Musings of a High-Level Executive Assistant

JANUARY 8, 2013

I am learning time zones and currencies and every day I am shaking in my boots that it might be too much but I want it so dang bad! For example, I set up a sales dial-in call with about 40 people from every continent on the call. I’m doing this thing I learned at one of the four other job jumps I did. My CEO is new.

Attire 40

Attire Etiquette Clothes Time Zones 40

Service Untitled

JANUARY 28, 2014

So instead of telling the person behind the desk she is a “blithering fool,” please learn how to treat people with decency and respect. Angry Customers Customer Service Employees Etiquette Little Things, Big Differences Proactive'

Customer Service 40

Customer Service UPS Etiquette Policies 40

Professional Assistant Blog

OCTOBER 29, 2008

In one of my previous jobs, when I was working for an Investment Advisor, he gave me the installation CD-ROM and asked me to read up on how to use it. Believe it or not, this was quite an easy system to learn. Just click on any of the links below to take a look at the particular task you would like to learn about. Whats next?

2008 100

2008 Cubicle Google Docs 2007 100

Professional Assistant Blog

FEBRUARY 25, 2008

Home About Me Advertise Top Reasons for Working in Large and Small Companies By The Professional Assistant on Monday, February 25, 2008 Filed Under: Job Seeking , Productivity , Travel D o you work in a large company ? You have access to more resources, such as better technology and online learning (which is usually provided by the company).

2008 100

2008 Cubicle Google Docs 2007 100

Professional Assistant Blog

OCTOBER 31, 2007

There are times when people come up to me and expect things to be done right away. People have to learn that they are not the only ones that need things to get done quickly. Do you feel jittery each time you receive a task that needs to be completed yesterday? Apparently, everyone comes to me all at the same time.

2008 100

2008 Google Docs Cubicle 2007 100

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. It’s understandable this has come about.

2008 100

2008 Cubicle 2007 Google Docs 100

Office Dynamics

OCTOBER 3, 2010

They had great expertise in protocol, etiquette, and how to dress, speak and act as executive assistants. Joan continued, “When we think about our future, we need to think like immigrants so that we can create a better future for ourselves and the next generation coming up.” “But This is what we are up against, but we can be proactive.

Administrative Professionals 100

Administrative Professionals Retirement Training Assertiveness 100

Office Dynamics

OCTOBER 3, 2010

They had great expertise in protocol, etiquette, and how to dress, speak and act as executive assistants. Joan continued, “When we think about our future, we need to think like immigrants so that we can create a better future for ourselves and the next generation coming up.” “But This is what we are up against, but we can be proactive.

Administrative Professionals 100

Administrative Professionals Retirement Training Assertiveness 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. Join us at the luxurious Palazzo Versace on the Gold Coast for an amazing end of year get away and your chance to network, learn and advance your skills in style!

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP Etiquette Phones 100

Professional Assistant Blog

JANUARY 25, 2008

What trips people up? What do they learn the hard way? What do people struggle with, or what have they had to learn the hard way? My biggest was learning a new language again, since Ive lived in Switzerland as well. What puzzles people? Are these social things, business things, language things.

2008 100

2008 Cubicle 2007 Google Docs 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. ► August (4) Managing your Boss's Inbox Nice ways to say, "Hurry up!" 411 Look Up 411.ca

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP Etiquette 2009 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. I know the newness of it all will be gone soon and it will just be a normal thing that he is a little walker, but for now it is cute to see him learn this new skill. 411 Look Up 411.ca

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP Meeting Minutes International 100

Professional Assistant Blog

NOVEMBER 21, 2007

When I least expected it, the skies opened up and a job fell in my lap. Check them out and see what else you can learn! I actually had a short period in my career when I was unemployed. It was a difficult 6 months, especially near the end, when I kept thinking that no one wants to hire me. Until next time, Take care - of your clutter!

2008 100

2008 Cubicle 2007 Google Docs 100

Administrative Arts

JULY 26, 2010

Well, I’m always up for a challenge, and I know a lot of my more recent readers may not have read some of my older but still applicable content. So, here it is, 7 Posts You May Not Have Read: My First Post: Travel Arrangements To Wow Any Boss Part One. A Post On Someone Else’s Blog I Wish I’d Written – E-mail Etiquette.

Microsoft Outlook 40

Microsoft Outlook 2008 Travel Etiquette 40

Professional Assistant Blog

NOVEMBER 8, 2007

Learn from them and build on your weaknesses to make them into strengths. Take up a hobby, play some sports, spend time with your family. At times, the person that conveys this tone doesn’t realize they are coming across in a harmful manner. Remember, we are all human and we make mistakes.

Gossip 100

Gossip 2008 Cubicle 2007 100

Stephanie LH Calahan

APRIL 28, 2010

Work With Stephanie « Your Etiquette Practice Could be Killing Your Productivity | Main | 16 Productivity-Enhancing Websites » Grow Your Productivity by Hours a Day Think about this today!  Have you had feelings of guild about slipping up?  Learn whatis enhancing or impeding your productivity today!

Twitter 100

Twitter Fax Networking Etiquette 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

JANUARY 15, 2010

The topic was on personal branding and they were making recommendations to executives on how to polish up their image. I use this all the time on my calendar and my boss's calendar, and it helps us both to know which events are phone calls which he can take in the office or on the road (yellow) or which events will require travel (blue).

