Administrative
Assistant's
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FOR CANADA'S OFFICE SUPPORT STAFF
PM #40065782
Source: Rhonda Scharf's "Amazing
Assistant" webinar.
INSIDE
Positivity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Turn a negative meeting around.
Making decisions . . . . . . . . . 3
Use the rule of 10-10-10 for your
next big decision.
New iOS7 features . . . . . . . 4
Apple's upgrade includes more
than 200 new features. Here is a
selection of some of the best.
Creative thinking . . . . . . . . 6
Great tips for brainstorming.
Use your influence
to change the world
By Helen Latimer
The degree of decision-making
authority given to administrative
assistants varies depending on the
organization.
Once roles are defined, there
may not be much leeway to change
the scope of decision making. But
learning to wield your influence
can often allow you to effect greater
change.
By thinking creatively, you can
put in place some changes that will
benefit more than just the company's bottom line.
Change the way your firm
celebrates during the holidays
Many admins are now busy planning, organizing and carrying out
the many duties that come with the
upcoming holiday season. Along
with the enormous to-do list comes
an opportunity to influence decisions that could make a difference
beyond making those attending the
parties happy:
• Forget about buying and mailing
holiday cards. Encourage a move
to an electronic mail service like
MailChimp or Constant Contact.
Both offer a good selection of
templates for the holidays and
allow you to customize greetings
and email them to your mailing
list. No paper cards means no
waste. Bonus: you'll also save
money.
• Present a business case to show
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Three quick tips that admin
expert Rhonda Scharf says will
help you become an amazing
assistant.
1) Master your soft skills.
Fifteen per cent of your
success at work comes
from your technical ability.
Eighty-five per cent comes
from your ability to work
with other people.
2) Remember that first impressions count. You're judged
visually and, though it isn't
fair, if you don't look amazing they will never see you
as amazing. Look amazing.
3) Don't get lazy. Years of experience don't mean you've
mastered your profession.
Keep learning, keep growing and look at the holes in
your resume and fill them.
NOVEMBER 2013
Ph
ot
o:
Amazing admins
UPDATE
Even if you don't have ultimate
decision-making responsibility, as
an admin you have tremendous
influence. And you can use that
influence to change the world—even
just a little bit.
how moving away from paper
plates and plastic forks to buying dinnerware and flatware that
can be composted or re-used will
save the company money.
• Consider lobbying for giving a
donation to a charity or not-forprofit group instead of buying
gifts for clients and colleagues.
• Instead of a lunch or party, see
Continued on page 4
