Colette Carlson

The truth is most businesses today expect administrative professionals to produce more in less time with fewer resources, while staying positive and engaged. The reality is we are stressed out, tightly wound, and exhausted trying to meet and exceed expectations. We have the best intentions that seem to go out the window before lunch as we are constantly changing schedules, demands and priorities. It’s no longer about time management, it’s about YOU management. After Colette’s humorous program, you will walk away ready to make positive, long-lasting change the next day. Laugh out loud and stress less as you learn how to:

• Replace multi-Tasking with multi-Asking
• Know when to let go or take control
• Eliminate unrealistic expectations and energy vampires
• Banish the guilt button. Seek connection over perfection
• Dare not to compare. Focus on what is truly important TO YOU

Negotiation is a necessary skill throughout your business and personal life, but few of us have ever had any formal training on how to succeed. In this content-rich program, Colette discloses innovative ways that will forever change the way you deal with vendor, negotiate salaries or even get your kids to clean their room! With specific examples and resources, you learn how to:

• Create positive outcomes while preserving the relationship
• Prepare, research and do your homework to get the best results
• Stay in control during emotional moments
• Avoid common negotiation mistakes that cost you time and money
• Leverage the rules of the negotiating game

The most connected administrative professionals employ timeless networking strategies to grow their relationships and career opportunities. Not only do they understand where and when to show up, but what to say and how to play to their strengths making them memorable. After all, why waste valuable time networking and building connections if no one can remember who you are and what you bring to the table? Especially today when it’s not just who you know, but who knows what you know. Cultivate connections that count and make a lasting, positive impression with everyone you meet by learning how to:

• Identify, access, and develop strategic relationships
• Prepare in advance for incredible credibility
• Pinpoint questions that can make or break the connection
• Tactfully and authentically spotlight your talents, skills and abilities
• Create a system to remain top-of-mind long after you’ve left

As a seasoned administrative professional there are numerous situations that call for assertiveness. Yet, too many admins still choose not to speak up for fear of making waves, not knowing what to say or feeling that it won’t make a difference. Still others speak up but do so in an abrasive manner that leaves others with a bad taste in their mouth. Learn how to say the right thing at the right time, every time.  Using examples, case studies and your own personal challenges, you will overcome your fears and speak your truth with grace and class by learning how to:

• Master the art of clear, sincere and respectful conversation
• Boost your credibility when you eliminate self-deprecating language and self-sabotaging behaviors
• Handle conflict with confidence and grace using Colette’s DEAL^TM proprietary method.
• Deliver feedback to co-workers, colleagues and supervisor in a non-judgmental method that gets your message heard
• Create a climate of support and understanding

What is the one skill that can help you scale the success ladder faster than any other? The most effective administrative professionals today are those who have mastered the ability to deliver a short, effective presentation when opportunity knocks. When you can stand up in front of others and persuasively communicate your message, you get noticed and heard. The ability to conquer your nerves, immediately capture your audience’s attention and structure your presentation with your audience in mind will impact your career for years to come. Learn additional strategies to:

• Project confidence and enthusiasm in your presentation
• Identify essential components of every presentation
• Enhance your presentation with visual aids or props

Emotional Intelligence (EI) impacts every conversation and outcome you achieve as an Administrative Professional as you are expected to maintain composure under the most challenging of circumstances. EI surpasses IQ and is the critical factor to achieve outrageous success. In fact, research shows that 90% of top performers are also high in EI compared to only 20% of bottom performers. As a result, admins who can think about emotions accurately and clearly have a competitive advantage in dealing with the resulting pressures, stress and conflict the ever-changing, demanding workplace brings. Do you really know how you come across to others, especially when you are under pressure to produce? After all, without knowing yourself, how can you grow yourself? Gain the necessary understanding and awareness required to leverage the core skills that separate the average performers from the superstars by learning how to:

• Increase your self-awareness…the foundation of all EI
• Maintain emotional control in challenging situations
• Understand what drives others to increase effectiveness
• Enhance productivity and engagement with simple, yet powerful techniques
• Master the art of speaking your truth to build trusting relationships.

What does an administrative professional and a salesperson have in common? Everything! Every day you are selling something whether it’s an idea, a concept, a new approach or you. As an administrator you need to be able to influence and gain the respect of both your peers and supervisors in order to get buy-in for your plans and projects.

Discover how to create connection, ask effective questions to build value and interest, and use strategic storytelling to your advantage. Uncover the secrets of successful selling in order to influence others and get your ideas sold. Stretch your comfort zone and get what you want by learning how to:

• Improve your results by adapting your language, mindset, and mannerisms.
• Employ sales strategies to engage, persuade and influence others
• Understand why and how you must ask for exactly what you want without offending a soul.

You were a perfect fit for our Administrator Learning Forum global audience! Judging from the meeting evaluation forms, you were a definite ‘hit’ and, in fact, the highest rated presentation of the day! Attendees commented on your engaging style, the organization and relevance of your content, and your wit.

The feedback we received at Colette’s in-house program here at The Pepsi Bottling Group was absolutely terrific. Her contagious enthusiasm and entertaining style makes learning fun!

Choosing to bring Colette Carlson in for our full-day P&G Annual Admin Offsite was a wise decision. Not only was she the most entertaining speaker our community has had in years, but she exposed our team to fresh techniques on how to effectively communicate. The best part is that everything we learned was applicable to both our professional and personal lives. On a side note, Colette participated with our team the entire day, spent breaks listening to others’ share stories and was one of the very last to leave. Any team who wants to increase their skills to become more effective and productive needs to hear Colette’s message.

Nothing but fabulous raves!