PA and Secretary Community - Deskdemon.com

This week's sound off was inspired by a tongue in cheek posting last week, where an office support professional received a plunger.   I'd like to take to a more serious (or semi serious ) level.

What's the last purchase you made in your office to increase your productivity or that of your team?

Do tell...
Andrea

Have to be really boring and say an office binder - I'm the only one who knows how to use it so am never done binding for everyone else.

Why can't people learn to do it themselves?

G

I acquired a lovely new computer and upgraded software.

Raindance

Nothing too fancy.  One of these little things with a clip on the top so I can put small bits of paper so they don't get lost elsewhere on my desk!

Jackie, Peer Moderator
www.iqps.org

CIC Novation Agreement document for bossie to use!

Ultra-mega-boring!

Jess

Baby bio for my plants!

My newest desk accessory is the desk itself.  When I moved into my office back in April, it was set up for the lady who had the job before me.  Since she was in a wheel chair, the everything was against the walls to allow her more room and I strained my back more than once reaching from the table where the PC was to a drawer (which was hard to open from a good angle - heavy duty metal desk) or something on the top of the desk.  Since I got my new desk and rearranged, everything in right in reach and put away (except today - paper monster has attacked this morning) or just a step away.  It looks so much nicer and much more professional.  And I've yet to strain anything opening a drawer or reaching for something.  And I'm much happier just being able to see out my door instead of catching folks in the corner of my eye as they walk by.



Michelle

A new mouse.  My old one froze up all the time.  It's amazing what a good mouse can do for you.

jak

Not sure it qualifies as an accessory or not, but we just got a new phone system installed a week or so ago with direct dial, no more receptionist needed to answer our calls, we do our own.  It has it's perks, but still learning the system.  I LOVE caller ID.  I can tell when bossie is on the phone, calling in from  his cell.

Hi all

Not exactly a purchase, but a download of some software which takes telephone messages over the network and delivers them to the relevant PC's.  Both people that I take the most calls for love it and it's prevented me from losing bits of paper that I have written messages on - hence some increased productivity!

Now though.....there appears to be a compatibility issue between me and an XP user on this software - perhaps bossie should just upgrade us all?!  A lovely new PC would be top of my wish list!  

All the best,
Nicola.

PS. The plunger still remains safely under my desk!

I may have mentioned this before, but it's been so helpful to me over the past few months....I've got a blue plastic divided folder, with about 10 sections.  I have labeled each section to hold the most current paperwork from my everyday--or most-often-referred-to--projects.  I know some people like to keep things all filed away, but this is a BIG timesaver, because I don't have to go searching in my desk drawer or through piles of papers on my desk.  When bossie asks for it, on ready for him.


Movinonup

I just ordered myself another phone message book, the sticky kind.  You just peel off the message slip and stick it to the person's mailbox.  Twice as expensive as the regular book, but worth it to me.  I spent a lot of time taping up messages, as they tend to blow around the office otherwise.

Supergirl

Why write paper messages - I just email them.

G

Thats what I do too Gee.

Coz

me too - using the "While you were out!" option!

Unfortunately, if you deal with co-workers like mine that fail to check their e-mail that often, it's easier and quicker to give it to them in writing.  I leave messages on desks, stuck on mail boxes, whatever it takes to ensure that they get them as expeditiously as possible.  If only I could mandate how and when they check e-mail and then just send messages via e-mail....

CountriGal
Peer Moderator

I agree that e-mail is not the total solution.  If you deal with people who call in to get their messages it's quite helpful to have that written slip handy at your desk.  That's why I've always relied on the message pads with the "copy" form under the original.  I also e-mail messages, particularly when people are traveling.  In short,  I feel it's my job to do whatever it takes to make sure the message is received.

My major desk accessories are my computer and my phone.  They allow me to assist our adjusters with getting closing their claims more quickly by doing transcription and/or by calling claimants/attorneys to get the appropriate information.

My other desk accessory is my Seaworld egg that I have on my desk.  This is something my son gave to me for Christmas this past Christmas and I look at it/play with it when I feel overwhelmed with work.  This allows me to calm down when stressed therefore, I am able to complete my work with a better attitude (or at least I am able to fake it better).

Thanks for giving me a hearty laugh this morning, gee!  I work in a school that is the farthest thing from technologically advanced.  Some of them don't even have voicemail at the office.  They wouldn't check it if they had it, let alone email.  So I put their calls on paper and stick them in the bank of mailboxes outside my office.  I do agree that email would be much better, if everyone used it.

SG

Hi Supergirl,

I used to work in Education so know what you mean. However lecturers never emptied their pigeon holes unless they received a payslip or expenses cheque so messages got lost very easily under a pile of mail.

You just can't win!

G