Another nice write-up about a chapter APW event from the Ocala, Florida Star-Banner:

Star-Banner, Ocala FL

Learning to Fish at work

Published April 12

By Harriet Daniels, business reporter for the Star-Banner.

Whether on the front line or behind the scenes, administrative professionals often keep things running smoothly in the workplace. Their official title may be clerk, secretary, receptionist, administrative assistant — the list goes on — but it can hardly describe the vital role they play each day.

These same people generally set the mood of the workplace. Often the first to arrive at the office, they greet everyone, share funny moments and bend over backward — known as multi-tasking — to complete everyone's projects on time so they look good for team leaders or clients.

Whether they know it or not, they are generally following the four steps of the now popular Fish philosophy inspired by a Seattle seafood market. It is now used as a motivation tool in countless workplaces around the country, thanks to the book of the same name by Stephen C. Lundin, Harry Paul and John Christensen.

The Fish philosophy is simply, choose your attitude, play, make their day and be present.

Office professionals in the area will get the opportunity to learn more about the philosophy on April 19 during a breakfast in their honor as part of Administrative Professionals Day. The event is hosted by the Ocala Chapter of the International Association of Administrative Professionals.

Local IAAP chapter president Nancy Meagher, administrative supervisor in the City of Ocala's Water & Sewer Department, said the event is open to all office professionals, "anyone who makes helps make someone else's job easier."

During the breakfast at the Ocala Hilton, Jim Moyer with the Central Florida Community College Corporate Training Center, plans to reel in office professionals using the philosophy and give them more tools to use in their respective workplaces.

He teaches the Fish philosophy to local businesses, often the management level, but said the steps can be translated into one's personal, too.

"Administrative professionals have a lot of influence in the workplace and they don't often realize it," he said.

Moyer said the session is designed to show them that they have the power to make their workplace the best it can be and achieve success with the four ingredients from the Fish philosophy.

The event is also used to educate local office professionals and their supervisors about the local IAAP chapter in an effort to boost membership.

"We want to let office professionals and their bosses know we are here to help educate them about the changes in the industry, give them tools to help do their job better and motivate them to seek certification," Meagher said.

The group, with 13 active members, meets on the third Monday of each month at the Ocala Municipal Golf Course. This year marks the 35th anniversary of the local chapter. Each year they award a $500 scholarship to a student at either Central Florida Community College or Webster College who is pursuing a career in business administration.

Give Meagher a call at 351-6770 or 732-6389 to reserve a seat by April 15 for next week's celebration of Administrative Professionals Day. Cost of the event is $25.

Whether they are called administrative assistants, clerks, receptionists, or any other title, office professionals keep business in progress.

Harriet Daniels covers business for the Star-Banner. She can be reached at harriet.daniels@starbanner.com.

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