Professional Assistant Blog

DECEMBER 4, 2007

Do you feel that they are overbearing and don’t know when to keep their opinions to themselves? Don’t allow yourself to become them. Remember that you want to be the bigger person and don’t sink to their level. Don’t let your work performance suffer. Practice, practice, practice!

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Professional Assistant Blog

MARCH 20, 2008

Some examples would be managing a company website, creating, editing and writing a company newsletter or creating promotional materials, invitations and brochures for marketing events. Some assistants regularly manage small budgets when planning functions or have bookkeeping responsibilities and work regularly on spreadsheets.

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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. I work in a large firm now where it’s mainly an open concept area, with only the managers having their own offices. It was great having my own office.

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Professional Assistant Blog

NOVEMBER 20, 2007

By The Professional Assistant on Tuesday, November 20, 2007 Filed Under: Client Service , Organize , Prioritize , Productivity D id you just get that dream job that you always wanted? This doesn’t mean that you have to go out for beers or go to a movie. Don’t break your promises. Take some risks!

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Professional Assistant Blog

JANUARY 15, 2008

I started with helping at a drop-in centre at a Salvation Army location, where other colleagues and one of my managers would serve lunch to people that were down on their luck. After that, we organized a game of bingo where people would be able to win small prizes that would help with their everyday living.

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Professional Assistant Blog

DECEMBER 5, 2007

By The Professional Assistant on Wednesday, December 05, 2007 Filed Under: Client Service , Networking , Productivity D o you want to help your firm exceed in the business world? Do you have a knack for writing? Blogging about your firm is one of the ways to do this.

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Service Untitled

NOVEMBER 10, 2010

Few companies have not been affected by the economy, and in turn are looking for the most cost efficient ways to manage different sectors of their businesses including customer support services. Another problem with outsourcing is managing the quality of services. photo credit: Taylor Burnes. I use it as my search engine.

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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. Another office raised almost $1,000 in a fundraising effort they organized. Many times we would hear, `My husband gave at the office`as a reason for not donating. He raised over $1,000.

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Laughing all the Way to Work

JULY 16, 2010

.© Copyright Patricia Robb 2010 16 July, 2010 Guest Blog by Alexis Bonari: 10 Easy Ways to Check and Maximize Time Management Photo from Flickr: Public Domain It’s not always about giving the boss her money’s worth – sometimes, it just feels great to know that work time is being managed well.

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Professional Assistant Blog

JULY 16, 2008

I did manage to find a site that has seminars listed for all of USA, if thats where you are writing from. Until next time, T ake care - of your clutter! She is the largest share holder of the company, obviously. But she is very high strung and doesnt know how to relax even when among friends or on vacation. We have a series of 1-hr.

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Professional Assistant Blog

AUGUST 14, 2008

Here are some features directly from the site: Manage Your Passwords and Log In automatically. 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. as follows: 1.Free

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Laughing all the Way to Work

APRIL 5, 2010

Does your boss ever organize a meeting behind your back? That makes it difficult when I am supposed to be organizing his calendar, but since I am responsible to organize his time and in spite of my frustration, I have to make it work. ► August (4) Managing your Boss's Inbox Nice ways to say, "Hurry up!"

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Professional Assistant Blog

JULY 22, 2008

Home About Me Advertise Outlook Rules That Rule By The Professional Assistant on Tuesday, July 22, 2008 Filed Under: MS-Outlook , Organize , Prioritize , Productivity E ditor’s note: This is a guest post by Patricia Robb of Laughing All The Way to Work: A Survival Blog for Todays Administrative Assistant.

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Laughing all the Way to Work

DECEMBER 17, 2008

Here are the top qualities that an assistant must have: Be organized. Can I say that again – BE ORGANIZED! An assistant’s job is to organize the boss and in order to do that we must be organized ourselves. The assistant is also the gatekeeper to manage the flow of paper through the boss’s office.

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Laughing all the Way to Work

APRIL 8, 2009

How often I have organized a conference or arranged a Board meeting and after all the organization and planning it goes off without a hitch. I like organizing and feel satisfied when everything comes together nicely, but it takes a lot of work to get there. Have you ever been at an event that isnt well organized?

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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. If the management at your organization doesnt care about whats going on, is this really a place that you want to be at? Until next time, T ake care - of your clutter!

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Laughing all the Way to Work

MARCH 13, 2010

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. I organize my desk so everything is within easy reach and makes sense to the way I like to work. I too, love to be organized and it only makes sense to be prepared.

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Laughing all the Way to Work

MAY 10, 2009

Would you take a job just to get your foot in the door of an organization you really wanted to work for, even if it was a position that you didnt want to make a career out of? The administrative position can be a springboard for a management position if you want to go in that direction and have the right educational background.

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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. 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?

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Laughing all the Way to Work

JULY 12, 2010

The Stevie® Awards is a prestigious award honouring the achievements and positive contributions of organizations and business people worldwide. The fact that they have a category for Support Staffer of the Year is recognition of the important role support staff play in any organization. Morgan Chase & Co. 5, 2010 at 12 p.m.

