Professional Assistant Blog

MARCH 20, 2008

What better candidate to take on that role as a career, than the assistant who regularly plans events from small meetings to large conferences. Administrative assistants are highly skilled in many areas and sometimes we take it for granted, not recognizing where we could go with our skills.

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2008 2007 Cubicle Google Docs 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

OCTOBER 18, 2008

Networking at a conference does little good if you never speak with the person after the event. If you meet someone at an Administrative Assistant conference, for example, make sure to follow up with that contact within a week or two after the event. If you discussed a need at the conference, be sure to address it.

Networking 100

Networking Time Zones IAAP International 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

AUGUST 13, 2010

I had no idea this could be done, but I was thrilled when I got her email, but it just proved to me once again that we are all holding on to things we take for granted that others know about. The tip she sent me was how to edit an email that you have received. Close out of the email and you will be asked to Save the changes.

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Time Zones IAAP PowerPoint Email 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

MAY 9, 2010

I breathe a sigh of relief when I get someones assistant on the phone or receive an email from them. Knowing assistants and having a working relationship with them is very important and can make the difference when you need to set up a meeting or if your boss needs to have a quick phone call with their boss. 5, 2010 at 12 p.m.

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Time Zones IAAP 2010 International 100

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. .© Copyright Patricia Robb 2010 2 July, 2010 We dont know what we dont know We really dont know what we dont know do we? 5, 2010 at 12 p.m. 411 Look Up 411.ca

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Time Zones IAAP 2010 International 100

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. .© Copyright Patricia Robb 2010 8 April, 2009 April 22nd - Administrative Professionals Day It often amazes me that a day is set aside for our profession. We do the behind-the-scenes work.

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Administrative Professionals Time Zones IAAP 2009 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

NOVEMBER 8, 2009

Smith to discuss strategies for upcoming marketing conference). If it is an external meeting, but local, enter location of meeting in calendar, provide your boss with address and directions, contact phone number, taxi chit. State the purpose of the meeting in the calendar appointment as well as who will be at the meeting (i.e.

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Time Zones IAAP International Calendars 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

OCTOBER 31, 2009

I recently met with another administrative assistant and as we were discussing an upcoming admin conference, we started to talk about our role and how we are the do-all and go-to position in our offices. There are 12 step programs for many groups designed to help people, so why not for us. How do we keep it all together? 5, 2010 at 12 p.m.

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Time Zones IAAP Meeting Minutes International 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

FEBRUARY 21, 2009

If a conference comes up and they are looking for someone to do the registration, we can step in and do that or we can organize it from start to finish. I have noticed in my role as an assistant that I can be called upon to do a lot of things. Our job is not just one thing, but many different tasks and it changes every day. 5, 2010 at 12 p.m.

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Time Zones IAAP 2009 International 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

JULY 16, 2010

Check: Are phone calls planned? For each one, write down what you hope to accomplish with the phone call to help you stay focused. It automatically updates when I use an office product, and I can manually enter stop/start times for phone calls, meetings, face to faces, etc. Doing too many things can actually waste time.

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Time Zones IAAP 2010 International 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

FEBRUARY 28, 2010

CountryCode.org is a comprehensive guide to make phone calls from anywhere to any country in the world. Hello Patricia, You have some great resources at [link] Given your interest in country codes, I wanted to make you aware of my site, [link] for possible inclusion as well. EST Taking Effective Meeting Minutes Join me for a Webinar Oct.

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Time Zones IAAP 2010 International 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

MAY 10, 2009

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. I chose details and was given the street address and phone number and I still had the option of having my call put through to the store number. You can use google to get similar information.

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Google Time Zones IAAP International 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

FEBRUARY 7, 2010

They said it works with most phone services. New South Wales Australia Time) Turning Soft Skills Into Tangible and Recognizable Skills That You Can (and Should) Bring to The Office Conference December 6/7, 2010, Gold Coast, QLD, Australia IQPC’s 8th Executive and Personal Assistant Summit is on again in 2010! 5, 2010 at 12 p.m.

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Time Zones IAAP 2010 Meeting Minutes 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

DECEMBER 19, 2009

When I receive an initial request for a meeting, I use a meeting form and write down the information I need: who is requesting the meeting, what is the purpose of the meeting, where it will be held and a phone number or an e-mail address and dates that are available. EST Taking Effective Meeting Minutes Join me for a Webinar Oct.

