Laughing all the Way to Work

APRIL 5, 2010

Does your boss ever organize a meeting behind your back? 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. 411 Look Up 411.ca

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP 2010 International 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. They had enough time as they saw the bus approaching, they know they will need it, but time and time again, they are searching for it. no tickets.

Time Zones 100

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. I like organizing and feel satisfied when everything comes together nicely, but it takes a lot of work to get there. Have you ever been at an event that isnt well organized?

Administrative Professionals 100

Administrative Professionals Time Zones IAAP 2009 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. There are some meetings that are currently on my radar for next summer and beyond, but I still have a sheet for it and move it up the pile as the date for planning gets closer.

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP International Meeting Minutes 100

Musings of a High-Level Executive Assistant

APRIL 4, 2013

I was interviewed earlier this month and so I pasted it below. Thank you so much for taking your time to speak with us. When people would ask me in interviews, my first answer was, “No nepotism here!” I learned through informational interviews that I should apply to temp agencies. We are super excited to have you!

Interviewing 40

Interviewing Temping Resume Agencies 40

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. Admin in the Spotlight: Interview with Lynn Holgat. ► 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

DECEMBER 17, 2008

Here are the top qualities that an assistant must have: Be organized. Can I say that again – BE ORGANIZED! An assistant’s job is to organize the boss and in order to do that we must be organized ourselves. Admin in the Spotlight: Interview with Lynn Holgat. 411 Look Up 411.ca 411 Look Up 411.ca

Time Zones 100

Time Zones Filing IAAP 2008 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

MAY 16, 2010

The person sending out the request for the meeting and asking for dates would usually be considered the meeting organizer. If you are not the organizer, you still have a responsibility to provide available dates in a timely manner, set a reminder to make sure there is an agenda and if there isnt, email to ask for one.

Agenda 100

Agenda Time Zones International IAAP 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

SEPTEMBER 13, 2008

When I interview for a job I interview the person interviewing me and try to get a feel for whether we will work well together. Good boss, bad boss On one interview I went on, when I met the two men who would be interviewing me, I met the first one and thought, "OK, so he seems like a nice man and I could work with him."

Time Zones 100

Time Zones Interviewing IAAP International 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

MAY 10, 2009

Would you take a job just to get your foot in the door of an organization you really wanted to work for, even if it was a position that you didnt want to make a career out of? She saw the importance of this training to help her daughter know the workings of an office from the bottom up and the office benefitted from her educational training.

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP International Meeting Minutes 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

OCTOBER 4, 2009

And always checking up on you. Make the interview count and ask the right questions. Ask yourself what things really matter to you and ask questions to bring those things up in the interview. It saves your boss asking if you got it done and in time they will not ask because they will just know you have handled it.

Management 100

Management Time Zones IAAP International 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

NOVEMBER 8, 2009

What dates and times does he or she have available (keeping in mind time zones for away meetings)? 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.

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP International Calendars 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

OCTOBER 10, 2008

The argument could be said that the role of the assistant is to assist and keep your boss organized so we shouldnt complain when we have to do it. I have found the best way to cope is to keep yourself organized. You want to keep up to date on their working life and all they have to do.

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP 2008 International 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

SEPTEMBER 6, 2008

.© Copyright Patricia Robb 2010 6 September, 2008 Going Checklist Crazy I am organizing a Board meeting and I have checklists and to-do lists coming out of my ears. A memory stick is my back up if my laptop and I part ways. Being organized helps de-clutter any task and makes it more manageable and doable. 411 Look Up 411.ca

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP International Meeting Minutes 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

JULY 16, 2010

Manage: Consider these points as you organize your workload. It reduces confusion by improving organization and leaves your work space clean. Check: Is your software high-functioning and up-to-date? Admin in the Spotlight: Interview with Lynn Holgat. 411 Look Up 411.ca 411 Look Up 411.ca " Warning!

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP 2010 International 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

JANUARY 23, 2010

Another office raised almost $1,000 in a fundraising effort they organized. Admin in the Spotlight: Interview with Lynn Holgat. Building Relationships one Assistant at a Time ► April (2) Keeping focussed in a busy environment When your boss arranges meetings behind your back. 411 Look Up 411.ca 411 Look Up 411.ca

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP AT&T 2010 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

FEBRUARY 14, 2009

Another time I wanted to try a career in the travel business. I have become familiar with time zones, airport codes and international holidays to avoid. I love the planning, organizing and running around that goes into bringing a conference from a thought to a successful event. 411 Look Up 411.ca " Warning!

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP Holidays International 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

APRIL 17, 2010

To finish up and make it shine, I used a glass cleaner. Sometimes you are just not sure what is sapping up your time and I have found a time log will help you determine where you are going astray. But I did it by keeping a notepad by the phone and each time I started a task I would write it down.

Environment 100

Environment Time Zones IAAP International 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

MAY 9, 2010

If I hear from the assistant I know I am going to get answers and the process of setting up a meeting will go smoothly, but should I try to develop a working relationship with them? If I deal with someone and can see that they have organized something well, I will make sure to ask them about it. 411 Look Up 411.ca

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP 2010 International 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

APRIL 10, 2009

I find the best way for me to keep my Inbox organized is to immediately deal with the e-mail when it arrives. I never have more than four or five e-mails in my Inbox for any length of time. Here are five buts you can do without: But I dont have time! Admin in the Spotlight: Interview with Lynn Holgat. " Warning!

