Communication
Issue: March / April 2014

Toxic Colleagues

By - March 25, 2014

Angela Garry's encounter with a toxic colleague led her to commission a cartoon with the types of people she has worked with over the years
Communication
Issue: January / February 2014

Your Ultimate Secret to Success

By - January 25, 2014

Psst – It’s not really a secret… Before you read the rest of this article, do a quick Google search for “secret(s) to success”. It doesn’t matter if you make the word “secret” singular or plural. Now take a look at a couple of the lists you get on your search. And yes, your search... Read more »
Communication
Issue: January / February 2014

“I’ve said the wrong thing!”

By - January 25, 2014

In my last article, I wrote about “sitting at the table” – getting more involved in the meetings you support, partnering with your upline for a better outcome of each meeting and gathering the confidence to participate. In taking my own advice, I sat at the table for a meeting I was invited to. I... Read more »
Communication
Issue: November / December 2013

Red Lorry, Yellow Lorry

By - November 25, 2013

Lindsay Taylor explains how to work quickly and efficiently without getting tongue tied As a busy Assistant having to “think on your feet” is part and parcel of your role – you need to work quickly and efficiently without getting tongue-tied – in order to foster credibility and respect in your workplace. So, how do... Read more »
Communication
Issue: November / December 2013

The Hidden World of the Team

By - November 25, 2013

It was not so long ago everyone who worked for a company was based in the same place and to contact someone in the next town or village meant a day’s walk or a carriage ride of several days. Later, people went to an office and sat behind a desk from 9-5.30pm with an hour... Read more »
Communication
Issue: November / December 2013

Leave Those Excuses Behind

By - November 25, 2013

Leave Those Excuses Behind “”The reason that I didn’t get that report in on time was because my computer crashed, and I lost all of my supporting information…” “I’m sorry for being late for the meeting; I got caught in traffic, and there were no alternate routes.” “I wasn’t able to call you – your... Read more »
Communication
Issue: November / December 2013

Advice for Manager Assistants to Get What They Deserve

By - November 25, 2013

Advice for Manager Assistants often sounds contradictory: State your position, but not too strongly… Be assertive, but be sure not to offend others… It’s good to be proactive, but not too much… Do this, but do not overstate… Just be perfect, all right? This is the biggest challenge we have to face in our profession... Read more »
Communication
Issue: November / December 2013

New Rules of Written Communication

By - November 25, 2013

As we are writing more than ever now, we depend on our writing skills to influence, persuade, encourage, collaborate and to lead. However, most people don’t really notice the quality of the writing they read – they simply react positively, negatively or not at all. If you have ever wondered if there’s a better way... Read more »
Communication
Issue: November / December 2013

That’s a Matter of Opinion!

By - November 25, 2013

There is a fine line between opining and whining says Lindsay Taylor When you feel very strongly about something it can be easy to let your emotions get the better of you and by doing so you can lose or dilute the impact of sharing your opinion. There’s an art to putting forward and sharing... Read more »
Communication
Issue: September / October 2013

Perfekt Prufreeding

By - September 25, 2013

Proofreading is an art as well as a skill. Although there are some basic rules, personal preference can play a large part in making decisions about the accuracy of a document. Why is it important? Well, as for business writing skills in general, you want to give a good image of yourself and your organisation,... Read more »
Communication
Issue: September / October 2013

The Dreaded Acronym – Beware Confusion

By - September 25, 2013

Have you ever had one of those days when just about everything you touched or came to your attention was bigger, more complicated, more difficult than it, at first, appeared? Someone asks an innocent question or an email arrives and your first answer needs qualifying in some way and then that answer triggers another train... Read more »
Communication
Issue: September / October 2013

Phone Etiquette for Today’s Busy World

By - September 25, 2013

Have you ever been put on hold and then couldn’t remember who you called? Have you dialled someone and then had to stop and think about the reason you made the call? We are often so busy and wrapped up in our own work that we sometimes forget that a real human being is on... Read more »
Communication
Issue: September / October 2013

Executive Assistants or Chief Communication Officers?

By - September 25, 2013

Aside from their vital role to the CEO, perhaps one of the most important roles any Executive Assistant plays is the portal for information to and from the CEO. It is in this capacity that they must be exceptionally effective communicators; and at a higher level than almost anyone else as communication is about understanding,... Read more »
Communication
Issue: September / October 2013

The Power of Praise

By - September 25, 2013

Praise can be a real energizer and motivator. Praise lifts people up, and helps them know what behaviors are appreciated and are desired to be repeated. William James wrote ‘The deepest principle in human nature is the craving to be appreciated’. Just because praising others may sound easy, all praises may not all be equally... Read more »
Communication
Issue: September / October 2013

Are You a Conversation Stealer?

By - September 25, 2013

Mike: How was your weekend? Sue: Really nice. We went for a ride along the canal on our bikes. Mike: Really? I’ve been planning to do that for years! Every year I keep saying how I would love to do that. I probably haven’t been on my bike for three years. I’m really getting out... Read more »
Communication
Issue: July / August 2013

Face the Fear of Feedback

By - July 23, 2013

Whether it is standing in front of the mirror rehearsing a speech, your annual performance review or comments about a great meal you prepared we all want positive feedback and praise. But what about the feedback we don’t want to hear, but often need to hear? The bottom line is no one is perfect. Bu... Read more »