Office Dynamics

JUNE 27, 2012

So how many times have you read or written an email today? million emails are sent or read each day. Some time ago, we asked readers for a list of their pet peeves with emails. The results led to our first “ Email etiquette ” story. Top 10 Email Pet Peeves. Pet peeve: The disorganized email.

Etiquette 100

Etiquette Filing Email Calendars 100

Professional Assistant Blog

JANUARY 18, 2008

When youre on a phone call, do people hover over you? If you are on a training course via your computer (WebEx) and listening in to the presenter, you want your full attention on the seminar or workshop that you are attending at your cubicle. Until next time, Take care - of your clutter!

Training 100

Training Cubicle Microsoft Word 2008 100

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.

2008 100

2008 Cubicle 2007 Google Docs 100

Professional Assistant Blog

JULY 10, 2009

This will save your company time and money. And of course, theres the dreaded shredding of confidential documents. You would either have to spend time shredding the papers yourself or hire a shredding company to do it for you. Think ahead and see if you can e-mail or transfer your documents in an electronic format to others.

2008 100

2008 Google Docs Cubicle 2007 100

Professional Assistant Blog

FEBRUARY 14, 2008

Of course there is. Until next time, Take care - of your clutter! I always find myself sending pretty much the same emails. By The Professional Assistant on Thursday, February 14, 2008 Filed Under: MS-Outlook , Organize , Productivity D o you find that you write the same e-mails over and over again? Thanks for the great tips!

Microsoft Outlook 100

Microsoft Outlook 2008 Cubicle Google Docs 100

Professional Assistant Blog

OCTOBER 8, 2008

As you can tell, I really try to be in tune with nature and of course, love my wife. This really does help me get through those rough days - but there are great days as well, of course. Of course, it doesnt have to be money. Keep it short and simple though. Im sure you get the idea. Whats next?

Cubicle 100

Cubicle 2008 Google Docs 2007 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 chose details and was given the street address and phone number and I still had the option of having my call put through to the store number. It uses voice recognition and is fantastic.

Google 100

Google Time Zones IAAP International 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

Professional Assistant Blog

FEBRUARY 19, 2008

I worked as an Investment Advisor’s Assistant, completed my CSC (Canadian Securities Course), but soon after, I realized that this wasn’t really for me. I would be able to do work without too many interruptions , have quiet time, since the walls and the closed door (at times) would stop the noise from reaching in.

Policies 100

Policies 2008 Cubicle 2007 100

Professional Assistant Blog

MARCH 28, 2008

Of course, you have to present yourself well, answer the interview questions properly, have the skills and knowledge of the position you are applying for and a few other factors that help you get the job. Last Name: Thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedule to talk to me about the Position Applied For with XXX Company.

Postal Code 100

Postal Code 2008 Cubicle 2007 100

Professional Assistant Blog

OCTOBER 7, 2008

I am sure that you have fallen into the trap of where it’s either really quiet and you are twiddling your thumbs, trying to figure out what to do with your time. But of course, you don’t want to disturb others around you with the bell going off or some even have chickens clucking as the alarm.

2008 100

2008 Cubicle Google Docs 2007 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.

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP 2010 International 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. Home About Me Advertise Outsourcing - Good or Bad? By The Professional Assistant on Friday, September 14, 2007 Filed Under: Organize , Prioritize , Productivity D oes your firm want to save money?

2007 100

2007 2008 Cubicle Google Docs 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 411 Look Up 411.ca

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?" 411 Look Up 411.ca

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP Holidays Meeting Minutes 100

Professional Assistant Blog

SEPTEMBER 9, 2008

Money, of course, is important, but what about the customer? Here are some tips to consider: Even if you dont know the answer to their question, tell them that you will get back to them via e-mail, phone, etc. Do you feel that you could be helping the client even if you dont know the answer to their issue right away?

2008 100

2008 Customer Service Cubicle Google Docs 100

Professional Assistant Blog

AUGUST 13, 2008

Of course, the rest of us had to follow this schedule and would have to take time off during these periods. In this case, I dont have to worry about taking extra days off, since I dont really follow the religious holidays that I was brought up with, which in turn, are part of the regular holidays that come up each year.

Microsoft Outlook 100

Microsoft Outlook Holidays 2008 Calendars 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.

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP Meeting Minutes International 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. 411 Look Up 411.ca

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP Negotiating International 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

NOVEMBER 1, 2008

I can interact where I am now, but I have to get up and go if I want to speak with someone and then when I get there I may find they are busy or on the phone so I have wasted my time. Of course there is a down side to being able to do that. You have to be respectful of your neighbours. (for 411 Look Up 411.ca

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP International Meeting Minutes 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 411 Look Up 411.ca

Self Esteem 100

Self Esteem Time Zones 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.

2008 100

2008 Google Docs Cubicle 2007 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. 411 Look Up 411.ca

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP International Meeting Minutes 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. 411 Look Up 411.ca

Time Zones 100

Time Zones ASAP IAAP International 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

SEPTEMBER 20, 2009

Telemarketing is my number one annoyance in advertising and as soon as I answer the phone and get that few seconds of dead air, that is my queue to hang up. It is usually a business I am interested in and I want to know when new courses or products are offered. I get those calls all the time. (for Going, going, gone.

Fax 100

Fax Time Zones IAAP 2009 100

Professional Assistant Blog

MARCH 27, 2008

Add New, of course, would be used to add a brand new contact. Click on the arrow down button right beside the "New" button, then click "Distribution List" Here you can either "Select Members" or "Add New" Select Members is used to find contacts that are already in your address book.

UPS 100

UPS 2008 Cubicle Microsoft Outlook 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.

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP International Meeting Minutes 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

MAY 23, 2009

Of course there were four Karens and three Bobs. the phone book, standard filing practices etc.) 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? I grew up in a world that used Last Name, First Name (i.e.

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP International Meeting Minutes 100

Professional Assistant Blog

AUGUST 28, 2007

Mention to your boss (in a professional manner of course) that you have X number of tasks, projects, etc. Until next time, Take care - of your clutter! Here are the basic rules to do this: Start off with something positive, such as you have been working hard on whatever project you want to mention and show some results of this.

2008 100

2008 Google Docs Cubicle 2007 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? If you find some are outdated please let me know so I can remove them from this list.

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP Meeting Minutes 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. 411 Look Up 411.ca

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP Meeting Minutes 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. Of course I had to tell everyone at the office. * Needless to say -- it worked!

Time Zones 100

Time Zones 2010 IAAP 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? 411 Look Up 411.ca

Time Zones 100

Time Zones Administrative Professionals IAAP International 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.

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP 2009 International 100

Professional Assistant Blog

OCTOBER 30, 2008

By The Professional Assistant on Thursday, October 30, 2008 Filed Under: Meetings , Organize , Productivity D o you find yourself being bored out of your mind at times with nothing to do? This, of course, is heaven to some, but like me, cant stand being bored. His reply is usually, "Im working on some things that Ill get to you soon."

2008 100

2008 2007 Cubicle Google Docs 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. 411 Look Up 411.ca

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP International Meeting Minutes 100