Manager Management

Let’s face it, times abound in our duties as admins when we have to draw the line in the proverbial sand and outright manage our executives.  I’m not talking bout softly say ‘I think you should… ‘ to the boss. I’m talking about taking his or her calender in your hands and declaring no-meeting zones of time, pushing back on people who don’t actually look at availability and saying ‘NO’.

The average executive has more projects than they have time for and more looming on the horizon.  Their day to day tasks for keeping their company or divisions afloat flatten lesser beings.  These people are strong.

This life-style is full of stress.  The body is not made to handle constant stress.  And sometimes it revolts.

Then the admin’s task becomes even more difficult.  Managing super-people with no sense of self-preservation is a fine balancing act.  Sometimes we have to monitor their health too.

It’s a good thing I’m certified in First Aid AND CPR.  That’s all I’m saying.

Following Directions

Policies and procedures are in place for reasons that are specific to the bottom line of the company.
As an admin, I am amazed by the convoluted efforts made to get around those simple steps.  All so they can "Save Time"or a classic "I don't need to follow procedure". When in reality they who go against the established protocols are just causing more problems than solving them.

The need to circumvent the process is rampant from top to bottom in an organization.  Executives do it as much as the employee at the very bottom of the employment rung.

So here is the truth, when people come to me in a fit of frustration.  Complaining about how they can't get something done because the process is broken, they present a pile of papers or an email chain of misery to me and beg me to do what they can't.  A couple of clicks of the mouse, clicks of the keyboard and a form or two printed later... VOILA!

I have performed a MIRACLE!

Maybe I have a sick sense of humor or I'm immune to their plight, they come to me grateful that I've gotten done what they've been unable to accomplish.  I simply say, when they ask how I got it done so quickly, 'I followed the directions.' without batting an eye.

Traveling Well with Others

I’m sitting on a jammed packed flight, on my way home from a successful business trip. I’m grooving to my iPod as I review my notes, when the man in 17C decides to fling his seat back to it’s fullest recline. I now have six inches between the top of his balding head and my nose.

Can I tell you that I am justifiably offended?

Most people will recline their seats minimally, understanding that the people behind them might have their laptops open working, meals on the tray, or are enjoying a book.

Instead I must restrain myself from jamming my knees in the back of his seat. In order to not spend the rest of he flight staring at his bald spot, I now have to sit slouched. Somehow I do not believe that he will pay for the chiropratic adjustment this is going to require.

I really dislike inconsiderate people.

Happy Administrative Professional Day

Not much to say but ROCK ON my compatriots!

No matter what level of admin you are, your accomplishments are important and valuable.

Thank you for all you do!

Admin Gal

Pearls Before...

In the world of an Adminstrative Professional, there are a multitude of levels that can be achieved. From the receptionist, whose demeanor sets the tone for employees and visitors as they enter the facility. To an actual executive level, where the Adminstrative Professional sets policy and procedures for the admins through out the organization. An entire spectrum lays between.

I only point out this breadth of range because of common comments I hear amongst my peers. "I have no way to advance." or "Nobody takes me seriously because I'm an admin" or, my personal favorite, "I just can't do what they are asking me to do because they haven't trained me."

Pardon me as I call bullshit on these whiners! I'm sorry to be blunt and rude, but enough! We who are admin are not brainless space holders who do nothing. If that is all you do? Get out now. You are doing your peers no service.

If you feel stifled, plenty of opportunities abound.  You just have to take them.

Today's economic climate does not leave pearls strewn across the road for the lucky to find. Instead you have to be savvy. Take advantage of work assisted education. Look for grants and programs that might suit your circumstances.

Opportunities abound, no one will hand them to you on a silver platter.

What Defines You?

Everyone has a job to do.  That is a simple truth.  You can be a baker, butcher or a candle-stick maker. In the corporate world, a receptionist, a manager, or an executive.  Or anything in between.

What you do is not as important as how you do it.  Do you have a passion for your job or are you just watching the clock  to pick up he paycheck at the end of the pay period?

If you are the later, you are doing yourself and the people you work for and with a HUGE disservice.  My question to you is why do you bother?

I enjoy the challenge of being an Admin.  Without my particular skill set my current organization would suffer.  My job is to be the glue to hold my organization together.  I am a liason between management and the floor.  Keeping a pulse on the morale is an important part of what I do.  I am defined by my demeanor of professionalism that I maintain during stressful times.  By the genuine caring of the good people with whom I work with.

So, back to my original question. What defines you?

My actions in life define me.

A PSA on Behalf of the Admins...

When trying to get the attention of any given Administrative Assistant, you need to only ring the telephone or instant message or email them. Not in any particular order.

NOT ALL AT ONCE!

Really people.  Is it necessary to demonstrate your attention deficit issues by by using every single method of communication you have at your disposal to get our attention?  We know you exist.  Unless you are the person who signs our paycheck, you will have to get in line and wait your turn with the others.

Waiting 30 seconds is not an acceptable wait time.  Try 30 minutes.  If its not bleeding or an ambulance doesn't need to be called, it can generally wait.

Thus concludes our Administrative Public Service Announcement.

Have a Nice Day.

Give A Gal A Bone

Admin Gal feels like a dog with a bone and ten toys, guarding her stash.

I walk a fine line with my resources so that the business needs may be met by the employees in her care while working with the consultants that are in the midst of the company transition.

Frankly I’m exhausted!

Help me do the math.  200 employees, 5 functioning conference rooms, 20-30 meetings on any given day.  Add to this volatile mix, consultants who are doing data transfers who require quiet places to hold hour plus long conference calls at indeterminate times.  The math doesn’t work!

There are no guarantees that I can get the consultants a conference room, so they are in cubes conducting these calls on speakerphone.  Things are tense already.

I’d say give the Admin Gal a bone, but right now I’m guarding my stash and won’t come out of my hole.

So, giving me another bone to guard might not be a great idea when I'm ready to snap.