Professional Assistant Blog

NOVEMBER 20, 2009

To do this, open up your scheduled meeting in the calendar that you are using and click on “Forward as iCalendar&#. So next time your boss asks you to send something after the fact for a meeting update, make sure to use the “Forward as iCalendar&# function instead.

2007 100

2007 Agenda 2008 Cubicle 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

NOVEMBER 8, 2009

What dates and times does he or she have available (keeping in mind time zones for away meetings)? Secure the date and time in his or her calendar, taking into consideration travel time if outside the office. Follow up with the meeting organizer to request agenda and/or meeting materials, pre-reading, etc.

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP International Calendars 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

DECEMBER 19, 2009

© Copyright Patricia Robb 2010 19 December, 2009 Meetings Plus: Taking them offline I organize a lot of meetings in a day, week, month; heck, even into next year. Once a date is finalized I put it in my bosss calendar and confirm the meeting with the other participants. Dealing in real time. Lets enjoy our day together.©

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP International Meeting Minutes 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

SEPTEMBER 19, 2008

© Copyright Patricia Robb 2010 19 September, 2008 Using a Bring-Forward System to Help Organize Your Boss Of all the articles I have written, the one I wrote on the bring-forward system by far gets the most views. As an Executive Assistant to a busy CEO, I have to organize my boss and I needed a bring-forward system to meet his needs.

Time Zones 100

Time Zones 2008 IAAP Calendars 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

OCTOBER 10, 2008

The argument could be said that the role of the assistant is to assist and keep your boss organized so we shouldnt complain when we have to do it. I have found the best way to cope is to keep yourself organized. If that is not happening, schedule yourself in their calendar. Keep an organized filing system and file list.

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP 2008 International 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

APRIL 8, 2009

How often I have organized a conference or arranged a Board meeting and after all the organization and planning it goes off without a hitch. I like organizing and feel satisfied when everything comes together nicely, but it takes a lot of work to get there. Have you ever been at an event that isnt well organized?

Administrative Professionals 100

Administrative Professionals Time Zones IAAP 2009 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

MARCH 13, 2010

They had enough time as they saw the bus approaching, they know they will need it, but time and time again, they are searching for it. I like to be prepared and I find life just works better for me at home, work and even on the bus, when I am organized and ready for whatever is coming up. Dealing in real time.

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP 2010 International 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

JULY 12, 2010

The Stevie® Awards is a prestigious award honouring the achievements and positive contributions of organizations and business people worldwide. The fact that they have a category for Support Staffer of the Year is recognition of the important role support staff play in any organization. Dealing in real time.

2010 100

2010 Interviewing Time Zones IAAP 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

MAY 10, 2009

Would you take a job just to get your foot in the door of an organization you really wanted to work for, even if it was a position that you didnt want to make a career out of? You should stay in the position for long enough to make what youve learned stick to be fair to yourself and the organization who hired you. Dealing in real time.

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP International Meeting Minutes 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

JULY 1, 2010

One person can be great at software programs and know all sorts of tricks to get things done quickly and another might be excellent at organizing and managing their email account. Dealing in real time. ► January (5) Taking the time to acknowledge someone and say tha. Minute taking made easier. 411 Look Up 411.ca

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP 2010 International 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

MAY 16, 2010

The person sending out the request for the meeting and asking for dates would usually be considered the meeting organizer. If you are not the organizer, you still have a responsibility to provide available dates in a timely manner, set a reminder to make sure there is an agenda and if there isnt, email to ask for one.

Agenda 100

Agenda Time Zones International IAAP 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

DECEMBER 17, 2008

Here are the top qualities that an assistant must have: Be organized. Can I say that again – BE ORGANIZED! An assistant’s job is to organize the boss and in order to do that we must be organized ourselves. Dealing in real time. ► January (5) Taking the time to acknowledge someone and say tha.

Time Zones 100

Time Zones Filing IAAP 2008 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

JANUARY 23, 2010

Another office raised almost $1,000 in a fundraising effort they organized. Dealing in real time. ▼ January (5) Taking the time to acknowledge someone and say tha. I gave at the office Calendar "ah ha" Introducing The Administrative Bloopers Blog What ever happened to the "us" in Service?