Calendars 100

Calendars IAAP Time Zones 2010 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

JULY 1, 2010

I have been on some interactive sites where assistants ask questions and get answers and I learn from them as I have some of the same questions. Lunch n learns are also a good way to learn from each other. Administrative newsletters or bulletin boards where you can post tips or suggestions is a good way to learn.

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP 2010 International 100

Professional Assistant Blog

DECEMBER 11, 2007

Keeping your readers up-to-date and information about current information on your company or topic will make them ask for more. Dont be afraid to spice it up a little. Try to throw in your own spin on information that you learn and post about. A person with high authority would help the blog the most. Post regularly.

2007 100

2007 2008 Cubicle Google Docs 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?" 411 Look Up 411.ca 411 Look Up 411.ca " Warning!

PowerPoint 100

PowerPoint Time Zones IAAP 2010 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

JANUARY 10, 2010

Another time I was trying to find a full-serve gas station to fill up, but there was nothing to be found. I travel far to try and find a full-serve station, but they are becoming extinct. 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 22, 2009

Posted by Patricia Robb at 6:13 PM Labels: Administrative Assistant , etiquette for addressing officials , professional assistant Reactions: 2comments: Carol Bory said. Join us at the luxurious Palazzo Versace on the Gold Coast for an amazing end of year get away and your chance to network, learn and advance your skills in style!

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP Meeting Minutes International 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

DECEMBER 19, 2009

I tend to keep my scheduling sheets in chronological order and each morning I go through them to see if there is any action I need to take, i.e. follow up to ask for an agenda or see if I can start scheduling. I dont want to miss a step so always go through the checklist on the travel sheet. Learning from each other is a necessity.

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP International Meeting Minutes 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

Professional Assistant Blog

SEPTEMBER 13, 2007

Since our department is mainly made up of females, I seem to help the office balance in a more serene way. Being a male administrative assistant has its ups and downs, but the ride is definitely exiting and fulfilling. Ive been working as an assistant for quite a number of years, but theres always something new to learn.

2007 100

2007 2008 Cubicle Google Docs 100

Professional Assistant Blog

NOVEMBER 20, 2007

Here are 5 ways to score brownie points with your boss and get that promotion or raise (or both) a little faster: The one thing that I’ve learned over the course of my career is to try getting to know your boss. Make sure to follow up on your commitments. Are you a seasoned veteran like myself (well, this is what people tell me)?

2007 100

2007 2008 Cubicle Google Docs 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

JANUARY 10, 2010

Join us at the luxurious Palazzo Versace on the Gold Coast for an amazing end of year get away and your chance to network, learn and advance your skills in style! ► August (4) Managing your Boss's Inbox Nice ways to say, "Hurry up!" 411 Look Up 411.ca 411 Look Up 411.ca " Warning!

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP Meeting Minutes International 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

DECEMBER 28, 2009

Join us at the luxurious Palazzo Versace on the Gold Coast for an amazing end of year get away and your chance to network, learn and advance your skills in style! ► August (4) Managing your Boss's Inbox Nice ways to say, "Hurry up!" 411 Look Up 411.ca 411 Look Up 411.ca " Warning!

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP Gifts Meeting Minutes 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. But, as I learned the hard way it doesn't work on all systems. Join us at the luxurious Palazzo Versace on the Gold Coast for an amazing end of year get away and your chance to network, learn and advance your skills in style!

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP 2010 Meeting Minutes 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

MAY 31, 2009

Lesson learned and will now put me on high gut alert. Join us at the luxurious Palazzo Versace on the Gold Coast for an amazing end of year get away and your chance to network, learn and advance your skills in style! ► August (4) Managing your Boss's Inbox Nice ways to say, "Hurry up!" 411 Look Up 411.ca

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP Meeting Minutes Administrative Professionals 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

MAY 1, 2009

If you are a new hire, take the time to learn and ask questions. A colleague and I were discussing this very thing as we have seen it time and time again with new hires trying to succeed and who end up making some avoidable mistakes by jumping in too quickly and making decisions before having enough information. 411 Look Up 411.ca

Time Zones 100

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

2007 100

2007 Time Zones IAAP Meeting Minutes 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

FEBRUARY 14, 2009

Another time I wanted to try a career in the travel business. I am sure I could have done well as I have learned nearly everything there is to know about getting someone from point A to point B. I am a mother as well, but my daughter is grown up and I am now a grandmother. You couldnt survive if you werent. 5, 2010 at 12 p.m.

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP Holidays International 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

NOVEMBER 8, 2009

Secure the date and time in his or her calendar, taking into consideration travel time if outside the office. Follow up with the meeting organizer to request agenda and/or meeting materials, pre-reading, etc. If outside the city, make travel arrangements: are flights required, train or will he or she be driving. " Warning!

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP International Calendars 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

DECEMBER 12, 2009

I started this blog to share the knowledge I had picked up over the years either from other administrative assistants, my bosses or from trial and error. Bring Forward System or Using Tasks in Outlook Have a system to follow up on items your boss has asked you to do or things you know you need to do. Lets enjoy our day together.©

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP International 2009 100