Power Of Change
- The Challenge Of Change
- Why People Resist Change
- Related Aspects Of Change
- Optimizing Change
- Keeping Yourself On The Road To Success
- Science And The Stars
- Owning Your Career
- Living Through Leadership
- Developing Leadership Skills
- Living Through Leadership
- Becoming A Supernova
- Staying On The Cutting Edge
- Actualizing Your Professional Goals
- Consider Your Values
- Believe In Yourself
- Write A Plan
- Capitalize On Resources
- Staying On Your Journey
- Recognizing Opportunities For Growth
- Cultivating Business Relationships
- Cultivating Business Relationships Via Social Networks
- Nurturing Internal And External Networks
- Showcasing Your Talents
- Perceptions And Power: Your Professional Presence
- Defining Professional Presence
- Establishing Your Professional Brand
- Credibility Enhancers
- Understanding Casual Dress Rules
BONUS: CEAP Designation (Certified Executive Administrative Professional)
After participants complete Levels I and II, they can apply to earn the CEAP Designation. The CEAP is a curriculum-based designation awarded to individuals who complete all eight classes in Levels I and II, meet program objectives, actively participate in class, complete the Star in Action™ essay, and obtain a letter from their leader stating observed changes in behavior and processes.
LEVEL iii
Level III prepares assistants for their future, whether they stay in the profession or move in another direction. A different approach is employed with Level III. This level expands on the critical thinking competencies covered in the previous Levels by providing an in-depth exploration of those concepts and introduces new business competencies. Level III graduates demonstrate their understanding of key concepts and their ability to implement and utilize them.
Participants must graduate from Levels I & II prior to attending Level III.
Module 1: Star-Achieving Attitude™ (Attitude)
More Info
Module 2: Be A Stellar Ambassador™ (Skill)
More Info
Module 3: Coaching A Star Team™ (Teamwork)
More Info
Module 4: Mastering A Stellar Career™ (Strategy)
More Info
BONUS: CBS (Certified Business Skills) Designation
After a participant completes Level III, they will have the opportunity to add a CBS Designation to their CEAP designation (CEAP-CBS) thus demonstrating they have developed key business skills. This designation represents the pinnacle of the Star’s journey. When a participant receives this designation, they will find themselves amongst distinguished company.
- Self-Management as an attitude
- Characteristics of successful self-managers
- Self-management development plan
- Managing the flow of energy
- Maintaining your peace and harmony working in the workplace ‘circus’
- Welcome everyday challenges and course correct
- Developing a diplomatically-assertive attitude
- Interpersonal communication in the workplace
- Communication deterioration: what is really happening?
- Communication crisis: building rapport
- Catalysts and cures for communication crises
- Creative thinking and problem solving
- The absence of good judgment: the domino
- Common creativity blocks
- Teamwork: a union of talents
- Getting your team to support your efforts
- Stepping up to managerial responsibilities
- Balancing current and added responsibilities
- Encouraging, challenging and coaching staff
- Coaching your peers
- Becoming a great leader
- Breaking self-limiting barriers
- Personal mastery: assuming responsibility and being accountable
- Integrating yourself into the conceptual age: are you ready?
- The artful orchestration of your career
- Become unforgettable: create a memorable brand through a career portfolio
- Be a career entrepreneur: engaging in your individual development plan
- Permanent beta: why your career is a work in progress
BONUS: CBS (Certified Business Skills) Designation
After a participant completes Level III, they will have the opportunity to add a CBS Designation to their CEAP designation (CEAP-CBS) thus demonstrating they have developed key business skills. This designation represents the pinnacle of the Star’s journey. When a participant receives this designation, they will find themselves amongst distinguished company.
The Star Achievement Difference
In 1990, when Founder and CEO of Office Dynamics, Joan Burge, developed the Star Achievement Series®, there were simply no other options available for companies who wanted to train and elevate their administrative team. Today, options may seem plentiful, but the Star Achievement Series® still stands as the only solution for serious businesses.
How is Star Achievement Series different?
Philosophy-based:
The Star Philosophy is woven throughout each module. When participants understand and embrace the philosophy, they use it long after the training is over – benefiting themselves and your business.
Time-tested:
With a 30-year proven track record that’s been evaluated by thousands of assistants, training and development directors, human resource experts, managers, and high-level executives, the Star Achievement Series® has stood the test of time.
Research-based:
This is a competency-driven curriculum written from Joan’s personal experiences and ongoing research.
Designed specifically for administrative staff and other support professionals:
The Star Achievement Series® audience has always been administrative professionals. That has allowed it to lead the profession through shifts and transformations because the target audience has never changed.
Well beyond traditional, “basic skills” training”:
The goal of the Series is to prepare administrative and support staff for real-world, modern office challenges.
High-energy curriculum and interactive sessions:
The Star Achievement Series® focuses on innovative methods of teaching – including role-playing, presentations, exercises, timed activities, puzzle assembly, value auction, group discussions, and more. Attendees remain engaged and energized throughout the series.
Corporate training options
Is your company looking to train its administrative team?
Star Achievement Series is a great solution and has been taught in many fortune 500 companies.
On-Site
Elect to bring Star Achievement Series® creator and master trainer, Joan Burge, Founder & CEO of Office Dynamics International, or one of our highly-qualified trainers to your office.
Virtual
Elect to have Star Achievement Series® creator and master trainer, Joan Burge, Founder & CEO of Office Dynamics International, train your administrative staff virtually.
Train The Trainer
Get trained by Joan Burge, and obtain the knowledge, skills, and tools to conduct dynamic administrative training sessions for your organization. This can be done virtually or in-person.
Star Achievement is
Timeless, Proven, Strategic, Progressive, Modern, Thorough, Robust and Fun!
Are you interested?
Fill out the form or Call 800-STAR-139 Now!
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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.
