Positive story, good use of IAAP press materials...nice publicity from newspaper with large circulation:

Minneapolis Star-Tribune
Circ. 669,358
April 18, 2004

Celebrating Administrative Professionals Every Day
By Robert Elsenpeter
April 15, 2004

Look around the office on April 21 and you're apt to see more flower arrangements on the administrative assistants' desks than usual. Receiving flowers and being taken to lunch are two of the more popular ways that administrative professionals are recognized on Administrative Professionals Day, April 21.
And Administrative Professionals Week is April 18-24.

However, while these observances are meant to celebrate the administrative professional, it is important not to lose sight of the importance of these employees the rest of the year.

Respect Your Admins
"No token of appreciation by a boss or employer given on Administrative Professionals Day is going to make up for not treating an organization's office support staff with respect the rest of the year," says Rick Stroud, communications manager of the International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP).

IAAP is the world's largest association for administrative support staff, with over 600 chapters and 40,000 members and affiliates worldwide. IAAP's Web site can be found at www.iaap-hq.org.

"Administrative professionals often work behind the scenes, and often do not receive the recognition they deserve," says Stroud. "Sometimes administrative assistants, secretaries and other office support workers are taken for granted - and their contributions to their employers are not appreciated - except when they're out sick or on vacation."

Communication and Professional Development
Recognizing administrative professionals on a daily basis is a combination of both small and large efforts.

"It's the small, subtle things that happen day to day," says Erin O'Hara Meyer. "But also giving the opportunity to the admin to grow and gain visibility."

Meyer is the president of Administrative Excellence, Inc., a Minneapolis-based firm focusing on the personal and professional development of administrative professionals.
One of the best ways to demonstrate one's appreciation of admins is to acknowledge their efforts and communicate with them.

Communication is particularly important, especially when it comes to talking about job performance. Like anyone else, admins need specific job feedback. Without understanding particulars, they can't improve and grow.
"Without that feedback, we don't know how to benchmark ourselves," says Meyer.

Additionally, when the team achieves a certain goal, make sure to acknowledge the admin's role in that accomplishment.

"If the team is being recognized, make sure the admin is also recognized," says Meyer. Further, include admins in important meetings, so they know what's going on.

"Partner with them," says Meyer. "Make sure they know they are part of a team. Give them a chance to influence change."

Educational opportunities are excellent tools for the admin's professional development and growth. For example, creating a professional development program is one way to help bolster an admin's career.

"That's a pretty progressive idea," says Meyer. "Most organizations do it with other careers, but not with the administrative staff."
Ultimately, it comes down to acknowledging that the administrative professional is just that - a professional.

"It's all about respect," says Meyer. "It's just basic, common respect and courtesy."

Robert Elsenpeter is a freelance writer from Blaine, MN.

# # #