Musings of a High-Level Executive Assistant

JANUARY 8, 2013

I sat at my kitchen table watching my phone blow up while people were emailing and IM’ing me all at the same time wanting to know why they couldn’t get on the call. I am copied on highly confidential information and I read emails that seem to be written in a new language – sales speak.

Attire 40

Attire Etiquette Clothes Time Zones 40

Musings of a High-Level Executive Assistant

MARCH 22, 2013

Hello Readers - 8 months ago, a reader asked me a question about fraternization and social etiquette at work. I was so excited to see your email and as I read it, I thought it would eventually end on a high note. Your SVP reports to a President or CEO. The link is that original post. I will definitely answer your question.

Etiquette 40

Etiquette Temping Gossip Job Hunting 40

Step It Up VA Coaching

OCTOBER 25, 2012

” When sending emails to your client, take the time to address them by name, like “Hi, Susan,” or “Dear Jim.” Simply beginning an email with the content is disrespectful and makes it appear that you are too busy to include a proper greeting; thus, too busy for them. and proof your email before you send it.

Customer Service 100

Customer Service Gifts Purchasing Etiquette 100

Professional Assistant Blog

SEPTEMBER 3, 2008

They ask you to create subtotals for the latest sales report, but want you to only send them the revised spreadsheet showing the subtotal rows. One of my managers wanted me to use our sales tracking software to create the sales report for a particular product. I was able to put the entire report together within a matter of minutes.

2008 100

2008 Cubicle Google Docs 2007 100

Professional Assistant Blog

OCTOBER 15, 2008

Your manager asks you to create a report of some sort and wants you to send it to a client, but making sure that they cannot manipulate the information. There is a simple way of getting this type of report to anyone without having to use Adobe Acrobat. Now you can e-mail the report to the client without any problems.

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PDF 2008 Cubicle PowerPoint 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

AUGUST 15, 2009

Sometimes I wish I had something to warn me when I am with someone with a cell phone so I can know that we are going to be interrupted. I find it frustrating when people either text while in a conversation or are constantly taking phone calls. Apparently not, when its by phone. In an emergency, the cell phone is a useful tool.

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP Etiquette Phones 100

Professional Assistant Blog

SEPTEMBER 23, 2008

Whether you need help fixing up that company website, proofreading a report that your boss needs right away or even compiling reports that your boss gave you today and is asking for you to complete it yesterday. Hiring a freelancer can have great benefits. Truths of a Shy Writer can help you when you’re in a bind.

2008 100

2008 Google Docs Cubicle 2007 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

FEBRUARY 16, 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. That way the reader can relax and continue to read the email knowing you are not shouting at them. Jane Watson of J. This is a great tip from Jane Watson of J.

Etiquette 100

Etiquette 2005 Email Filing 100

Professional Assistant Blog

FEBRUARY 29, 2008

This lessens the time you have to spend on the phone. You can then print a summary report to Excel of all of your hours for any time period, for any task, or for any client. Virtual Assistant Manager is a website that I recently stumbled upon which helps you and/or your organization thrive in this type of environment.

2008 100

2008 Cubicle Google Docs 2007 100

Professional Assistant Blog

AUGUST 25, 2007

You want to tell your co-worker that you need to get a report from them within the hour. Yet you go on and on about how you want it to look, going into great detail of the type of report you want. If you chatter away in your e-mails and are trying to get your point across, this information will be quite juicy for your fingertips.

2008 100

2008 Cubicle 2007 Google Docs 100

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. That way the reader can relax and continue to read the email knowing you are not shouting at them. Jane Watson of J. This is a great tip from 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

FEBRUARY 19, 2009

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. Everyone up here calls him Obama and our Prime Minister is called Harper. 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

Stephanie LH Calahan

APRIL 12, 2010

Main | Your Etiquette Practice Could be Killing Your Productivity » 5 Easy Ways Kick-Start Your Daily Personal Productivity As you search for your ultimate personal productivity blueprint, don't forget to think about how you get going in the morning.  Productive & Organized Home Contribute to P&O!   Are you a T.V.

