BodySense Blog

Administrative Assistant Week

ADMINISTRATIVE PROFESSIONALS WEEK
Since 1952, the International Association of Administrative Professionals has honored office workers by sponsoring Administrative Professionals Week. Today, it is one of the largest workplace observances outside of employee birthdays and major holidays.

In the year 2000, IAAP announced a name change for Professional Secretaries Week and Professional Secretaries Day. The names were changed to Administrative Professionals Week and Administrative Professionals Day to keep pace with changing job titles and expanding responsibilities of today’s administrative workforce.

Over the years, Administrative Professionals Week has become one of the largest workplace observances. The event is celebrated worldwide, bringing together millions of people for community events, educational seminars and individual corporate activities recognizing support staff.

Today, there are more than 4.1 million secretaries and administrative assistants working in the United States, according to U.S. Department of Labor statistics, and 8.9 million people working in various administrative support roles. More than 475,000 administrative professionals are employed in Canada. Millions more administrative professionals work in offices all over the world.

This year Administrative Professionals Week is April 19-25 with Administrative Professionals Day on Wednesday, April 22.

APW Theme
The Administrative Professionals Week theme for 2009 is Excellence in Action.  

Administrative Assistant Week

Treat your favorite mind-reader
Administrative Assistants Week
April 21-25, 2009

The calls screened. The tasks mastered. The lives made easier (namely yours). Oh, the many hats your assistant wears. All so that you can go forth and conquer the world of commerce.

Nine to Five APW Contest

AAP Partnering with the Broadway musical Nine to Five

Kansas City, Mo.    The International Association of Administrative Professionals invites its members to enter the Nine to Five contest and win a trip to New York City. 

Back in 1980 in the movie "Nine to Five" Dolly Parton, Lily Tomlin and Jane Fonda captured their boss and kept him trapped in his own house while they ran the department. Productivity went through the roof when the admins were in charge. That movie has been turned into a Broadway show, starring Dolly Parton. It opens on April 29 in New York City.

It's understandable that productivity goes up when admins are running the show, however, IAAP doesn't advocate anyone holding their boss hostage, no matter how inefficient he may be. We do want to have some fun with the opening of the show, and we want to celebrate IAAP members during Administrative Professionals Week.

Therefore we're partnering with "Nine to Five" to give away a great weekend vacation package. Members can win airfare (up to $600) hotel for one night, dinner, a Bliss spa package and tickets to the show with a backstage pass for the winner and a companion, at a time convenient for you.

Here's how to enter. First, those who want to enter have to be a member of IAAP. Find out more information on how to join at http://www.iaap-hq.org/join/

If you're already a member, log into the latest version of the IAAP Web Community at http://community.iaap-hq.org/.Then, join the eGroup named Nine to Five. Once you're logged in and a member of the eGroup, write one sentence (and only one) about how the admin profession has changed since 1980 when the original movie came out. The member with the best answer wins the trip to NYC. Enter by April 17. The winner will be announced on April 22, Administrative Professionals Day.

This is only open to IAAP members. Don't miss out! All submissions become the property of IAAP and can be used for promotional purposes.

 About IAAP
IAAP is the world’s leading association for administrative professionals, with 600 chapters and more than 40,000 members and affiliates worldwide. IAAP sponsors Administrative Professionals Week April 19-25 and Administrative Professionals Day on Wednesday, April 22. Further information is available on the IAAP Web site at www.iaap-hq.org/newsroom/apw

12 Ways To Keep Good People

The Gallup Organization of Princeton NJ, of opinion-polling fame, has identified 12 questions that appear to measure the core elements needed to attract and keep the most loyal, productive, and talented employees. As you read through them, ask yourself how your organization rates on these points and the effects it might have on recruiting and retaining outstanding employees.

1. Do I know what is expected of me at work?
2. Do I have the materials and equipment I need to do my work right?
3. At work, do I have the opportunity to do what I do best every day?
4. In the last seven days, have I received recognition or praise for good work?
5. Does my supervisor, or someone at work, seem to care about me as a person?
6. Is there someone at work who encourages my development?
7. At work, do my opinions seem to count?
8. Does the mission of my company make me feel like my work is important?
9. Are my co-workers committed to doing quality work?
10. Do I have a best friend at work?
11. In the last six months, have I talked with someone about my progress?
12. At work, have I had opportunities to learn and grow?

It isn’t that people answering yes to these questions are likely to stay with the organization. Rather, they address factors that are particularly important to the most talented and productive workers. These questions are less interesting to plodders.