Professional Assistant Blog

MARCH 10, 2008

In my weekly recap last Friday I pointed out a Lifehack.org article arguing that the current climate for hyper-productivity isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. Then yesterday I came across a similar post , claiming that the pursuit of productivity has ended up out of control.

2008 100

2008 Cubicle 2007 Google Docs 100

Professional Assistant Blog

JANUARY 22, 2008

Do you find that you book a meeting date/time, but one or more people from the group let you know that they can’t make it during that date/time? They either block off time that they shouldn’t have or they block it off so that it either shows that they’re busy, but really out of the office or vice versa.

Microsoft Outlook 100

Microsoft Outlook Calendars 2008 Google Docs 100

Professional Assistant Blog

OCTOBER 7, 2008

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. Set up the preferences for yourself for one hour and click start. When the hour has passed, a pop up window will show telling you that your time is up. Whats next?

2008 100

2008 Cubicle Google Docs 2007 100

Professional Assistant Blog

AUGUST 18, 2008

I couldn’t believe it either. I personally couldn’t do this, but it’s quite interesting that people would actually think of this. I work in a back office environment, where 99% of our client interaction is via the phone, e-mail or outside of the office, so I can wear jeans and a t-shirt.

2008 100

2008 Cubicle Google Docs 2007 100

Professional Assistant Blog

SEPTEMBER 30, 2008

Do you even receive voice mails that are left by people trying to sell you something, but you didn’t even hear the phone ring? If they try to call you, they can be fined up to $15,000.00. This happens to everyone, all the time. I get tons of junk faxes and mail at work each and every day.

Fax 100

Fax 2008 Cubicle Google Docs 100

Professional Assistant Blog

SEPTEMBER 22, 2008

T here is a great site called OpenTable.com , which allows you to book reservations online with particular restaurants all over the world. So next time you want to make a reservation via phone, hang it up and try OpenTable.com instead! Do you feel that you could be doing this faster? Until next time, Take care - of your clutter!

Restaurants 100

Restaurants 2008 Cubicle Google Docs 100

Professional Assistant Blog

MARCH 4, 2008

Home About Me Advertise Write An Effective Out Of Office Assistant Message By The Professional Assistant on Tuesday, March 04, 2008 Filed Under: Client Service , MS-Outlook , Organize , Productivity A re you going on vacation? Don’t forget to set up and turn on your “Out of Office Assistant&# on Microsoft Outlook.

Microsoft Outlook 100

Microsoft Outlook 2008 Cubicle 2007 100

Professional Assistant Blog

MARCH 3, 2008

Hopefully, you weren’t also affected by the FPL power outages. 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

SEPTEMBER 3, 2008

Then he mentioned that he didn’t want all of the details of each product listed. Now only the subtotal rows will show up, instead of all of the details in between. I sometimes go onto my blog to look up stuff that I've added, since I tend to forget things at times. I recently ran into this problem as well.

2008 100

2008 Cubicle Google Docs 2007 100

Professional Assistant Blog

NOVEMBER 8, 2007

See what you can change about yourself, don’t try to change others. At times, the person that conveys this tone doesn’t realize they are coming across in a harmful manner. Take up a hobby, play some sports, spend time with your family. If someone is making a difference by helping you or your teammates, let them know.

Gossip 100

Gossip 2008 Cubicle 2007 100

Professional Assistant Blog

DECEMBER 17, 2007

They can use any other means of communication, even picking up the phone and talking to each other. Yet it only takes literally 2 seconds to get up from your desk, which is good for your body to get some stretches every so often, and walk over. This actually happens quite a bit at my workplace as well.

Cubicle 100

Cubicle 2008 2007 Google Docs 100

Professional Assistant Blog

JANUARY 15, 2008

Up until recently, I too felt this way. You don’t have to do much to lend a helping hand, just go out there and join an association, volunteer or whatever would make you feel “balanced&#. You feel that your work life is in place and need to find some balance in other parts of your life? But that’s another story.

2008 100

2008 Cubicle Google Docs 2007 100

Professional Assistant Blog

NOVEMBER 20, 2007

This doesn’t mean that you have to go out for beers or go to a movie. I don’t mean take charge of the office – you might make some serious mistakes. Don’t whine and complain about every little task that is given to you. Don’t break your promises. Make sure to follow up on your commitments.

2007 100

2007 2008 Cubicle Google Docs 100

Professional Assistant Blog

DECEMBER 5, 2007

We hold meetings every so often (since everyone’s busy and can’t really figure out when these meetings work for everyone), but we do try to meet at least once every quarter. We share ideas, skills and even ask guest speakers to provide up-to-date information and trends on what we need for our careers.

2008 100

2008 Cubicle 2007 Google Docs 100

Professional Assistant Blog

FEBRUARY 12, 2008

Home About Me Advertise Resizing Pictures in Microsoft Word By The Professional Assistant on Tuesday, February 12, 2008 Filed Under: MS-Word Y our boss comes up to you and asks you to take a look at an e-mail that he/she just sent you. You open the e-mail and open the Microsoft Word attachment. How can you change the actual file size, though?

Microsoft Word 100

Microsoft Word 2008 Cubicle 2007 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

JANUARY 23, 2010

Whether they had or hadn`t I was never sure, but I know today that offices do fundraise for charities and workers are happy to participate. Whether they had or hadn`t I was never sure, but I know today that offices do fundraise for charities and workers are happy to participate. He raised over $1,000. 5, 2010 at 12 p.m.

