Musings of a High-Level Executive Assistant

APRIL 21, 2012

You usually can train your boss to talk slower by doing this. Always show up in their office pen poised ready to write with notebook already opened. Otherwise, if you show up with nothing they will think you don’t plan on writing anything down and will somehow remember all of it. Me: (writing simultaneously) The Lobster.

Keyboards 40

Keyboards Email Phones Budget 40

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. In an emergency, the cell phone is a useful tool.

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP Etiquette Phones 100

On The Job

AUGUST 21, 2007

In fact, when my kids have homework that starts off with something like “If a train leaves the station and is traveling at 80 m.p.h…” I sort of hear this buzzing sound in my ears and my vision starts to blur around the edges. I’m the first to admit I have never been a math whiz. Sharing ideas.

Mentoring 100

Mentoring Credit Card Agencies Keyboards 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. Who better than the admins to come up with something that works. Let your fingers do the walking: Quick keyboard sh. February 22, 2009 Patricia Robb said. Good point Sabrina.

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP 2009 International 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

AUGUST 10, 2010

© Copyright Patricia Robb 2010 10 August, 2010 Let your fingers do the walking: Quick keyboard shortcut keys I am on vacation and on my home computer I do not have a mouse so rely on keyboard shortcut keys, which reminded me again how helpful they are and how they are a big timesaver rather than reaching for the mouse all the time.

Keyboards 100

Keyboards Time Zones IAAP PowerPoint 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

MARCH 20, 2010

It works well when it is a co-worker who sits closest to you, but depending on how your office is set up that might not be possible. She had to set up an away voicemail message and fortunately had kept a script of what her away message usually said, She worked for a doctor so it was important that the proper referral numbers were given.

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP Meeting Minutes International 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

APRIL 5, 2010

He will have a quick conversation with a staff member and set up a meeting, but not tell me anything about it. laughs* I had one boss who was absolutely forbidden to schedule his own appointments because he would foul up his calendar so badly. Let your fingers do the walking: Quick keyboard sh. 411 Look Up 411.ca

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP 2010 International 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

FEBRUARY 27, 2010

Some people in the office were trying to get the remote working as we had a PowerPoint presentation coming up and were calling it things like remote thingy , remote slide clicker, wireless mouse so I finally asked, "Does anyone know what the official name for that thing is?" Let your fingers do the walking: Quick keyboard sh.

PowerPoint 100

PowerPoint Time Zones IAAP 2010 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

JULY 5, 2009

I was at the cottage with a friend and she was cranky and started to get wound up about something to do with her husband. By the end of the call her husband had caught her crankiness and it ended up with them both being angry. She ended up calling her husband back and apologizing for her bad mood. Lets enjoy our day together.©

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP International Meeting Minutes 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

OCTOBER 31, 2009

He takes about 12 steps, squats and rejoices in his accomplishment, then he gets up and walks another 12 steps and squats again to repeat the process. Come up with a plan on how you are going to improve in the areas you identified as needing improvement. Let your fingers do the walking: Quick keyboard sh. 411 Look Up 411.ca

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP Meeting Minutes 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. If I hear from the assistant I know I am going to get answers and the process of setting up a meeting will go smoothly, but should I try to develop a working relationship with them? Let your fingers do the walking: Quick keyboard sh.

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP 2010 International 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

JANUARY 31, 2009

© Copyright Patricia Robb 2010 31 January, 2009 Housecleaning in Word 2007: Customizing your Dictionary Something you should do every once in awhile is to clean up your dictionary in Word. I have the software at home, but havent gotten the gumption up to load it yet. Let your fingers do the walking: Quick keyboard sh.

2007 100

2007 Time Zones IAAP Meeting Minutes 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. 411 Look Up 411.ca " Warning!

Google 100

Google Time Zones IAAP International 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

JULY 16, 2010

Check: Are phone calls planned? For each one, write down what you hope to accomplish with the phone call to help you stay focused. Check: Is your software high-functioning and up-to-date? 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

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. 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 10, 2009

Many times the administrative assistant position is a good way into an organization and what a great training ground to know an organizations inner workings than in this profession. She was a smart kid and picked up the tasks assigned to her very quickly. I have seen admin assistants climb up the corporate ladder just that way.

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP International Meeting Minutes 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

JANUARY 15, 2010

The topic was on personal branding and they were making recommendations to executives on how to polish up their image. 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).

Calendars 100

Calendars IAAP Time Zones 2010 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

FEBRUARY 28, 2010

What a blast the last two weeks have been, but I dont think I could have taken any more late nights staying up to watch the Olympics in Eastern Standard Time. CountryCode.org is a comprehensive guide to make phone calls from anywhere to any country in the world. Let your fingers do the walking: Quick keyboard sh. " Warning!

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP 2010 International 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

FEBRUARY 7, 2010

A good tip if you flub up your voicemail is to press # and it should give you prompts to get out of it. They said it works with most phone services. Let your fingers do the walking: Quick keyboard sh. ► August (4) Managing your Boss's Inbox Nice ways to say, "Hurry up!" 411 Look Up 411.ca

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP 2010 Meeting Minutes 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

MARCH 13, 2010

I take the bus to work and I often see people getting on a busy bus and then going through their backpack or purse looking for their bus tickets and holding up the line. 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. no tickets.

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP 2010 International 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

JANUARY 10, 2010

Another time I was trying to find a full-serve gas station to fill up, but there was nothing to be found. It was expensive,but when I brought it home I had to do all the work to get it up and running. He loved it and I believe ended up doing his job better because of it. Let your fingers do the walking: Quick keyboard sh.

