Choosing
a Home Office Printer: Inkjet versus Laser
While making the
right choice of printer seems like a daunting task, your major decision may be
between an ink jet and a laser printer. Here's what you need to know. more…
I wrote this a few years ago, and thought I would repost it here...
What To Do When You Get Caught Surfing By The Boss!
By Susan Silva
It has been a long morning and you need a mental break. You start thinking of your weekend plans and jump on your messaging program to make plans with a friend. You have the movie times and a chat box up on your screen and what happens, your supervisor walks up behind you! You think to yourself Murphy's law is in full effect. What do you do when you get busted surfing or chatting at work? The situation all depends on how you react and handle yourself. Here are some helpful techniques/excuses you may be able to use:
1. I am looking for a job that pays more money. (the defensive excuse)
2. Oh no! I need IT to come out, I have a blinking light that wont go away. (the play dumb excuse)
3. Keep your company website minimized and maximize it fast when the boss comes by and admit you want to learn more about the company. (the cover-up!)
4. You were investigating stuff for a surprise party you were planning on throwing for (who ever just walked in) and now the plans are ruined, way to go! (the guilt factor)
5. I was just comforting a friend who lost a relative to bovinexctrementitis. (the compassion excuse)
6. If you are lucky enough to hear someone behind you, ctrl/alt/dlt and enter to lock the comp when the boss walks up, then immediately turn to him and start discussing whatever project he has you working on. (the get-a-way)
7. Look happy and say "Wow, I have my answer! That chatroom (close your chat so they don't see SWM-30ish saying hi) or website solved my formatting issue. (the seriously it was work.. I swear not goofing off excuse)
8. Just leave your surfing up, know you get your work done, and just keep surfing. (the who-cares who sees, no excuse excuse!)
9. Keep DeskDemon up and show your boss you surf useful business/work related sites! (the best excuse!)
Most of us surf and take breaks during the day. If we do our work well and get it done when we are supposed to, surfing is much less an issue. Remember don't abuse surfing have fun and make use of the vast amount of resources on the Internet!
Here are a few updates from DeskDemon.
From DeskDemon US
Dress
for an Interview - Top Ten Tips
First impressions are important
in the job interview. Research has shown that the first 100 seconds are crucial
in determining the interviewer's perception of the candidate's suitability for
the position. more…
10
Creative Uses for E-cards 
E-cards are economical, efficient, and
effective. Consider using an e-card in one of these ten creative ways the next
time life calls for a greeting. more…
The
Jungled Workplace
Don’t get caught off guard and allow yourself
to be taken advantage of. In business world if you're weak and give in to your
weakness, you'll be eaten alive. Here are three tips to survive the system.
more…
Memory
Techniques to Get Ahead in Life
Photographic Memory is not
inborn but rather it is a skill that anyone can acquire. Here are various types
of photographic memory techniques to hone your memory skills. more…
Business
Ethics Is All About Your Character
Business ethics is a hot
topic. Read how two businessmen demonstrated their character when they thought
no one else was looking.
more…
Warning:
Hacking virus spreads to 8 Million computers
A new sleeper virus
that could allow hackers to steal financial and personal information has now
spread to more than 8 million computers and is said to be one of the most
serious infections ever seen, by industry experts. more…
From DeskDemon UK:
Looking for a no-fuss
conference call service?
Arranging conference calls doesn’t have
to be costly or time-consuming. Powwownow’s Enhanced Access service is so easy
even bosses can use it – and it’s free. Plus, are you the only honest PA? See our poll results. more…
Win a
weekend in London
You and a companion could win a weekend in a 5
star London Marriott hotel including meals. We simply ask you to review
Marriott's new Day Delegate Package. more…
Seed Chang
e on
Green Office Week
Office-expert Avery has launched the first
ever Green Office Week. Find out how the week can help to empower you to do your
bit for the environment. more…
An
all-inclusive meetings offer that's bursting in value!
If you're
feeling the squeeze, then why not take advantage of our all-inclusive meetings
offer, available at ANY UK Crowne Plaza, Holiday Inn or Express by Holiday Inn.
more…
The Main
Event 2009
SECC, Glasgow, Thursday 12th March, 2009, 9.30am -
5.30am Scotland's only event dedicated to corporate events, hospitality and
entertainment. more…
Corporate
Reward & Incentive Cards
Organizations across the country
are recognizing the benefits of non-traditional reward programs for their
employees. Learn how gift cards can be used in the workplace. more…
RealSpace
Furniture
Is your office ready for a makeover? Office Depot's
newest furniture collection offers fashionable designs at affordable prices.
