138 Top 4 Timeless Skills for Assistants
Office Dynamics
AUGUST 13, 2020
In an ever-changing world consumed by apps, devices, and software, some administrative assistants think that their experience can be measured by their technical savvy.
Office Dynamics
The Best Assistant Interview Tips
Office Dynamics
JULY 20, 2020
Are you in the market for a new job? You’re not alone. Recent events have led to a rise in job seekers, which means more competition. So, how do you stand out in a saturated market in which employers are receiving resumes by the minute?
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The One of a Kind Assistant Conference Experience
Office Dynamics
NOVEMBER 10, 2020
A Recap of Our First-Ever Virtual Conference for Administrative Assistants Our first-ever virtual conference for administrative assistants had so many monumental moments and nuggets of information.
11 Effective Ways for Assistants to Work From Home
Office Dynamics
MARCH 25, 2020
Rare and unusual times have presented themselves as a result of the onset of Coronavirus COVID-19. As an office, we learned just how many Assistants across the nation and world have become impacted. While we anticipated learning of non-essential business closures leading to working from home, we did not anticipate the high number of Assistants around the world struggling with the uncertainties, isolation and communication barriers brought on by the circumstances.
The Vanishing Executive Assistant—NOT!
Office Dynamics
JANUARY 21, 2020
I would like to address the recent article that appeared in the Wall Street Journal on January 18, 2020 by Rachel Feintzeig regarding The Vanishing Executive Assistant. First, I have been entrenched in the administrative profession for 50 years. I worked in the profession for 20 years before starting Office Dynamics in 1990. Office Dynamics specifically focuses on training and development for administrative professionals of all levels.
Career Tips for Assistants from the Star Achievement Series
Office Dynamics
OCTOBER 6, 2020
Take a good, long look around your office (or, if you’re still working remotely, around your Zoom room). How many successful executive assistants do you see? Who is at the pinnacle of growth, productivity, and success? Are you one of those successful administrative assistants?
Word Choice: When to Use “Like” vs. “Such As”
Office Dynamics
AUGUST 31, 2020
“I’m not expecting Shakespeare.” Your boss or colleague has probably said something along these lines after asking for a memo or briefing on a tight timeline. Business communication should be quick, precise, and easily digestible. Deadlines aren’t negotiable and accuracy is vital.
Continuing to Navigate and Remaining Calm Through Difficult Times
Office Dynamics
MARCH 11, 2020
The world around us is in a state of pandemonium. The threat of Coronavirus has highlighted our greatest fears and worst nightmares. Its tentacles have a firm chokehold on the economy, and basic infrastructures are grinding to a halt. Times like these remind us of an old concept developed during the Cold War era, VUCA. VUCA stands for Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity, and Ambiguity. It’s an acronymized way of saying, “Buckle up. It’s a crazy world out there.”.
Telephone Screening and Etiquette Skills for Administrative Assistants
Office Dynamics
NOVEMBER 12, 2019
Top-notch telephone screening and etiquette skills are paramount regardless of industry, company size, or geographic location. Their importance hasn’t diminished in our modern world of text messages, e-mails, and online chats. What exactly am I talking about?
How Assistants Can Adapt to Change
Office Dynamics
MAY 21, 2020
A natural reaction to change is fear of the unknown. Many assistants would much rather stay in their comfort zones where they feel safe and secure. However, change is a must if we want to grow in our careers, in our relationships, and as a person. While the thought of it may seem challenging, change… Attitude Conflict Resolution Problem Solving Self Development adaptibility change in the workplace development for assistants skills for assistants
International Women’s Day 2020 – A Message From Julie Reed
Office Dynamics
MARCH 6, 2020
Sunday, March 8. In a recent interview, I was asked, “What motivates you to be an Administrative Professional Trainer and Coach”? I made it clear: I am passionate about my career of choice. More importantly, I am driven by the concept of igniting the power of you , the opportunity to gain control over your outcomes, and to value your value.
The Best Assistant Learning Resources
Office Dynamics
JUNE 1, 2020
Office Dynamics International is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year. Since 1990, we have provided rich resources for administrative professionals around the world. As you can imagine, we have covered thousands of assistant-focused topics over the decades. Everything from improving time-management skills to refining your career portfolio to compete in a post-COVID-19 workplace.
