Laughing all the Way to Work

APRIL 5, 2010

Does your boss ever organize a meeting behind your back? That makes it difficult when I am supposed to be organizing his calendar, but since I am responsible to organize his time and in spite of my frustration, I have to make it work. So what can you do when your boss is ruining your perfectly scheduled calendar?

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP 2010 International 100

Ian's Messy Desk

OCTOBER 20, 2010

Stay organized. Put pen to paper (or finger tips to keyboard) and record important dates in a calendar, notebook or on your mobile device. Think again You need at least eight seconds of focused energy to digest information and store it in the brain’s memory centre. So hang up the phone, find a quiet place and focus.

UPS 100

UPS 2006 Keyboards Ergonomics 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

NOVEMBER 8, 2009

Secure the date and time in his or her calendar, taking into consideration travel time if outside the office. State the purpose of the meeting in the calendar appointment as well as who will be at the meeting (i.e. Follow up with the meeting organizer to request agenda and/or meeting materials, pre-reading, etc. " Warning!

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. Let your fingers do the walking: Quick keyboard sh.

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP International Meeting Minutes 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

JULY 16, 2010

.© Copyright Patricia Robb 2010 16 July, 2010 Guest Blog by Alexis Bonari: 10 Easy Ways to Check and Maximize Time Management Photo from Flickr: Public Domain It’s not always about giving the boss her money’s worth – sometimes, it just feels great to know that work time is being managed well.

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP 2010 International 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

MARCH 13, 2010

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. I organize my desk so everything is within easy reach and makes sense to the way I like to work. I too, love to be organized and it only makes sense to be prepared.

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP 2010 International 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. The assistant is also the gatekeeper to manage the flow of paper through the boss’s office.

Time Zones 100

Time Zones Filing IAAP 2008 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. Let your fingers do the walking: Quick keyboard sh. ► August (4) Managing your Boss's Inbox Nice ways to say, "Hurry up!"

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP 2010 International 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? The administrative position can be a springboard for a management position if you want to go in that direction and have the right educational background.

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP International Meeting Minutes 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. Your bosses calendar will now show Monday to Wednesday blocked from 9-5.

2007 100

2007 Time Zones IAAP 2003 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. Oh where or where is my password?

2010 100

2010 Interviewing Time Zones IAAP 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. Let your fingers do the walking: Quick keyboard sh. " Warning!

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP International Meeting Minutes 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

APRIL 10, 2009

.© Copyright Patricia Robb 2010 10 April, 2009 Keep your Inbox running on empty There are so many e-mails coming at us these days that e-mail management is very important. I find the best way for me to keep my Inbox organized is to immediately deal with the e-mail when it arrives. It is so nice to see my Inbox on empty.

Time Zones 100

Time Zones Administrative Professionals IAAP 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. " Warning!

Agenda 100

Agenda Time Zones International IAAP 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

FEBRUARY 14, 2009

I love the planning, organizing and running around that goes into bringing a conference from a thought to a successful event. I helped my husband occasionally with his Event Management Projects and when it came to graphics I always took his help, I still do. Let your fingers do the walking: Quick keyboard sh. " Warning!

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP Holidays 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

APRIL 17, 2010

Being on the phone was a very important part of my day and it was still going to take a big part of my time, but I could better manage it by scheduling a time to make my phone calls. Now that I knew what was taking the time, I could do something about it and make adjustments to organize my day better. Oh where or where is my password?

Environment 100

Environment Time Zones IAAP International 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

JANUARY 23, 2010

Another office raised almost $1,000 in a fundraising effort they organized. Let your fingers do the walking: Quick keyboard sh. I gave at the office Calendar "ah ha" Introducing The Administrative Bloopers Blog What ever happened to the "us" in Service? He raised over $1,000. Oh where or where is my password?

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP AT&T 2010 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

OCTOBER 11, 2009

I find that generally administrative assistants are good in a lot of different areas and are in a unique position of being in a close working relationship with management that could open doors to new work experiences and better overall job satisfaction. Let your fingers do the walking: Quick keyboard sh. Minute taking made easier.

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP 2009 International 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. Let your fingers do the walking: Quick keyboard sh. ► August (4) Managing your Boss's Inbox Nice ways to say, "Hurry up!"

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP Meeting Minutes International 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. Let your fingers do the walking: Quick keyboard sh. " Warning!

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP International Meeting Minutes 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. Let your fingers do the walking: Quick keyboard sh. I gave at the office Calendar "ah ha" Introducing The Administrative Bloopers Blog What ever happened to the "us" in Service? " Warning!

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP 2010 International 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

DECEMBER 13, 2008

The office party can be a good time for some networking with the different people in your organization. RSVP If you are not able to attend the party, it is always a good idea to let the organizer know and your boss. Let your fingers do the walking: Quick keyboard sh. So why bother going? Oh where or where is my password?

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP Holidays International 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

SEPTEMBER 7, 2009

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. Let your fingers do the walking: Quick keyboard sh. ► August (4) Managing your Boss's Inbox Nice ways to say, "Hurry up!" Minute taking made easier.

Time Zones 100

Time Zones ASAP IAAP International 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

SEPTEMBER 29, 2008

Let your fingers do the walking: Quick keyboard sh. I gave at the office Calendar "ah ha" Introducing The Administrative Bloopers Blog What ever happened to the "us" in Service? ► August (4) Managing your Boss's Inbox Nice ways to say, "Hurry up!" Oh where or where is my password?

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP Meeting Minutes 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? Let your fingers do the walking: Quick keyboard sh. I gave at the office Calendar "ah ha" Introducing The Administrative Bloopers Blog What ever happened to the "us" in Service? What about your work space?

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP International Meeting Minutes 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. Let your fingers do the walking: Quick keyboard sh. 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 2009 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. Let your fingers do the walking: Quick keyboard sh. ► August (4) Managing your Boss's Inbox Nice ways to say, "Hurry up!" Oh where or where is my password?

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP 2009 International 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

JULY 11, 2009

Check out some of the sites and organizations and see which you would find to be most useful. Let your fingers do the walking: Quick keyboard sh. I gave at the office Calendar "ah ha" Introducing The Administrative Bloopers Blog What ever happened to the "us" in Service? I understand! Dealing in real time.

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. Let your fingers do the walking: Quick keyboard sh. I gave at the office Calendar "ah ha" Introducing The Administrative Bloopers Blog What ever happened to the "us" in Service? Oh where or where is my password? " Warning!

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP International Meeting Minutes 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

SEPTEMBER 13, 2008

Let your fingers do the walking: Quick keyboard sh. I gave at the office Calendar "ah ha" Introducing The Administrative Bloopers Blog What ever happened to the "us" in Service? ► August (4) Managing your Boss's Inbox Nice ways to say, "Hurry up!" Oh where or where is my password?

Time Zones 100

Time Zones Interviewing IAAP International 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

FEBRUARY 8, 2009

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. Let your fingers do the walking: Quick keyboard sh. ► August (4) Managing your Boss's Inbox Nice ways to say, "Hurry up!"

Administrative Professionals 100

Administrative Professionals Time Zones IAAP International 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. Let your fingers do the walking: Quick keyboard sh. Oh where or where is my password?

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP Negotiating 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. Let your fingers do the walking: Quick keyboard sh. ► August (4) Managing your Boss's Inbox Nice ways to say, "Hurry up!"

Time Zones 100

Time Zones 2010 IAAP International 100