Professional Assistant Blog

SEPTEMBER 3, 2008

They ask you to create subtotals for the latest sales report, but want you to only send them the revised spreadsheet showing the subtotal rows. One of my managers wanted me to use our sales tracking software to create the sales report for a particular product. I was able to put the entire report together within a matter of minutes.

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2008 Cubicle Google Docs 2007 100

Professional Assistant Blog

OCTOBER 15, 2008

Your manager asks you to create a report of some sort and wants you to send it to a client, but making sure that they cannot manipulate the information. There is a simple way of getting this type of report to anyone without having to use Adobe Acrobat. Now you can e-mail the report to the client without any problems.

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PDF 2008 Cubicle PowerPoint 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

AUGUST 15, 2009

Sometimes I wish I had something to warn me when I am with someone with a cell phone so I can know that we are going to be interrupted. I find it frustrating when people either text while in a conversation or are constantly taking phone calls. Apparently not, when its by phone. A person I know does this all the time.

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP Etiquette Phones 100

Allwork

FEBRUARY 26, 2024

People self report that they are more productive. But I think that when you cross borders or more importantly, time zones, you really have to rethink how you’re going to organize a company. But actually what we ended up doing is just send a lot more emails and communicate a lot more. You had to show up early.

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AT&T Collaborate Environment Dropbox 246

Step It Up VA Coaching

AUGUST 4, 2011

Share your office hours (including time zone) and let them know you’re a phone call or click away. How to send work to us: Let clients know where work should be emailed and what to send. Turnaround time: Provide a basic turn-around timeline for projects. Do you want them calling in the middle of the night?

Time Zones 100

Time Zones Phones Skills Email 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

JULY 16, 2010

Make sure that tasks directly associated with clients come first, consider the financial impact of a project and its completion date on the company, don’t let deadlines control the priority list (expense reports can wait when there are more important tasks), and consider cause and effect (do A to enable B, which accomplishes C).

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP 2010 International 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

MAY 9, 2010

I breathe a sigh of relief when I get someones assistant on the phone or receive an email from them. Knowing assistants and having a working relationship with them is very important and can make the difference when you need to set up a meeting or if your boss needs to have a quick phone call with their boss. 411 Look Up 411.ca

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP 2010 International 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

AUGUST 13, 2010

I had no idea this could be done, but I was thrilled when I got her email, but it just proved to me once again that we are all holding on to things we take for granted that others know about. The tip she sent me was how to edit an email that you have received. Close out of the email and you will be asked to Save the changes.

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP PowerPoint Email 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. .© Copyright Patricia Robb 2010 2 July, 2010 We dont know what we dont know We really dont know what we dont know do we? 411 Look Up 411.ca

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP 2010 International 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

JULY 12, 2010

Holgate is the Executive Assistant to the President, she also reports to the Director of Human Resources and manages a staff of four. On the night of the awards Lynn reports she was sitting at a table with nine of her colleagues from HPTI including the Senior Vice-President. Her family and friends were also very excited for her.

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2010 Interviewing Time Zones IAAP 100

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

Laughing all the Way to Work

FEBRUARY 28, 2010

CountryCode.org is a comprehensive guide to make phone calls from anywhere to any country in the world. Hello Patricia, You have some great resources at [link] Given your interest in country codes, I wanted to make you aware of my site, [link] for possible inclusion as well. 411 Look Up 411.ca

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP 2010 International 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

JANUARY 23, 2010

There was one particular group of orphan children that was brought to our attention by a Canadian news reporter. It is so sad, because you know children so young have no idea what is going on. All they want is to be taken care of and be loved by someone. But for the charity of an old woman who came to feed them, they had no one. (for

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP AT&T 2010 100

Professional Assistant Blog

SEPTEMBER 23, 2008

Whether you need help fixing up that company website, proofreading a report that your boss needs right away or even compiling reports that your boss gave you today and is asking for you to complete it yesterday. Hiring a freelancer can have great benefits. Truths of a Shy Writer can help you when you’re in a bind.

2008 100

2008 Google Docs Cubicle 2007 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

MARCH 20, 2010

You hear something while walking down the hall or are copied on an email and know something about the purpose of a meeting coming up. Many times I am so thankful I had that quick chat or read that email that I was copied on as that was the exact information I needed when they were away. (for 411 Look Up 411.ca

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP Meeting Minutes International 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

FEBRUARY 7, 2010

They said it works with most phone services. I have never used this escape route, but was reminded about it at a webinar I participated in recently and will keep these instructions close at hand. I thought I would pass this tip along in the event you find yourself wishing you could take your words back. 411 Look Up 411.ca

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP 2010 Meeting Minutes 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

NOVEMBER 16, 2008

My boss tells me I should be able to write a letter or a report on something even if I dont know the subject that well. I wrote the article The Art of Minute Taking and I had only taken minutes a few times about 25 years ago. Read their letters and reports and see how they craft their words. There is usually a pattern.

