Professional Assistant Blog
DECEMBER 4, 2007
Home About Me Advertise 4 Ways to Cope with Difficult Colleagues By The Professional Assistant on Tuesday, December 04, 2007 Filed Under: Productivity D o you find yourself having to deal with a difficult person in your office? Do you feel that they are overbearing and don’t know when to keep their opinions to themselves? Do they make inappropriate comments in a professional environment?
Laughing all the Way to Work
DECEMBER 13, 2007
I just got my new issue of OfficePro (the IAAP magazine for office professionals) and it was a great read on the bus the last few mornings. Some highlights are: Corporate Gift Giving, which is a good article for this time of year with some excellent information on this topic. There is an article on Organizational Churn, which is an article about going through changes in your organization.
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On The Job
DECEMBER 31, 2007
I woke up early this morning and thought about this being the last day of 2007. I thought about what I would write on my blog, and knew that I didn't want to write the same old stuff about how you need to make certain career resolutions, blah, blah, blah. Instead, I spent some time lying in the dark and thinking about my own career and where I wanted it to go in the new year.
Professional Assistant Blog
DECEMBER 31, 2007
Home About Me Advertise Co-Workers Annoying You? By The Professional Assistant on Monday, December 31, 2007 Filed Under: Meetings , Office Gossip , Productivity A re your co-workers annoying you at work by talking to loudly? Do you wish you could take a fog horn and toot it around, just so that they would quiet down? I also work in an environment where it gets a little too loud at times.
Speaker: Chester Santos
Forgetfulness is costing you time, money, and a ton of missed opportunities. In the age of automation, it’s easy to underestimate the power of a well-trained human mind. But memory isn’t just a parlor trick, it's a strategic edge. Human memory is one of the most underrated business skills. Whether you’re managing people, leading sessions, or having high-stakes conversations, remembering names, details, and concepts can be transformative in building trust, absorbing knowledge, and driving perform
Laughing all the Way to Work
DECEMBER 30, 2007
I was part of the “skeleton staff” in my office between Christmas and New Year’s so I have not had a continuous break, but came in the few working days last week. We are a very interesting group of people us “skeleton staffers”. We wore jeans! Don’t tell anyone as that is not allowed on any day other than Friday. We are obedient in this rule at every other time of the year, but at this in-between time we are emboldened because we are the “skeletons” and we know we can get away with it.
Laughing all the Way to Work
DECEMBER 30, 2007
I received an e-mail from a colleague of mine It was set in a background of yellow and lime The font it was blue, almost impossible to see And it was all in caps…was she yelling at me? She had quite a few mistakes in that message as well It got me to wondering if she could even spell Covered with smiley’s and little pictures too Not too professional, is the impression I drew Most backgrounds are busy and take up lots of space And not really appropriate for the workplace Spell-check should be use
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Professional Assistant Blog
DECEMBER 28, 2007
Home About Me Advertise Blogging Here and There By The Professional Assistant on Friday, December 28, 2007 Filed Under: Organize , Prioritize , Productivity A s you may have noticed, I havent been blogging on a daily basis for about 2 weeks now. I realized that blogging is great, but you have to try to have a life outside of the computer world as well.
On The Job
DECEMBER 28, 2007
There you sit, at the pinnacle of your profession. Successful, well-respected, making good money. It took lots of hard work, a little bit of luck and many personal sacrifices. Still, it was worth it. Wasn’t it? Unfortunately, many people in this exact position are saying “no.” They’re not doing something they like, they’re not happy, they’re not able to say they like what they’ve done with their life.
On The Job
DECEMBER 27, 2007
I didn't get around to this week's Tidbit Tuesday because (duh) it was Christmas and I was busy spending time with my family and cleaning up dog barf from my Golden Retriever who ate half a bag of Peppermint Patties. (And just for the record, I will never eat Peppermint Patties again.) So, I'm doing a Tidbit Thursday, which doesn't sound as catchy but will nevertheless be just as riveting: * Hand me that wrench: In ranking the best careers for 2008, U.S.
On The Job
DECEMBER 26, 2007
Bill Lampton, Ph.D., president of Championship Communication, has served as a source for me many times when it comes to understanding how we can better communicate with one another at work. Recently, I asked him to discuss his newest efforts to teach us all how to be better e-mail communicators. It's obvious that e-mail is here to stay, yet you say few companies really educate workers about how and why to use it.
Speaker: Victor C. Barnes, CPA, MBA
In the climb from contributor to leader, the rules quietly change. If you’re aiming for the summit, the air gets thinner—and what got you here won’t be enough to get you to the top (a concept first popularized by Marshall Goldsmith in his book What Got You Here Won’t Get You There ). What made you successful early in your finance career—technical accuracy, sharp analysis, flawless execution—won’t be what carries you to the next level.
