Laughing all the Way to Work

AUGUST 29, 2009

© Copyright Patricia Robb 2010 29 August, 2009 Managing your Bosss Inbox Nowadays our bosses are busy almost 24/7 and in order to cope they need our help managing their e-mail account. I can hardly keep up with my own e-mails at times let alone someone elses account, but that is part of my job. 411 Look Up 411.ca

Management 100

Management Time Zones IAAP 2009 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

JULY 5, 2009

© Copyright Patricia Robb 2010 5 July, 2009 Psst! I was at the cottage with a friend and she was cranky and started to get wound up about something to do with her husband. By the end of the call her husband had caught her crankiness and it ended up with them both being angry. Lets enjoy our day together.©

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP Meeting Minutes International 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

MARCH 29, 2009

© Copyright Patricia Robb 2010 30 March, 2009 When working isnt fun: Ho hum, ho hum, its off to work I go. Do you ever get that ho hum feeling about your job and know it is time to consider moving on? After four years at my previous job I knew it was time to go. When an opportunity came up, I went for it.

Time Zones 100

Time Zones Resume IAAP Interviewing 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

JANUARY 15, 2010

© Copyright Patricia Robb 2010 16 January, 2010 Calendar "ah ha" I was participating in a Harvard sponsored webinar with my boss the other day. The topic was on personal branding and they were making recommendations to executives on how to polish up their image. 411 Look Up 411.ca 411 Look Up 411.ca " Warning!

Calendars 100

Calendars IAAP Time Zones 2010 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

OCTOBER 4, 2009

© Copyright Patricia Robb 2010 4 October, 2009 Confessions of a Micro-Manager Who would want to work for a micro-manager? And always checking up on you. Ask yourself what things really matter to you and ask questions to bring those things up in the interview. 411 Look Up 411.ca 411 Look Up 411.ca Hire smart!

Management 100

Management Time Zones IAAP Meeting Minutes 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

NOVEMBER 27, 2008

© Copyright Patricia Robb 2010 27 November, 2008 Can you afford not to take a vacation? I am busy, busy this week preparing to leave because I dont want to leave any loose ends and I want to cover off on anything that might come up in my absence. Talking about work all the time is not healthy for anyone. 411 Look Up 411.ca

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP Holidays Meeting Minutes 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

JANUARY 10, 2010

© Copyright Patricia Robb 2010 10 January, 2010 What ever happened to the "us" in Service? Another time I was trying to find a full-serve gas station to fill up, but there was nothing to be found. It was expensive,but when I brought it home I had to do all the work to get it up and running. 411 Look Up 411.ca

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP 2010 Meeting Minutes 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

MARCH 13, 2010

© Copyright Patricia Robb 2010 13 March, 2010 Are you prepared? I take the bus to work and I often see people getting on a busy bus and then going through their backpack or purse looking for their bus tickets and holding up the line. ► August (4) Managing your Boss's Inbox Nice ways to say, "Hurry up!"

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP 2010 Meeting Minutes 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

MARCH 20, 2010

© Copyright Patricia Robb 2010 20 March, 2010 Admin Buddies I like to have someone at work that I can buddy with. It works well when it is a co-worker who sits closest to you, but depending on how your office is set up that might not be possible. It is also amazing how much we pick up from our co-workers during the day.

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP Meeting Minutes 2010 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

JANUARY 31, 2009

© Copyright Patricia Robb 2010 31 January, 2009 Housecleaning in Word 2007: Customizing your Dictionary Something you should do every once in awhile is to clean up your dictionary in Word. I have the software at home, but havent gotten the gumption up to load it yet. 411 Look Up 411.ca 411 Look Up 411.ca

2007 100

2007 Time Zones IAAP Meeting Minutes 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

OCTOBER 31, 2009

© Copyright Patricia Robb 2010 31 October, 2009 A twelve step program to survive as an Admin My grandson has started walking. He takes about 12 steps, squats and rejoices in his accomplishment, then he gets up and walks another 12 steps and squats again to repeat the process. 411 Look Up 411.ca 411 Look Up 411.ca

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP Meeting Minutes Holidays 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

APRIL 5, 2010

© Copyright Patricia Robb 2010 5 April, 2010 When your boss arranges meetings behind your back. He will have a quick conversation with a staff member and set up a meeting, but not tell me anything about it. ► August (4) Managing your Boss's Inbox Nice ways to say, "Hurry up!" 411 Look Up 411.ca

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP 2010 Calendars 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

FEBRUARY 27, 2010

© Copyright Patricia Robb 2010 27 February, 2010 Wheres the remote thingy for the PowerPoint? ► August (4) Managing your Boss's Inbox Nice ways to say, "Hurry up!" 411 Look Up 411.ca 411 Look Up 411.ca Lets enjoy our day together.© " Warning! Incoming text message. I look like that!!

