Professional Assistant Blog

OCTOBER 31, 2008

Then a bunch of co-workers show up in costumes. Do you like to dress up in fancy or scary costumes for this occasion? Do you want to dress up at the office, but not sure what to wear or if you even can? You dont want to end up at work and be the only one wearing a costume. What are you dressing up as? What a sight!

2008 100

2008 Cubicle Google Docs 2007 100

Professional Assistant Blog

AUGUST 13, 2008

Do you follow particular religious holidays, but arent showing up in your calendar? In this case, I dont have to worry about taking extra days off, since I dont really follow the religious holidays that I was brought up with, which in turn, are part of the regular holidays that come up each year.

Microsoft Outlook 100

Microsoft Outlook Holidays 2008 Calendars 100

Professional Assistant Blog

OCTOBER 29, 2008

as your client relationship manager (CRM)? 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. I am sure that this will beef up your productivity with the system. Home About Me Advertise Free ACT! Whats next?

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. If they prompt you to get it done right away (if this is not your immediate supervisor), make sure to let your manager know. They are there to help, since they are managing you. Apparently, everyone comes to me all at the same time.

2008 100

2008 Google Docs Cubicle 2007 100

Professional Assistant Blog

SEPTEMBER 5, 2008

Home About Me Advertise Cover Your Tracks: E-mail Archiving By The Professional Assistant on Friday, September 05, 2008 Filed Under: MS-Outlook , Organize , Productivity , System Security D o you back up your e-mails in Microsoft Outlook ? There are two ways of backing up your e-mails. Are you familiar with this?

Microsoft Outlook 100

Microsoft Outlook 2008 2007 Cubicle 100

Professional Assistant Blog

NOVEMBER 29, 2007

A large number of people that wake up in the morning need their coffee to jump start their mornings and help them throughout the day. Hotel managers and catering companies are also getting rave reviews about good branding quality. Some even drink way too much - 2 cups of regular strength coffee is enough.

2008 100

2008 Google Docs Cubicle 2007 100

Professional Assistant Blog

SEPTEMBER 3, 2008

Home About Me Advertise "Excel"ing to Create Subtotal Row Totals By The Professional Assistant on Wednesday, September 03, 2008 Filed Under: MS-Excel , Organize , Productivity Y our manager sends you an e-mail with a spreadsheet attached. Now only the subtotal rows will show up, instead of all of the details in between. Click Special.

2008 100

2008 Cubicle Google Docs 2007 100

Professional Assistant Blog

SEPTEMBER 10, 2007

Home About Me Advertise Common Courtesy in the Workplace By The Professional Assistant on Monday, September 10, 2007 Filed Under: Organize , Productivity D o you always end up cleaning up after your colleagues? These notions may or may not be true, but its how you are viewed by your manager.

2008 100

2008 Google Docs Cubicle 2007 100

Professional Assistant Blog

AUGUST 28, 2008

Home About Me Advertise Clock In The Right Time Zone: Booking Meetings in Microsoft Outlook By The Professional Assistant on Thursday, August 28, 2008 Filed Under: Meetings , MS-Outlook , Organize , Productivity , Travel D o you need to book meetings for your manager(s), but most meetings are all over the country or even internationally?

Microsoft Outlook 100

Microsoft Outlook Time Zones 2008 Cubicle 100

Professional Assistant Blog

SEPTEMBER 8, 2008

By The Professional Assistant on Monday, September 08, 2008 Filed Under: Organize , Prioritize , Productivity D o you wake up in the morning and think to yourself, "What do I have to do today? You can prioritize your tasks as needed, create goals and even break down larger tasks into manageable chunks.

Stress 100

Stress 2008 Cubicle 2007 100

Professional Assistant Blog

FEBRUARY 7, 2008

Since I am an administrative assistant for 30 staff, which includes 6 managers, it can get a little hectic at times. Think of ways you can help manage the workload. Make sure to have a follow-up meeting with your boss every so often until your workload goes back to normal, just to keep them in the loop of how things are going.

2008 100

2008 Cubicle Microsoft Outlook Google Docs 100

Professional Assistant Blog

AUGUST 23, 2007

Each and every day, Administrative Assistants alike face these challenges from either one or more Managers. Here are some basic steps you can take to handle these types of situations: Take about 5 – 10 minutes to write up a plan of what tasks you have to complete (you can also do this on your Microsoft Outlook Task bar).

Microsoft Outlook 100

Microsoft Outlook 2008 2007 Cubicle 100

Professional Assistant Blog

FEBRUARY 19, 2008

I work in a large firm now where it’s mainly an open concept area, with only the managers having their own offices. We strive for an “open door” policy, but of course, there are times when the managers hold meetings or make phone calls and have their door closed.

Policies 100

Policies 2008 Cubicle 2007 100

Professional Assistant Blog

MARCH 20, 2008

Today’s assistants are computer savvy, smart and up-and-coming, and consider themselves professionals in the workplace. Those who are skilled at regularly thinking on their feet as they come up with solutions and ideas both on the computer and on the job might be able to step into this role.