7 Ways Executives Can Improve Communicating with Their Assistants
Office Dynamics
NOVEMBER 15, 2019
I have been fortunate to gain a three-dimensional view of communication between executives and assistants: I was an assistant for 20 years thus understanding what I needed from my executive so I could be effective. I worked with a variety of managers and executives, each with different personalities and communication styles. Since 1990, I have been the CEO of my own company and have worked with several of my own assistants.
Dealing With a Difficult Boss
Office Dynamics
JUNE 30, 2020
Working with people has its pros and cons. When you work with others you are able to bounce around ideas, collaborate, get feedback, and share knowledge. However, when you work with difficult people, you may experience resistance. In the past, we’ve touched on how to deal with difficult people but let’s face it, dealing with… Attitude Career Management Conflict Resolution Difficult People Stress Management Work-Life Balance bad boss bad manager difficult people difficult situations
SURROUND yourself with a team of experts to make you and your organization SHINE!
Office Dynamics
NOVEMBER 19, 2019
A meeting planner by MY definition is the go-to person within an organization – be it corporate, association or otherwise – charged with the responsibility of planning and executing a meeting or special event. Not all people who plan meetings are “meeting planners,” nor do all meeting planners start out their careers as meeting planners.
5 Grammar Miscues that Undermine Good Writing
Office Dynamics
JULY 10, 2020
Did you know that bad grammar can ruin a good message? You could be missing opportunities to get your point across because your readers have to wade through awkward sentences that set their teeth on edge. Common grammar mistakes can be avoided if you take the time to learn the rules and then apply them …
Choosing the Best Administrative Assistant or Executive Assistant Conference
Office Dynamics
MAY 14, 2019
An administrative conference should feed your brain and soul! You have finally gotten the approval to attend an administrative conference, maybe you have decided to invest in yourself by attending an administrative conference but choosing the best administrative assistant or executive assistant conference is no easy task. Attending an administrative conference is a big investment of your time and money. You should choose wisely.
The Assistant as a “Center of Influence”
Office Dynamics
AUGUST 7, 2019
I created the above visual as an image of the ideal situation between an executive and their assistant, especially when it comes to communication. Because of all the technology today, assistants have a very hard time staying “in the loop.” When an assistant is aware of what is going on or what is on the horizon, she or he can better anticipate, be proactive, plan better, foresee barriers, look more professional, and reduce stress.
Be a Trailblazing Assistant
Office Dynamics
JANUARY 16, 2020
Your office environment is a mix of workers and trailblazers, and the two have nothing to do with titles. Workers tend to know their job and only their job. They work with their heads down. They show up but show little interest in understanding the business as a whole and working to further the vision of the organization. They may be really good at what they do, but the overall value they bring to the company is lacking because they’re not part of the bigger picture.
Fail to Plan; Plan to Fail – Meeting Planning Success
Office Dynamics
APRIL 14, 2020
Planning and executing meetings and events is no easy task and requires a PLAN and a PROCESS and a TEAM of experts to make it happen and for it to be deemed a success. If you fail to plan appropriately, you are setting yourself up to fail and who wants to do that? Not me and hopefully not you. So, what do you need to do to prevent failure when planning a meeting, to insure success instead? For starters, you need a design or planning team to help flush out goals and objectives and key messages.
Conference for Administrative Assistants – How to Get Your Executive’s Approval
Office Dynamics
MAY 21, 2019
Most of the time assistants tell me they can’t attend our conference for administrative assistants or training because of budget cuts or not getting financial support. Sometimes it really is a budget issue. I understand that perfectly as a business owner and CEO. But often, it’s just lack of knowing how to sell the conference to the executive. Have the courage to go after what you want. That in itself is a learning experience. Below are strategies that really work.
Successful Assistants Combine Left and Right Brain Thinking
Office Dynamics
AUGUST 29, 2019
Several years ago, I came up with Adminology. It was a formula for success for assistants. I still teach Adminology in our World Class Assistant™ certification and designation course because it never changes. Just bear with me as I explain this to you as it will all come together. Assistants should apply the Adminology formula to achieve better outcomes. The formula is: Science + Art = Success. So, what do I mean by that? Well, the left side of the brain is the science side.
What is a Meeting Planner Exactly?
