FFM Newsletter Language of Business Series: Strategy & Decision Making (Quality Decision Making)
In this edition: THURSDAY THOUGHTS Benjamin Franklin said, “Early to bed and early to rise makes a man [person] healthy, wealthy, and wise.” And, sleeping on it may just help you solve your next big challenge. As leaders and Force Multipliers, we don’t usually get to see the good stuff. By the time something lands […]
FFM Newsletter Language of Business Series: Strategy & Decision Making (Take Ownership)
In this edition: THURSDAY THOUGHTS What are you ready to take ownership of that you may have been waiting for someone else to give you permission to own? There’s a funny thing that happens when you’re really good at supporting someone else. Or when you allow someone else’s goals to come before your own. You […]
FFM Newsletter Language of Business Series: Strategy & Decision Making (The Strategic Pause)
In this edition: THURSDAY THOUGHTS Welcome to September and to a month full of strategy and decision making! Let’s start with strategic thinking… Force Multipliers are asked to be more strategic at work, encouraged to be more strategic in order to grow their careers, and desire to be more strategic for their own leadership, but often […]
FFM Newsletter Language of Business Series: Marketing & Branding (The Next 5 Years)
In this edition: THURSDAY THOUGHTS If the version of you from five years ago could see your life today, what would surprise them most? (Thanks James Clear for the great question!) We overestimate how much we can accomplish in a year and underestimate what we can accomplish in 10. So, let’s split the difference and think […]
FFM Newsletter Language of Business Series: Marketing & Branding (Who Taught Your Exec to Lead?)
In this edition: THURSDAY THOUGHTS Did you know… 85% of new people managers receive no formal training before stepping into leadership roles? Wharton cites another stat that’s just as alarming: 60% of new managers fail within their first 24 months, with lack of leadership and management training playing a major role. Companies tend to promote people to leadership […]
FFM Newsletter Language of Business Series: Marketing & Branding (The Mad Men Era is Dead)
In this edition: THURSDAY THOUGHTS Is AI actually EAs’ and Chiefs of Staffs’ biggest stan? Think about it… If every AI/tech company’s selling point is that its product can be “your EA” or “your Chief of Staff,” doesn’t that intrinsically tell us how important those roles are? So important that Big Tech is using them […]
FFM Newsletter Language of Business Series: Marketing & Branding (The 5Cs of Marketing)
In this edition: THURSDAY THOUGHTS This week kicks off the marketing and branding segment of the Language of Business series. So, let’s start with the “kinda chic” social media trend making the rounds… And take a minute to consider if there a way for you to adapt this to your leader or organization before it’s […]
FFM Newsletter Language of Business Series: (Force Multiply Sales & Customer Service)
In this edition: THURSDAY THOUGHTS Like me, you probably became a Force Multiplier because you never wanted to carry a sales quota, host sales calls, or close deals. But, if your job is to multiply your Executive’s effectiveness and impact, then there are sales and customer service activities that are part of your job, whether they are in […]
FFM Newsletter Language of Business Series: Customer Service & Sales (The Ultimate Sales Training)
In this edition: THURSDAY THOUGHTS Right about now I should be arriving at a small “resort” on Lake Champlain. 45 minutes from my house. 24 hours on the clock. 1 husband. Zero dogs. There won’t be a strict agenda. No productivity goals. No “while I’m here I should probably…” Just a little space to think and […]
FFM Newsletter Language of Business Series: Customer Service & Sales (Customers vs. Clients)
In this edition: THURSDAY THOUGHTS Working as the right-hand partner to an entrepreneur or small business owner often means that you wear ALL the hats. You aren’t just an Executive Assistant – you are also the marketing manager, director of operations, office manager, HR generalist, bookkeeper, property manager, personal assistant, PR & communications manager, community […]
FFM Newsletter Language of Business Series: Customer Service & Sales (Everyone is a Salesperson)
In this edition: THURSDAY THOUGHTS Everyone is a salesperson. Yes, you too! One of the reasons I became an Executive Assistant was because I thought I’d found a career where I could stay behind the scenes. No cold calling, pitch meetings, door-knocking, or sales quotas. Perfect! Then I started my own business and quickly realized…that plan […]
FFM Newsletter Language of Business Series: Customer Service & Sales (How to Sell Anything)
In this edition: THURSDAY THOUGHTS Well, I lasted one month staying focused on the Language of Business series, but the generalist in me is strong! Don’t worry, the series will continue – this month we’re diving into customer service, sales, and the client experience. However, you will see a new (old) section devoted to more general […]