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP 2010 International 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

NOVEMBER 8, 2009

Follow up with the meeting organizer to request agenda and/or meeting materials, pre-reading, etc. If it is an external meeting, but local, enter location of meeting in calendar, provide your boss with address and directions, contact phone number, taxi chit. Let your fingers do the walking: Quick keyboard sh. 411 Look Up 411.ca

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP International Calendars 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

JANUARY 10, 2010

Let your fingers do the walking: Quick keyboard sh. ► August (4) Managing your Boss's Inbox Nice ways to say, "Hurry up!" 411 Look Up 411.ca 411 Look Up 411.ca Patty Buckner North Bay Index by date ▼ 2010 (26) ► September (2) What's all the fuss about reading contracts? " Warning!

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP Meeting Minutes International 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

DECEMBER 28, 2009

Let your fingers do the walking: Quick keyboard sh. ► August (4) Managing your Boss's Inbox Nice ways to say, "Hurry up!" 411 Look Up 411.ca 411 Look Up 411.ca Patty Buckner North Bay Index by date ► 2010 (26) ► September (2) What's all the fuss about reading contracts? " Warning!

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP Gifts Meeting Minutes 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

NOVEMBER 21, 2009

The next time a new challenge or opportunity comes up at work, pay attention to what you tell yourself -- are you being positive or negative? Once you start doubting yourself, it is hard to bring yourself back up. I recently was at a friend’s place and her husband has an elaborate train set. " Warning!

Self Esteem 100

Self Esteem Time Zones IAAP International 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

JULY 9, 2010

By using the template I was able to accomplish everything with enough time to change, touch up my make up and hair and then off to the next event. Did I phone to get my electricity turned on? Let your fingers do the walking: Quick keyboard sh. 411 Look Up 411.ca 411 Look Up 411.ca " Warning!

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP Holidays International 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

NOVEMBER 27, 2008

I am busy, busy this week preparing to leave because I dont want to leave any loose ends and I want to cover off on anything that might come up in my absence. I also know that when I come back I will have to work twice as hard to make up for the time that I am away. Let your fingers do the walking: Quick keyboard sh.

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP Holidays International 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

MARCH 1, 2009

at the bottom and moved the My Favourites up so it would be convenient for your use. I have also combined all the tutorials, training and other education-related links under the title Training. Let your fingers do the walking: Quick keyboard sh. 411 Look Up 411.ca 411 Look Up 411.ca " Warning!

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP Meeting Minutes International 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

FEBRUARY 13, 2010

If I am told that I should have it in the next few weeks, or can expect to receive it in a couple of months, that doesn’t really help me with my follow up as it is not a definite date. 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

Virtual Moxie

MAY 31, 2011

You’re in social media, blogging in at least two places, guesting on talk shows, coaching, leading classes and retreats, speaking at telesummits, reworking your entire virtual training program, writing a BOOK, and I want to know how you do it. So everything ends up in just one place. . I’m a keyboarder most of the time.

Calendars 100

Calendars Filing Keyboards Travel 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

MAY 31, 2009

Let your fingers do the walking: Quick keyboard sh. ► August (4) Managing your Boss's Inbox Nice ways to say, "Hurry up!" 411 Look Up 411.ca 411 Look Up 411.ca Patty Buckner North Bay Index by date ► 2010 (26) ► September (2) What's all the fuss about reading contracts? " Warning!

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP Meeting Minutes Administrative Professionals 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. If you know what works best for you and if your job is 80/20 on what you like then you can put up with the small stuff like filing and filling out expense forms. Let your fingers do the walking: Quick keyboard sh.

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP Interviewing Holidays 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

APRIL 22, 2009

Let your fingers do the walking: Quick keyboard sh. ► August (4) Managing your Boss's Inbox Nice ways to say, "Hurry up!" 411 Look Up 411.ca 411 Look Up 411.ca Patty Buckner North Bay Index by date ► 2010 (26) ► September (2) What's all the fuss about reading contracts? " Warning!

Administrative Professionals 100

Administrative Professionals Time Zones IAAP Meeting Minutes 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

FEBRUARY 27, 2009

This time I came up with a site called Karens Linguistics Issues. Let your fingers do the walking: Quick keyboard sh. ► August (4) Managing your Boss's Inbox Nice ways to say, "Hurry up!" 411 Look Up 411.ca 411 Look Up 411.ca Thank goodness for Google , I use it all the time to get answers.

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP Meeting Minutes Google 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

APRIL 8, 2009

The last Board dinner I arranged the person from the hotel who was assigned to us came up to me and said, "It is so nice when things are organized. If so, what would you recommend in terms of training (university not included/possible). It is great training for the office environment, no matter what field you end up in.

Administrative Professionals 100

Administrative Professionals Time Zones IAAP 2009 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

JANUARY 23, 2010

Let your fingers do the walking: Quick keyboard sh. ► August (4) Managing your Boss's Inbox Nice ways to say, "Hurry up!" 411 Look Up 411.ca 411 Look Up 411.ca Patty Buckner North Bay Index by date ▼ 2010 (26) ► September (2) What's all the fuss about reading contracts? " Warning!

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP AT&T 2010 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

AUGUST 22, 2009

© Copyright Patricia Robb 2010 23 August, 2009 Nice ways to say, "Hurry up!" So how do you word your follow-up e-mail so as not to come across as impatient? It is OK to follow up, but be nice.people have a lot on their plate and your request is probably not the only thing they have to do, so be understanding, but be persistent.

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP Holidays Meeting Minutes 100