Finding the right executive assistant, with Gina Cotner

Help! My Business is Growing

When your business grows, expect to get busy. But what happens when there is just too much on your plate? You might need an Executive Assistant (EA).

It's a pivotal role within the organizational structure, providing crucial support to CEOs while helping steer the company toward success.

So how do you go about hiring one?

What do they do?

Do you really need one?

How do you manage their responsibilities?

And how do they help grow your business?

In this episode, Gina Cotner and I talk about the pivotal role Executive Assistants play in business growth, covering essential topics such as how to choose one, how to build trust, and, the art of delegation.

Gina Cotner is the CEO of Athena Executive Services, a firm that pairs virtual Executive Assistants around the United States with swamped and successful entrepreneurs and executives. Her team of high-caliber Executive Assistants work part-time, from home, taking many tasks and projects off the plate of successful people, leaving them free to spend their time where they are needed most.

We discuss: (timestamps)
02:16 Introduction to Executive Assistants

04:30 When is it time to get an EA

06:27 What is a Chief of Staff?

09:32 What are the qualities of a Chief of Staff?

13:41 Core Responsibilities of EAs

16:34 How EAs can manage your inbox

20:37 What type of work do EAs generally excel in?

22:03 How much managing will EAs need?

25:54 Questions to ask to determine if an EA is the right fit

29:50 EA costs

35:13 The pros and cons of using an agency to hire an EA

36:40 Agency culture vs your business culture

38:13 Actionable step to take to figure out if you need an Executive Assistant

Resources:
Gina Cotner, CEO, Athena Executive Services
www.athenaexecutiveservices.com
LinkedIn -
https://www.linkedin.com/in/athenaea

Facebook -
https://www.facebook.com/AthenaVirtualAssistants

Instagram -
https://www.instagram.com/athena_executive_services

YouTube -
https://www.youtube.com/@athenaexecutiveservices5248

LinkedIn -
https://www.linkedin.com/company/athena-executive-services/
FREE RESOURCE: Schedule an initial call with Gina: https://athenaexecutiveservices.com/explore-hiring-a-va/

Kathy Svetina, Fractional CFO:
https://www.newcastlefinance.us/

Blog post | Finding the Right Executive Assistant
https://www.newcastlefinance.us/listen/finding-the-right-executive-assistant/

Chapters

1. Introduction to Executive Assistants (00:02:16)

2. When is it time to get an EA (00:04:30)

3. What is a Chief of Staff? (00:06:27)

4. What are the qualities of a Chief of Staff? (00:09:32)

5. Core Responsibilities of EAs (00:13:41)

6. How EAs can manage your inbox (00:16:34)

7. What type of work do EAs generally excel in? (00:20:37)

8. How much managing will EAs need? (00:22:03)

9. Questions to ask to determine if an EA is the right fit (00:25:54)

10. EA costs (00:29:50)

11. The pros and cons of using an agency to hire an EA (00:35:13)

12. Agency culture vs your business culture (00:36:40)

13. Actionable step to take to figure out if you need an Executive Assistant (00:38:13)