Expert insights. Personalized for you.
The post A simple template for a farewell speech appeared first on Ian's Messy Desk. A number of co-workers in our office are transferring to new opportunities in new regions. We had a luncheon today to say goodbye and make some presentations. I was asked to say goodbye to one of the employees who was leaving. MORE
The post 7 Keys to a Successful Life appeared first on Ian's Messy Desk. A successful life doesn’t happen by accident. A successful life is the result of deliberate focus of your time, energy and thoughts towards what you want to accomplish. MORE
Business owners are always looking for new ways to go green and reduce their carbon footprint. Adding solar panels to your facility — provided you work in an area that gets plenty of usable sunlight — can help to offset energy costs and reduce CO2 emissions. MORE
Today, businesses everywhere are beginning to think long and hard about their environmental impact. MORE
by Listen or subscribe here: iTunes ? Stitcher ?. Soundcloud ? YouTube ? Google Play ? iHeartRadio You can leave a review here! This is podcast 134 and it’s about setting achievable goals. We live in a culture where we’re encouraged to set daring goals for ourselves. There’s even an acronym, BHAG, that stands for big, hairy, audacious goal. MORE
Employees want refreshing spaces that are attractive in their design and health benefits. Green materials tend to contain less harmful chemicals than standard ones, making office air purer and healthier for the body. Many are also more flexible, which allows construction workers to use them for eye-catching structures and layouts. When employees are satisfied, so are employers. Businesses revel in the advantages of a reinvigorated workforce and enjoyable workspaces. MORE
I wouldn’t have been able to tell you whether I identify as an integrator or a segmenter, but I immediately saw myself as a segmenter the morning that I read this article by Melody Wilding. MORE
In any interaction with a client, there’s your space, her space, and the space between you that’s available to be shared. MORE
As we pointed out earlier this week , firms of all sizes and types are increasing their use of freelancers and other forms of non-employee labor. But as companies become more reliant on external talent, they increasingly need to structure their policies, procedures, and engagement practices in order to be successful in attracting, engaging, and retaining highly skilled independent professionals. MORE
Deloitte has become, in our opinion, one of the key go-to sources of information and analysis on the future of work. Their recent article Redefining work, workforces, and workplaces is a good example. In a relatively short article, it nicely synthesizes and explains "multiple converging trends and how they are already fundamentally changing all aspects of work." MORE
by Listen or subscribe here: iTunes ? Stitcher ?. Soundcloud ? YouTube ? Google Play ? iHeartRadio You can leave a review here! This is podcast 132 and it’s about decision controls. This episode is sponsored by Clean Email, the answer to email inbox overload. I’ve written about ways to clear out that clutter, but you can save time by using the Clean Email app. MORE
According to MetLife's 2019 U.S. Employee Benefits Study, 23% of Americans with full-time traditional jobs intend to switch to gig work over the next 5 years. Another 14% say they are considering it. As the study chart below shows, younger workers more likely to say they're intending to leave their job for gig work than older workers. MORE
Despite trade wars, tariffs, and the erection of other barriers to cross-border commerce, independent workers, freelancers and solopreneurs are increasingly finding customers outside U.S. borders. As the MBO Partners State of Independence study chart below shows (click to enlarge), in 2019 22% of Independent workers who work full-time as independent workers said they provided goods or services to customers outside the U.S. This us up from 19% in 2018 and just 12% in 2012. MORE
When you're job searching, the advice is to "clean up your social media presence." But what does that mean, exactly? For example, when you were told to clean up your room as a kid, my hunch is that your version of "clean" was a lot different than your mom's. So, what you consider offensive online today may be a whole lot different than what will raise a red flag with a hiring manager. To make sure that you really scrub out the questionable stuff from your online activities: 1. MORE
An administrative conference should feed your brain and soul! You have finally gotten the approval to attend an administrative conference, maybe you have decided to invest in yourself by attending an administrative conference but choosing the best administrative assistant or executive assistant conference is no easy task. Attending an administrative conference is a big investment of your time and money. You should choose wisely. MORE
What if I told you there’s a way to earn extra income for less than $100… You might be thinking to yourself that this is flat out impossible. You might be thinking that I’m trying to pull a fast one. You might even be under the impression that I’m delusional. Well, I’m telling you, this MORE
How do you feel when someone gives you feedback at work? Are you open to feedback, or do you feel defensive? What happens when you have challenges at work? Do you face them head-on, or do you avoid the situation? As Assistants, we often come up against misconceptions about the role. MORE
