Laughing all the Way to Work

MAY 1, 2009

I like working with someone who has initiative, wants to do a good job and is keen to contribute to the team, but is there a time when initiative is not a good thing? .© Copyright Patricia Robb 2010 1 May, 2009 When taking initiative isnt the best thing. 411 Look Up 411.ca

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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?

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Laughing all the Way to Work

APRIL 17, 2010

If you have to answer the phone, deal with an email or attend to something for your boss, do so, as that is the nature of the admin job -- multi-tasking, but once you have done it, go right back to your to-do list, re-focus and continue what you were doing. Having a to-do list can be a life saver. 411 Look Up 411.ca

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Environment Time Zones IAAP International 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

FEBRUARY 20, 2010

The team members were pleased with the work and it was agreed that the Finance Director should pay the invoice from the Recreation Account. The language of minutes Discussion and questions ensued -- The team members agreed -- It was decided -- The following points were made. Then the action makes perfect sense. 411 Look Up 411.ca

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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

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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.

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Google Time Zones IAAP International 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

MARCH 20, 2010

It can also improve team work and general office dynamics. If you dont have that in your office, why not suggest it to the other assistants? Having a buddy can take some of the stress off and give you assurance that you have someone you can depend on. 23, 1 p.m. (for 411 Look Up 411.ca

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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

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Time Zones IAAP 2010 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. 411 Look Up 411.ca

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Time Zones IAAP 2010 International 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

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Time Zones IAAP International Meeting Minutes 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

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Time Zones IAAP 2010 Meeting Minutes 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.

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Time Zones IAAP Holidays International 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

JULY 1, 2010

If you are part of an administrative team you can use your meetings to share knowledge with each other or give tips on something new you have discovered. Administrative newsletters or bulletin boards where you can post tips or suggestions is a good way to learn. (for 411 Look Up 411.ca

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Time Zones IAAP 2010 International 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

OCTOBER 4, 2008

If they are a team player then that filters down to the staff, but if they are the King of the Hill, then that also starts to filter down and people start to feel more important than they should and a lot of power struggles start happening and back-biting. If you find some are outdated please let me know so I can remove them from this list.

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Time Zones IAAP Meeting Minutes International 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

DECEMBER 12, 2008

Be a team player. My former boss gave me an excellent reference on paper and by phone. Having the right people in the right job is a good combination and makes for a productive team. Start yesterday and be the most improved worker on the team and show you have the qualities they are looking for. 23, 1 p.m. (for

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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 If you find some are outdated please let me know so I can remove them from this list. 411 Look Up 411.ca

Training 100

Training Time Zones IAAP Meeting Minutes 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.

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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?

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Time Zones IAAP International 2008 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

NOVEMBER 8, 2009

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. Do you need to book it or were you provided with location. Enter it in calendar. If you find some are outdated please let me know so I can remove them from this list. 411 Look Up 411.ca

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Laughing all the Way to Work

AUGUST 13, 2010

I mentioned this to our team of admins at one of our meetings so when one of my co-workers found out how to do something they thought to share it with the team. I might be doing something that works really great, but just assume others know about it so dont say anything to anyone. 411 Look Up 411.ca

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Time Zones IAAP PowerPoint Email 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

JULY 11, 2009

I can tell you my friends and colleagues got a lot of phone calls in those early days and it was a wonderful resource and help to me. This is where a strong assistant team is nice to have. I had a big learning curve going into it and I didnt know any of the other assistants so I felt all alone with my challenges. 411 Look Up 411.ca

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IAAP Time Zones Administrative Professionals International 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

MAY 10, 2009

She said it wouldnt look good on my resume if I was seen as a job hopper. When I was a teenager, I had some good advice from someone I used to babysit for. She advised that I should stay at least one year in any job I was in. Today, I would recommend at least two years to really get the benefit of the training. 411 Look Up 411.ca

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP International Meeting Minutes 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

NOVEMBER 1, 2008

I can interact where I am now, but I have to get up and go if I want to speak with someone and then when I get there I may find they are busy or on the phone so I have wasted my time. Of course there is a down side to being able to do that. (for If you find some are outdated please let me know so I can remove them from this list.

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP International Meeting Minutes 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

JANUARY 10, 2010

If you find some are outdated please let me know so I can remove them from this list. 411 Look Up 411.ca

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP Meeting Minutes International 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

DECEMBER 28, 2009

If you find some are outdated please let me know so I can remove them from this list. 411 Look Up 411.ca

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Time Zones IAAP Gifts Meeting Minutes 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

APRIL 27, 2009

The sooner they are up to speed, the sooner they will be able to contribute to the team and that helps everyone. I basically know how to answer the phones and take messages. Be kind to your new hires and available to answer their questions and help them learn the ropes. I just started at a law firm this week. It is overwhelming. (for

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Time Zones IAAP 2009 Administrative Professionals 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. 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. What happened? Crankiness and bad moods can be passed on.

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP International Meeting Minutes 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

APRIL 8, 2009

I think it is preferable for those who do set it aside to include all support staff as most offices now work in teams and everyone should be rewarded for a job well done. Is your office doing anything for Administrative Professionals Day? If you find some are outdated please let me know so I can remove them from this list. 411 Look Up 411.ca

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Administrative Professionals Time Zones IAAP 2009 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

JANUARY 15, 2010

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). I LOVE the color feature. If you find some are outdated please let me know so I can remove them from this list.

Calendars 100

Calendars IAAP Time Zones 2010 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

MARCH 8, 2009

I recently went on a professional development day and one of the speakers spoke about the importance of respect for our co-workers and team members and how that should be reflected in our communications with them. Or at least that is what happens to me. If you find some are outdated please let me know so I can remove them from this list.

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP International Meeting Minutes 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

JULY 12, 2010

If you find some are outdated please let me know so I can remove them from this list. 411 Look Up 411.ca

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2010 Interviewing Time Zones IAAP 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

AUGUST 1, 2010

Even if you phone the bank they need your secret passcode or they wont speak to you about your account. It's been the most efficient way for me to keep track of them since it's so handy to get to and I 'back myself up' by putting the log-in info for my outlook account in a notes area on my cell phone. 411 Look Up 411.ca

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Time Zones 2010 IAAP Filing 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

JANUARY 24, 2009

There is usually an answer if you look for it or speak to others on your team or in your network of acquaintances. Sometimes deadlines are exaggerated and if you talk to your boss you may find that the real deadline is further out, but if it cant be moved, why not look to your team members for help? 411 Look Up 411.ca

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Time Zones IAAP 2009 International 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

DECEMBER 17, 2008

Be professional on the phone and greet people who come calling, but not everyone needs to get in to see the boss. Try to anticipate the need so you can have the file or the answer your boss needs, before he or she even knows they need it. Be protective of your boss’s time. Be very selective and guard their time. 411 Look Up 411.ca

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Time Zones Filing IAAP 2008 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

DECEMBER 13, 2008

This can also be a good time to strengthen your relationship with your team members. It doesnt have to be a long conversation, just a short introduction and if you work in a large company you might want to say which department you work in. It is nice to have that outside-of-work social connection to make working with someone more pleasant.

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Time Zones IAAP Holidays International 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

MAY 31, 2009

If you find some are outdated please let me know so I can remove them from this list. 411 Look Up 411.ca

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