Top Qualities of Top Assistants
What to Look for When Hiring an Assistant
Your business has grown by leaps and bounds, and to continue on that upward spiral, you realize the need for a personal assistant. Keep in mind that your new hire will become as vital as your right arm, assuming if you choose wisely. There are several key qualities to look for during the interview process.Professional recruiters at Hudson Global Resources & Human Capital Solutions, a worldwide office staffing service, surveyed several hundred of their clients, from small companies to mid-size and large corporations. They sought to identify those traits which employers deemed most important. Nearly 50% of the respondents noted that the role of the personal assistant has changed drastically in the past five years, especially regarding the level of responsibility.First and foremost, the personal assistant is now viewed as a "key member of the team" whose input has merit. Some of those employee's suggestions can make a boss shine if taken seriously, or at least serve as a springboard for brainstorming sessions. Thus today's informed employers realize that skilled, intelligent personal assistants add value to the business.Personality and cultural fit. Believe it or not, employers weighted these characteristics as highly important aspects that they look for in new hires. They want someone with a positive attitude that helps build morale in the workplace; not quite a cheerleader, but someone who spreads enthusiasm rather than doom and gloom. And, they want someone suited to the work environment who can effectively take on a leadership role.Experience. Ideally, candidates hired to support executives and senior management should possess a minimum of six to 10 years of related work experience. Of course, there are always exceptions. Aptitude and attitude both count. Though there is a need for business sense and some experience, remember that technical skills can be learned by eager and willing employees. So, never bypass a superior prospect who doesn't know some computer program such as Microsoft PowerPoint that is easy to learn. Carefully evaluate all of the individual's qualifications.Urgency - The rule of now or never. Does the prospective hire understand the phrase, "I need it yesterday," and can he or she deliver? Deadlines must be met. Missed deadlines can result in lost business.Initiative. A true asset to any boss is the employee who can assess a situation, think on his or her feet, and require little to no guidance when following through on a project. Executives and managers who can rely on their assistants to handle all the finite details are free to go out and grow their business with the reassurance that they left the office in capable hands.
Bill Vourazeris 443-618-2880
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Creating Team Loyalty
Creating Team Loyalty
Lead By Example
Do you suffer from high turnover in the workplace? One issue that is greatly underestimated by most managers is that of employee turnover. It can literally wreck your organization and your continuity.The longer you have a consistent team in place, the more you learn to become an extension of each other. Your productivity and efficiency skyrockets when you have a team that works well together. For this reason, it is incredibly important that you create a working environment that allows your team to flourish, a place where your employees want to be on a long-term basis. Remember, your employees spend more of their waking hours in the workplace than anywhere else. You need to strive to make it an enjoyable environment.Lead by example. Create clarity within the job descriptions you provide. Make sure the organization's vision and Mission Statement is crystal clear and embodied in the actions of each and every member of your team.Create loyalty by tending to special needs. It helps to show your appreciation for your team members and make sure you are building loyalty with them. For example, many employees are working parents. One of the most difficult times of the year for them is during the summer. The children are not in school, and the parent is wishing he or she didn't have to work and wants to be with his or her children. This is a great time to do something special for them.
Pay a housekeeper to handle their housecleaning responsibilities a couple of times a month. This is a way to let that valued employee know that you don't want them to be home on a Saturday morning cleaning the house when they could be out doing something exciting with their children. During the holidays you can offer to have their car washed or their houses cleaned so they can focus on their holiday gift shopping and spend time with their family. These are little things that add up to big results.Get to know your employees' "other half." Remember, your employee's spouse can be your advocate or your enemy. This is the person your employee goes home to every night after a long day of work, and it is quite possible this is the person they will vent their frustrations to. If you have this spouse as your advocate, the spouse will defend you and remind your employee that they have a lot going for them with this job.
If you haven't taken the time to get to know your employees' significant others through occasional group functions, you are putting yourself in a position where this person, who could have been your advocate, is now someone who is suggesting the best solution is to look for another job! Keep in mind that the success of a great team is greatly dependent on your ability to keep key individuals as long as possible.
Bill Vourazeris 443-618-2880
Lead By Example
Do you suffer from high turnover in the workplace? One issue that is greatly underestimated by most managers is that of employee turnover. It can literally wreck your organization and your continuity.The longer you have a consistent team in place, the more you learn to become an extension of each other. Your productivity and efficiency skyrockets when you have a team that works well together. For this reason, it is incredibly important that you create a working environment that allows your team to flourish, a place where your employees want to be on a long-term basis. Remember, your employees spend more of their waking hours in the workplace than anywhere else. You need to strive to make it an enjoyable environment.Lead by example. Create clarity within the job descriptions you provide. Make sure the organization's vision and Mission Statement is crystal clear and embodied in the actions of each and every member of your team.Create loyalty by tending to special needs. It helps to show your appreciation for your team members and make sure you are building loyalty with them. For example, many employees are working parents. One of the most difficult times of the year for them is during the summer. The children are not in school, and the parent is wishing he or she didn't have to work and wants to be with his or her children. This is a great time to do something special for them.