There's something to suit every budget and every design style. more…
Skills a Virtual
Assistant Needs to Insure a Full Practice
From website
management, to product development and marketing, the more you know the more
money you can make the more recognition you can earn. more…
You Can Color
Your Way To Success
If you can manage to identify someone's
personality color then you'll be able to talk to that person the way they need
to be talked to.
more…
The 7
Deadly Sins Of Voice Mail To Watch Out For
We’ve all been guilty
of leaving hasty, confusing voicemails, but you can easily avoid the 7-Deadly
Sins of Voice Mail and give yourself a much better chance of having your phone
call returned. more…
How to Clean a
Printer
Paper jams, smudges and general poor quality printing
causing you frustration and headaches? A wet rag and a few minutes of your time
could mean the difference in poor print quality and a clean page. But there are
a few finer points to remember. more…
Make a Difference
this Holiday Season
For the third year running, DeskDemon is
advocating Adopt-a-Family to our users. Adopt-a-Family is a program whereby
companies and individuals, through charities, support disadvantaged families.
Talk to your manager and incorporate Adopt-a-Family into your organization more…
From the UK
Stay
safe & healthy in the office
The statistics of occupational
injuries and stress related incidents in the UK are frightening and cost
business over £5 billion annually. Injury prevention starts with prevention
awareness and we have top tips from Purus Active Health Ltd, London’s leading
back pain and sports injury clinic on staying safe and healthy in the office.
more…
We are proud to announce our two winners for this prestigous award:
US Winner:
DeskDemon Announces Winner of Management Support Fellowship
Those who know the job the best, voted for the best…
and the winner is Marie Herman from Fermilab National Accelerator Lab

|
Read what others had to say about Marie: (Due to space we couldn't include all responses) |
| Michelle Marie's endless energy and contributions to the admin community and IAAP have proved to be a valuable resource over the few years I've known her. I appreciate the brainstorming chats she hosts and the transcripts she posts for us. Keep up the great work and good luck. Colleen Neill Marie is a great source of information on many topics regarding communication, technology, leadership and mentoring just to name a few. Teresa Tidwell CAP Marie, I appreciate what you have done for members of IAAP! You certainly portray the "professional" in Professional. Carol R Marie is well deserved of this award. She is polished, professional and a techno-goddess. Tisha Duggan CPS/CAP Marie has demonstrated leadership in the face of challenge by leading Interchapter Chats on behalf of the IAAP (International Association of Administrative Professionals) even though they did not understand the significance of these chats. Marie is a strong leader. Dianne Seeks CAP Marie is a shining example of being proactive. She is an inspiration and mentor to many members of IAAP and I feel fortunate to have made contact with her. Good luck Marie! Teresa Henderson, CAP Marie is one of the most organized and intelligent Administrative Professionals I have ever had the privilege of being associated with. I have learned so much from her "Chats" through IAAP and stand in awe of her ability to create a message, written or oral, and get her point across in a concise, effective, and efficient way. Sheri Brogni, Owner, Champion Administrative Resources Marie is a role model for leadership. She is passionate about sharing information that will help all administrative professionals and "raise the bar" for excellence. April Kelsey CAP Marie is most deserving of this award. She has hosted the IAAP Brainstorming Chats for quite a while now, and I have benefited from each and every one. Her comments on the IAAP website foum are always useful and well thought out. She has a cheerful, positive attitude toward our chosen career and will go out of her way to answer any questions. Judith A. Yannarelli CPS/CAP Marie's my friend and no one deserves to win more. She is an inspiration to administrative professionals. Marie is the best representation for the award and I fully expect that she will be the winner. Nancy Riesbeck I cannot agree more with your "Key Nuggett" -- never lost the thirst for knowledge! Marie is a professional of professionals when leading very large on-line IAAP brainstorming chats! Mary L Marie is an outstanding professional with superb skills. She is definitely a "people" person and capable of getting a large group involved and excited about participating in group efforts and learning opportunities. Bobbie Frye Marie deserves to win. She has done a great job hosting the forums. Marlene Kollmeyer Because of Marie's many activities at work and being devoted to IAAP and the betterment of its members through web chats, she deserves the appreciation from many. Nadine Baker Marie is most deserving of this award! She's a leader and has done a great deal to promote collaboration and shared learning in IAAP. She is a wonderful asset to any organization. Theresa Yagielo Marie is an extraordinary person and so awesome in the administrative field. Her ideas are so visionary. She motivates and inspires many. |
And for the UK:
Cringing on the job
What job related things do you just not like doing? Maybe tasks that
are tedious, ones that are hard to figure out? I am looking for the
tasks that make you cringe when you hear it needs to be done. If
nothing make cringe, which ones make you sigh and go, lets get th is
over with.
