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 »
Communication
Issue: July / August 2013

A Formula for Productive Office Relationships

By - July 23, 2013

Have you ever been afraid at work – afraid to ask a question or afraid to make a suggestion? Even if you are a confident person, perhaps you had a feeling more of hesitation or worry. No matter what you call it, chances are your answer is yes. At some time or another, most of... Read more »
Communication
Issue: July / August 2013

Go On, Persuade Me!

By - July 23, 2013

There are times when all of us need to persuade people to see things differently. To get others to do something we need them to do or to accept our view or ideas. There are also times when we need to negotiate deadlines, resolve conflict, change mindsets, resolve problems and obtain permission to do something.... Read more »
Communication
Issue: July / August 2013

Don’t Pull the Plug! – The Importance Of Admins as Connectors

By - July 23, 2013

Malcolm Gladwell, author of The Tipping Point, notes that there are three types of people involved in the phenomenon of word of mouth, and one of them is “Connectors”. While Gladwell is looking at character traits to clarify personality types, it seems to me that the same can be said for different positions as a... Read more »
Communication
Issue: July / August 2013

All the World’s a Stage

By - July 23, 2013

Many people, administrative assistants included, are afraid of public speaking. In fact, it’s the number one fear in America, rated higher than snakes or fire! Truth be told, there is so much more to it than just talking on a raised platform. While you speak, you stand alone and all eyes are upon you making... Read more »
Communication
Issue: July / August 2013

The Value of a Handwritten Note

By - July 23, 2013

Do you remember the last handwritten note you received? Even more, do you remember the last handwritten note you sent? With our technologically enhanced communications – email and voicemail, it is just so convenient to email people, or to leave one way voice messages for them, isn’t it? After all, sending a handwritten note is... Read more »
Communication
Issue: July / August 2013

The Art of Interrupting Meetings

By - July 23, 2013

The key is to get yourself in the room explains Adam Fidler The first rule is that there are no rules. But, in the absence of a “rule”, then try and agree with your boss what he finds acceptable and non-acceptable in terms of interrupting a meeting. I am often surprised at the number of... Read more »
Communication
Issue: July / August 2013

Finding the Magic Words

By - July 23, 2013

After 25 years of working as the Personal /Executive Assistant to actress Olympia Dukakis, I know a few things for certain. One of those things is that issues of communication can make or break an assistant in our workplace. “Some of the best advice I have ever received regarding building successful relationships in the workplace... Read more »
Communication
Issue: July / August 2013

Three Ways to Become a Better Writer … No, It’s Not Hopeless

By - July 23, 2013

The Dershowitz dilemma An article in the July/Aug 2012 Yale Alumni Magazine listed some famous Yale graduates’ favourite classes and the stories behind them. “In one vignette, Alan Dershowitz, Yale ’62 LLB attorney, Harvard law professor and best-selling author, told a surprising (and very well-written) tale (The Class I’ll Never Forget): In his first-year Torts... Read more »