On The Job
DECEMBER 24, 2007
Off the top of my head I can name 10 people who have either lost their jobs recently, have been forced to take early buyouts, or work for companies so under threat that they will probably begin layoffs as soon as the holidays are over. But what amazes me about these people is that even though they are the breadwinners of their families, even though they are well established in their careers, not one of them feels sorry for themselves.
Laughing all the Way to Work
DECEMBER 22, 2007
If you want to see some interesting designs for the ergonomic workstation, go to this website to see some workstations for people who spend hours on the computer. Click here to go to the website. I think I spend a lot of time at work, but thank goodness I don't stay there long enough to require some of these set ups, but for people with special needs this has given them the ability to be able to work in comfort.
On The Job
DECEMBER 21, 2007
It's often an unhappy reality, but true: Once a boss decides a worker cannot succeed, then it becomes very difficult -- if not downright impossible -- to break that opinion. The manager often makes it more difficult for the employee’s suggestions to see the light of day, or argues with every idea the employee makes so that it is less likely others will pick up on the idea.
On The Job
DECEMBER 20, 2007
Have you ever noticed that the people who complain the most about their workload often guard their turf at work like junkyard dogs? In other words, while they moan and groan about how much they have to do, they'd sooner sever a little toe than let anyone touch so much as a file folder or Post-It note on their desk? Of course, they may tell themselves and others that the reason they don't delegate anything is because a)no one can do a particular task as well as they can; and b)it’s just easier to
Speaker: Kim Beynon, CPA, CGMA, PMP
The most overlooked, yet most critical, element of transformation is preparing people for change. Automation and AI aren't just technical upgrades, they’re cultural shifts which can challenge identities. That’s why change management isn’t a side project—it’s the foundation. In finance, where precision and process rule, navigating change can feel especially disruptive.
On The Job
DECEMBER 19, 2007
There's no shortage of stories being written about the dilemmas of working parents. The problems of trying to balance the needs of family while maintaining a career are written about every day, and I know I've written my fair share of these stories. But each time I write about the subject, I get mail from someone who is fed up with all the focus being on the needs of the working parent, and would like some attention given to the childless worker who sometimes gets the short end of the stick.
On The Job
DECEMBER 18, 2007
Even though Jay Leno has been begging me to come write for his show, I'm the daughter of a union man and not about to cross that writer's strike picket line. So, that leaves me free to offer you these gems for Tidbit Tuesday: * What's in a list? Time magazine's list-laden issue also has a dart to throw at the lists we all seem to love (ahem, 45 Things.).
Professional Assistant Blog
DECEMBER 17, 2007
Home About Me Advertise No E-mail Day? By The Professional Assistant on Monday, December 17, 2007 Filed Under: Meetings , Organize , Prioritize , Productivity W hat would you say about having a “No e-mail day?&# What would you do in place of it? Intel is the first company to implement this day for its employees. The UK office started this “No e-mail day&# as a way to get its employees, especially engineers, to talk with each other face to face each and every Friday.
On The Job
DECEMBER 17, 2007
In this blog, I try to provide information that I believe will be helpful to you. But today's blog post is different, because I want to learn something from you. It's simple, actually. I'd like for you to answer a question: What does success look like to you? Make your answer as long or as short as you want, and be brutally honest. Name 20 things or one thing.
Speaker: Jason Cottrell and Gireesh Sahukar
Retailers know the clock is ticking–legacy SAP Commerce support ends in 2026. Legacy platforms are becoming a liability burdened by complexity, rigidity, and mounting operational costs. But modernization isn’t just about swapping out systems, it’s about preparing for a future shaped by real-time interactions, AI powered buying assistants, and flexible commerce architecture.
Professional Assistant Blog
DECEMBER 14, 2007
Home About Me Advertise Phishing & Spam - Not Your Everyday Food Items! By The Professional Assistant on Friday, December 14, 2007 Filed Under: MS-Outlook , System Security D o you receive spam in your e-mail box? How can you determine whats real and whats not? Do you fear that opening an e-mail will cause a virus to roam around your firms network and do some potential damage?
Professional Assistant Blog
DECEMBER 13, 2007
Home About Me Advertise 4 Easy Steps to Finding Old E-mails By The Professional Assistant on Thursday, December 13, 2007 Filed Under: MS-Outlook , Organize , Productivity , System Security D o you have trouble sifting through hundreds or even thousands of e-mails ? Does your boss come up to you and ask you to find information on an e-mail that youve received and needs it yesterday?
On The Job
DECEMBER 13, 2007
Most of us have been guilty of it a time or two: Trying to get a peek at the confidential files on the boss’s desk, or perhaps gossiping with a trusted co-worker about another employee’s performance problems. And while this may seem harmless -- you’re just keeping up on what’s going on after all -- it points out that the workplace needs some confidentiality guidelines.