Networking 100

Networking Goals Twitter Environment 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

JULY 16, 2010

Make sure that tasks directly associated with clients come first, consider the financial impact of a project and its completion date on the company, don’t let deadlines control the priority list (expense reports can wait when there are more important tasks), and consider cause and effect (do A to enable B, which accomplishes C).

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP 2010 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.

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP PowerPoint Email 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

NOVEMBER 16, 2008

My boss tells me I should be able to write a letter or a report on something even if I dont know the subject that well. Read their letters and reports and see how they craft their words. .© Copyright Patricia Robb 2010 16 November, 2008 Writing when you don’t know what you’re talking about. There is usually a pattern.

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP International Meeting Minutes 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. 411 Look Up 411.ca

Time Zones 100

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? 411 Look Up 411.ca

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP 2010 International 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

JULY 12, 2010

Holgate is the Executive Assistant to the President, she also reports to the Director of Human Resources and manages a staff of four. On the night of the awards Lynn reports she was sitting at a table with nine of her colleagues from HPTI including the Senior Vice-President. Her family and friends were also very excited for her.

2010 100

2010 Interviewing Time Zones IAAP 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. Another helpful site I refer to for protocol on addressing officials is www.formsofaddress.info. (for 411 Look Up 411.ca

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP Meeting Minutes 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.

Google 100

Google Time Zones IAAP International 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

JANUARY 23, 2010

There was one particular group of orphan children that was brought to our attention by a Canadian news reporter. It is so sad, because you know children so young have no idea what is going on. All they want is to be taken care of and be loved by someone. But for the charity of an old woman who came to feed them, they had no one. (for

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP AT&T 2010 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. 411 Look Up 411.ca

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP International Meeting Minutes 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. 411 Look Up 411.ca

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP 2010 International 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.

Time Zones 100

Time Zones 2010 IAAP Filing 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

FEBRUARY 7, 2010

They said it works with most phone services. I have never used this escape route, but was reminded about it at a webinar I participated in recently and will keep these instructions close at hand. I thought I would pass this tip along in the event you find yourself wishing you could take your words back. 411 Look Up 411.ca

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP 2010 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. (for 411 Look Up 411.ca

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP Meeting Minutes International 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

JANUARY 10, 2010

Dates (Writing out dates) Diagnosis or Diagnoses Dictionaries Due to Electronic dictionaries Email Salutations Exclamation marks versus question marks Expressing Currencies Expressing Time Fewer vs. Less Further vs Farther Grammar or Style Hope: the Word?? If you find some are outdated please let me know so I can remove them from this list.

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP Meeting Minutes International 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

DECEMBER 28, 2009

Dates (Writing out dates) Diagnosis or Diagnoses Dictionaries Due to Electronic dictionaries Email Salutations Exclamation marks versus question marks Expressing Currencies Expressing Time Fewer vs. Less Further vs Farther Grammar or Style Hope: the Word?? If you find some are outdated please let me know so I can remove them from this list.

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP Gifts Meeting Minutes 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!

Time Zones 100

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.

Time Zones 100

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). 23, 1 p.m. (for

Agenda 100

Agenda Time Zones International IAAP 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

JULY 9, 2010

Did I phone to get my electricity turned on? The meetings were stress free and I was able to depend on my checklists and templates. Now I am on holidays and preparing for a big move to a new home. You can be sure I have checklists for that as well. Yes, it is ticked off on the checklist and the lights did turn on when I pressed the switch.

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP Holidays International 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

MAY 31, 2009

Dates (Writing out dates) Diagnosis or Diagnoses Dictionaries Due to Electronic dictionaries Email Salutations Exclamation marks versus question marks Expressing Currencies Expressing Time Fewer vs. Less Further vs Farther Grammar or Style Hope: the Word?? If you find some are outdated please let me know so I can remove them from this list.

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP Meeting Minutes Administrative Professionals 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

APRIL 22, 2009

Dates (Writing out dates) Diagnosis or Diagnoses Dictionaries Due to Electronic dictionaries Email Salutations Exclamation marks versus question marks Expressing Currencies Expressing Time Fewer vs. Less Further vs Farther Grammar or Style Hope: the Word?? If you find some are outdated please let me know so I can remove them from this list.

Administrative Professionals 100

Administrative Professionals Time Zones IAAP Meeting Minutes 100