Professional Assistant Blog

FEBRUARY 20, 2008

Here are Some Good-Sense E-mail Etiquette Tips E-mail Salutations: Although e-mail is less formal than writing a letter it is still polite to open with a greeting. Your company may have a policy on how they want you to address people in external business e-mail. Copyright © 2005 All rights reserved. Jane Watson of J.

2008 100

2008 2007 Cubicle Fax 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

APRIL 17, 2010

© Copyright Patricia Robb 2010 17 April, 2010 Keeping focussed in a busy environment There are so many distractions in the office -- the telephone, your co-workers, email and your boss! But I did it by keeping a notepad by the phone and each time I started a task I would write it down. Lets enjoy our day together.©

Environment 100

Environment Time Zones IAAP International 100

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. Lets enjoy our day together.©

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP 2010 International 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

JULY 12, 2010

© Copyright Patricia Robb 2010 12 July, 2010 Admin in the Spotlight: Interview with Lynn Holgate, 2010 Stevie® Award winner Lynn Holgate, an Executive Assistant at High Performance Technologies, Inc. Lynn was in good company as some notable winners of the 2010 Stevie® Awards included: - Executive of the Year: Lawrence J.

2010 100

2010 Interviewing Time Zones IAAP 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

FEBRUARY 22, 2009

© Copyright Patricia Robb 2010 22 February, 2009 Protocol for addressing Canadian and foreign dignitaries A reader asked if I would post on the proper protocol to address Canadian dignitaries such as the Prime Minister or other Ministers in the government. Lets enjoy our day together.© 411 Look Up 411.ca 411 Look Up 411.ca

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP Meeting Minutes International 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

MAY 9, 2010

© Copyright Patricia Robb 2010 9 May, 2010 Building Relationships one Assistant at a Time Assistants are in contact with other assistants on a daily basis. I breathe a sigh of relief when I get someones assistant on the phone or receive an email from them. Lets enjoy our day together.© 411 Look Up 411.ca 411 Look Up 411.ca

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP 2010 International 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

FEBRUARY 28, 2010

© Copyright Patricia Robb 2010 28 February, 2010 We did it Canada! CountryCode.org is a comprehensive guide to make phone calls from anywhere to any country in the world. Laughing All the Way to Work: A Survival Blog for Todays Administrative Assistant We all have to work, but who says we cant enjoy it too! 411 Look Up 411.ca

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP 2010 International 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

FEBRUARY 7, 2010

© Copyright Patricia Robb 2010 7 February, 2010 When your voicemail goes awry. They said it works with most phone services. Laughing All the Way to Work: A Survival Blog for Todays Administrative Assistant We all have to work, but who says we cant enjoy it too! Lets enjoy our day together.© 411 Look Up 411.ca 411 Look Up 411.ca

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP 2010 Meeting Minutes 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

JANUARY 10, 2010

© Copyright Patricia Robb 2010 10 January, 2010 Introducing The Administrative Bloopers Blog I started a new blog called The Administrative Bloopers Blog When you have a moment come and visit me over there. (for 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

Time Zones IAAP Meeting Minutes International 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

MAY 10, 2009

© Copyright Patricia Robb 2010 10 May, 2009 Will Google ever stop amazing me? 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. Lets enjoy our day together.© Oh yeah, did I mention, its free.Try it, youll like it! 411 Look Up 411.ca

Google 100

Google Time Zones IAAP International 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

DECEMBER 28, 2009

© Copyright Patricia Robb 2010 28 December, 2009 Now that is dedication.Executive Assistant donates kidney to her boss My assistant sent me a link to a story about an Executive Assistant in British Columbia, Canada, who gave the gift of life by donating a kidney to her boss. (for Lets enjoy our day together.© 411 Look Up 411.ca

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP Gifts Meeting Minutes 100

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. If the meeting is internal, I send a meeting request, but for external meetings I tend to just confirm with them the meeting details by phone or e-mail. 411 Look Up 411.ca

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP International Meeting Minutes 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

FEBRUARY 27, 2010

© Copyright Patricia Robb 2010 27 February, 2010 Wheres the remote thingy for the PowerPoint? When I looked on Google different companies were calling it different things, but PowerPoint Remote or Presentation Remote does help. Lets enjoy our day together.© We looked in a catalogue and found it. Thanks Patty. 23, 1 p.m. (for

PowerPoint 100

PowerPoint Time Zones IAAP 2010 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

