Opinion

The IAAP Foundation Scholarship

By - September 25, 2019

Jannie Oosterhoff shares her experience as a scholarship winner for the IAAP Summit  Networking has always been important to me. I am an active member of IMA, International Management Assistants, and was Chairman of IMA Netherlands for almost two years. I am also a member of a national network association for Executive Secretaries and Management... Read more »
Opinion

We Are What We Plan to Be

By - September 25, 2019

Create a life that overflows with lasting success and fulfillment says Catherine Middleton I had the opportunity to witness a remarkable event in Sydney recently, the Success Summit where Tony Robbins was appearing.  An incredible experience to say the least.  He certainly lived up to his reputation of being a brilliant presenter. Tony’s words were... Read more »
Opinion

GDPR One Year On

By - July 25, 2019

Is this the calm before the storm? asks Thorsten Kurpjuhn Following the flood of opt-in/opt-out emails that hit our mailboxes last spring ahead of the introduction of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) on 25 May 2018, silence has fallen over the topic. To some extent, the uncertainty about the legal implications of the legislation... Read more »
Opinion

Finding Fulfillment as an Assistant

By - July 25, 2019

Cheela Srinivasa Rao details his top tips for finding fulfillment as an assistant These days, most offices have an administrator, secretary, executive secretary or executive assistant to manage the executive office.  The scope of this role has changed over time – from taking dictation, using a manual typewriter, to an electronic typewriter, then a PC. ... Read more »
Opinion

Assistants are Better Managers

By - January 25, 2019

Use your empathy and entrepreneurial thinking to make the move to management says Christine Walker Why men often only encourage men is obvious: female executives are rare. In the big picture, one tends to choose the person who best promotes themselves, rather than the one with the best skills and qualifications. A DNA study of... Read more »
Opinion

Boss’s Day

By - November 26, 2018

Sunethra Jayaratne Nugawela explains the origins of Boss’s Day Many people argue about the word boss and are of the opinion that boss is not a professional title to use.  However, Boss’s Day is still celebrated internationally, on or around October 16. The purpose of designating a special day in the workplace is to strengthen... Read more »
Opinion

Dealing with Personal Financial Challenges

By - September 25, 2018

It is always our decision to spend or not to spend says Cathy Harris Standing in the coffee queue one morning I bumped into a fellow assistant, who looked distraught and sad. Out of concern I asked Jemma (not her real name) “why the long face on such a beautiful morning?”  “Oh Cathy”, she said,... Read more »
Opinion

Executive Support LIVE – a Conference that is more than a Conference

By - May 25, 2018

Julia Schmidt explains how attending Executive Support LIVE has expanded her learning experience
Opinion

What would YOU do if you were CEO for one day?

By - May 25, 2018

How would you make your workplace a better one? asks Bonnie Low Kramen To celebrate Administrative Professionals’ Week this year, I was inspired by our amazing global community. These women and men continue to impress me with their depth of knowledge, their resourcefulness, their creativity, their intelligence, and their IDEAS that make so much sense.... Read more »
Opinion

You never know what is around the corner

By - March 25, 2018

Rona Cant shares her story of being diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s disease He walked into the room with a group of students following him and, without any introduction, said ‘You have early onset Alzheimer’s, but not for many years yet’. There was no explanation, no words of hope, no apology for the message. Then... Read more »
Opinion

Are You a #MeToo? Assistants Ready to be the #SilenceBreakers

By - January 25, 2018

Bonnie Low-Kramen asks if this is the year when assistants speak up regarding the dark truths of their workplace in the effort to create a better one? I’m a #MeToo and I am happy I lived to see this day. To be more accurate, these days. The days the silence broke to the point when... Read more »
Opinion

The Foundation of IAAP: Admins supporting Admins

By - November 25, 2017

The future is bright says Amy Hooley  The Foundation of IAAP (International Association of Administrative Professionals) has a long history. But, more importantly, its future is bright, and so is the future of the administrative professionals it supports. We all know by now that admins are the glue that hold offices together. We know that... Read more »
Opinion

Gratitude for this profession: Webathon Recap

By - November 25, 2017

My heart is full of joy, respect, gratitude, and humility says Vickie Sokol Evans What do you get when you bring together 58 world-renowned trainers and VIP guests covering 61 topics for 64 hours of learning over a three-day weekend with a global online audience of 708 attendees, plus countless memes promoting the event –... Read more »
Opinion

Executive Assistant by Day and Trainee Special Constable by Night

By - September 25, 2017

When considering outside commitments, don’t underestimate the power of your skillset and experience explains Carly McIntyre It is another ordinary Friday night at 5pm.  My colleagues and I are busying ourselves changing for after-work drinks; I, however, am substituting my glitzy heels for combat boots, and switching a glass of prosecco for a cup of... Read more »
Opinion

What is the reality?

By - March 24, 2017

Who is right – the people on the ground or the reported news from those who want to sell a paper? asks Rona Cant How often have you been faced with a situation which you believe you understand perfectly only to realise that you are totally wrong because your interpretation is made up of hearsay... Read more »
Opinion

What I Wouldn’t Give…

By - January 25, 2017

Never be too quick to assume the worst, nor give up hope says Sandy Geroux Several years ago, one of my dearest friends called me.  Her husband of 21 years had just suffered three strokes and was in the hospital.  I flew to New Hampshire to be with her because she was scared to death... Read more »