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP AT&T Meeting Minutes 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

SEPTEMBER 6, 2008

© Copyright Patricia Robb 2010 6 September, 2008 Going Checklist Crazy I am organizing a Board meeting and I have checklists and to-do lists coming out of my ears. Being organized helps de-clutter any task and makes it more manageable and doable. Dealing in real time. Using a Bring-Forward System to Help Organize Your.

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP International Meeting Minutes 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

FEBRUARY 14, 2009

Another time I wanted to try a career in the travel business. I have become familiar with time zones, airport codes and international holidays to avoid. I love the planning, organizing and running around that goes into bringing a conference from a thought to a successful event. Dealing in real time.

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP Holidays International 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

JULY 16, 2010

Manage: Consider these points as you organize your workload. It reduces confusion by improving organization and leaves your work space clean. Dealing in real time. ► January (5) Taking the time to acknowledge someone and say tha. Put the least important one on the bottom and the most urgent on top. 411 Look Up 411.ca

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP 2010 International 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

MAY 9, 2010

If I deal with someone and can see that they have organized something well, I will make sure to ask them about it. Dealing in real time. ► January (5) Taking the time to acknowledge someone and say tha. I also get good tips from other assistants. I have learnt some great tips that way. Minute taking made easier.

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP 2010 International 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

APRIL 10, 2009

I find the best way for me to keep my Inbox organized is to immediately deal with the e-mail when it arrives. I never have more than four or five e-mails in my Inbox for any length of time. Here are five buts you can do without: But I dont have time! Dealing in real time. Minute taking made easier. 411 Look Up 411.ca

Time Zones 100

Time Zones Administrative Professionals IAAP International 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

DECEMBER 12, 2009

INCOMING MAIL: As with e-mail, you should read the letter to see if there are any action items for your boss (or yourself) and diarize them or put the appropriate dates in the calendar. Some organizations like you to list the attachments, i.e. Enclosure: 2008 Annual Report. As you have discovered half the battle is getting organized.

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP International 2009 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

OCTOBER 4, 2008

The head of your organization can often set the tone for how the rest of the office functions. Everyone helping each other and working together to achieve the goals of the organization. Dealing in real time. ► January (5) Taking the time to acknowledge someone and say tha. Minute taking made easier. 411 Look Up 411.ca

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP Meeting Minutes International 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

SEPTEMBER 7, 2009

I recently received an e-newsletter from Jane Watson regarding Acronyms and Initialisms , which I thought was timely and wanted to share with you. Each organization we work for will have their own acronyms that we have to get familiar with fairly quickly if you want to know what they are talking about. Dealing in real time.

Time Zones 100

Time Zones ASAP IAAP International 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

OCTOBER 11, 2009

There are some assistants however who enjoy the organizing and the business of being an administrative or executive assistant and they are good at their job and get great satisfaction in what they do. Dealing in real time. ► January (5) Taking the time to acknowledge someone and say tha. Minute taking made easier.

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP 2009 International 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

AUGUST 8, 2009

Is everything organized and in the proper place so when you need it you can just grab it? Dealing in real time. ► January (5) Taking the time to acknowledge someone and say tha. I gave at the office Calendar "ah ha" Introducing The Administrative Bloopers Blog What ever happened to the "us" in Service?

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP International Meeting Minutes 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

MARCH 15, 2009

© Copyright Patricia Robb 2010 15 March, 2009 When you need it later: The Bring-Forward System My boss likes me to keep him organized and the way I do that is to have a system to bring forward items, which I then bring to his attention when he needs to see it. The system I use is quite simple and has been around for a long time.

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP International Meeting Minutes 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

SEPTEMBER 29, 2008

Dealing in real time. ► January (5) Taking the time to acknowledge someone and say tha. I gave at the office Calendar "ah ha" Introducing The Administrative Bloopers Blog What ever happened to the "us" in Service? Using a Bring-Forward System to Help Organize Your. Minute taking made easier.

