Successful Time Management For Dummies, 2nd Edition

Chapter 19

Time Management for Administrative Staff

In This Chapter

• Avoiding common time traps
• Getting a handle on what drives the boss
• Taking care of business, steering clear of busy-ness

The absent-minded boss and the capable secretary (the power behind the office) are all-too-familiar stereotypes in TV and movies. You know, the bumbling department head who oversleeps on the day of the big presentation to the company's biggest client? The administrative assistant comes to the rescue and whips up a presentation with minutes to spare, succeeds in winning over the CEO, and persuades the client to double their business — finally stepping back to give full credit to the ever-clueless boss.

I sure hope that most of international megacorporations aren't operating under these circumstances! But I can say this with certainty: No matter how organized and capable the head of the department or company is, the administrative staff plays a key role in the smooth operations and ultimate success of any business. An organized and efficient assistant helps keep the boss and others in the department on track, often managing multiple appointment schedules, arranging meetings, facilitating communication, anticipating the needs of the organization, and responding to them in a proactive manner. A good assistant supports the department and business objectives and takes on duties that free up others at the management or executive level so the bigwigs can use their expertise to do what they do best: ...