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP International Meeting Minutes 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

APRIL 5, 2010

If you have to reschedule, send an email apologizing, but advise that your bosss schedule has changed. Depending on the importance of the impromptu meeting, it may need to be changed to another timeslot to accommodate his or her calendar. Usually when I point out the conflict to my boss, he is more than willing to make the change.

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP 2010 International 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

DECEMBER 19, 2009

When I receive an initial request for a meeting, I use a meeting form and write down the information I need: who is requesting the meeting, what is the purpose of the meeting, where it will be held and a phone number or an e-mail address and dates that are available. 411 Look Up 411.ca

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP International Meeting Minutes 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

JULY 9, 2010

Did I phone to get my electricity turned on? The meetings were stress free and I was able to depend on my checklists and templates. Now I am on holidays and preparing for a big move to a new home. You can be sure I have checklists for that as well. Yes, it is ticked off on the checklist and the lights did turn on when I pressed the switch.

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP Holidays International 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. Even if you phone the bank they need your secret passcode or they wont speak to you about your account. But things like email etc, are all logged up in the noggin.

Time Zones 100

Time Zones 2010 IAAP Filing 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

MAY 16, 2010

They are responsible for canvassing the participants for dates and determining the date everyone is available and coummunicating that information to the participants by sending out a meeting request to everyone or emailing the date (depending on how you or your organization prefers to send notices of meetings). 23, 1 p.m. (for

Agenda 100

Agenda Time Zones International IAAP 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. You can use google to get similar information.

Google 100

Google Time Zones IAAP International 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. Does your boss need to be at the meeting? Can someone go in his or her place if they are not available?

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP International Calendars 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). The cure: always answer the phone professionally - this way youre never caught off-guard. I have a love/hate relationship with the email autofill.

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP 2009 International 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

DECEMBER 5, 2009

I have a network of assistants that I call friends, although some are just phone colleagues, but we help each other. The assistant/boss relationship certainly is one of the closest working relationships with some comparing it to that of a work wife. GET TO KNOW YOUR CO-WORKERS. and find out early on who you can go to and trust.

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP Interviewing Holidays 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

JANUARY 10, 2010

I could see him looking after himself, trying to organise his diary and all his emails etc, and he wasn't sure what to give me. We have these now and he's reliant on me to take these off of him to give him more time to focus on his job. (for It took me only a couple of days to go into his office and say, ok, ground rules!!

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP 2010 International 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

JULY 5, 2009

I am sure after that call her husband got off the phone and kicked the dog or was cranky with a sales clerk at the grocery store. The worst time to write an email is when you are angry. It ended up that the phone lines were down because of a thunderstorm in town and he had been trying to reach her since early that afternoon.

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP International Meeting Minutes 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

JANUARY 19, 2009

The last online course I took was under $70 and was interactive using both the computer and a speaker phone for audio. I have found them to be really helpful. They can be contacted at: Louis@lastminutetraining.ca If you find some are outdated please let me know so I can remove them from this list. 411 Look Up 411.ca

Training 100

Training Time Zones IAAP Meeting Minutes 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

NOVEMBER 22, 2008

An e-mail like the one I received would have been better delivered face to face or by phone in order to get the tone of what the person was trying to communicate. I stop the flow and pick up the phone. It is amazing how quickly a matter can be handled on the phone or in person. This little tip has been a huge time-saver for me.

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP International 2008 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

JANUARY 15, 2010

I use this all the time on my calendar and my boss's calendar, and it helps us both to know which events are phone calls which he can take in the office or on the road (yellow) or which events will require travel (blue). I LOVE the color feature. If you find some are outdated please let me know so I can remove them from this list.

Calendars 100

Calendars IAAP Time Zones 2010 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

JANUARY 10, 2010

If you find some are outdated please let me know so I can remove them from this list. 411 Look Up 411.ca

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP Meeting Minutes International 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

SEPTEMBER 17, 2010

There is value in getting to know people, even if it is just over email or the phone. Important relationship building In all these cases I had much better results because I had established a relationship with the venue contact. Once they start to have a relationship with you they are much more open to trying to help you.

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP Negotiating International 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

DECEMBER 28, 2009

If you find some are outdated please let me know so I can remove them from this list. 411 Look Up 411.ca

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP Gifts Meeting Minutes 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. (for If you find some are outdated please let me know so I can remove them from this list.

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP International Meeting Minutes 100

Professional Assistant Blog

FEBRUARY 29, 2008

This lessens the time you have to spend on the phone. Easily recording the time spent on each task. You can then print a summary report to Excel of all of your hours for any time period, for any task, or for any client. Checking task statuses, task assignments, due dates, and task notes at a glance.

2008 100

2008 Cubicle Google Docs 2007 100

Professional Assistant Blog

AUGUST 25, 2007

You want to tell your co-worker that you need to get a report from them within the hour. Yet you go on and on about how you want it to look, going into great detail of the type of report you want. Most people these days don’t have the time to read spam, nor do they enjoy receiving it.

2008 100

2008 Cubicle 2007 Google Docs 100