Recession Spells Opportunity for Those Able to Leverage Marketable Skills

NEW YORK, Sept. 9 /PRNewswire/ — With unemployment at record levels, at least one career advisor believes that one field holds enormous promise and will be helping New Yorkers to learn about this opportunity. In a series of Forums designed to focus on the role of Executive Assistants to corporate leaders, The Duncan Group Inc. hopes to redefine this critical function and discuss the reasons why this role is less vulnerable than other positions to layoffs and restructurings in today’s dynamic global workplace.

In this world of digital messaging and information overload, this Forum series will distinguish the dramatic shifts in role requirements and focus on the staying power and indispensable talent of the Executive Assistant, or what The Duncan Group describes as ‘Administrative Quarterbacks’. The first Forum will take place on Thursday, October 15, 2009, at the McGraw-Hill Conference Center, 1221 Avenue of the Americas, 2nd Floor, New York, NY.

“In an economy that demands that we do more with less, corporate leaders are relying more on their Executive Assistants and positioning them as indispensable members of senior leadership teams around the world,” said Melba Duncan, President and CEO of The Duncan Group Inc. and author of The New Executive Assistant. “When it comes to Executive Assistants, we have clearly transitioned into a new normal, defined as being open to dramatic modifications in order to acquire new knowledge and skills.”

The Forum series will feature interactive discussions with panels of CEOs, Executive Recruiters, Human Resources Executives and Executive Assistants/Chiefs of Staff. They will allow participants to:

* discover relevant new knowledge in the art of assisting;
* hear about the complex challenges facing business leaders, which require a revised job description for assisting;
* discover what indispensable skills and capabilities are required in order to assume higher levels of responsibility, and
* learn how to leverage their strengths to advance their careers.

This is an essential platform for those who wish to advance in the career of executive assisting, or for those from different career paths who may be searching for alternatives.

“This is a time when administrative resources will be rapidly reallocated and redefined,” Ms. Duncan added. “We believe that the Executive Assistant position continues to be a career option with a rewarding future.”

Since 1985, The Duncan Group Inc. has been advising CEOs and other corporate leaders regarding specialized senior management support resources. Based in New York City, the firm serves a global client base.

CONTACT:  Louis Birro
Phone:    212.297.6131
Fax:      212.479.2525
Email:    louis@duncangroupinc.com
Website:  www.duncangroupinc.com

SOURCE The Duncan Group Inc.