On The Job
DECEMBER 12, 2007
At one time in your work life, you’ve probably tried it. A crisis arises and you do what you’ve been told will help: You breathe deeply, close your eyes, focus, and repeat something like “I can do it.” And when you open your eyes, the crisis is still there and you’re no closer to a solution than when you started puffing away and sounding like the little engine that could.
Speaker: Frank Taliano
Documents are the backbone of enterprise operations, but they are also a common source of inefficiency. From buried insights to manual handoffs, document-based workflows can quietly stall decision-making and drain resources. For large, complex organizations, legacy systems and siloed processes create friction that AI is uniquely positioned to resolve.
Professional Assistant Blog
DECEMBER 11, 2007
Home About Me Advertise Blogging Tips for Company Blogs By The Professional Assistant on Tuesday, December 11, 2007 Filed Under: Client Service , Productivity D o you blog for your company? Do you feel like you want to voice your opinion about other topics? If you read my recent article on blogging at work, read on. Here are 9 great tips on making you a better blogger: Credentials are a must.
On The Job
DECEMBER 11, 2007
I came across a great quote from Casey Stengel to begin this Tidbit Tuesday: "They say you can't do it, but sometimes it doesn't always work." Here are some items I also thought might be of interest: * Turn your head and cough: Sixteen of the 30 jobs with the fastest growth are health related, reports the U.S. Department of Labor, while six are computer related.
On The Job
DECEMBER 10, 2007
Sometimes it can be difficult to really make yourself heard at work. You give suggestions, but they seem to be ignored. You offer opinions in a meeting, but no one really pays attention. You can never get more than a minute of the boss’s time. Perhaps the problem is not what you’re saying, but how and when you’re saying it. Let’s say that you’re on the agenda of the next office meeting to give a brief rundown of a project you’ve been working on for several months.
On The Job
DECEMBER 7, 2007
I remember my first job in a small newsroom. About a week before Christmas, the managing editor handed me a sealed envelope, and with a smile said, "Happy holidays!" My hands actually trembled with excitement as I tore open the envelope,envisioning a nice holiday bonus, something with at least a couple of zeros. Imagine my stunned surprise to find not a nice chunk of change, but a gift certificate for a turkey from the local Piggly-Wiggly.
Speaker: Jennifer Hill
Payroll compliance is a cornerstone of business success, yet for small and midsize businesses, it’s becoming increasingly challenging to navigate the ever-evolving landscape of federal, state, and local regulations. Mistakes can lead to costly penalties and operational disruptions, making it essential to adopt advanced solutions that ensure accuracy and efficiency.
Laughing all the Way to Work
DECEMBER 7, 2007
An email comes around from the Mailroom staff, "Would the person who put an unaddressed envelope in the outgoing mail please let us know who this should be addressed to". Working in a service area of an organization can be a challenge, but in particular in the Mailroom. We try to courier packages to post office boxes. We leave incomplete instructions on the photocopy request forms and then wonder why it was done wrong.
Professional Assistant Blog
DECEMBER 6, 2007
Home About Me Advertise Would You Relocate to Avoid Traffic Jams? By The Professional Assistant on Thursday, December 06, 2007 Filed Under: Job Seeking , Productivity , Travel D o you find yourself getting stuck in traffic each morning and afternoon? Do you feel that people should relocate to a closer home or find a new job? Heres an interesting article I found about how most employees would rather get stuck in traffic jams rather than relocate to a new home or job.
On The Job
DECEMBER 6, 2007
For months I have been anticipating the January issue of Oprah's "O" Magazine, because I was to be included in an article, with a mention of my book. Imagine my surprise when I found out that I was in the DECEMBER issue of the magazine! Of course I'm still thrilled, just having a hard time wrapping my head around the fact that I flipped through that magazine (twice) while standing in line at various stores, and never saw it.
Professional Assistant Blog
DECEMBER 5, 2007
Home About Me Advertise Want to Blog About Your Work? By The Professional Assistant on Wednesday, December 05, 2007 Filed Under: Client Service , Networking , Productivity D o you want to help your firm exceed in the business world? Do you have a knack for writing? More importantly, do you want to get recognized and let your manager see that you are going that extra mile to do what’s above and beyond of your job expectation?
Speaker: Chandra McCormack, CPA, MBA, NACD.DC
Technical degrees might open doors—but it’s the soft skills that keep them open. In the face of disruption, evolving workplace dynamics, and rising expectations of leadership, soft skills like communication, emotional intelligence, and presence have become core business essentials—not nice-to-haves. Inspired by stories from her father coupled with her own career journey, seasoned executive Chandra McCormack breaks down how to lead with impact, connect with purpose, and cultivate a workplace cult
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