This is an article I submitted for publication locally. Unfortunately it was not picked up.
Today’s employment environment makes it imperative that everyone keep their skills in top-notch shape. Administrative professionals are no different.
April 22-28 is Administrative Professionals Week. Admins across the globe will use this week to reflect on their career paths. Many will regroup and revise career goals to match changing personal and professional demands.
A career minded administrative professional can be one of the greatest assets of any company. These behind-the-scenes work horses lead by example, they exhibit integrity and professionalism, they mentor others and they take pride in their work. They bring professionalism to the company and can be the first contact potential customers have with the business.
This Administrative Professionals Week, instead of flowers or a lunch, ask your admins what you can do to help them shape their future. Is there a particular training they need? Do they need a refresher course from the community college? Would they like to certify their skills with the Certified Professional Secretary® or Certified Administrative Professional® exam? Would membership in a professional organization provide the networking and leadership skill development opportunities they can’t get on the job?
There are a variety of ways to show the administrative staff they are appreciated. Invest in one that will provide you with the greatest return.
Help your team shape their future for the better this Administrative Professionals Week.
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
Administrative Professionals Week 2007
Today is Administrative Professionals Day, April 25, 2007. As the 2006-2007 Charleston Chapter President for the International Association of Administrative Professionals, I was proud to have the duty to preside over the 2007 Administrative Professionals Day breakfast, held at the Summit Conference Center in Charleston.
At this event the Charleston Chapter recognizes administrative support staff from all over the greater Charleston area. This year's keynote speaker was Gus R. Douglass, Commissioner, West Virginia Department of Agriculture.
You may think that is odd, but Commissioner Douglass was awarded 1970 Businessman of the Year by the chapter. We are still a chapter, he is still Commissioner, so we invited him back to hear about some of the changes he's seen over the last 37 years. It was a great presentation, I was thrilled to have him participate!
We also awarded our 2007 Professional Member of the Year award, which is awarded based upon points earned in a variety of leadership and education categories, and our Senior Member of the Year award, recognizing one of our outstanding merited members.
It was really thrilling for me to see the morning event come together. As chapter president I have watched my board work together to hold a fabulous event. They worked very hard and deserve as much praise as I can possibly muster. While they are generally modest and try to turn the responsibility back onto me, I remind them that I am only the ship's captain, I am only showing the direction. They are the ones doing the work and have done a tremendous job!
We had a 39% increase in attendance over our regular montly meetings! That is really saying something!
Coordinating events like these is never easy. There are a million things to remember, from name tents and certificates of appreciation to menues, displays and registration. Getting the word out through paid advertisments, community newsletters, letters to the editor, radio spots and electronic mail (my favorite) is really pretty demanding. While you can send simliar information for advertisements or press releases, when submitting letters to the editor or articles for publication you can not send the same article to different print media.
And you can't forget to consider how your guests will feel. When they come in the room are they greeted? Do they feel welcome? Are seating arrangments clear? Is the room temperature comfortable?
My team imagined each step, from walking into the front door to registration, seating, getting the food, listening to the speaker, receiving their gifts and exiting. With the exception of a couple minor glitches, the morning went off with a bang!
I am so happy with my team I just can't contain myself!
GREAT JOB LADIES!
At this event the Charleston Chapter recognizes administrative support staff from all over the greater Charleston area. This year's keynote speaker was Gus R. Douglass, Commissioner, West Virginia Department of Agriculture.
You may think that is odd, but Commissioner Douglass was awarded 1970 Businessman of the Year by the chapter. We are still a chapter, he is still Commissioner, so we invited him back to hear about some of the changes he's seen over the last 37 years. It was a great presentation, I was thrilled to have him participate!
We also awarded our 2007 Professional Member of the Year award, which is awarded based upon points earned in a variety of leadership and education categories, and our Senior Member of the Year award, recognizing one of our outstanding merited members.
It was really thrilling for me to see the morning event come together. As chapter president I have watched my board work together to hold a fabulous event. They worked very hard and deserve as much praise as I can possibly muster. While they are generally modest and try to turn the responsibility back onto me, I remind them that I am only the ship's captain, I am only showing the direction. They are the ones doing the work and have done a tremendous job!
We had a 39% increase in attendance over our regular montly meetings! That is really saying something!