PowerPoint 100

PowerPoint Time Zones IAAP 2010 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

SEPTEMBER 20, 2009

© Copyright Patricia Robb 2010 20 September, 2009 The Advertising Game Advertising is effective thats for sure. Telemarketing is my number one annoyance in advertising and as soon as I answer the phone and get that few seconds of dead air, that is my queue to hang up. Lets enjoy our day together.© Going, going, gone.

Fax 100

Fax IAAP Time Zones 2009 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

DECEMBER 31, 2009

© Copyright Patricia Robb 2010 31 December, 2009 Office Confidential: Just for fun to start your New Year off with a laugh These are excerpts from a presentation I gave to my local International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP) Chapter dinner meeting. Lets enjoy our day together.©

IAAP 100

IAAP 2010 Time Zones International 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

MARCH 15, 2009

© Copyright Patricia Robb 2010 15 March, 2009 When you need it later: The Bring-Forward System My boss likes me to keep him organized and the way I do that is to have a system to bring forward items, which I then bring to his attention when he needs to see it. The system I use is quite simple and has been around for a long time.

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP International Meeting Minutes 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

NOVEMBER 8, 2009

© Copyright Patricia Robb 2010 8 November, 2009 Preparing your boss for meetings away from the office or at home I had a good tip from my boss that I have used to help me prepare him for meetings whether they are away or at home. What dates and times does he or she have available (keeping in mind time zones for away meetings)?

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP Calendars International 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

AUGUST 1, 2010

© Copyright Patricia Robb 2010 1 August, 2010 Oh where or where is my password? Along with our multiple work passwords, we have a password for our home computer, and if we sign up for Facebook, Twitter or any other website, we have another password to remember. But things like email etc, are all logged up in the noggin.

Time Zones 100

Time Zones 2010 IAAP Filing 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

NOVEMBER 22, 2008

© Copyright Patricia Robb 2010 22 November, 2008 I got an e-slap on the wrist - Ouch! There are times that I really want a paper trail and e-mail is great for that, but now I stop myself at times when an e-mail string has been going back and forth and getting more complicated with each new e-mail. Keep up the good work.

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP International 2008 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

AUGUST 13, 2010

© Copyright Patricia Robb 2010 13 August, 2010 Pass it on. I think Tasks is one of Outlooks best-kept secrets, but it shouldnt be and is a great way to follow up on items. Note: The original email will remain in your Sent items and a copy will open up in your Tasks notes page). 411 Look Up 411.ca " Warning!

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP PowerPoint Email 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

JANUARY 24, 2009

© Copyright Patricia Robb 2010 24 January, 2009 Some People see Roadblocks -- Others see Hurdles. It hinders them for a time, but they search for solutions and work to get over it. A roadblock in the office is a problem that comes up and on first glance makes you think you are not going to be able to move forward.

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP 2009 International 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

SEPTEMBER 17, 2010

© Copyright Patricia Robb 2010 17 September, 2010 Whats all the fuss about reading contracts? I called them and thankfully they had space available on the date I needed and we were able to amend the contract, but imagine if I hadnt noticed and we showed up on the 7th? 411 Look Up 411.ca 411 Look Up 411.ca

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP Negotiating 2010 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

JUNE 14, 2009

© Copyright Patricia Robb 2010 14 June, 2009 Meeting preparation. To finalize your minutes, you will just need to tidy up the language and formatting for the Chairs approval. I enjoy the preparation leading up to the meeting. ► August (4) Managing your Boss's Inbox Nice ways to say, "Hurry up!"

Agenda 100

Agenda Time Zones IAAP Calendars 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

JANUARY 18, 2009

© Copyright Patricia Robb 2010 18 January, 2009 "Mom, Im sick!" I resisted for a minute and then when I just couldnt keep my head up one more minute, took my leave and went home. This cold and flu that I picked up had been going around my office for the last three weeks so I wasnt the only one who had come in when I was sick.