JANUARY 19, 2009

© Copyright Patricia Robb 2010 19 January, 2009 10 Things = Frustration When one team member doesn’t want to play. The cure: always answer the phone professionally - this way youre never caught off-guard. It was a satellite office so each line was for a different company. Lets enjoy our day together.©

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP 2009 International 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

JULY 9, 2010

© Copyright Patricia Robb 2010 9 July, 2010 Taking stock Whenever I finish a project I always ask myself, or get together with those who assisted me, and ask the question, "What went well and what could have gone better?" Did I phone to get my electricity turned on? Lets enjoy our day together.© 411 Look Up 411.ca

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP Holidays International 100

The Marq

APRIL 22, 2010

Call to Action Have you ever sat in a meeting or held a conversation with someone only to be interrupted by a phone ringing? One involved a meeting where all four of us placed our cell phones on the table while discussing the business at hand. Because each of the two offenders’ phones rang during the meeting. TheMarq.com.

Phones 40

Phones AT&T Etiquette Email 40

Laughing all the Way to Work

MAY 31, 2009

© Copyright Patricia Robb 2010 31 May, 2009 Go with your gut feeling! Can versus Could Capitalization of hyphenated words Capitalization of names Commas in a series Company name Complement vs compliment Confusing words: lunch/luncheon; company/accompany Contractions Currently vs presently Data: singular or plural?

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP Meeting Minutes Administrative Professionals 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

DECEMBER 12, 2008

© Copyright Patricia Robb 2010 12 December, 2008 Are you worried about job security? Big companies are going down the tubes, people are losing their jobs and all of us are wondering what the future holds for us and is there hope that we will keep our job? My former boss gave me an excellent reference on paper and by phone.

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP International Meeting Minutes 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

APRIL 5, 2010

© Copyright Patricia Robb 2010 5 April, 2010 When your boss arranges meetings behind your back. Laughing All the Way to Work: A Survival Blog for Todays Administrative Assistant We all have to work, but who says we cant enjoy it too! Lets enjoy our day together.© Does your boss ever organize a meeting behind your back?

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP 2010 International 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

JANUARY 31, 2010

© Copyright Patricia Robb 2010 31 January, 2010 Taking the time to acknowledge someone and say thanks. The cards are all made with recycled paper and you can even include a gift if you like and this company will send it off for you. To send to clients of your company. Lets enjoy our day together.© 411 Look Up 411.ca

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP 2010 International 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

MARCH 20, 2010

© Copyright Patricia Robb 2010 20 March, 2010 Admin Buddies I like to have someone at work that I can buddy with. Laughing All the Way to Work: A Survival Blog for Todays Administrative Assistant We all have to work, but who says we cant enjoy it too! Lets enjoy our day together.© 411 Look Up 411.ca 411 Look Up 411.ca

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP Meeting Minutes International 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

APRIL 22, 2009

© Copyright Patricia Robb 2010 22 April, 2009 Happy Administrative Professionals Day! Can versus Could Capitalization of hyphenated words Capitalization of names Commas in a series Company name Complement vs compliment Confusing words: lunch/luncheon; company/accompany Contractions Currently vs presently Data: singular or plural?

Administrative Professionals 100

Administrative Professionals Time Zones IAAP Meeting Minutes 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

NOVEMBER 1, 2008

© Copyright Patricia Robb 2010 1 November, 2008 Its Lonely in the Corner Office. When he is in the office it is good, at least I have company. My company is moving to a new space with a more open concept and I am looking forward to it. Lets enjoy our day together.© In my new job I sit in a corner office.

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP International Meeting Minutes 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

SEPTEMBER 20, 2009

© Copyright Patricia Robb 2010 20 September, 2009 The Advertising Game Advertising is effective thats for sure. So why do companies continue to do it? Telemarketing is my number one annoyance in advertising and as soon as I answer the phone and get that few seconds of dead air, that is my queue to hang up.

Fax 100

Fax Time Zones IAAP 2009 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

FEBRUARY 13, 2010

© Copyright Patricia Robb 2010 13 February, 2010 Dealing in real time. Can versus Could Capitalization of hyphenated words Capitalization of names Commas in a series Company name Complement vs compliment Confusing words: lunch/luncheon; company/accompany Contractions Currently vs presently Data: singular or plural?

