Office Awesomeness

I had an epiphany today. I am at work thinking about the Student Admin I am hiring that I will get to train to help me out in the office. See, I work on campus at a large University as an Executive Assistant and I am stretched VERY thin, as a lot of people lean on me for administrative support.

I was thinking about how this student will be helping out and will have had ZERO prior experience in an office setting. Not much applicable experience either (Chuck-E-Cheese is far from an office setting, but there are definitely some people who act like babies around here). Anyway, I am looking forward to molding her into an excellent office-worker and know that wherever her career path will lead her she will be better equipped thanks to me! ...or so I hope.

Perhaps if I write about my office adventures others can relate...or learn as well (or correct me or damn me to hell for even talking).

Let's start with the newest office craze:
Instant Messaging

Personally I love it. My email inbox gets out of control very quickly and this is a great way for my team to reach me. In the past I have worked at companies that have the entire office on it or all ten branches of the company...or just the admins. Some people are resistant and some dont go a day without trying out a new smiley face...just depends.

Currently since I work on Campus in a temporary department my team is spread out. I can go days without seeings a single one of them (if you dont count their photo popping up on messenger). So this tool is really nice. There are downsides to be ware of though. Here are some common IM@Work pitfalls:

• Tone does not come across well. Be careful what you say as usually the reader thinks negative tone before positive. Keep it light- simple questions or "hey I just sent you an email"...
• Don't overdo it - don't be a pest! If they have their "away" message on- honor it and dont bother them. Or at least acknowledge it "Hey I know you're not at your desk or busy, so when you have a moment, please look at the email I sent you titled "meeting Tuesday".
• There is no delay* so think hard and correct typos before you hit enter!
• Even instant messages can be saved/copied/pasted/printed/emailed so be careful what you say and to whom.
• If you decide to use the same messenger username for personal and work contacts, be extra careful you are not accidentally sending a personal message for your husband to your boss.

*Perhaps another time I will discuss Outlook Rules. My favorite rule is e-mail delay...it has saved me many times.

Please comment and let me know if this is lame or interesting..I may or may not keep up with it!