Professional Assistant Blog

MARCH 3, 2008

Hopefully, not too many of you were affected by the email system outages yesterday. It’s a reminder to all of us that depending on one system alone works fine, right up until the time that it doesn’t. In this case, commercial email services were affected, but the next time it could be your server at work.

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2008 Cubicle 2007 Google Docs 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

AUGUST 1, 2010

There are just too many passwords to remember, and that doesnt include my bosss passwords that I also need to know because I have to check his emails as well as my own. Of course the simple solution would be to have the same password for every aspect of your life, but nope that doesn’t work. But they refuse to help me out.

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Time Zones 2010 IAAP Filing 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

JANUARY 13, 2009

We really dont have an excuse because it is becoming increasingly easy to take courses online. All you need is to put some time aside and close your door, or put some earphones on, and plug into your computer and learn. I have had great experiences learning online in interactive courses. I have found them to be really helpful.

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP 2009 International 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

MAY 10, 2009

Of course before I recommend anything I try it out so I picked up the phone and it asked me what I was looking for and what city and province. I am hooked already and this will definitely go into my Favourites under 411 Look up as well as on speed dial on my cell, home and work phone. Google has an information line ( 1 800 466 4411 ).

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Google Time Zones IAAP International 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

JANUARY 10, 2010

Some of the younger bosses are certainly qualified and know how to do some things administratively, but is it an efficient use of their time and is it good job security for us? I of course ignored him and went about providing the best service I could. He loved it and I believe ended up doing his job better because of it.

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Time Zones IAAP 2010 International 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

DECEMBER 31, 2009

Years ago, when I worked for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), I took a training course on a Telex machine. Again, when I worked at the RCMP, I went on a training course for a machine to do criminal record checks. Definitely not like the CSI shows of today. Of course I had to tell everyone at the office. *

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Time Zones 2010 IAAP International 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

MARCH 13, 2010

I find the best time to think about what I need is when I have a nice quiet time to do that. Of course that usually doesnt happen at work so I take about an hour of my home time, but it is well worth it the next day. Being prepared doesnt have to be hectic, but can just be a good habit you get into. (for

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP 2010 International 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

JUNE 27, 2009

HA HA This assignment of course is a result of "Just say yes". My friend said it didnt seem to faze her and she quickly pulled up her skirt and kept talking like nothing happened. I wonder what that CEO was talking about that night with his wife. Honey, you will never believe what happened at the office?"

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Time Zones IAAP Holidays Meeting Minutes 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

JULY 20, 2009

Of course, the reason could have been that I was up all night with a sick child or wasnt feeling well myself or I just had an argument with my spouse and was still stewing about it. I teach an Administrative Professional course at a business college in Winnipeg and I have a website for my classroom. Keep up the good work!

Time Zones 100

Time Zones 2009 IAAP Administrative Professionals 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

MAY 1, 2009

Of course there will come a time when questions about certain things will not have to be asked as it is hoped the new hire will catch on to the office procedures and their initiative will kick in and they will take on these tasks on their own, but in the beginning please ask. (for I dont see it as a weakness, but as a strength.

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Time Zones IAAP Meeting Minutes International 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

AUGUST 10, 2010

They say when you do something for 30 days it becomes a habit, so try some of these and make it a new habit that will save you a lot of time. Of course these are only a portion of the shortcut keys that are out there, but unless they are easy you wont remember them.

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Keyboards Time Zones IAAP PowerPoint 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

NOVEMBER 21, 2009

If you keep telling yourself you cant do it, then of course you wont be able to, but if you say I dont know if I can, but I am going to try anyway, or I know I can do that because it was what I was trained for and then go ahead and do it, it will open all kinds of doors for you. (for

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Self Esteem Time Zones IAAP International 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

OCTOBER 6, 2009

They seemed surprised that I didnt know she had an alcohol problem because they told me you could smell the booze off her every day, but of course I hadnt noticed. I was mentioning to some colleagues that it was too bad she left as she could have been good with some encouragement.