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP Meeting Minutes International 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

FEBRUARY 21, 2009

If a conference comes up and they are looking for someone to do the registration, we can step in and do that or we can organize it from start to finish. Dealing in real time. ► January (5) Taking the time to acknowledge someone and say tha. Our job is not just one thing, but many different tasks and it changes every day.

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP 2009 International 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

OCTOBER 4, 2009

It saves your boss asking if you got it done and in time they will not ask because they will just know you have handled it. Show your boss that you want to contribute to their success and to the organization. Dealing in real time. ► January (5) Taking the time to acknowledge someone and say tha. 411 Look Up 411.ca

Management 100

Management Time Zones IAAP International 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

AUGUST 29, 2009

If there are any deadlines or appointments, put them in your boss’s calendar or task list with appropriate reminders. You dont want them to be surprised to find out they have a speaking engagement and havent had time to prepare. Dealing in real time. ► January (5) Taking the time to acknowledge someone and say tha.

Management 100

Management Time Zones IAAP 2009 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

JULY 11, 2009

Perhaps, you are reading this and thinking some of these things can be a big time commitment. Check out some of the sites and organizations and see which you would find to be most useful. Ask yourself if you have the time to go to a meeting once a month. Dealing in real time. I understand! Minute taking made easier.

IAAP 100

IAAP Time Zones Administrative Professionals International 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

JULY 5, 2009

I find talking it over with a friend can be a good way to organize your thoughts. Dealing in real time. ► January (5) Taking the time to acknowledge someone and say tha. I gave at the office Calendar "ah ha" Introducing The Administrative Bloopers Blog What ever happened to the "us" in Service?

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP International Meeting Minutes 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

SEPTEMBER 17, 2010

I also had a reception to organize and I am never sure how many appetizers to order for everyone and normally go by what the hotel staff tell me I need, but I noticed there is always so much food left over that I tried something different this time. Dealing in real time. What a relief -- that was the best lunch I ever had.

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP Negotiating International 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

JANUARY 13, 2009

In some organizations raises are tied to how well you do and it is also a record that is kept on your personnel file. Dealing in real time. ► January (5) Taking the time to acknowledge someone and say tha. Can you believe we are already into a new year and will have to think about completing a performance appraisal again?

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP 2009 International 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

SEPTEMBER 13, 2008

Dealing in real time. ► January (5) Taking the time to acknowledge someone and say tha. I gave at the office Calendar "ah ha" Introducing The Administrative Bloopers Blog What ever happened to the "us" in Service? Using a Bring-Forward System to Help Organize Your. Minute taking made easier.

Time Zones 100

Time Zones Interviewing IAAP International 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

FEBRUARY 8, 2009

That is a good time to recognize assistants for all that they do. Imagine, if we had assistants at home to pay the bills, do the budget, organize dinners, answer our calls and follow up with reminders -- it is starting to sound pretty good. Dealing in real time. Minute taking made easier. When your voicemail goes awry.

Administrative Professionals 100

Administrative Professionals Time Zones IAAP International 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

DECEMBER 31, 2009

This of course prompted me to write the following thought of the day on my blog, "The location of your Office Suggestion Box can give you a good idea of how important it is to your organization. Dealing in real time. ► January (5) Taking the time to acknowledge someone and say tha. Minute taking made easier.

Time Zones 100

Time Zones 2010 IAAP International 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

MAY 24, 2009

To set a recurring 9-5 meeting (as opposed to clicking all-day meeting) I dont like the all-day meeting settings as they are out of sight at the top of the calendar and easily missed. His calendar then shows blocked time and nobody misses seeing that he is away. Dealing in real time. Will Google ever stop amazing me?

2007 100

2007 Time Zones IAAP 2003 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

APRIL 17, 2010

I went to my boss with my newfound knowledge and she arranged to get me some new technology to make transcribing voicemails less time consuming. Now that I knew what was taking the time, I could do something about it and make adjustments to organize my day better. Keep your desk organized with a place for everything.

Environment 100

Environment Time Zones IAAP International 100