SEPTEMBER 2017
P R O F E S S I O N A L D E V E L O P M E N T F O R C A N A D A ' S O F F I C E S U P P O R T S T A F F
Administrative
Assistant's
UPDATE UPDATE
PM
#40065782
INSIDE
The adaptable admin � � � � � � � 2
Managing human interactions,
not mechanical tasks
Your LinkedIn profile � � � � � � � 3
Keep it current: add courses,
certification, achievements
A climate for success � � � � � � � 5
In "flat" organization, workers
learn, grow, contribute
Mail merge tips � � � � � � � � � � � 6
Communicate more efficiently to
a large group of recipients
By George Pearson
AAU Editor
As administrative coordinator at
Michael Garron Hospital (formerly
Toronto East General), Sue Dunn's job
is a perfect fit for her personality and
professional skills: She works for mul-
tiple bosses, collaborates with other
admins, volunteers for special projects
and takes opportunities to learn new
skills.
In doing so, the 30-year hospital
veteran has earned a reputation as a
go-to person. At an Ontario Hospital
Association conference for admins
this year, Michael Garron senior
communications consultant Sharon
Navarro publicly bragged about the
powerful contribution that Dunn
makes to the organization.
AAU sat down with Dunn (and
two of her bosses) to learn what tools
a valued admin professional brings to
her organization.
For example, when the hospital
was installing new software to sup
-
port physician scheduling, replacing
an outmoded manual system, the di-
vision head normally responsible for
such installations within the hospital
became unavailable so Abrahamson
recruited Dunn to assist.
She learned the system and
worked with the physicians, and "re-
ally helped get it off the ground and
functioning," says Dr. John Abraham-
son, the hospital's Chief of Medicine.
In a similar way, Dunn immersed
herself in social media training when
she saw that she could be helpful to
another boss, Irene Andress, Chief
Nursing Executive.
Andress had to learn the social
media ropes but her plate already
was full of higher-level responsibili-
ties, so Dunn decided to lift some of
the burden.
"When [the trainers] were sitting
with Irene and showing Irene how to
use it," Dunn says, "I just jumped in
and said can I sit here and watch and
learn as well to help support her."
At Michael Garron Hospital, a
"flat" rather than hierarchical organi-
zation, Andress says staff are en-
Worker, boss
goals at odds
When Randstad Canada conducted
its 2017 survey of top employer
brands, the staffing firm found
employees seek companies that
"encourage work-life balance,
long-term job security and a
pleasant working environment"
while employers focus on financial
health, technology and corporate
reputation.
"With the Canadian gig econ-
omy and the battle for talents
heating up, it is crucial for employ-
ers to close the gap between what
employees are seeking and what
they offer," say survey authors.
Source: randstad.ca/employer-
branding
Continued on page 4
Sue Dunn, Michael Garron Hospital
An EA for all seasons:
Anticipate needs, take action
Sue Dunn
©
Jennifer Lewington