Pay a housekeeper to handle their housecleaning responsibilities a couple of times a month. This is a way to let that valued employee know that you don't want them to be home on a Saturday morning cleaning the house when they could be out doing something exciting with their children. During the holidays you can offer to have their car washed or their houses cleaned so they can focus on their holiday gift shopping and spend time with their family. These are little things that add up to big results.Get to know your employees' "other half." Remember, your employee's spouse can be your advocate or your enemy. This is the person your employee goes home to every night after a long day of work, and it is quite possible this is the person they will vent their frustrations to. If you have this spouse as your advocate, the spouse will defend you and remind your employee that they have a lot going for them with this job.
If you haven't taken the time to get to know your employees' significant others through occasional group functions, you are putting yourself in a position where this person, who could have been your advocate, is now someone who is suggesting the best solution is to look for another job! Keep in mind that the success of a great team is greatly dependent on your ability to keep key individuals as long as possible.
Bill Vourazeris 443-618-2880
Disaster Preparedness
Disaster Preparedness
Simple Steps Everyone Can Take
Natural disasters are a fact of life. Each area of the country has its own challenges, from hurricanes on the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts to tornados in the Plains and earthquakes in California. Regardless of where you live, it's important to have plans in place to ensure that you and your family are prepared should an emergency arise.
Begin by researching which types of events could occur in your community:
Contact local authorities to learn how community alerts are issued and the evacuation routes you will need to follow.
Inquire about emergency plans at work, school, and any other locations that family members frequent on a regular basis.
Determine how to care for your pet(s) since most temporary shelters only permit service dogs to enter. Start by visiting the American Red Cross website's Animal Safety section to learn about suggested alternatives (www.redcross.org).
Next, develop a Family Emergency Plan:
Create contact information cards for each family member.
Select a reliable out-of-state relative/friend who family members should contactif local communications are down.
Establish home escape routes and practice them.
Learn how to shut off your utilities.
Procure proper insurance coverage and protect your vital records.
Create a short list of what to take in case of a fire.
Finally, create a Disaster Supply Kit for your home, your car, and your office. Your home kit should include:
Food - Select prepackaged, ready-to-eat food and beverage items that your family will enjoy. Try to avoid anything that's too salty in case the water supply is limited.
Water - Store one gallon of water for each family member per day, and plan on a minimum of three days.
First Aid Kit and essential medications.
Non-electric can opener, knife, and utensils.
Battery-operated radio, flashlights, batteries, pens and paper.
Be sure to review the contents of the kit every six months, and replace anything that's about to expire.
Your office and car kits should contain a pared down collection of the items mentioned above, as well as comfortable shoes. In addition, you'll want to add flares and jumper cables to your car's inventory.If you found this information to be helpful and would like to learn more, you may want to visit one or more of the following websites: www.redcross.org, www.72hours.org, and www.fema.gov/areyouready.
Do you have any tips on this subject that you would like to share?Please call and tell me about them! Bill Vourazeris 443-618-2880
Simple Steps Everyone Can Take
Natural disasters are a fact of life. Each area of the country has its own challenges, from hurricanes on the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts to tornados in the Plains and earthquakes in California. Regardless of where you live, it's important to have plans in place to ensure that you and your family are prepared should an emergency arise.
Begin by researching which types of events could occur in your community:
Contact local authorities to learn how community alerts are issued and the evacuation routes you will need to follow.
Inquire about emergency plans at work, school, and any other locations that family members frequent on a regular basis.
Determine how to care for your pet(s) since most temporary shelters only permit service dogs to enter. Start by visiting the American Red Cross website's Animal Safety section to learn about suggested alternatives (www.redcross.org).
Next, develop a Family Emergency Plan:
Create contact information cards for each family member.
Select a reliable out-of-state relative/friend who family members should contactif local communications are down.
Establish home escape routes and practice them.
Learn how to shut off your utilities.
Procure proper insurance coverage and protect your vital records.
Create a short list of what to take in case of a fire.
Finally, create a Disaster Supply Kit for your home, your car, and your office. Your home kit should include:
Food - Select prepackaged, ready-to-eat food and beverage items that your family will enjoy. Try to avoid anything that's too salty in case the water supply is limited.
Water - Store one gallon of water for each family member per day, and plan on a minimum of three days.
First Aid Kit and essential medications.
Non-electric can opener, knife, and utensils.
Battery-operated radio, flashlights, batteries, pens and paper.
Be sure to review the contents of the kit every six months, and replace anything that's about to expire.
Your office and car kits should contain a pared down collection of the items mentioned above, as well as comfortable shoes. In addition, you'll want to add flares and jumper cables to your car's inventory.If you found this information to be helpful and would like to learn more, you may want to visit one or more of the following websites: www.redcross.org, www.72hours.org, and www.fema.gov/areyouready.
Do you have any tips on this subject that you would like to share?Please call and tell me about them! Bill Vourazeris 443-618-2880
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