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Time Zones IAAP International Meeting Minutes 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

MARCH 20, 2010

You hear something while walking down the hall or are copied on an email and know something about the purpose of a meeting coming up. Many times I am so thankful I had that quick chat or read that email that I was copied on as that was the exact information I needed when they were away. 5, 2010 at 12 p.m. 411 Look Up 411.ca

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP Meeting Minutes International 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

JANUARY 10, 2010

New South Wales Australia Time) Turning Soft Skills Into Tangible and Recognizable Skills That You Can (and Should) Bring to The Office Conference December 6/7, 2010, Gold Coast, QLD, Australia IQPC’s 8th Executive and Personal Assistant Summit is on again in 2010! EST Taking Effective Meeting Minutes Join me for a Webinar Oct.

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP Meeting Minutes International 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

DECEMBER 28, 2009

New South Wales Australia Time) Turning Soft Skills Into Tangible and Recognizable Skills That You Can (and Should) Bring to The Office Conference December 6/7, 2010, Gold Coast, QLD, Australia IQPC’s 8th Executive and Personal Assistant Summit is on again in 2010! EST Taking Effective Meeting Minutes Join me for a Webinar Oct.

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP Gifts Meeting Minutes 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

AUGUST 1, 2010

There are just too many passwords to remember, and that doesnt include my bosss passwords that I also need to know because I have to check his emails as well as my own. Even if you phone the bank they need your secret passcode or they wont speak to you about your account. But things like email etc, are all logged up in the noggin.

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Time Zones 2010 IAAP Filing 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

JANUARY 19, 2009

The cure: always answer the phone professionally - this way youre never caught off-guard. I agree that we should always answer the phone professionally, but if it is a co-worker calling, it seems silly to say "Patricia Robb speaking, Executive Assistant to the CEO, may I help you?" January 19, 2009 Patricia Robb said. I shut it off!

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Time Zones IAAP 2009 International 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

APRIL 5, 2010

If you have to reschedule, send an email apologizing, but advise that your bosss schedule has changed. Depending on the importance of the impromptu meeting, it may need to be changed to another timeslot to accommodate his or her calendar. Usually when I point out the conflict to my boss, he is more than willing to make the change.

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Time Zones IAAP 2010 International 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

MAY 16, 2010

They are responsible for canvassing the participants for dates and determining the date everyone is available and coummunicating that information to the participants by sending out a meeting request to everyone or emailing the date (depending on how you or your organization prefers to send notices of meetings). 5, 2010 at 12 p.m.

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Agenda Time Zones International IAAP 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

JULY 9, 2010

Did I phone to get my electricity turned on? New South Wales Australia Time) Turning Soft Skills Into Tangible and Recognizable Skills That You Can (and Should) Bring to The Office Conference December 6/7, 2010, Gold Coast, QLD, Australia IQPC’s 8th Executive and Personal Assistant Summit is on again in 2010! 5, 2010 at 12 p.m.

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP Holidays International 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

MAY 31, 2009

New South Wales Australia Time) Turning Soft Skills Into Tangible and Recognizable Skills That You Can (and Should) Bring to The Office Conference December 6/7, 2010, Gold Coast, QLD, Australia IQPC’s 8th Executive and Personal Assistant Summit is on again in 2010! EST Taking Effective Meeting Minutes Join me for a Webinar Oct.

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP Meeting Minutes Administrative Professionals 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

NOVEMBER 22, 2008

An e-mail like the one I received would have been better delivered face to face or by phone in order to get the tone of what the person was trying to communicate. I stop the flow and pick up the phone. It is amazing how quickly a matter can be handled on the phone or in person. Why are we not speaking to each other anymore?

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP International 2008 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

APRIL 22, 2009

New South Wales Australia Time) Turning Soft Skills Into Tangible and Recognizable Skills That You Can (and Should) Bring to The Office Conference December 6/7, 2010, Gold Coast, QLD, Australia IQPC’s 8th Executive and Personal Assistant Summit is on again in 2010! EST Taking Effective Meeting Minutes Join me for a Webinar Oct.

Administrative Professionals 100

Administrative Professionals Time Zones IAAP Meeting Minutes 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

FEBRUARY 27, 2010

New South Wales Australia Time) Turning Soft Skills Into Tangible and Recognizable Skills That You Can (and Should) Bring to The Office Conference December 6/7, 2010, Gold Coast, QLD, Australia IQPC’s 8th Executive and Personal Assistant Summit is on again in 2010! EST Taking Effective Meeting Minutes Join me for a Webinar Oct.

