Administrative Assistant's Update

April 2017

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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APRIL 2017 2 E D I TO R ' S N OT E George Pearson Admin pros always up for the next challenge When you sign on as an administrative professional, you never know where that choice will take you over time. Such was the case for Andrea Bowman (see AAU, January 2017), who as a recent university graduate in 1994 took a job supporting the executive assistant to the top four executives at auto parts manufacturer Linamar in Guelph, Ontario. Today she is senior executive assistant to CEO Linda Hasenfratz, who succeeded her father, the company founder, in that position in 2002. The company has grown dramatically under Hasenfratz's leadership. In 2014 she was named EY Entrepreneur of the Year, the first woman to hold the title. When Prime Minister Justin Trudeau met with U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington in February, the agenda included the establishment of a roundtable of leading women executives from both countries with a mandate to advise on improving access to capital for female business owners and developing policies to help women stay in the workforce. One of the Canadians named to the bilateral group was Linda Hasenfratz, who sat next to Mr. Trudeau at the roundtable. When interviewed by AAU, Hasenfratz credited Bowman with handling office business and incoming traffic in ways that enable Hasenfratz to be more productive. "She plays an invaluable role in allowing me to do so much more," said Hasenfratz. "We all need to focus on the things that we are good at and I think we can all do so much more than you think you can." For her part, Bowman spoke of the insights she has gained in working with Hasenfratz over the years. "I know her very well and try to anticipate her needs. The tricky part is that her needs of 10 years ago are not necessarily the same now so it is about being observant and keeping on top of it." Like Bowman, top administrative professionals across Canada know there's always more to learn, assimilate and apply because dynamic organizations are constantly challenged to fulfill their mission more efficiently and effectively. They know that no two days on the job are ever the same and they are energized by the possibilities that each new day brings. "I do love my job and the people I work with," says Bowman, "and I love the opportunity they have given me." To Bowman and to all of you who prepare for and welcome the next challenge, we honour you on Administrative Professionals Day (Wednesday, April 26) – and on every other day of the year. Administrative Assistant's Update is published once a month by Thomson Reuters Canada Ltd. Director, Media Solutions, Canada: 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. © 2017 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 APC in Toronto May 28-31 APC returns to Toronto May 28-31. The 18th Annual Administrative Professionals Conference, "Make the Leap to Extraordinary," will again take place at the Harbour Castle Westin Hotel. A new learning track, Peer to Peer, has been added, where admins will have the opportunity to share best practices. The other tracks are Career Advancement, Communication, Technology and Balance. An array of half-day workshops (morning and afternoon) on May 28 and 31 will be bookends to the one-hour track sessions scheduled for May 29-30.

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