by Listen or subscribe here: iTunes ? Stitcher ?. Soundcloud ? YouTube ? Google Play ? iHeartRadio You can leave a review here! ?. This is podcast 133 and it’s about how to create good habits. I was inspired by reading a review of a new book called Good Habits, Bad Habits, by psychologist Wendy Wood. The author says what I already knew and have podcasted about before; that willpower has little to do with forming good habits, or being successful, or even having self control. MORE
It often feels like hierarchy and influence go hand in hand, but the capacity to influence others isn’t exclusively linked to stature and job titles. As an assistant, it may sometimes feel either uncomfortable or even impossible to influence others in the workplace, but it’s not necessarily the case. MORE
Office Dynamics has put together a list of books for administrative assistants and executive assistants that will help you with your professional development and personal life. Because we had so many great choices we decided to make it a little easier for you to find what you are looking for by breaking the blog into two sections. MORE
No matter what kind of content you intend to create, sometimes the ideas just don't come. Live streams, blog posts, articles, Instagram/Facebook/Snapchat stories, posts, short-form or long-form media — it can all seem like too much sometimes. MORE
It’s time for our December WordSearch! Have fun and Happy Holidays! Please upgrade your browser to improve your experience. Select Level: {{ currentLevel.width }}x{{ currentLevel.height }} {{ level.width }}x{{ level.height }} {{cell.letter}} {{word}} × You did it! Happy Holidays! MORE
The post How to Make Your Public Speaking More Effective appeared first on Ian's Messy Desk. From the Office of Educational Development at UC Berkeley: Analyze Your Audience Remember that the members of the audience are beneficiaries of your communication. MORE
I created the above visual as an image of the ideal situation between an executive and their assistant, especially when it comes to communication. Because of all the technology today, assistants have a very hard time staying “in the loop.” When an assistant is aware of what is going on or what is on the horizon, she or he can better anticipate, be proactive, plan better, foresee barriers, look more professional, and reduce stress. MORE
Once an employer gets around to checking your references, you may be feeling quite confident that a job offer is coming your way. Hold on. According to an Accountemps survey , one in three candidates are removed from job consideration after checking with their references. The problem is often that references don't know that they're your references because you neglected to ask them. Or, you asked so long ago that they have forgotten. MORE
These days, people talk a lot about adding value in the workplace. Specifically, everyone wants to know how to become a more valuable employee. After all, when you add more value at work, you should (in theory) receive more value as well. It’s only natural; contributing at greater levels should enable you to earn at greater levels too. In my newest book, The Invisibility Cure , I cover this topic in depth. MORE
What Is Passive Income and How Do You Do It? Basically, it’s the opposite of trading dollars for hours. Most people have been raised on the concept of trading dollars for hours and so they try to find jobs that just increase the hourly rate. They go to college to get a higher paying job and never really grasp the concept of passive income. The only difference between the fast food worker and the doctor or lawyer is how much the get paid per hour. MORE
Business today is image driven. Photos are key in social media posts, blog posts and for product sales. Smart phones have made taking these needed photos easy, however often the size of these photos is well beyond what is needed. Using images with a large file size can slow down your website dramatically. Sites like Etsy for selling product often have size limits. That means what used to be the domain of a graphic designer needs to be part of a home business owner’s arsenal now. MORE
Neuroplasticity, aka brain plasticity, is the brain's ability to “re-wire” or reorganize itself and that is good news for you. You likely have more control over how you think and behave than you might realize. MORE
During my monthly webinars , I often hear a handful of the same questions. A common one goes something like this: “The people I work with think my job is inferior. They look down on me (and my role). How do I get others to value my work more?”. This question hits particularly close to home for administrative professionals. As a proud former admin myself, I know what it’s like to feel that your work isn’t valued. MORE
Well, that is us in 2019 folks! Happy New Year. Firstly before I start this blog, I want to say a huge thank you to all of the Practically Perfect PA readers who are joining us for another year on the blog. We have been going now since 2011, and I can’t wait to see […]. Core Competencies Featured admin administrators assistants Career Competencies EA Executive Assistant Office manager PA Personal Assistant Virtual Assistant MORE
As a proud former administrative professional , I’ve always enjoyed being a part of the admin community. In fact, from the moment I got involved in the field, I wanted to be an admin leader. I felt called to it from day 1. I loved the work and the people, and (even as a total novice) I thought I had something valuable to offer. So, back in 2006, I started a blog for admins called The Executive Assistant’s Toolbox, where I shared tips and tricks for success in the field. MORE