PowerPoint 100

PowerPoint Time Zones IAAP 2010 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

FEBRUARY 13, 2010

New South Wales Australia Time) Turning Soft Skills Into Tangible and Recognizable Skills That You Can (and Should) Bring to The Office Conference December 6/7, 2010, Gold Coast, QLD, Australia IQPC’s 8th Executive and Personal Assistant Summit is on again in 2010! EST Taking Effective Meeting Minutes Join me for a Webinar Oct.

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP Meeting Minutes International 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

JANUARY 23, 2010

New South Wales Australia Time) Turning Soft Skills Into Tangible and Recognizable Skills That You Can (and Should) Bring to The Office Conference December 6/7, 2010, Gold Coast, QLD, Australia IQPC’s 8th Executive and Personal Assistant Summit is on again in 2010! EST Taking Effective Meeting Minutes Join me for a Webinar Oct.

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP AT&T 2010 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

FEBRUARY 27, 2009

New South Wales Australia Time) Turning Soft Skills Into Tangible and Recognizable Skills That You Can (and Should) Bring to The Office Conference December 6/7, 2010, Gold Coast, QLD, Australia IQPC’s 8th Executive and Personal Assistant Summit is on again in 2010! EST Taking Effective Meeting Minutes Join me for a Webinar Oct.

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP Meeting Minutes Google 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

DECEMBER 5, 2009

I have a network of assistants that I call friends, although some are just phone colleagues, but we help each other. The assistant/boss relationship certainly is one of the closest working relationships with some comparing it to that of a work wife. GET TO KNOW YOUR CO-WORKERS. and find out early on who you can go to and trust.

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP Interviewing Holidays 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

JULY 5, 2009

I am sure after that call her husband got off the phone and kicked the dog or was cranky with a sales clerk at the grocery store. The worst time to write an email is when you are angry. It ended up that the phone lines were down because of a thunderstorm in town and he had been trying to reach her since early that afternoon.

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP International Meeting Minutes 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

JANUARY 19, 2009

The last online course I took was under $70 and was interactive using both the computer and a speaker phone for audio. I have found them to be really helpful. They can be contacted at: Louis@lastminutetraining.ca EST Taking Effective Meeting Minutes Join me for a Webinar Oct. 5, 2010 at 12 p.m. 411 Look Up 411.ca

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Training Time Zones IAAP Meeting Minutes 100

Musings of a High-Level Executive Assistant

AUGUST 7, 2012

Try to set up the communication of the office so your boss checks their own emails and responds, but you are in charge of all the mtg coordination, phones, and anything that happens in the office. You answer the phone, book travel, offer beverages to guests, book meetings, prepare the conference room, order food, etc.

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Holidays Calendars Credit Card Restaurants 40

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 have seen some contracts for event planners and it seems like a lucrative career to get into. Now I am glad I stayed in this career because I can do all these things. 5, 2010 at 12 p.m. 411 Look Up 411.ca

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP Holidays International 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

NOVEMBER 10, 2008

New South Wales Australia Time) Turning Soft Skills Into Tangible and Recognizable Skills That You Can (and Should) Bring to The Office Conference December 6/7, 2010, Gold Coast, QLD, Australia IQPC’s 8th Executive and Personal Assistant Summit is on again in 2010! EST Taking Effective Meeting Minutes Join me for a Webinar Oct.

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP Meeting Minutes International 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

NOVEMBER 9, 2008

New South Wales Australia Time) Turning Soft Skills Into Tangible and Recognizable Skills That You Can (and Should) Bring to The Office Conference December 6/7, 2010, Gold Coast, QLD, Australia IQPC’s 8th Executive and Personal Assistant Summit is on again in 2010! EST Taking Effective Meeting Minutes Join me for a Webinar Oct.

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP Meeting Minutes International 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

JULY 12, 2010

New South Wales Australia Time) Turning Soft Skills Into Tangible and Recognizable Skills That You Can (and Should) Bring to The Office Conference December 6/7, 2010, Gold Coast, QLD, Australia IQPC’s 8th Executive and Personal Assistant Summit is on again in 2010! EST Taking Effective Meeting Minutes Join me for a Webinar Oct.

2010 100

2010 Interviewing Time Zones IAAP 100