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Minute Taking Guidance

Minutes serve as legal binding documents in many situations and in many organizations and can be produced as evidence of certain discussions and decisions when there are legal challenges in the future. A common job duty of administrative and EAs is to be able to take effective meeting minutes. Whether you are taking minutes at a team meeting or a meeting of the Board of Directors, the skills are pretty much the same. The following is a guide for making this task easier: Before the meeting. Choose your tool: Decide how you will take notes, i.e. pen and paper, ...

Jun 21, 2013 | Comments Off

Business Etiquette – Common Mistakes

One of the biggest mistakes you can make in your career is not understanding that there are certain codes and rules to abide by in the workplace. If you’re not careful, you may even lose opportunities because others are put off by your lack of professionalism. Don’t Listen to Your Music Player in the Elevator. and don’t check your e-mail messages. “Wearing earplugs is like putting a Do Not Disturb sign on you”. It sends a message to colleagues that you want to be left alone, an unfriendly gesture at best. Elevators and hallways are prime spots for friendly, ...

Jun 19, 2013 | 1 Comment

Jun 16, 2013

Office Wear Essentials

Contrary to popular belief, there are many ways to stay sensible yet stylish at the office. Getting dressed for the office doesn’t mean leaving your personal style behind. Find out which looks give you a polished, professional look and which fashions can be a career killer. Below are some must-have items for a completely polished, professional wardrobe Build a strong set of timeless staples . Focus on fit and quality . Learn to maximize your wardrobe through smart outfit combinations instead of relying solely on statement pieces. Invest in the Classics. Save money on items that you’ll wear infrequently, and invest ...

Jun 16, 2013 | 1 Comment

Jun 14, 2013

Making Travel Arrangements for Executives

If you work as a PA, at some point you’ll likely make travel arrangements for one or more executives. Making travel arrangements for your boss can sometimes be stressful. It is important to ask the right questions to get them where they want to go. The details below are tips and questions to scheduling travel arrangements for your boss. Questions you can ask and tips to remember Find out your boss’s preferences. Make certain the executive’s travel documents are up-to-date. Some international destinations also require visas for entry into the country. Check the itinerary carefully. Make sure that ...

Jun 14, 2013 | Comments Off

Etiquette Dilemmas of Traveling With Your Boss

Being invited on a business trip with your boss is a great opportunity. This can be an opportunity to improve your position in the company. There are two things to do when traveling with your boss: You may want to show to your boss that you are an expert in a particular field. The most important rule to keep in mind is: Repeat this mantra to yourself over the course of the trip. Everything that applies in the office applies on the road. Here is some useful advice: Flesh out your itinerary. You are likely ...

Jun 13, 2013 | Comments Off

Jun 12, 2013

16 Things You Can Do To Improve Your Office

INVEST IN ERGONOMICS Get good seating support. Office furniture was made for a reason. So people who are working should be using them. Get yourself a decent ergonomic office chair and work desk that can hold all your equipment specifically those that were designed to be used with computers. Ergonomic chairs helps promote the proper alignment of your spine and make your long hours of work very confortable. ADD SOME GREEN AND IMPROVE INDOOR AIR QUALITY Researchers at Texas State University have discovered that employees with plants at their desks are more content at work than those without, they ...

Jun 12, 2013 | Comments Off

Jun 10, 2013

List of Great Apps for Working Women

Time is precious, so we need our smartphones to work hard and smart. Next generation smart phones help professionals work better and quicker. Today we have a fabulous apps list that will help you to simplify your life and keep it in order. What apps do you recommend? CardMunch Allows you to snap a picture of a business card and store it virtually on your phone. It’s also connected to Linkedin, so once the business card is saved it can search for the profile of your contact in linkedin, allowing you to be even more connected . Great ...

Jun 10, 2013 | 1 Comment

Essential Steps to Reduce Stress

How stress affects us Are you feeling tired, exhausted or even burnt out? Do you wish you had more time? Is your to-do list longer than the hours in your day? Do you need a break or a holiday? There are many ways on which stress can affects us, from Physical to emotional symptoms. Sleep Appetite Fatigue Headaches Lacks of concentration Confusion Felling emotional Beating chronic stress is a long-term effort, and we’ve shared lots of ways to deal with it. Here are quick tips and tricks to use anytime you need to chill out and get on ...

Jun 7, 2013 | 1 Comment

5 Smart Organising Tips For Executive Assistants

Executive assistants provide high-level support to managers and business executives. EAs have more responsibilities compared with entry-level secretaries. Some of the essential tasks of an EA include: working independently to plan, coordinate and organize projects. They supervise, mentor and develop administrative staff, and often have an assistant of their own. To become successful at the job, an EA must have excellent organization and customer service skills. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to work well with all levels of management. She/He also must meet deadlines, pay attention to details and maintain a professional appearance at all times. Prioritise/Time Management ...

Jun 5, 2013 | Comments Off

Executive Assistant Interview Questions

This is a great article we’ve found about the most frequently asked interview questions for an Executive Assistant, Administrative Assistant interview for C-level executives. Some of these are obvious, but it’s really good to have a refresher and they could be really useful. Tell me about yourself. A great chance to sell yourself. Plan well, be precise and practice in front of anyone you can find. Try to touch upon a little bit of your personal self, this will give the interviewer a good insight into your personality. What are your current duties as an Administrative/Executive Assistant? ...

Jun 4, 2013 | 13 Comments