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP Meeting Minutes International 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

JANUARY 13, 2009

© Copyright Patricia Robb 2010 13 January, 2009 Is it that time of the year already? Normally, I put something about needing to get my filing system up to date, but I think I may have missed the point when I have done that. Is the appraisal/performance evaluation the time to ask for a raise? 411 Look Up 411.ca

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP 2009 International 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

FEBRUARY 21, 2009

© Copyright Patricia Robb 2010 21 February, 2009 Thats not my job! If a conference comes up and they are looking for someone to do the registration, we can step in and do that or we can organize it from start to finish. Who better than the admins to come up with something that works. 411 Look Up 411.ca

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP 2009 Meeting Minutes 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

OCTOBER 10, 2008

© Copyright Patricia Robb 2010 10 October, 2008 Working for the Disorganized. You want to keep up to date on their working life and all they have to do. Keep up to date on their calendar and look ahead to see what is coming up and what your boss might need to prepare for that. 411 Look Up 411.ca

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP 2008 Meeting Minutes 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

MAY 10, 2009

© Copyright Patricia Robb 2010 10 May, 2009 Getting your foot in the door. She saw the importance of this training to help her daughter know the workings of an office from the bottom up and the office benefitted from her educational training. She was a smart kid and picked up the tasks assigned to her very quickly.

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP Meeting Minutes International 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

APRIL 17, 2010

© Copyright Patricia Robb 2010 17 April, 2010 Keeping focussed in a busy environment There are so many distractions in the office -- the telephone, your co-workers, email and your boss! To finish up and make it shine, I used a glass cleaner. In a very short time I started to see what the problem was -- telephone calls.

Environment 100

Environment Time Zones IAAP 2010 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

AUGUST 10, 2010

© Copyright Patricia Robb 2010 10 August, 2010 Let your fingers do the walking: Quick keyboard shortcut keys I am on vacation and on my home computer I do not have a mouse so rely on keyboard shortcut keys, which reminded me again how helpful they are and how they are a big timesaver rather than reaching for the mouse all the time.

Keyboards 100

Keyboards Time Zones IAAP PowerPoint 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

SEPTEMBER 19, 2008

© Copyright Patricia Robb 2010 19 September, 2008 Using a Bring-Forward System to Help Organize Your Boss Of all the articles I have written, the one I wrote on the bring-forward system by far gets the most views. Do you have any suggestions for my OVERWHELMINGLY large "to follow up on" folder. 411 Look Up 411.ca

Time Zones 100

Time Zones 2008 IAAP Calendars 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

JULY 11, 2009

© Copyright Patricia Robb 2010 11 July, 2009 The importance of having someone to talk to Recently, I met with a former colleague for an inpromptu lunch. It was very timely that we met because I had a lot of things on my mind that I needed to vent about and it turned out so did she. (In 411 Look Up 411.ca " Warning!

IAAP 100

IAAP Time Zones Administrative Professionals International 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

JULY 20, 2009

© Copyright Patricia Robb 2010 20 July, 2009 I look like that!! Of course, the reason could have been that I was up all night with a sick child or wasnt feeling well myself or I just had an argument with my spouse and was still stewing about it. Keep up the good work! 411 Look Up 411.ca Lets enjoy our day together.©

Time Zones 100

Time Zones 2009 IAAP Administrative Professionals 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

APRIL 10, 2009

© Copyright Patricia Robb 2010 10 April, 2009 Keep your Inbox running on empty There are so many e-mails coming at us these days that e-mail management is very important. Of course what works for me will probably not apply to you so you need to set up folders that apply to your working situation, but the fewer the better.

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP Administrative Professionals International 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

OCTOBER 6, 2009

© Copyright Patricia Robb 2010 6 October, 2009 When you suspect a co-worker has a substance abuse problem. One day she just up and quit. One of the biggest issues surrounding substance abuse in the workplace are the lies required to keep up the front that everything is ok. Lets enjoy our day together.© " Warning!

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP Meeting Minutes International 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

NOVEMBER 21, 2009

© Copyright Patricia Robb 2010 21 November, 2009 The Little Engine That Could. The next time a new challenge or opportunity comes up at work, pay attention to what you tell yourself -- are you being positive or negative? Once you start doubting yourself, it is hard to bring yourself back up. 411 Look Up 411.ca

Self Esteem 100

Self Esteem Time Zones IAAP Meeting Minutes 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

JULY 26, 2009

© Copyright Patricia Robb 2010 26 July, 2009 Frustration Busters! What is simple to me, may not be to others, so I decided a blog article on things I have picked up in the various programs may be helpful to somebody out there and it was worth sharing. 411 Look Up 411.ca 411 Look Up 411.ca Lets enjoy our day together.©

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP 2009 International 100