Coordinating events like these is never easy. There are a million things to remember, from name tents and certificates of appreciation to menues, displays and registration. Getting the word out through paid advertisments, community newsletters, letters to the editor, radio spots and electronic mail (my favorite) is really pretty demanding. While you can send simliar information for advertisements or press releases, when submitting letters to the editor or articles for publication you can not send the same article to different print media.
And you can't forget to consider how your guests will feel. When they come in the room are they greeted? Do they feel welcome? Are seating arrangments clear? Is the room temperature comfortable?
My team imagined each step, from walking into the front door to registration, seating, getting the food, listening to the speaker, receiving their gifts and exiting. With the exception of a couple minor glitches, the morning went off with a bang!
I am so happy with my team I just can't contain myself!
GREAT JOB LADIES!
Thursday, April 12, 2007
The Administrative Professional, Tying-Up the Loose Ends
Whether you call your administrative professional a secretary, an assistant, a receptionist or a specialist, you depend on that person to complete the behind-the-scenes work, crossing the “t’s” and dotting the “i’s”.
Assistants through out the valley are responsible for making travel arrangements, setting up meetings and conferences, preparing your PowerPoint presentations and giving your company a professional appearance.
Administrative Professionals Week 2007 is April 22 – 28. It is a block of time set aside to help busy managers and supervisors remember to acknowledge the work the administrative staff provides to the organization.
While flowers, candy or lunch is nice, one of the best investments and employer can make is to give training!
Technology changes fast and most companies rely on the administrative support staff to be able to navigate and use a variety of word processing, scheduling, e-mail, database, presentation and web design software programs. Regular training updates are a great investment in the employee, as well as the company.
With quality training, administrative support staff may experience less frustration as they work with updated and newly introduced software. The company gains the appreciation of the employee as he sees the commitment to his position as a professional.
Another great way to show your appreciation is to sponsor your staff’s membership in a professional organization. The International Association of Administrative Professionals® has a local chapter for administrative support staff in the Greater Kanawha Valley. For less than the price of a one day seminar, members receive a full year of access to a variety of training resources and opportunities, by way of independent study, support for skills certification exams, and leadership opportunities. They will also have access to a trending resources and professionals across the world employed by companies such as Avery-Dennison, Office Team, Microsoft, UPS, AEP, and many others.
As you consider ways to show your administrative staff that their hard work is appreciated, keep all options on the table. Ask them what they would most benefit from and what can help them tie-up those loose ends with greater ease.
You’ll be glad you did.
Robin A. Holstein CPS/CAP is the president of the Charleston Chapter IAAP and owner of Robin’s Desktop, Virtual Administrative Services. Her e-mail address is robin@robinsdesktop.com. For more information on the Charleston Chapter IAAP visit http://www.wvha.com/iaap-chaswv/.
Assistants through out the valley are responsible for making travel arrangements, setting up meetings and conferences, preparing your PowerPoint presentations and giving your company a professional appearance.
Administrative Professionals Week 2007 is April 22 – 28. It is a block of time set aside to help busy managers and supervisors remember to acknowledge the work the administrative staff provides to the organization.
While flowers, candy or lunch is nice, one of the best investments and employer can make is to give training!
Technology changes fast and most companies rely on the administrative support staff to be able to navigate and use a variety of word processing, scheduling, e-mail, database, presentation and web design software programs. Regular training updates are a great investment in the employee, as well as the company.
With quality training, administrative support staff may experience less frustration as they work with updated and newly introduced software. The company gains the appreciation of the employee as he sees the commitment to his position as a professional.
Another great way to show your appreciation is to sponsor your staff’s membership in a professional organization. The International Association of Administrative Professionals® has a local chapter for administrative support staff in the Greater Kanawha Valley. For less than the price of a one day seminar, members receive a full year of access to a variety of training resources and opportunities, by way of independent study, support for skills certification exams, and leadership opportunities. They will also have access to a trending resources and professionals across the world employed by companies such as Avery-Dennison, Office Team, Microsoft, UPS, AEP, and many others.
As you consider ways to show your administrative staff that their hard work is appreciated, keep all options on the table. Ask them what they would most benefit from and what can help them tie-up those loose ends with greater ease.
You’ll be glad you did.
Robin A. Holstein CPS/CAP is the president of the Charleston Chapter IAAP and owner of Robin’s Desktop, Virtual Administrative Services. Her e-mail address is robin@robinsdesktop.com. For more information on the Charleston Chapter IAAP visit http://www.wvha.com/iaap-chaswv/.
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