Being a guest expert provides you the opportunity to get in front of millions of people, share your message/mission, show them how you can solve a problem they might have, and build powerful relationships with the person hosting you. MORE
It’s the holiday season , and many home businesses are thinking about client gifting. From wondering if you should or shouldn’t gift clients to worrying about whether your client celebrates a certain holiday or not, it can be a stressful decision to make. MORE
I came across this article on Inc.com that proclaims that hiring a virtual assistant is the best move that entrepreneurs can make. I’ve actually been arguing that fact for years here. The above article was written less than a year ago, which makes it apparent that entrepreneurs still aren’t flocking to the idea, even though it’s been proven to be a successful investment over and over again. Which leaves me wondering why? MORE
The post Orwell on Writing: 6 Questions and 6 Rules appeared first on Ian's Messy Desk. As a writer, I can be pretty sloppy or lazy, at times. However, I do look for ways to learn how to improve the quality of my writing. George Orwell had 6 questions and 6 rules he applied to ensure what he had to say was clear to the reader. MORE
Enjoy today’s Day in the life: Hayley Lawrence, PA Regional General Manager and Administration Assistant to Founders Office – Necker & Moskito Islands, in The British Virgin Islands. I love this interview because it shows how exciting, different, challenging and incredible our profession is! Day in the life: Hayley Lawrence, PA to Regional General Manager and […]. MORE
One day when I was on deadline frantically trying to complete a story, my instant messaging app popped up with something like: "Anita didn't check the database and now I'm having to recreate this work. sigh*" The IM was from my direct editor to another editor. I really didn't give it much thought, other than to instantly reply: "What? Is this message to me?" The editor didn't reply and I quickly went on with my work since I had only minutes to my deadline. MORE
Small Business Labs
APRIL 9, 2019
According to MetLife's 2019 U.S. Employee Benefits Study, 23% of Americans with full-time traditional jobs intend to switch to gig work over the next 5 years. Another 14% say they are considering it. As the study chart below shows, younger workers more likely to say they're intending to leave their job for gig work than older workers.
Virtual Moxie
JUNE 14, 2019
In any interaction with a client, there’s your space, her space, and the space between you that’s available to be shared.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Practically Perfect PA
NOVEMBER 28, 2019
How do you feel when someone gives you feedback at work? Are you open to feedback, or do you feel defensive? What happens when you have challenges at work? Do you face them head-on, or do you avoid the situation? As Assistants, we often come up against misconceptions about the role.
Ian's Messy Desk
MAY 28, 2019
The post Orwell on Writing: 6 Questions and 6 Rules appeared first on Ian's Messy Desk. As a writer, I can be pretty sloppy or lazy, at times. However, I do look for ways to learn how to improve the quality of my writing. George Orwell had 6 questions and 6 rules he applied to ensure what he had to say was clear to the reader.
Tips From T. Marie
DECEMBER 10, 2019
It’s the holiday season , and many home businesses are thinking about client gifting. From wondering if you should or shouldn’t gift clients to worrying about whether your client celebrates a certain holiday or not, it can be a stressful decision to make.
Eco-Office Gals
NOVEMBER 22, 2019
Business owners are always looking for new ways to go green and reduce their carbon footprint. Adding solar panels to your facility — provided you work in an area that gets plenty of usable sunlight — can help to offset energy costs and reduce CO2 emissions.
Eat Your Career
SEPTEMBER 9, 2019
These days, people talk a lot about adding value in the workplace. Specifically, everyone wants to know how to become a more valuable employee. After all, when you add more value at work, you should (in theory) receive more value as well. It’s only natural; contributing at greater levels should enable you to earn at greater levels too. In my newest book, The Invisibility Cure , I cover this topic in depth.
Administrative Professionals Pulse brings together the best content for administrative professionals from the widest variety of industry thought leaders.
On The Job
JANUARY 30, 2019
One day when I was on deadline frantically trying to complete a story, my instant messaging app popped up with something like: "Anita didn't check the database and now I'm having to recreate this work. sigh*" The IM was from my direct editor to another editor. I really didn't give it much thought, other than to instantly reply: "What? Is this message to me?" The editor didn't reply and I quickly went on with my work since I had only minutes to my deadline.
Stephanie LH Calahan
DECEMBER 12, 2019
Neuroplasticity, aka brain plasticity, is the brain's ability to “re-wire” or reorganize itself and that is good news for you. You likely have more control over how you think and behave than you might realize.
Clutter Coach
DECEMBER 26, 2019
by Listen or subscribe here: iTunes ? Stitcher ?. Soundcloud ? YouTube ? Google Play ? iHeartRadio You can leave a review here! This is podcast 134 and it’s about setting achievable goals. We live in a culture where we’re encouraged to set daring goals for ourselves. There’s even an acronym, BHAG, that stands for big, hairy, audacious goal.
