Administrative Assistant's Update

December 2016

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).

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DECEMBER 2016 2 E D I TO R ' S N OT E George Pearson A low-tech way to touch someone A lot of little things go into building a climate of warmth and respect in an organization. One of them is, for most people today, an anachronism: Sending a handwritten note of gratitude for a kind gesture, or congratulations on an achievement inside or outside the workplace. Joan Burge reminded me of the potential of the personal note not too long ago in her Monday Motivators blog. Joan is founder and CEO of Of - fice Dynamics International. In her blog she told of recently receiving "personal handwritten notes, little gifts, cards, letters and emails of gratitude from people whose lives we have touched and didn't even know it." She suggested acknowledging "at least one person per day for whom you are thankful. And write at least one thank-you note on a card in your handwriting. I can't tell you how much it means to know that someone took time out of their busy schedule to write a note versus sending a quick email." Too busy to take time to send a handwritten note? Doug Conant, when he was CEO and president of Campbell Soup, sent more that 30,000 handwritten notes of thanks to em - ployees. Christine Porath, an authority on civility—and incivility—in the work- place (see Incivility in the workplace can be corrosive, costly), writing in the Harvard Business Review, says, "One way to help create a culture of respect and bring out your employees' best is to express your appreciation. Personal notes are particularly effec- tive, especially if they emphasize be- ing a role model, treating people well, and living the organization's values." 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 Three myths about handwritten notes There are lots of reasons not to take the time and effort to send a handwritten note. Kent Sanders, who writes about creativity, the arts and productivity at www.KentSanders.net, wrote "3 Myths About Sending Handwritten Notes" in a guest blog at www.tonsofthanks.com. Here is a condensed version: Myth #1: It's not a good use of my time to send handwritten notes. When we have email, text, social media, Skype, phone, and so many other ways to communicate, why send a handwritten note? Because it makes people feel "special and significant," says Sanders. "There's something special about the tactile nature of a handwritten note. For that reason, some of the most valuable moments of your day are when you take the time to write personal notes." Myth #2: It's too much of a hassle to send handwritten notes. Sanders has assembled his note-writing supplies in one place: a box of pens, stationery (he has personalized it), envelopes and stamps. When he needs the person's address, he looks it up or sends and email asking, "What is your mailing address? Got a little something I want to send you." Myth #3: My handwriting is too bad to send handwritten notes. If your writing isn't the greatest or even if you print rather than write, the point is "that you took the time to send a note." Be - sides, he emphasizes, "it's never about the note; the note is just a medium for your thoughts. But it's a medium that will communicate how much you ap- preciate the person receiving it." Need some inspiration? Read A Modern Guide to Writing Thank-You Notes by Heidi Bender, available from Amazon.ca in paper- back and Kindle. Credit: Marc Dietrich (Shutterstock)

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