Time Zones 100

Time Zones Administrative Professionals IAAP 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. Who better than the admins to come up with something that works. Admin in the Spotlight: Interview with Lynn Holgat. 411 Look Up 411.ca " Warning!

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP 2009 International 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

JULY 5, 2009

I was at the cottage with a friend and she was cranky and started to get wound up about something to do with her husband. By the end of the call her husband had caught her crankiness and it ended up with them both being angry. I find talking it over with a friend can be a good way to organize your thoughts. Hi, how are you?

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP International Meeting Minutes 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

OCTOBER 11, 2009

That is why I suggest when you go to an interview you should ask questions and find out exactly what “providing administrative support&# means. Admin in the Spotlight: Interview with Lynn Holgat. ► August (4) Managing your Boss's Inbox Nice ways to say, "Hurry up!" 411 Look Up 411.ca

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP 2009 International 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

AUGUST 8, 2009

The same applies if you have a job interview or a new challenge at work. Is everything organized and in the proper place so when you need it you can just grab it? Why not take the time to tidy up a bit. Make it a comfortable work area to free you up to do your job well. 411 Look Up 411.ca " Warning!

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP International Meeting Minutes 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

SEPTEMBER 19, 2008

© Copyright Patricia Robb 2010 19 September, 2008 Using a Bring-Forward System to Help Organize Your Boss Of all the articles I have written, the one I wrote on the bring-forward system by far gets the most views. As an Executive Assistant to a busy CEO, I have to organize my boss and I needed a bring-forward system to meet his needs.

Time Zones 100

Time Zones 2008 IAAP Calendars 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

OCTOBER 4, 2008

The head of your organization can often set the tone for how the rest of the office functions. Everyone helping each other and working together to achieve the goals of the organization. Admin in the Spotlight: Interview with Lynn Holgat. ► August (4) Managing your Boss's Inbox Nice ways to say, "Hurry up!"

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP Meeting Minutes International 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

SEPTEMBER 7, 2009

I recently received an e-newsletter from Jane Watson regarding Acronyms and Initialisms , which I thought was timely and wanted to share with you. Each organization we work for will have their own acronyms that we have to get familiar with fairly quickly if you want to know what they are talking about. 411 Look Up 411.ca

Time Zones 100

Time Zones ASAP IAAP International 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

Laughing all the Way to Work

DECEMBER 13, 2008

The office party can be a good time for some networking with the different people in your organization. RSVP If you are not able to attend the party, it is always a good idea to let the organizer know and your boss. Admin in the Spotlight: Interview with Lynn Holgat. 411 Look Up 411.ca So why bother going?

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP Holidays International 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

AUGUST 29, 2009

I can hardly keep up with my own e-mails at times let alone someone elses account, but that is part of my job. If you pay attention to what is going on in their Inbox, you will not be taken by surprise when things come up. Does it raise a question for you to follow up with your boss? Very good article Patricia!

Management 100

Management Time Zones IAAP 2009 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

SEPTEMBER 17, 2010

I called them and thankfully they had space available on the date I needed and we were able to amend the contract, but imagine if I hadnt noticed and we showed up on the 7th? When I receive a contract I highlight the date the hotel needs the contract back signed and put a reminder to make sure I send it back in time. 411 Look Up 411.ca

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP Negotiating International 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

SEPTEMBER 29, 2008

Admin in the Spotlight: Interview with Lynn Holgat. Building Relationships one Assistant at a Time ► April (2) Keeping focussed in a busy environment When your boss arranges meetings behind your back. ► 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 International 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

JANUARY 13, 2009

In some organizations raises are tied to how well you do and it is also a record that is kept on your personnel file. Normally, I put something about needing to get my filing system up to date, but I think I may have missed the point when I have done that. Is the appraisal/performance evaluation the time to ask for a raise?

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP 2009 International 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

JULY 11, 2009

I often reach out to my network to get answers to problems that come up at the office or just to lend a sympathetic ear. Sign up to some interactive Admin Assistant sites such as OfficeArrow , Admin Secret and DeskDemon. Perhaps, you are reading this and thinking some of these things can be a big time commitment. I understand!

IAAP 100

IAAP Time Zones Administrative Professionals International 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

MARCH 15, 2009

© Copyright Patricia Robb 2010 15 March, 2009 When you need it later: The Bring-Forward System My boss likes me to keep him organized and the way I do that is to have a system to bring forward items, which I then bring to his attention when he needs to see it. The system I use is quite simple and has been around for a long time.

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP International Meeting Minutes 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

FEBRUARY 8, 2009

Imagine, if we had assistants at home to pay the bills, do the budget, organize dinners, answer our calls and follow up with reminders -- it is starting to sound pretty good. Admin in the Spotlight: Interview with Lynn Holgat. ► August (4) Managing your Boss's Inbox Nice ways to say, "Hurry up!"

Administrative Professionals 100

Administrative Professionals Time Zones IAAP International 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

DECEMBER 5, 2015

The CEO I was working for at the time was very busy and my meeting scheduling skills were put to the test. He was also an international traveler so I had to learn everything about time zones, flights and everything in between when your boss travels to a foreign country. And travel he did.

Retirement 100

Retirement Travel Negotiating Agenda 100