Musings of a High-Level Executive Assistant

AUGUST 15, 2012

My question is regarding social etiquette: I recently started working in a very small company that is very successful; I attribute this to the fact that we hire only the best (we have people from Google, Facebook, Yahoo, etc.). It's not unusual that some people have hidden agendas and personal motives. She's really nice. I like her."

Etiquette 40

Etiquette Agenda Promotion Yahoo 40

Laughing all the Way to Work

FEBRUARY 16, 2012

Your governance manual should be reviewed by a lawyer to make sure your rules and by-laws are within the law. In this scenario when they were at the first agenda item to approve the agenda, someone asked if Business Arising could be added to the agenda and went on to say why they thought it was important.

Agenda 100

Agenda Finance Etiquette Legal 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. Prepare a meeting package for your boss and bring forward prior to the meeting to give them adequate time to review (hardcopy or electronic depending on your boss’s preference). Meeting with Mr. Brown and Ms.

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP International Calendars 100

Service Untitled

JULY 15, 2009

There was an agenda, handouts, etc. After the manager and I had come to an agreement about how everything should work and solidified some more details, we went back to the employees and pitched/introduced our ideas and what would be happening. This meeting was a lot more formal than the last one.

Customer Service 40

Customer Service Agenda Etiquette 2006 40

Laughing all the Way to Work

MARCH 13, 2010

The night before I go to a Board meeting, I review all my templates, agendas, binder, attendance sheets and everything I am going to need or might need. Every time I use a bus ticket, I keep a mental inventory so I know when I need to buy some more and dont show up at the bus stop one morning and Oops! no tickets. Do I have everything?

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP 2010 International 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

DECEMBER 12, 2009

Drafting a letter If your boss asks you to respond to a letter on his or her behalf, draft it as if your boss was going to sign it, i.e. have it set up properly with the date (or [Insert Date]) and the address correctly filled out and then either send it by e-mail or print it for his or her review.

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP International 2009 100