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP International Meeting Minutes 100

Professional Assistant Blog

SEPTEMBER 14, 2007

Outsourcing has been around for quite some time now and I will discuss the good, the bad and the ugly of it. This definitely saves you time and money, so that you can focus on doing whats most important to your business - making money. Everyone could use a little more green in their wallets.

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2007 2008 Cubicle Google Docs 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

SEPTEMBER 7, 2009

Take for instance on my first day in my new job, these were the acronyms that were being tossed about in conversations at a meeting where I was taking minutes: DOCAS, DRE, LHINS, NAGWD, OCRI and DAC to name a few and these of course are all pronounced as words.

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Time Zones ASAP IAAP International 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

AUGUST 8, 2009

Of course you have to be prepared and know your stuff, but knowing you look good when you walk in the door will do wonders on how you present yourself. The same applies if you have a job interview or a new challenge at work. Buying a new outfit or wearing a freshly dry-cleaned suit will go a long way to increasing your confidence level.

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Time Zones IAAP International Meeting Minutes 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

AUGUST 29, 2009

Many times I need to proof text and comment with my thoughts before he even looks at it. Of course my comments are limited because the subject matter is not my expertise, but he relies on my input and corrections to make the document look good. Some emails are obviously junk.

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Management Time Zones IAAP 2009 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

OCTOBER 4, 2008

Of course we know that people like this are not the Queen and their self-importance is only from themselves, but they can sure make your life miserable while you are in their kingdom. (for How can you survive in this kind of a working environment?

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Time Zones IAAP Meeting Minutes International 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

JANUARY 19, 2009

The switchboard can get so busy at times that its just not possible to introduce every call that comes through (except, of course, for those calling for the big bosses). I have a love/hate relationship with the email autofill. The cure: always answer the phone professionally - this way youre never caught off-guard.

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP 2009 International 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

SEPTEMBER 29, 2008

I am planning a local fundraiser to help the family with the costs on November 15th, but of course it will be in Ottawa, Canada and I know most of you are elsewhere. What I wasnt aware of was the many changes the family will have to make to their home to make it habitable for young Owen.

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Time Zones IAAP Meeting Minutes International 100

Professional Assistant Blog

JULY 16, 2008

Heres the link: www.findaseminar.com/administrative-seminars.html Also, one other thing I wanted to mention is that the company that I work at has online courses that I can take. This definitely helped my position. I am sure that this will definitely help quite a few readers.

2008 100

2008 Cubicle 2007 Google Docs 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

SEPTEMBER 17, 2010

Sit down dinners Of course if it is a sit down dinner you have to order for the number of guests you have. There is value in getting to know people, even if it is just over email or the phone. He suggested four so I went with three for everyone and for some appetizers only two and it was more than enough.

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Time Zones IAAP Negotiating International 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

APRIL 10, 2009

Of course what works for me will probably not apply to you so you need to set up folders that apply to your working situation, but the fewer the better. For instance, I have folders for the Board of Directors, International, Personal and one for Work Information. But what about my boss?

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Time Zones Administrative Professionals IAAP International 100

Professional Assistant Blog

JANUARY 4, 2008

Its a great piece of software that will help you and you marketing department figure out the best course of action to increase your sites popularity. The best part of this software is that it provides you with resolved IP addresses, which (most of the time) tells you what company visited your site.

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2008 Google Docs Cubicle 2007 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

FEBRUARY 21, 2009

There comes a time when companies need to pony up the money and either pay for your training or pay for a professional instead of heaving everything off on the admin because theyre cheap. Of course if you are not licensed to do a particular job, or qualified, then you should not do it. February 22, 2009 Patricia Robb said.

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Time Zones IAAP 2009 International 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

MAY 10, 2009

It used to be the secretary did everything for the boss, now the executives do a lot of their own administrative work, such as email management, so a background as an admin assistant can certainly help. So much is expected of executives these days. She advised that I should stay at least one year in any job I was in.