Office Dynamics
AUGUST 22, 2019
A meeting planner by MY definition is the go-to person and should be a key member of the design (or planning) team within an organization — be it corporate, association or otherwise — charged with the responsibility of planning and executing a meeting or special event. Planners utilize their project management. experience, planning skills and attention to detail to help create and deliver events that meet or exceed expectations.
Executive Assistants –Developing Your “Wow” Factor
Office Dynamics
AUGUST 20, 2019
Some executive assistants have it. Some executive assistants don’t. What is it, you ask? That intangible, invaluable “wow” factor. Here’s the good news: It’s a learnable trait! Anyone can develop their own unique wow factor. It has nothing to do with your title or pay grade; it’s about who you are as a professional.
Emotional Intelligence for Administrative Assistants
Office Dynamics
AUGUST 14, 2019
I have grown to love speaking on and teaching assistants about emotional intelligence. This definitely is a skill every assistant needs to know. This is a skill you can use every single day! In our World Class Assistant course, we cover this topic and participants work on real work world case studies. They are scenarios that assistants can relate to. I reference Daniel Goleman for my classes and want to share this with you.
18 Books Every Administrative Assistant and Executive Assistant Should Read
Office Dynamics
MARCH 19, 2019
Office Dynamics has put together a list of books for administrative assistants and executive assistants that will help you with your professional development and personal life. Because we had so many great choices we decided to make it a little easier for you to find what you are looking for by breaking the blog into two sections.
Does Word Order Matter? Think “Short to Long”
Office Dynamics
NOVEMBER 7, 2019
When polishing your sentences, pay attention to the nuances of word order. To my eye (and ear), placing “short” before “long” works best. This applies to both sentences and lists. Here’s a simple example: “He was well respected and loved in the academic community.” I changed it to: “He was loved and well respected in the academic community.”. Because “loved” is 5 letters and “well respected” is 13, it makes for a smoother read if the longer phrase follows the shorter word. See if you agree.
A Career Portfolio Brings Value To Administrative Assistants
Office Dynamics
FEBRUARY 5, 2020
A stellar career portfolio captures your progressing skill levels, professional recognition, career enhancements, development activities, and impressive accomplishments. However, a common mistake many assistants make is believing that a career portfolio is only needed once in order to obtain employment or is compiled haphazardly once a year as a corporate requirement.
Calendar Management for Executive Assistants
Office Dynamics
APRIL 18, 2019
Meetings, meeting, and more meetings! In spite of all the technology, meetings have not gone away. Whether your executive is holding a virtual meeting or attending a virtual or live meeting, there are certain steps you can take to ensure you are properly scheduling meetings and making your executive’s life easier. As an assistant of 20 years, I had one perspective of meeting management. But now that I am the executive involved in numerous meetings, I can tell you what really is important.
Timely and Effective Communication Strategies for Assistants
Office Dynamics
MAY 7, 2020
We all know that communication is the cornerstone of any organization’s success. It is even more important in times of crisis. So how can you effectively communicate with your executive, colleagues, and partners while being sensitive to interpretations and time constraints? In this Timely and Effective Communications blog, we are going to cover how as well as ways you can use communication to maximize productivity and reach goals.
2020 Training Opportunities for Administrative Assistants
Office Dynamics
FEBRUARY 18, 2020
There’s a saying that success is 5% strategy and 95% mindset. When you set your mind to improving your job skills, you take control of your life to reach your full potential. It results in you performing at your optimum level. That leads to opportunities for your career advancement. We at Office Dynamics want you to grow and become highly efficient in your role. We offer a variety of live learning events, opportunities, and resources to increase your effectiveness.
Finding my Niche by Mary Jo Wiseman
Office Dynamics
FEBRUARY 10, 2020
Not all people who plan meetings are “meeting planners,” nor do all meeting planners start out their careers as meeting planners. I for one, started out on a clerical/administrative path with absolutely no knowledge at the time that a career in meeting planning even existed (and at the time it probably didn’t). Truth be told, I had no intention when I first returned to the workforce after being a stay-at-home mom of working for the rest of my life or until retirement.
What Are Some Measurable KPIs for Executive Assistants? – Ask an Admin
Office Dynamics
FEBRUARY 19, 2020
Ask an Admin was created by Office Dynamics to help administrative professionals with their problems through the help of their peers. We don’t always have an answer to each individual’s problem but we know some of you might. Please read the question and comment below. Marje M asks: My boss is making me write my own Key Performance Indicators. What do you suggest for measurable ones for an Executive Assistant? Thank you! Please share your thoughts and advice in the comments below.