FFM Newsletter Language of Business Series: Finance (Single vs. Multi-Family Offices)
In this edition: THURSDAY THOUGHTS Last week, I stopped at my favorite local coffee shop for an iced cinnamon latte and a strawberry lemon oat square. The usual. But as I stood there waiting for my order, I found myself getting impatient. Like, really impatient. The place was packed. Staff was hustling. Yet, as I […]
Vermonters in Business: The Founder & The Force Multiplier
FROM VERMONTERS IN BUSINESS PODCAST – In this episode of Vermonters in Business, co-hosts Drew Kinney and Travis Spencer sit down with Hallie Warner, founder of Founder & Force Multiplier, to discuss leadership, executive support, AI, and what it takes to help entrepreneurs scale. Hallie shares her journey from growing up in a Coast Guard family to spending […]
FFM Newsletter Language of Business Series: Finance (Business Scoreboards)
In this edition: THURSDAY THOUGHTS PSA: You don’t need anyone’s permission, a formal program, or a new title to start building your business acumen. Start from where you’re at and go (and grow!) from there. In addition to reading this newsletter series, here are a few suggestions: By embracing a growth mindset and committing time […]
FFM Newsletter Language of Business Series: Finance (Mid-Year Reflection & Financial Review)
In this edition: THURSDAY THOUGHTS Grab your notebook, your favorite beverage, and a couple of pens. It’s mid-year review time! Clear your head, settle in, and take some time to reflect and set your intentions (and make a plan!) for the year ahead. Not sure where to start? Check out the questions that will actually help you […]
FFM Newsletter Language of Business Series: Finance (Business Acumen Unlocked)
In this edition: THURSDAY THOUGHTS When Executive Assistants and other Force Multipliers ask me how they can become a stronger strategic business partner to their Principal and leadership team, one of the first things we talk about is business acumen. And no, it’s not just a buzzword for CEOs or MBAs (or even Chiefs of […]
Mid-Year Review Questions That Actually Help You Move Forward
We’re halfway through the year. Which means it’s time to do something most people skip, delay, or rush through in 20 minutes: a real mid-year review. Not the kind where you glance at your Q1 goals, feel vaguely behind, and tell yourself you’ll make it up in Q3. The kind where you actually stop, look […]
The Executive Assistant Role Is More Strategic Than Ever — And the 2026 Data Finally Proves It
Two major reports dropped in April 2026 that every Force Multiplier, Executive Assistant, and administrative professional needs to read — and every Founder, leader, and HR professional who works alongside one should pay attention to as well. The Global Skills Matrix 2026 from the World Administrators Alliance and The 2026 State of the Administrative Profession […]
Falling Out of Love With My Business and Finding My Way Back to Force Multipliers
“… I keep on fallin’In and out of loveWith youSometimes I love yaSometimes you make me blueSometimes I feel goodAt times I feel usedLovin’ you darlin’Makes me so confused…”(Alicia Keys, Fallin’) No, no, I’m not talking about my husband here, but rather, my business! As a soloprenuer, entrepreneur, small business owner, founder, or CEO… I […]
The Chief of Staff Show: The Executive Assistant to Chief of Staff Path
FROM THE CHIEF OF STAFF SHOW PODCAST – In this episode of The Chief of Staff Show, host Melanie Jones sits down with Hallie Warner, Chief of Staff and author of The Founder & The Force Multiplier, to explore the evolving role of the Chief of Staff and why the right partnership between a founder […]
Your Competence Isn’t the Problem: Why Executive Assistant/Chief of Staff Success Has More to Do with Signal Literacy Than Skill by Kristine Valenzuela
Today’s guest post is from Kristine Valenzuela, a career Executive Assistant and Chief of Staff, as well as the Founder of The Secret Executive. To learn more about Kristine and her work, visit The Secret Executive or follow her on LinkedIn! Everyone keeps encouraging Executive Assistants and Chiefs of Staff to get better at their […]
Training for Assistants, Chiefs of Staff, and Force Multipliers
These niche trainings will amplify and expand upon what you’ve learned in The Force Multiplier Academy. Haven’t joined The Force Multiplier Academy yet? Click here to learn more! The AI-Powered Assistant by Monique Helstrom Here’s the thing: executives don’t want to replace you with AI. They want you plus AI. That’s why Monique Helstrom teamed […]
Executive Support Recruiters
You know it’s time to hire a right-hand partner. But you need help finding the right match. These resources can help! Specialized Recruiters for Executive Support Roles Monique Helstrom Specialized recruiting for Executives who can’t afford a mismatch. You’re not just hiring an Assistant—you’re selecting a business partner. Monique has spent her career on both […]