Communication
Issue: September / October 2014

Three Office Dragons and Weapons to Slay Them

By - September 25, 2014

Dragons are huge, dominating, fictitious creatures. Medieval writers had vivid imaginations for big, scary things. For many people, work is like a dragon. It can be overwhelming and certainly dominates well over half of our waking hours. Sometimes the people we work with can be pretty “fiery” creatures to deal with, too. In dragon-fighting, the... Read more »
Communication
Issue: September / October 2014

A Lesson From “The Horse Whisperer”

By - September 25, 2014

Have you ever tried “Horse Whispering”? Now, I’m not talking whispering sweet nothings in big hairy ears, but the Monty Roberts-style of gently influencing horses to calmly follow your lead. Well, a couple of years ago I had the chance to try this for a day. I don’t have a horsey background, but have seen... Read more »
Communication
Issue: September / October 2014

KNOCK, KNOCK

By - September 25, 2014

Knock, knock! Who’s there? Interrupting cow. Interrupting cow wh—MOOOOO! [Please pause for this interruption] I admit I have a very bad habit that is incredibly annoying. OK, so I have many annoying habits. But today I’ll talk about just one: I cut people off when they’re speaking. I don’t intend to be rude; I just... Read more »
Communication
Issue: September / October 2014

Manners in the Workplace

By - September 25, 2014

Simple manners in the workplace are not always noticed but bad manners certainly are. To get ahead and stay ahead simple courtesy can make you stand out.   I remember a case where a candidate, while waiting in the lobby for an interview, saw a woman struggling to get through the door with a pushchair... Read more »
Communication
Issue: September / October 2014

Samoa – Not Everything Goes to Plan

By - September 25, 2014

Things became very challenging for us in Samoa, mainly on the health front. I unfortunately got sick again in July which led this time to my doctor in Samoa saying “That’s it; I want you to go home and get well.” I said I was going home, in about two weeks. She said “No, that... Read more »
Communication
Issue: September / October 2014

Speak Up and Stand Out

By - September 25, 2014

Finding your voice can often be one of the hardest things to accomplish during your life, let alone your career. It becomes evident as we mature, that being listened to is very different to being heard. Being heard is about how you communicate, how confident and assertive you need to be to deliver your message,... Read more »
Career Development Communication Personal Development
Issue: September / October 2014

Why Every Presentation Needs D.R.A.M.A.

By - September 25, 2014

Grab your audience's attention by adding drama to your speech or presentation, says Sandy Geroux
Communication
Issue: July / August 2014

A New Breed of Marketeers

By - July 25, 2014

Would you class yourself as a Marketeer? No? Well you should! With recent economic struggles and rapid advances in technology, roles across every sector have changed. But none so much as that of the PA. With technology ensuring that life moves faster than lightning, you may have found that you are now taking on projects... Read more »
Communication
Issue: July / August 2014

Out Of Office

By - July 25, 2014

Create an out-of-office auto response that represents you as the professional that you truly are, explains Rhonda Scharf
Communication
Issue: July / August 2014

3 Simple Steps to Getting the Most From a Networking Event

By - July 25, 2014

Attending a networking event can be a little scary – especially if you are going on your own. Kathlen Drum allays our fears.
Communication
Issue: July / August 2014

Contingency Planning: How Prepared Are You?

By - July 25, 2014

Adam Fidler is currently EA to the most senior director of Salford City College, one of the largest Colleges in the UK. Here he looks at what happens when your boss is suddenly off work for a prolonged period Bosses aren’t supposed to get sick. Nor are they supposed to be off for prolonged periods.... Read more »
Communication
Issue: July / August 2014

5 Ways Storytelling Can Empower Your Business

By - July 25, 2014

Storytelling is a powerful communication tool. The wisdom of the ages has been preserved because it was handed down the generations through myths, legends, fables and parables. If it can survive thousands of years, then imagine what it can, right now, do for your business. Neurologically we’re wired for narratives; it’s how our brains work.... Read more »
Communication
Issue: July / August 2014

10 Tips for When a Business Presentation Goes Wrong

By - July 25, 2014

Will you be able to think on your feet and save the day? asks Michael Collins
Communication
Issue: July / August 2014

Using Effective Dialogue in Resolving Conflict

By - July 24, 2014

In my last article, I wrote about the “taste” of Diversity. I shared with you points on creating relationships in a diverse team. With this process comes conflict. I thought it would be beneficial to share with you the process we got through in conflict and what we can do to change the outcome and... Read more »
Communication
Issue: May / June 2014

Interpersonal Skills Give You the Edge

By - May 25, 2014

Outstanding administrative professionals not only have excellent business skills but also excellent interpersonal skills. They realize that these skill sets are as important to their business success as appropriate excellence in the performance of any of their basic work duties. Daniel Goleman wrote the “bible” on interpersonal skills in his book, Emotional Intelligence – why... Read more »
Communication
Issue: May / June 2014

10 Tips to Help Admins Become Exceptional Public Speakers

By - May 25, 2014

You have a terrific idea for making an improvement to how your team manages projects. It will save a lot of time and eliminate a lot of unnecessary emails. You have to pitch the idea to the three project managers you work with daily, then you have to pitch it to your executive. Could you... Read more »