Small Business Labs
JULY 9, 2019
Despite trade wars, tariffs, and the erection of other barriers to cross-border commerce, independent workers, freelancers and solopreneurs are increasingly finding customers outside U.S. borders. As the MBO Partners State of Independence study chart below shows (click to enlarge), in 2019 22% of Independent workers who work full-time as independent workers said they provided goods or services to customers outside the U.S. This us up from 19% in 2018 and just 12% in 2012.
Virtual Moxie
AUGUST 5, 2019
I wouldn’t have been able to tell you whether I identify as an integrator or a segmenter, but I immediately saw myself as a segmenter the morning that I read this article by Melody Wilding.
Practically Perfect PA
JANUARY 3, 2019
Well, that is us in 2019 folks! Happy New Year. Firstly before I start this blog, I want to say a huge thank you to all of the Practically Perfect PA readers who are joining us for another year on the blog. We have been going now since 2011, and I can’t wait to see […]. Core Competencies Featured admin administrators assistants Career Competencies EA Executive Assistant Office manager PA Personal Assistant Virtual Assistant
Ian's Messy Desk
AUGUST 5, 2019
The post A simple template for a farewell speech appeared first on Ian's Messy Desk. A number of co-workers in our office are transferring to new opportunities in new regions. We had a luncheon today to say goodbye and make some presentations. I was asked to say goodbye to one of the employees who was leaving.
Tips From T. Marie
JUNE 11, 2019
I came across this article on Inc.com that proclaims that hiring a virtual assistant is the best move that entrepreneurs can make. I’ve actually been arguing that fact for years here. The above article was written less than a year ago, which makes it apparent that entrepreneurs still aren’t flocking to the idea, even though it’s been proven to be a successful investment over and over again. Which leaves me wondering why?
Eco-Office Gals
DECEMBER 4, 2019
Today, businesses everywhere are beginning to think long and hard about their environmental impact.
Eat Your Career
SEPTEMBER 16, 2019
During my monthly webinars , I often hear a handful of the same questions. A common one goes something like this: “The people I work with think my job is inferior. They look down on me (and my role). How do I get others to value my work more?”. This question hits particularly close to home for administrative professionals. As a proud former admin myself, I know what it’s like to feel that your work isn’t valued.
Office Dynamics
AUGUST 7, 2019
I created the above visual as an image of the ideal situation between an executive and their assistant, especially when it comes to communication. Because of all the technology today, assistants have a very hard time staying “in the loop.” When an assistant is aware of what is going on or what is on the horizon, she or he can better anticipate, be proactive, plan better, foresee barriers, look more professional, and reduce stress.
On The Job
MARCH 27, 2019
Once an employer gets around to checking your references, you may be feeling quite confident that a job offer is coming your way. Hold on. According to an Accountemps survey , one in three candidates are removed from job consideration after checking with their references. The problem is often that references don't know that they're your references because you neglected to ask them. Or, you asked so long ago that they have forgotten.
The Solopreneur Life
JANUARY 28, 2019
What Is Passive Income and How Do You Do It? Basically, it’s the opposite of trading dollars for hours. Most people have been raised on the concept of trading dollars for hours and so they try to find jobs that just increase the hourly rate. They go to college to get a higher paying job and never really grasp the concept of passive income. The only difference between the fast food worker and the doctor or lawyer is how much the get paid per hour.
Clutter Coach
DECEMBER 12, 2019
by Listen or subscribe here: iTunes ? Stitcher ?. Soundcloud ? YouTube ? Google Play ? iHeartRadio You can leave a review here! ?. This is podcast 133 and it’s about how to create good habits. I was inspired by reading a review of a new book called Good Habits, Bad Habits, by psychologist Wendy Wood. The author says what I already knew and have podcasted about before; that willpower has little to do with forming good habits, or being successful, or even having self control.
Small Business Labs
MAY 13, 2019
Deloitte has become, in our opinion, one of the key go-to sources of information and analysis on the future of work. Their recent article Redefining work, workforces, and workplaces is a good example. In a relatively short article, it nicely synthesizes and explains "multiple converging trends and how they are already fundamentally changing all aspects of work."
Stephanie LH Calahan
FEBRUARY 6, 2019
No matter what kind of content you intend to create, sometimes the ideas just don't come. Live streams, blog posts, articles, Instagram/Facebook/Snapchat stories, posts, short-form or long-form media — it can all seem like too much sometimes.
Practically Perfect PA
DECEMBER 9, 2019
It often feels like hierarchy and influence go hand in hand, but the capacity to influence others isn’t exclusively linked to stature and job titles. As an assistant, it may sometimes feel either uncomfortable or even impossible to influence others in the workplace, but it’s not necessarily the case.