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Laughing all the Way to Work

DECEMBER 19, 2009

© Copyright Patricia Robb 2010 19 December, 2009 Meetings Plus: Taking them offline I organize a lot of meetings in a day, week, month; heck, even into next year. There are a lot of good organizing tricks out there and whenever I find one that works, I pounce on it and it becomes something I cant work without.

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Laughing all the Way to Work

MAY 16, 2010

The person sending out the request for the meeting and asking for dates would usually be considered the meeting organizer. If you are not the organizer, you still have a responsibility to provide available dates in a timely manner, set a reminder to make sure there is an agenda and if there isnt, email to ask for one.

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Laughing all the Way to Work

OCTOBER 10, 2008

The argument could be said that the role of the assistant is to assist and keep your boss organized so we shouldnt complain when we have to do it. I have found the best way to cope is to keep yourself organized. Keep an organized filing system and file list. You will also feel more in control of the situation and less stressed.

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Professional Assistant Blog

NOVEMBER 1, 2007

8comments for this post Anonymous Although your comments are valid, I think it really depends on the office culture which can differ greatly between organizations. You can't convince me that everyone loves the same kind of music and conversation and is productive all at the same time. If it doesn't, at least you tried.

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Laughing all the Way to Work

OCTOBER 11, 2009

And sometimes it isn’t, but from my experience if you read an administrative or executive assistant job description there is usually a phrase something like this, “providing administrative support.&# Whatever you are doing as an administrative assistant, don’t be afraid to try new things and expand your knowledge.

Time Zones 100

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Laughing all the Way to Work

APRIL 10, 2009

© Copyright Patricia Robb 2010 10 April, 2009 Keep your Inbox running on empty There are so many e-mails coming at us these days that e-mail management is very important. I find the best way for me to keep my Inbox organized is to immediately deal with the e-mail when it arrives. Lets enjoy our day together.©

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Laughing all the Way to Work

SEPTEMBER 6, 2008

© Copyright Patricia Robb 2010 6 September, 2008 Going Checklist Crazy I am organizing a Board meeting and I have checklists and to-do lists coming out of my ears. Being organized helps de-clutter any task and makes it more manageable and doable. Lets enjoy our day together.© 5, 2010 at 12 p.m. Dealing in real time.

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Laughing all the Way to Work

FEBRUARY 14, 2009

I love the planning, organizing and running around that goes into bringing a conference from a thought to a successful event. I helped my husband occasionally with his Event Management Projects and when it came to graphics I always took his help, I still do. Now I am glad I stayed in this career because I can do all these things.

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Laughing all the Way to Work

APRIL 17, 2010

Being on the phone was a very important part of my day and it was still going to take a big part of my time, but I could better manage it by scheduling a time to make my phone calls. Now that I knew what was taking the time, I could do something about it and make adjustments to organize my day better. 23, 1 p.m.

Environment 100

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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. Ensure that prior to the meeting you have received everything your boss will need, which may require follow up with meeting organizer. Lets enjoy our day together.© What is the purpose of the meeting? Meeting with Mr. Brown and Ms.

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Laughing all the Way to Work

SEPTEMBER 19, 2008

© Copyright Patricia Robb 2010 19 September, 2008 Using a Bring-Forward System to Help Organize Your Boss Of all the articles I have written, the one I wrote on the bring-forward system by far gets the most views. As an Executive Assistant to a busy CEO, I have to organize my boss and I needed a bring-forward system to meet his needs.

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Laughing all the Way to Work

OCTOBER 4, 2008

The head of your organization can often set the tone for how the rest of the office functions. Everyone helping each other and working together to achieve the goals of the organization. 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?

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Laughing all the Way to Work

MAY 9, 2010

If I deal with someone and can see that they have organized something well, I will make sure to ask them about it. 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? Lets enjoy our day together.© 5, 2010 at 12 p.m.

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Laughing all the Way to Work

DECEMBER 12, 2009

He can ignore e-mails, but it is hard to ignore me :) When you are copied on an e-mail, read the whole message, don’t just skim it. If you have been asked to do something and don’t fully understand what is expected of you, don’t be afraid to ask questions. There could be a message for you.

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Time Zones IAAP International 2009 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

DECEMBER 13, 2008

The office party can be a good time for some networking with the different people in your organization. RSVP If you are not able to attend the party, it is always a good idea to let the organizer know and your boss. My goal for this blog is to give good tips and ideas and occasionally put a smile on your face as you start your day!Lets

Time Zones 100

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Laughing all the Way to Work

DECEMBER 31, 2009

ALL WORK NO PLAY, ALL PLAY NO WORK When I told my boss I had started a blog and was naming it Laughing All The Way to Work, he didn’t get it and said, "That doesn’t sound very professional Patricia." I wonder what kind of service the client would have thought he was offering! Needless to say -- it worked!

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Laughing all the Way to Work

SEPTEMBER 7, 2009

Each organization we work for will have their own acronyms that we have to get familiar with fairly quickly if you want to know what they are talking about. 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? Acronyms are annoying.

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