ADVANCING SECRETARIAL EXCELLENCE: FROM SUPPORT ROLES TO STRATEGIC PARTNERS

The secretarial profession is evolving, and so must the competencies of those who serve in it.

SHEP Consultants Limited was privileged to be invited by the Zambia Institute for Secretaries (ZIS) to facilitate its two-day Secretaries’ Workshop, held from 13 to 14 October 2026 at Avani Victoria Falls Resort in Livingstone, bringing over 400 participants.

Under the theme “Advancing Secretarial Excellence Through Professionalism, Technology, and Strategic Communication,” our facilitation focused on strengthening the capabilities of secretarial professionals to move beyond traditional administrative support and become strategic partners in their organizations.

Key areas included executive presence, professionalism, strategic communication, ethics, decision support, time management, digital transformation, AI, and career development.

The workshop was officially opened by Hon. Mulambo Haimbe, MP – Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation who challenged secretaries to embrace the utilization of technology in their work and be the engine of production in advancing the Grow Zambia agenda.

On the second day, we were equally honored by the presence of Mr. Thabo Kawama, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Information and Media, who acknowledged the critical role secretarial professionals play in the effective management of executive offices.

As the Workshop and AGM proceedings continue, we commend Zambia Institute of Secretaries for its commitment to continuous professional development and advancing the relevance of the profession.

At SHEP, we believe that training should not simply transfer knowledge; it should transform how people think, work, and contribute to organizational performance.

The profession is evolving. The question is, are we evolving with it? We wish to thank the facilitators for the real work experiences they shared. Patrick Banda – PB Charity Chanda LumpaHillary Mulenga