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP International Meeting Minutes 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

JANUARY 3, 2009

If you have to P.S. this far you have missed the point of the P.S. * POSTSCRIPT TO MY POSTSCRIPT ARTICLE My boss read my blogpost and pointed out to me that he thought the correct way to write the post script is: PS or PPS Of course, he sent me a link to prove his point.

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP International Meeting Minutes 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

NOVEMBER 1, 2008

Of course there is a down side to being able to do that. When you are in a cube you just stick your head up to speak to your neighbour and if you see they are on the phone, you go about doing something else until you hear they are free. You have to be respectful of your neighbours. If you have ever worked in a cube you will know what I mean.

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP International Meeting Minutes 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

MAY 23, 2009

Each time I went to get my mail I would find my mail in the other Patricias slot or vice versa. Of course there were four Karens and three Bobs. Or if I was delivering mail to someone I had to stop, re-think and look for their first name. See what I mean? Which do you prefer, First Name, Last Name or Last Name, First Name?

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP International Meeting Minutes 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

SEPTEMBER 20, 2009

It is usually a business I am interested in and I want to know when new courses or products are offered. I still get some flyers by regular mail and I do still appreciate them when it is a menu from a fast-food restaurant, money-back coupons or notices of courses in my area, but otherwise I throw them in the recycle bin.

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Fax Time Zones IAAP 2009 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

JANUARY 18, 2009

The members of my team of course didnt want to even be near me because of the germs I was spreading and I not only felt sick, but understandably rejected by my co-workers. routine, but finally dragged myself out of the apartment and went to work because I had an all-day meeting to attend that I really needed to be at. Or so I thought.

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP International Meeting Minutes 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

JUNE 14, 2009

There are courses on minute taking and Board governance, but also you can learn alot by reading books and asking others who are in this field. Experience helps as you really need to know your stuff. I have been learning on the job as far as minute taking goes, but I love writing so it is something I really enjoy doing. It is interesting work.

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Agenda Time Zones IAAP Calendars 100

Professional Assistant Blog

JANUARY 15, 2008

There is life outside of the office, but of course, you need to go to work to get your bread and butter. Work is work, which can definitely be fulfilling, which I have to admit, is great in my life. Until next time, Take care - of your clutter! Up until recently, I too felt this way.

2008 100

2008 Cubicle Google Docs 2007 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

MARCH 15, 2009

The first day of each month, I go through the monthly folder and sort the items into the appropriate numbered file to be processed through the course of the new month. If it something that needs attention after the month ends, then it goes into the monthly folder. March 16, 2009 Patricia Robb said. Thats great!

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Time Zones IAAP International Meeting Minutes 100

Professional Assistant Blog

NOVEMBER 20, 2007

Here are 5 ways to score brownie points with your boss and get that promotion or raise (or both) a little faster: The one thing that I’ve learned over the course of my career is to try getting to know your boss. Follow these 5 easy steps and over time, your boss will notice that they have made a definitely wise decision to hire you on.

2007 100

2007 2008 Cubicle Google Docs 100

Brilliantly Better

SEPTEMBER 10, 2010

Basically, you can do whatever you want: put it as a free download on your site, send it by email to your friends, frame it and put it on your desktop, dip it into chocolate and eat it while pretending you’re dieting. At the end of the ebook, I also announced a course based on this series. So, pretty much everything.

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2010 Twitter AT&T Time Zones 40

Men With Pens

NOVEMBER 24, 2009

DO NOT look at a single work email after that. Your quick email check becomes a written response, some analysis, and finally that little voice says, “What the heck. I follow this at least 1/3 of the time (*hangs head in shame*), and believe me, I notice the difference. Stick To Your Business Hours. Good post.

2009 40

2009 AT&T Keyboards Email 40