El Paso Times, El Paso TX

Honor your administrative professional

Aliana Apodaca, Special to the El Paso Times
April 11

Quick! Mark your calendar now! Forgetting this date is akin to forgetting a birthday or wedding anniversary.

This event, celebrated worldwide, is Administrative Professionals Week, this year celebrated April 19-23.

Since 1952, executives and business owners around the world have celebrated Administrative Professionals Week (formerly known as Secretaries Day) as a way to acknowledge the contributions of administrative staffers. The name was changed to keep pace with changing job titles and expanding responsibilities of these workers.

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, more than 4.1 million secretaries/administrative assistants are employed in the United States, and 8.9 million people in various administrative support roles.

Much as changed since the typewriter was invented in 1870. Administrative professionals include secretaries, administrative assistants, office coordinators, executive assistants, office managers, administrative coordinators, office administrators, administrative specialists and information technology administrators.

The 21st-century administrative professional is the largest segment of the office work force and has come to play an increasingly vital role in business.

A typical day for today's administrative professional's job could include:


Project management.

Troubleshooting of computer software applications.

Scheduling and planning company meetings.

Internet communications and research.

Preparing spreadsheets.

Public relations.

Buying office equipment and supplies.

Supervising and training staff.

Creating and giving presentations.

Handling office communications, voice mail, e-mail and regular mail.

Maintaining computer files, directories and databases.

Maintaining multiple schedules and calendars -- and more.

If you're an employer or supervisor, chances are you've wondered how best to observe Administrative Professionals Week. It's always sensible for executives to ask their administrative staffers how they would prefer to observe Administrative Professionals Week. Some ideas:


Host a companywide special event for administrative staff -- ideally, a luncheon with a CEO presentation recognizing this special group.

Provide registration for a professional development seminar to develop their skills. A survey conducted by the International Association of Administrative Professionals (www.iaap-hp.org) indicates this is preferred.

Gifts such as personalized business cards, a desktop nameplate, and a gift certificate.

Monetary bonus for exemplary performance.

Lunch, flowers and a special handwritten card are also appreciated.
Whichever method you choose, don't pass up this opportunity to show this special group of people how much you appreciate them. Where would we all be without them?

Aliana Apodaca is a motivational speaker, consultant, trainer and coach based in El Paso.

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