Do you struggle to take accurate meeting notes? Are you constantly worried that you’re going to miss something important? How do you know what’s worth writing down and what’s not? As an admin, you probably have to take meeting minutes, phone messages, and even...
As a speaker, I like to start my sessions on innovation by asking assistants to think back on the things that used to be a part of the office when they started in the field, but aren’t anymore. It’s usually a fun little jaunt down memory lane as we share flashbacks of...
One of the first productivity concepts we all learn is to avoid perfectionism, and most of us do make the attempt. Even so, it’s an insidious habit, one reinforced rather than overridden by many leaders. Often, your managers want you to get things right the first...
Guest post by Eleanor Whitney, Managing Editor of All Hands As an administrative or office operations professional, keeping your team productive, efficient, and on-task is your main focus. Unfortunately, this responsibility can leave you feeling stretched, thin, and...
Guest post by Eleanor Whitney, Managing Editor of All Hands These days, design inspiration is everywhere. As we scroll through Instagram, admiring like-worthy workspaces and decor details, it’s easy to look around our own spaces and think about how to adjust the...
I don't know how I'd navigate the relationships in my life without understanding personality types and strengths. My husband and I have daily discussions about interactions with family members and colleagues based on what we know or have observed about personality...
The term “collaboration” has a number of interrelated meanings in the working world. In one sense, it refers to broad community efforts designed to make work-life easier and more productive for everyone. In another, it applies to delegation: the practice of handing...
It’s July…already. And I don’t know about you, but I need a vacation. I travel a fair amount throughout the year for work. I love to travel, so it’s exciting and refreshing in one sense, but it’s also exhausting. And sometimes I think my mind confuses travel with...
From emails to meeting notes to reports, admins do a lot of writing, so keeping your written communication skills sharp probably seems like a no-brainer. However, a lot of us don’t focus on this area when we evaluate training and professional development...
What if there was a way to improve your productivity, and get out of the office on time each day? How would you spend those extra minutes or even hours? What else could you get done if you better managed your day? Being productive is something most of us strive...
Like it or not, social media is a required component of your administrative toolbox. A recent Jobvite.com survey of recruiters showed 87% of recruiters are using LinkedIn to evaluate candidates when hiring, followed by 43% who are using Facebook and 22% who are using...
Starting a new job makes anyone nervous. But it can be especially difficult for a new executive who is expected to hit the ground running. As his or her new admin, there are plenty of things you can do to make the transition easier and make your new executive feel...