Focuses on the training and development needs of admin professionals and features topics such as hard skills (software competencies, writing, communication, filing) and soft skills (teamwork, time management, leadership).
Issue link: https://digital.hrreporter.com/i/726027
SEPTEMBER 2016 2 E D I TO R ' S N OT E George Pearson Family Inc.: A business opportunity at home What's the biggest asset you have forgotten you own and how could you use it more wisely? It's a question that author Douglas McCormick addresses in Family Inc: Using Business Principles to Maximize Your Family's Wealth. His answer is that labor and capi- tal – valued by businesses as essen- tial to their bottom line success – are key assets for families too. However, he observes, "most families…don't take such a businesslike approach to their finances, their assets or their choices." His message should resonate espe- cially for virtual assistants who work from home and juggle family respon- sibilities. In an interview with Knowledge@ Wharton, the online business analysis journal of the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School, McCormick says families should think of themselves as a business and pay attention to the value of their labour and their financial capital. "The financial game of life is about learning to convert that labour into capital to support the family when you've exhausted your labour," he said in the interview. For example, he describes himself as a "big fan" of finding work situa - tions that offer a lot of flexibility. Since the nature of work and companies themselves are changing, he recom- mends that "you want to be able to port the skills you have acquired in your current job into other industries and other markets." Does that ring a bell for those of you who are virtual assistants? Or those of you who are thinking of becoming self-employed as a VA? This is also a perspective you may wish to share with your children or grandchildren. Func- tional skill sets (think communica- tions, project management or finance, for example) enable one to qualify for work across a number of industries. McCormick pointed out that fam- ily members too often fail to share information about financial decisions. Why not have Family Inc. meetings periodically? Insights gained in such meetings could be enormously help- ful to the next generation, especially when they leave the nest to go on to school or work. It could also set them up with a succession plan so that if something happens to one or both parents, they're prepared to take responsibility for the assets left to them. In the interview, Knowledge@ Wharton points out that millennials (see page 6) are increasingly thinking about long-term finances, even before they have families. McCormick agrees and points out that whereas a Boomer may have had two or three careers, today's millennial is likely to have more than 10. Whether you're firmly into your current work situation or looking for new opportunities, investing some time with Family Inc. (yours) may be profitable for you. Relaxed dress code the norm, with limits By Staff In summer 2016, Starbucks relaxed its dress code to permit funky hair, dark blue jeans and patterned shirts. The decision is in keeping with the results of a survey by Office Team earlier this year. Half of senior managers in the survey reported more casual dress options than five years ago while 31 per cent of office workers expressed a preference to work at a company with a business casual dress code: tie optional for men and slacks and blouse for women. But there are limits on what is acceptable, with senior manag- ers objecting to situations where employees dress too casually or show too much skin. "Staff should always look professional and project an image that reflects positively on the business," states Brandi Britton, a district president for Office Team. Administrative Assistant's Update is published once a month by Thomson Reuters Canada Ltd. Director, Carswell Media: Karen Lorimer Publisher: Todd Humber Editor: George Pearson george@adminupdate.ca Associate Editor: Jennifer Lewington jennifer@adminupdate.ca EDITORIAL OFFICE (519) 271-6000 Administrative Assistant's Update Thomson Reuters Canada Ltd. 1 Corporate Plaza, 2075 Kennedy Road Toronto, ON M1T 3V4 CUSTOMER SERVICE (416) 609-3800 (800) 387-5164 FAX (416) 298-5082 (877) 750-9041 carswell.customerrelations@ thomsonreuters.com Contents copyright. All rights reserved. © 2016 Thomson Reuters Canada Ltd. Contents may not be reproduced without written permission. Brief extracts may be made with due acknowledgement. Annual subscription: $189. Publications Mail Registration No. 40065782 GST# 897176350 UPDATE Administrative Assistant's