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP AT&T 2010 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. One thing that always bothered me in my last job was when I had my door closed, people would still knock and ask me questions that weren’t urgent.

Policies 100

Policies 2008 Cubicle 2007 100

Professional Assistant Blog

AUGUST 14, 2008

Back up your passwords and copy them between computers. Until next time, T ake care - of your clutter! By The Professional Assistant on Thursday, August 14, 2008 Filed Under: Productivity , System Security F orgetting your Windows password happens to everyone from time to time. Yes, even I forget it at times. When does it ever end?

2008 100

2008 Cubicle 2007 Google Docs 100

Professional Assistant Blog

JULY 16, 2008

Home About Me Advertise Seminars for Professional Assistants By The Professional Assistant on Wednesday, July 16, 2008 Filed Under: Networking , Productivity A re you looking to improve your skills and catch up with the latest office trends ? Until next time, T ake care - of your clutter! This definitely helped my position.

2008 100

2008 Cubicle 2007 Google Docs 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

AUGUST 15, 2009

Here is some common-sense etiquette: Screen your calls: Subscribe to call display. However, I think our etiquette hasnt caught up with the technology. She just thinks she has to answer her cell phone every time it rings. At least in his case if he has to answer it he will ask if I mind if he takes the call. 23, 1 p.m.

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP Etiquette Phones 100

Professional Assistant Blog

MARCH 20, 2008

Today’s assistants are computer savvy, smart and up-and-coming, and consider themselves professionals in the workplace. Those who are skilled at regularly thinking on their feet as they come up with solutions and ideas both on the computer and on the job might be able to step into this role.

2008 100

2008 2007 Cubicle Google Docs 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

JANUARY 10, 2010

.© Copyright Patricia Robb 2010 10 January, 2010 What ever happened to the "us" in Service? 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. Recently, I bought a new laptop.

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP 2010 International 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

FEBRUARY 19, 2009

Everyone up here calls him Obama and our Prime Minister is called Harper. What is the proper etiquette when addressing or writing to a President? Here is a video link on the proper etiquette to address a President. Why do we not use their full name? Or it is that we just dont know how to address them so revert to last names?

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP Etiquette 2009 100

Professional Assistant Blog

MARCH 6, 2008

First of all Ive worked for an organization as an admin asst for years and during this time I have seen many co-workers leave and have had to put up with a lot. Did you take it up each level all the way to the top? Until next time, T ake care - of your clutter! You mentioned that youve spoken to your supervisor, HR, etc.

Gossip 100

Gossip 2008 Cubicle 2007 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. ► 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

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?" Although thingy will work in a crunch. 5, 2010 at 12 p.m.

PowerPoint 100

PowerPoint Time Zones IAAP 2010 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

FEBRUARY 13, 2010

By the same token, I appreciate it when someone lets me know by when they will have something for me and if they can’t have it done by that date, then I like it when they get back to me to say when I can expect it. So that is what I like, but it isn’t always what I get. I can only guess when I might get it.

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP Meeting Minutes International 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 can even make reminders to him for his personal events (green) like lunch with a friend or picking up dry cleaning. but I don't use that system or know what the colours mean. Another one I never use.

Calendars 100

Calendars IAAP Time Zones 2010 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. He turned 1 year old on October 8th and shortly after that he just took off.

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP Meeting Minutes 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. I actually didn't know this and this is something I need because I tend to blather on a little bit and get carried away! Thanks Patricia! 5, 2010 at 12 p.m.

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP 2010 Meeting Minutes 100

Professional Assistant Blog

MARCH 5, 2008

Until next time, T ake care - of your clutter! If successful, I will write a post to everyone letting them know its up and running. If I do end up coming up with a little extra time in the future, I will write a post on it. Otherwise, you would be working somewhere else. Try checking Yahoo Groups or Google Groups.

2008 100

2008 2007 Cubicle PowerPoint 100

Professional Assistant Blog

JULY 22, 2008

This has been a great way to clear up a lot of unnecessary e-mails at work. Some e-mails are useful, but I don’t always have time to deal with them right away. I have set up a folder for Google Alerts to keep me updated on what is new in my profession. I also subscribe to feeds to my home e-mail account.

2008 100

2008 2007 Cubicle Google Docs 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

AUGUST 22, 2009

© Copyright Patricia Robb 2010 23 August, 2009 Nice ways to say, "Hurry up!" Sometimes I need to do a job, but I can’t move forward until I get an answer from someone else. So how do you word your follow-up e-mail so as not to come across as impatient? Put it in your Outlook Tasks with a reminder to follow up.

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP Holidays Meeting Minutes 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

FEBRUARY 22, 2009

Posted by Patricia Robb at 6:13 PM Labels: Administrative Assistant , etiquette for addressing officials , professional assistant Reactions: 2comments: Carol Bory said. Taking stock We don't know what we don't know ► June (1) Playing nice in the sandbox ► May (2) Whose meeting is it anyway? 411 Look Up 411.ca

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP Meeting Minutes International 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 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. Wow.this tip almost makes me want to upgrade to 2007 *laughs*.

2007 100

2007 Time Zones IAAP Meeting Minutes 100