YOUR REVIEW YOUR REVIEW
AI & U: Reimagine Business
by Tracy Sheen
When AI headlines feel overwhelming, Tracy Sheen offers calm, clarity and practical steps. As an EA to CEO managing operations and projects, I know AI needs to work for me – not just to keep up but to spot opportunities that don’ t yet exist.
This book is practical, accessible and refreshingly readable. From the glossary and free resources to her REIMAGINE framework( like a simplified project guide), it gets you started while reminding you progress matters more than perfection.
What stood out was the balance between practical tools and people-first guidance. Case studies, templates and team-testing tips sit alongside reminders that leadership, ethics and emotional intelligence remain the true differentiators. Tracy addresses common doubts like“ What if I fail?” and“ I’ m too set in my ways,” reframing these as part of the learning journey.
Has it changed my opinion of AI? Not dramatically, but it clarified my perspective and provided reassurance. The book felt like having a mentor creating a safe environment for EAs to explore AI thoughtfully. Tracy’ s tip about giving your AI buddy( like ChatGPT) a persona makes interactions more effective and tailored.
I’ ll now embrace AI as a supportive business partner rather than a threat. Working in harmony amplifies our impact while the human lens remains vital- that’ s our strength. This book is fool-proof: practical, reassuring and packed with real-world examples, including a fun Tim Tam case study.
Yuki Inoue Park is EA to CEO at George & Matilda Eyecare
Productivity Joy by Simi Rayat
As EAs, we’ ve all experienced mornings when stress hits before the first email opens, when we’ re surviving rather than thriving. Simi Rayat’ s Productivity Joy promises to tackle these challenges through her 5Qs formula – a daily practice designed to bring clarity and purpose.
The book centres on the PRIME framework: pinpoint emotions and feelings, recognise gratitude, identify what’ s working and what could work better, make a list of three high-impact tasks, and envision how you want to show up today. For EAs managing multiple executives and competing priorities, this structured approach has clear appeal.
The book is well-organised with clear headings and helpful chapter summaries for easy reference. Rayat draws on theoretical frameworks, personal anecdotes and client testimonials to support her methodology( though this additional content can overshadow the practical tools).
Testing the 5Qs formula myself, I found genuine value in the gratitude practice. Taking time to acknowledge people and opportunities I’ d been taking for granted shifted my morning mindset. The three-task focus proved effective, helping me cut through my longer to-do list and create achievable daily wins.
However, the daily emotions and values questions became repetitive after week one. Without wanting to actively reflect on these areas, completing them felt more like box-ticking than meaningful development.
Erin Staggard is EA to the managing director at Stanley Black & Decker ANZ
Spring Issue 2025 | Executive PA 61