2008 100

2008 2007 Cubicle Google Docs 100

Professional Assistant Blog

OCTOBER 30, 2008

Thats how I ended up getting my current job. Thats how I get things done around my office, since I work for about 30 staff, which includes 5 managers. You should see my follow-up list. I usually follow up ever 3 business days on outstanding items. to the president, 3 VPs, and the HR manager. Its quite large.

2008 100

2008 2007 Cubicle Google Docs 100

Professional Assistant Blog

DECEMBER 5, 2007

By The Professional Assistant on Wednesday, December 05, 2007 Filed Under: Client Service , Networking , Productivity D o you want to help your firm exceed in the business world? We share ideas, skills and even ask guest speakers to provide up-to-date information and trends on what we need for our careers.

2008 100

2008 Cubicle 2007 Google Docs 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

JULY 16, 2010

.© Copyright Patricia Robb 2010 16 July, 2010 Guest Blog by Alexis Bonari: 10 Easy Ways to Check and Maximize Time Management Photo from Flickr: Public Domain It’s not always about giving the boss her money’s worth – sometimes, it just feels great to know that work time is being managed well.

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP 2010 International 100

Professional Assistant Blog

JANUARY 15, 2008

Up until recently, I too felt this way. I started with helping at a drop-in centre at a Salvation Army location, where other colleagues and one of my managers would serve lunch to people that were down on their luck. You feel that your work life is in place and need to find some balance in other parts of your life?

2008 100

2008 Cubicle Google Docs 2007 100

Professional Assistant Blog

NOVEMBER 1, 2007

Home About Me Advertise Cubicle Etiquette 101 By The Professional Assistant on Thursday, November 01, 2007 Filed Under: Office Gossip , Productivity D o you find that your colleagues are hovering around you when youre on the phone? If you need to talk on the phone, make sure that you keep your voice to a lower volume.

Cubicle 100

Cubicle Etiquette 2008 2007 100

Professional Assistant Blog

SEPTEMBER 27, 2007

Dont know how to organize yourself and things are starting to pile up? We actually use labels that we print up on our laser printer, instead of using a label maker. Here are 7 simple things you can do to improve your filing system: Try filing your documents into file folders, then put them into hanging file folders.

Filing 100

Filing 2007 2008 Cubicle 100

Professional Assistant Blog

AUGUST 14, 2008

Here are some features directly from the site: Manage Your Passwords and Log In automatically. Back up your passwords and copy them between computers. If you are at the office and all else fails, call your IT department and they can reset your account for you. If you need to remember lots of different passwords, try using RoboForm.

2008 100

2008 Cubicle 2007 Google Docs 100

Professional Assistant Blog

JULY 16, 2008

Home About Me Advertise Seminars for Professional Assistants By The Professional Assistant on Wednesday, July 16, 2008 Filed Under: Networking , Productivity A re you looking to improve your skills and catch up with the latest office trends ? Are you trying to get that raise or promotion that you so well deserve?

2008 100

2008 Cubicle 2007 Google Docs 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

NOVEMBER 20, 2007

Make sure to follow up on your commitments. With this in mind, it is more about perception than anything else, thus there is no particular tried and true way a person can act to achieve success as it is all dependant on the synergistic quality between the employee and manager. Don’t break your promises.

2007 100

2007 2008 Cubicle Google Docs 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

Professional Assistant Blog

MARCH 6, 2008

First of all Ive worked for an organization as an admin asst for years and during this time I have seen many co-workers leave and have had to put up with a lot. Did you take it up each level all the way to the top? If the management at your organization doesnt care about whats going on, is this really a place that you want to be at?

Gossip 100

Gossip 2008 Cubicle 2007 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

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. I found that my job transformed into a sudo management position with a great amount of responsibility.

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

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. She ended up calling her husband back and apologizing for her bad mood. Lets enjoy our day together.©

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP International Meeting Minutes 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. Come up with a plan on how you are going to improve in the areas you identified as needing improvement. 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

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

Service Untitled

NOVEMBER 10, 2010

Few companies have not been affected by the economy, and in turn are looking for the most cost efficient ways to manage different sectors of their businesses including customer support services. Another problem with outsourcing is managing the quality of services. Nexus One Phone Support I love Google.

Postal Service 40

Postal Service Expenses Customer Service Social Media 40

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. 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? 411 Look Up 411.ca 411 Look Up 411.ca

Time Zones 100

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. 411 Look Up 411.ca 411 Look Up 411.ca

Google 100

Google Time Zones IAAP 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 " Warning! Incoming text message.

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP International Meeting Minutes 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

FEBRUARY 28, 2010

What a blast the last two weeks have been, but I dont think I could have taken any more late nights staying up to watch the Olympics in Eastern Standard Time. CountryCode.org is a comprehensive guide to make phone calls from anywhere to any country in the world. 411 Look Up 411.ca 411 Look Up 411.ca " Warning!

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP 2010 International 100