Ian's Messy Desk
DECEMBER 12, 2019
The post How to Make Your Public Speaking More Effective appeared first on Ian's Messy Desk. From the Office of Educational Development at UC Berkeley: Analyze Your Audience Remember that the members of the audience are beneficiaries of your communication.
Tips From T. Marie
DECEMBER 17, 2019
It’s time for our December WordSearch! Have fun and Happy Holidays! Please upgrade your browser to improve your experience. Select Level: {{ currentLevel.width }}x{{ currentLevel.height }} {{ level.width }}x{{ level.height }} {{cell.letter}} {{word}} × You did it! Happy Holidays!
Eco-Office Gals
OCTOBER 29, 2019
Employees want refreshing spaces that are attractive in their design and health benefits. Green materials tend to contain less harmful chemicals than standard ones, making office air purer and healthier for the body. Many are also more flexible, which allows construction workers to use them for eye-catching structures and layouts. When employees are satisfied, so are employers. Businesses revel in the advantages of a reinvigorated workforce and enjoyable workspaces.
Eat Your Career
JANUARY 14, 2019
As a proud former administrative professional , I’ve always enjoyed being a part of the admin community. In fact, from the moment I got involved in the field, I wanted to be an admin leader. I felt called to it from day 1. I loved the work and the people, and (even as a total novice) I thought I had something valuable to offer. So, back in 2006, I started a blog for admins called The Executive Assistant’s Toolbox, where I shared tips and tricks for success in the field.
Office Dynamics
MAY 14, 2019
An administrative conference should feed your brain and soul! You have finally gotten the approval to attend an administrative conference, maybe you have decided to invest in yourself by attending an administrative conference but choosing the best administrative assistant or executive assistant conference is no easy task. Attending an administrative conference is a big investment of your time and money. You should choose wisely.
On The Job
JUNE 5, 2019
When you're job searching, the advice is to "clean up your social media presence." But what does that mean, exactly? For example, when you were told to clean up your room as a kid, my hunch is that your version of "clean" was a lot different than your mom's. So, what you consider offensive online today may be a whole lot different than what will raise a red flag with a hiring manager. To make sure that you really scrub out the questionable stuff from your online activities: 1.
The Solopreneur Life
FEBRUARY 7, 2019
What if I told you there’s a way to earn extra income for less than $100… You might be thinking to yourself that this is flat out impossible. You might be thinking that I’m trying to pull a fast one. You might even be under the impression that I’m delusional. Well, I’m telling you, this
Clutter Coach
NOVEMBER 27, 2019
by Listen or subscribe here: iTunes ? Stitcher ?. Soundcloud ? YouTube ? Google Play ? iHeartRadio You can leave a review here! This is podcast 132 and it’s about decision controls. This episode is sponsored by Clean Email, the answer to email inbox overload. I’ve written about ways to clear out that clutter, but you can save time by using the Clean Email app.
Small Business Labs
MARCH 14, 2019
As we pointed out earlier this week , firms of all sizes and types are increasing their use of freelancers and other forms of non-employee labor. But as companies become more reliant on external talent, they increasingly need to structure their policies, procedures, and engagement practices in order to be successful in attracting, engaging, and retaining highly skilled independent professionals.
Stephanie LH Calahan
JANUARY 10, 2019
Being a guest expert provides you the opportunity to get in front of millions of people, share your message/mission, show them how you can solve a problem they might have, and build powerful relationships with the person hosting you.
Practically Perfect PA
MAY 6, 2019
Enjoy today’s Day in the life: Hayley Lawrence, PA Regional General Manager and Administration Assistant to Founders Office – Necker & Moskito Islands, in The British Virgin Islands. I love this interview because it shows how exciting, different, challenging and incredible our profession is! Day in the life: Hayley Lawrence, PA to Regional General Manager and […].
Ian's Messy Desk
DECEMBER 5, 2019
The post 7 Keys to a Successful Life appeared first on Ian's Messy Desk. A successful life doesn’t happen by accident. A successful life is the result of deliberate focus of your time, energy and thoughts towards what you want to accomplish.
Tips From T. Marie
NOVEMBER 20, 2019
Business today is image driven. Photos are key in social media posts, blog posts and for product sales. Smart phones have made taking these needed photos easy, however often the size of these photos is well beyond what is needed. Using images with a large file size can slow down your website dramatically. Sites like Etsy for selling product often have size limits. That means what used to be the domain of a graphic designer needs to be part of a home business owner’s arsenal now.
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