What jobs do you feel happy to do? (yes the opposite of the last sound off!)
some people!!!!!!
Why does there always have to be that one person who you are asked to help out that is a nitpicker and a micromanager? As I explained in previous post, our client doesn't want to replace an admin who quit back in September and is looking to me to pick up the support of the three departments she handled. I was "asked" to do a project involving a training seminar next week which involved putting together some notebooks (no big deal - run copies, type up divider labels and cover sheets and assemble) and pull together additional handouts. The handouts are more than what's in the notebooks and his instructions on assembling them are extremely tedious. This morning I get a call that he wants to check the "quality" of the handouts before Friday so any changes that need to be made can be done over the weekend. In other words, I have to drop everything (my normal work for my normal reports which has increased 5 fold this week because their manager is onsite to discuss cutbacks) and assemble these 12 folders of handouts (3-4 docs in each folder and copies run for 12-15 people of each set of docs) so he can spot check them by Friday morning.
When I asked about possible changes and having to re-run copies - "oh no, that's not what I said". Malarky - if he wants to check the "quality", then he can look at the documents he sent me that I'm printing and copying from. Not wait until I've run 12 sets of each group.
This so called 6 hours of work has already taken more than 8 and I envision at least another 8 or more depending on how often I'm interrupted to do my normal work.
Please fire me now. Drawing unemployment is looking so much better than this stress right now. 8(
I've been a PA/Administrator for a about 5 years now but like mose people I was never trained to become one. I have been fighting with my understanding of what office procedures mean. Can anyone help?
This is a very difficult but annoying subject and no doubt many of you have faced this.
Does your boss disappear without notice? Does your boss leave the office without telling you?
My boss has quite literally vanished this morning and it's rather embarrassing as I cannot inform others of his whereabouts.
I just wondered how on earth you manage someone like this who just roams from building to building, meeting to meeting, when there is nothing concrete in the diary until later in the day.
Being new is difficult enough without having to come up with all the answers. Maybe employers should provide us with a crystal ball as part of the many props we need to do our job.
How to win over your enemies at work
I saw an article today (not sure if I'm allowed to post?) entitled: How to Win Over Your Enemies
The theory behind the article is that you ask an enemy to do you a small favor, then treat your relationship as though you had a positive relationship and then you won't be enemies any longer. The article refers to this as "The Ben Franklin Effect", from his autobiography where he wrote "Enemies who do you one favor will want to do more."
I haven't tried this, but I do have a personal theory on the subject (based on a recent experience where it worked!). Basically, I mirror the person's actions. When Shelley (name for illustrative purposes only) does something negative, I respond with a negative reaction. But when Shelley does something positive, I respond with a positive reaction. Shelley, hopefully, eventually learns that positive interactions yield more positive interactions so it's truly in her best interest to be nice.
I'm in the middle of working this theory again with someone right now so the article had particular relevance to me. Thoughts from others on how you handle these situations?
A Gift
That's Always in Style
Get stylish this Christmas with some of
the most exciting fashion brands on the high street and enter our free prize
draw to win one of three £50.00 Arcadia gift card shopping sprees.
Win
£5000 towards your Christmas Party with Dymo
Simply buy one of
the new LabelManager 220P or 210D to be in with a chance of winning. Plus!
Everyday in November, one lucky winner will win £100 worth of M&S Vouchers.
From DeskDemon UK
Edible Arrangements® has a fresh fruit bouquet for all your gift giving needs this holiday season. Bouquets are made fresh daily. more…
From DeskDemon UK & & US
Setting aside time to work your mind out and organizing your various mental muscles can help you to be more creative, solve problems quicker and focus on the things you want. more…