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP Meeting Minutes International 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

JANUARY 23, 2010

© Copyright Patricia Robb 2010 23 January, 2010 I gave at the office Years ago when I was a child, I would canvass door to door with my sister for a charity for cancer research. Laughing All the Way to Work: A Survival Blog for Todays Administrative Assistant We all have to work, but who says we cant enjoy it too! 411 Look Up 411.ca

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP AT&T 2010 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

FEBRUARY 27, 2009

© Copyright Patricia Robb 2010 27 February, 2009 Different spellings: British, Canadian and American I was proofing a document the other day, but since Ive been reading documents from the United States and Canada, I couldnt remember if behaviorial was the American or the Canadian spelling. (for Lets enjoy our day together.©

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP Meeting Minutes Google 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

DECEMBER 5, 2009

© Copyright Patricia Robb 2010 5 December, 2009 Do you like what you do? I have a network of assistants that I call friends, although some are just phone colleagues, but we help each other. Laughing All the Way to Work: A Survival Blog for Todays Administrative Assistant We all have to work, but who says we cant enjoy it too!

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP Interviewing Holidays 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

DECEMBER 17, 2008

© Copyright Patricia Robb 2010 17 December, 2008 Anyone can be an Administrative Assistant, right? Be professional on the phone and greet people who come calling, but not everyone needs to get in to see the boss. Great Article--As we at American Folder Company understand the challenges that many office environments face each day.

Time Zones 100

Time Zones Filing IAAP 2008 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

FEBRUARY 24, 2009

© Copyright Patricia Robb 2010 24 February, 2009 Guest Post: What Makes Virtual Administrative Assistants Work? Administrative assistants do more than just assist with the day-to-day activities of a company – in fact, for most employers, they’re Person Fridays without whom nothing gets done. (for 411 Look Up 411.ca

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP Resume International 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

NOVEMBER 8, 2009

© Copyright Patricia Robb 2010 8 November, 2009 Preparing your boss for meetings away from the office or at home I had a good tip from my boss that I have used to help me prepare him for meetings whether they are away or at home. Lets enjoy our day together.© Do you need to book it or were you provided with location.

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP International Calendars 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

JANUARY 19, 2009

© Copyright Patricia Robb 2010 19 January, 2009 Training On-line Recently someone asked me a question about training on-line so I thought I would share the answer in a post. The last online course I took was under $70 and was interactive using both the computer and a speaker phone for audio. Lets enjoy our day together.©

Training 100

Training Time Zones IAAP Meeting Minutes 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

OCTOBER 31, 2009

© Copyright Patricia Robb 2010 31 October, 2009 A twelve step program to survive as an Admin My grandson has started walking. Laughing All the Way to Work: A Survival Blog for Todays Administrative Assistant We all have to work, but who says we cant enjoy it too! Lets enjoy our day together.© 411 Look Up 411.ca 411 Look Up 411.ca

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP Meeting Minutes International 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

NOVEMBER 10, 2008

© Copyright Patricia Robb 2010 10 November, 2008 We have a winner! Can versus Could Capitalization of hyphenated words Capitalization of names Commas in a series Company name Complement vs compliment Confusing words: lunch/luncheon; company/accompany Contractions Currently vs presently Data: singular or plural?

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP Meeting Minutes International 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

NOVEMBER 9, 2008

© Copyright Patricia Robb 2010 9 November, 2008 Contest! Can versus Could Capitalization of hyphenated words Capitalization of names Commas in a series Company name Complement vs compliment Confusing words: lunch/luncheon; company/accompany Contractions Currently vs presently Data: singular or plural? I am remiss.

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP Meeting Minutes International 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

SEPTEMBER 18, 2009

© Copyright Patricia Robb 2010 18 September, 2009 Atlanta, Georgia: The City that Smiles I recently arrived in Atlanta, Georgia to attend OfficeArrow s Lift Summit on Social Media. Laughing All the Way to Work: A Survival Blog for Todays Administrative Assistant We all have to work, but who says we cant enjoy it too! 411 Look Up 411.ca

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP Meeting Minutes International 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

AUGUST 22, 2009

© Copyright Patricia Robb 2010 23 August, 2009 Nice ways to say, "Hurry up!" Can versus Could Capitalization of hyphenated words Capitalization of names Commas in a series Company name Complement vs compliment Confusing words: lunch/luncheon; company/accompany Contractions Currently vs presently Data: singular or plural?

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP Holidays Meeting Minutes 100