Keeping the World, and Workplace, Going Round

It is a very simple but often ignored truth that the office professional is an integral part of the modern business. Without the work of PAs, secretaries, office managers, and other administrative staff, the vast majority of the day-to-day business of companies, charities, and other organisations would just not get done. But the importance of the modern office professional does not just lie in the fact that you "get things done", it lies in the fact that it is you who you have the essential wealth of knowledge and skills that enables business to successfully function and grow day by day.

This is why this week is Administrative Professionals Week, with the special Administrative Professionals Day in Wednesday, - to celebrate you and your invaluable contribution to the workplace! Whilst the title "Administrative Professional" perhaps sounds slightly vague for what you do, and for a week's celebration of this, the very need for such a general term actually shows the great diversity within, and breadth of, your work. PAs and secretaries are so busy making big decisions at the same time as juggling multiple tasks and presenting the company to the world in a professional manner that it can be easy to forget (if only because you're so busy!) that these are hard won skills, which have only come through hard work and dedication. Because of this Administrative Professional Week is there to remind you of your value - because you are worth it!

In fact, it's not hard to argue that the modern PA and secretary often knows more about the company or organisation that they work for than anyone else. It is you who liaises between different departments and is instrumental in ensuring that communication doesn't break down. It is you who deals with third parties - clients, suppliers, contractors, and general enquirers - and so not only keeps the company running effectively but also is the face of the company. It is you who, through your multitasking and organisational skills, saves the company from floundering in a sea of bureaucracy and paperwork (even though it sometimes means you are!). It is you who often manages the accounts and it is very often you who is responsible for implementing decisions - and this is normally the most difficult part of the decision-making process! Yes, all in all, it looks like you're worth it!

Because of the pivotal roles that the modern office professional has in the workplace, a number of challenges come with the job. In today's rapidly changing work environment you have to constantly stay one step ahead of the game. Training and retraining is often essential, and something that PAs and secretaries are renowned for pushing for. You manage yours and other work, you communicate between people and organisations, you aid interpersonal relations and overall motivation - though often this need in yourselves is overlooked by the company -, you enable others to succeed in their jobs, you are vital in the decision-making process - especially as it is you, with your specific skills package who has to implement them -, you are asked for advice on problem-solving because of your breadth of knowledge, you manage conflict, and then you manage organisational and technological change! If that sentence took the truth out of you it's because your job often demands that of you and more! You lead from the front and are essential for business - so don't forget it!