Teaser Tuesdays: The Graveyard Book (AND, updates on the Executive PA Conference 2009)

TEASER TUESDAYS asks you to:

• Grab your current read.
• Let the book fall open to a random page.
• Share with us two (2) “teaser” sentences from that page, somewhere between lines 7 and 12.
• You also need to share the title of the book that you’re getting your “teaser” from … that way people can have some great book recommendations if they like the teaser you’ve given!
• Please avoid spoilers!

I'm late for this week's Teaser Tuesdays but here's page 81 of The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman:

Despite being jogged and jounced, jolted and jarred with every one of his captor's steps, Bod managed to grasp the screw in his right hand. He felt the tip of it, sharp to the touch.

Updated @ 1.00 PM: The Executive PA Conference 2009

About two weeks ago I blogged about the invitation I received to speak in the upcoming Executive PA Conference which is to be held on 2nd and 3rd March 2009. My session falls on the second day and the topic I chose is also the final one for the day. Here's what I'll be speaking on:

Realising your own potential by removing the barriers to progress your career to the next stage
Progress is the key to success, as the saying goes. Many Executive PAs look into the opportunity to advance as a manager or move into new areas. After all, you learnt from the best in the business – your executive. This session will go through the crucial skills and practical take away tips that every professional like you needs boost your skill set whether you are at the top levels or aspiring to advance your career.

• Creating your own “goal poster” for success
• Personal vs. professional goals: Measuring your milestones and options, to move forward
• Seeking a mix of mentors across your organisation
• Increasing your flexibility and developing your transferable skills
• Removing the barriers: identifying the factors that hinder your progress and setting plans to eliminate or circumvent them
• Becoming proactive in your role for continuous growth and challenge

I think it is great that fellow PAs who are experts in their own rights are invited to speak in the conference. Nothing beats getting inside information of the profession from the professionals themselves. Many times, our work are under-appreciated and misunderstood. Also, to be speaking alongside consultants of various fields in the same conference is a tremendous experience. Not to mention meeting peers and new friends at the event. I'm so looking forward to it.

As promised, here are the snapshots of the brochure by the conference organiser, Marcus Evans. Please feel free to download a copy for yourself and gain a quick insight into our profession and what is required of us as personal assistants, executive secretaries, administrative assistants, and whatever else an administrative professional may be called.

Snapshots of the Brochure - click to enlarge