Alice Bumgarner

Formatting a business letter: Where should RE go?

• January 29, 2010

Question: “I see so many letters today with the RE line directly below the inside address. I learned that anything below the inside address should pertain to the...

What’s ‘fair’ when sharing receptionist duties?

• January 15, 2010

Question: “My company does not have a dedicated receptionist and has assigned receptionist duties to four assistants. It’s difficult for the four of us to...

Help! We need topics to discuss at meetings

• November 06, 2009

Question: “What would be a few good agenda items to discuss at our next administrative professionals meeting?  No one really wants to say anything, and...

How do you define specific and measurable performance goals for administrative support personnel?

• August 07, 2009

Question: “Our organization will start a performance-based management for all employees in 2010.  We are to select two goals that are Specific, Measurable,...

What’s a quick way to stop pagination in a Word doc?

• July 24, 2009

Question: “Does anyone know how to stop pagination at a certain point in a Word document? I’ve had to do this many times, but every time is difficult and...

How do you get the boss to organize his desk?

• June 05, 2009

Question: “My boss just piles work on his desk willy-nilly. I organized it once, but now he expects it again. How do I get him to tidy up his own desk?”...

What exactly is a ‘tickler’ file?

• May 15, 2009

“I’ve seen references to “tickler” files.  Can you please explain in detail, what they are and how you create and manage them?”...

Any guidelines for ‘Take your child to work day’?

• May 01, 2009

Question: “This year, we had a number of employees bring their children to the office for “Take your child to work day.” The employees expected our...

Career management: Has anyone taken a SkillPath seminar?

• April 17, 2009

Question: “I am thinking about taking a two-day seminar for HR assistants. I have been an administrative assistant for 17 years and recently went back to school...

Office etiquette: Sign gift card from “all” or only contributors sign?

• April 17, 2009

Question: “We took a collection to buy gifts for our managers, thanking them for contributing to a celebration they funded out of their own pockets.  Only...

Co-worker’s stale smoke and moldy coffee smell getting to you?

• March 13, 2009

Question: “I sit by a man who is a chain smoker — some days he goes out to smoke six or seven times. He is also a heavy coffee drinker. The combination of...

My meeting minutes are too wordy: Any suggestions?

• March 06, 2009

Question: “I have been told my minutes are too "wordy."  Does anyone have a format to follow for the correct wording on report minutes?” — Rachel...

What hot topics/tips would interest most admins?

• February 11, 2009

Question: “I have to give a presentation to a group of administrative assistants. What topics/tips can I discuss that they don’t already know?” —...

What do you give the boss who is retiring?

• January 30, 2009

Question: “I have worked with my boss for 20 years, and he will retire in June after 33 years with the organization. He is moving out of state. He will receive a...

Secret solution to removing labels from folders?

• January 30, 2009

Question: “What do you use to easily remove old labels from file folders designated to be re-used?” — Karen Dow

User-friendly org chart software: Any recommendations?

• January 23, 2009

Question: "I need a user-friendly org chart software that will convert or copy easily to PowerPoint. Any suggestions?" — Alicia Vandgrift

Negotiating a reduced work schedule: What’s the best approach?

• January 15, 2009

Question: “I currently work full time, but I would like to reduce my schedule to 32 hours per week, working four, eight-hour days. (I am 65 years old.) I am able...

What’s the craziest thing your boss has ever asked you to do?

• January 09, 2009

Question: Administrative Professionals Week is April 19-25, and we’re collecting a list of the craziest things bosses have asked administrative assistants to do....

Which administrative professionals’ organization is the best one to join?

• December 16, 2008

Question:  “During my annual review, my boss suggested a membership in an administrative professionals’ organization. I've found a couple of them so far...

What’s the best way to print out the boss’s daily meeting schedule?

• December 12, 2008

Question: “I need an easy way to print out or give my boss the meeting schedule for the day. Previously, we have tried 3x5 index cards with appointments and small...