Putting Business Back in Business Casual
Office Dynamics
JANUARY 3, 2020
We live in a day and age that has forgotten which word comes first in the phrase, “business casual.” Too many professionals lose focus of their lofty career goals in the day-to-day grind. Dream big, but don’t forget that the key to achieving those dreams often lies in the little things you do every day. One of the biggest impressions you make on leaders and co-workers is how you look. It may sound superficial, but it matters.
Set Healthy Boundaries at Work
Office Dynamics
AUGUST 6, 2019
An important component to self-management versus stress-management is to set healthy boundaries in the workplace. In this article what kind of boundaries and with whom. As administrative assistants and executive assistants, you can often feel like setting boundaries might get you fired or your leader will think you are not a team player. Some people think when I’m talking about setting boundaries, it has to do with sexual harassment in the workplace.
9 Ways to Improve Your Organization Skills for Administrative Assistants
Office Dynamics
APRIL 18, 2019
Organization skills for administrative assistants are one of the most valuable skills to have as an administrative assistant. Without the ability to organize your work and your resources, you could be twisting in the wind in no time. You may have been able to muddle along back in the day, but in today’s competitive environment, you need to work any advantage in your favor.
Do You Find Yourself Rambling?
Office Dynamics
JUNE 12, 2020
More words don’t always translate into more meaning. That’s why it’s important to avoid wordiness in your writing, especially in a business setting. Your colleagues’ and customers’ time is precious. They need to know what you offer, need, or suggest quickly and concisely. If you find yourself rambling, it might be due to a lack… Writing and Grammar
Why Certification and a Designation are Important for Executive and Administrative Assistants
Office Dynamics
AUGUST 1, 2019
Great administrators are known as those who do their best, work at the top of their game and who work like they are in a profession of choice. One of the strongest ways to send that message is when you choose to certify. Certification is a choice to complete a full program of study.
7 Tips for Administrative and Executive Assistants
Office Dynamics
OCTOBER 2, 2018
Being an Administrative or Executive Assistant is not always a walk in the park. There is always a fire to be put out, there is the juggling of 9,000 different tasks, and sometimes you are an assistant to more than one executive or manager. Simply put, not everyone can handle the position of Administrative or Executive Assistant. With that said, there are tips and tricks out there that are being used by assistants to make life a little less hectic.
5 Must-Have Skills for Progressive Assistants From Joan’s book, Who Took My Pen… Again?
Office Dynamics
JUNE 6, 2019
You are a top-performing, high-achieving administrative assistant who has accomplished much. You have the fundamentals down pat and even demonstrate advanced skill sets. So where do you go from here? What might be missing from your bag of skills? Here are 5 areas that are sure to challenge you: Accountability. Accountability is about being responsible, being present. We are accountable to each other and to ourselves.
5 Ways Better Writing Can Boost Your Credibility at Work
Office Dynamics
FEBRUARY 4, 2020
Because your writing reflects your credibility, you want to craft your messages as effectively as possible. You can immediately improve it by applying these five points. Make your opening sentence compelling. It starts with knowing your reader—a boss, a coworker, a customer. Rambling thoughts about the weather won’t interest them. Stick to directly addressing issues your recipients care about so they keep on reading. Think through your message thoroughly before writing the first word.
Executive Assistant to Chief of Staff? Ask an Admin
Office Dynamics
JANUARY 27, 2020
Ask an Admin was created by Office Dynamics to help administrative professionals with their problems through the help of their peers. We don’t always have an answer to each individual’s problem but we know some of you might. Please read the question and comment below. Preethi asks: Hi Fellow Admins, I am an administrative professional with over 10 years of experience. I have been an EA to the CEO or C-level executive for the last 5+ years.
Administrative Assistants Broaden Your Skillset
Office Dynamics
NOVEMBER 4, 2019
At our recent Annual Conference for Administrative Excellence , I surveyed 350 attendees about the topics they would like me to address at future conferences or training events. I wanted to know the areas the assistants were interested in growing and learning about. We had each attendee write their idea or ideas on an index card; we collected the cards; and I read every single card, some of which had more than one topic listed. From the index cards, I created a chart.
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