Thank Your Staff: It’s Administrative Professionals Week!

Always the last week in April, with Administrative Professionals Day Wednesday, April 25, it’s a great time to show your gratitude and appreciation to these valued employees.
The theme for this year’s Administrative Professionals Day is “Admins, the pulse of the office,”International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP), as the holiday marks its 60^th anniversary.
It’s one of the largest workplace observances outside of employee birthdays and major holidays, IAAP reports. The event is celebrated worldwide, bringing together millions of people for community events, educational seminars and individual corporate activities recognizing support staff.
Say it with Gift Certificates of Gratitude
Holiday Insights notes the most common ways to recognize your administrative professionals are:

• Cards, often with Gift Certificates
• Flowers
• Lunch
• Candy
• Gift baskets

Administrative Professionals:  The Heart and Pulse of the Office
These professionals certainly deserve your thanks. IAAP calls them “the steady center of efficiency … helping ensure jobs get done right, on time and under budget.”  And, usually with a smile and a bright disposition too.
International speaker and trainer Marja Lee Freeman, “The Employment Lady”, and founder of M.L. Freeman Consulting, asks  “So, what are YOU DOING for your staff this Administrative Professionals Week?” in her article, Administrative Professionals Week Celebration . “It’s time people realize the office administrator is the heart and pulse of a successful organization—for profit, nonprofit or any profit!” she enthuses.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports more than 4.1 million secretaries and administrative assistants work in the United States and 8.9 million people work in various administrative support roles.
Recognize Support Staff’s Contributions
Although it’s important to recognize employees throughout the year, Administrative Professionals Week provides a great opportunity to thank support staff for their contributions, advises OfficeTeam’s Robert Hosking, Executive Director of the world’s largest temporary staffing service for Administrative Professionals.
The staffing firm’s press release at PR Newswire, OfficeTeam Offers Recognition Tips For Administrative Professionals Day (April 25), says “Although the achievements of these individuals often occur behind the scenes, administrative professionals make a significant impact on their organizations every day.”
And Harvard Business Review enumerates admins’ contributions in The Case for Executive Assistants.  “At senior levels (of Management) the return on a skilled assistant can be substantial”, says author Melba J. Duncan.  And, “granting middle managers access to an assistant—or shared resources—can give a quick boost to productivity even at lean, well-run companies.”  Duncan adds:

“Effective assistants can make enormous contributions to productivity at all levels of the organization. They ensure meetings begin on time with prep material delivered in advance. They optimize travel schedules and enable remote decision making, keeping projects on track. And they filter the distractions that can turn a manager into a reactive type who spends all day answering email instead of a leader who proactively sets the organization’s agenda.”

Melba J. Duncan is president of search and consulting firm The Duncan Group and author of “The New Executive Assistant: Advice for Succeeding in Your Career”.
At gThankYou.com, we’ll thank our support staff with gift certificates for ice cream.  How will you thank yours?  Let us know.
For more ideas on how to build a culture of appreciation in your workplace, download our FREE eBook, “The Ultimate Guide to Employee Gift-Giving”.





About gThankYou, LLC
Turkey Or Ham Gift Certificates by gThankYou! are one of America’s favorite employee gifts and can be redeemed for any Brand whole Turkey or half or whole Ham, at virtually any Grocery Store in the U.S.
gThankYou, LLC provides company leaders with a variety of easy, meaningful and affordable ways to recognize and reward employees, holiday time or anytime.  gThankYou! Certificates of Gratitude and free Enclosure Cards are personalizable including incorporating your company logo, and ship same day.
gThankYou, LLC (www.gthankyou.com) is based in Madison, Wisconsin.  Contact:  Rick Kiley, Chief ThankYou! Officer, gThankYou, LLC at info@gthankyou.com or 888-484-1658.
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