Sanders Says - The best gift to give on Administrative Professional's Day: Knowledge!

April 27, 2011

The best gift to give on Administrative Professional's Day: Knowledge!

To commemorate Administrative Professional's Day, my friend Jonathan Spring is giving Laura, his administrative assistant, a copy of What The CEO Wants You to Know by Ram Charan. Why? Because Laura is a smart young person whose hero is Colleen Barrett of Southwest Airlines.

Colleen, too, was once an admin. In fact she was once Southwest CEO Herb Kelleher's admin. When they worked at a different company. Over time, Colleen matured into a savvy professional, so savvy that when Herb Kelleher took over Southwest, he hired Colleen away from her old job. Today she's the president of the airline. My friend Jonathan knows that anyone who wants to be the next Colleen Barrett must have a basic understanding of how companies work. And so he's passing along to Laura the greatest gift of all: knowledge.

Called National Secretary Day when it was first celebrated 50 years ago, now called Administrative Professional's Day, April 24th is more than a chance to recognize your assistant, helper, secretary, or whatever you want to call him/her. It's a chance to stage a positive experience, to inspire your most valuable resource, and to promote growth. What does the day really celebrate? Type in the phrase in a search engine and a host of information comes up. One web site actually claims that the day is a conspiracy made up for FTD and other related service industries. Actually, the day was invented to promote the secretarial profession. PR maven Harry F. Klemfuss of Young and Rubicam, Mary Barrett of the National Secretaries Association, and C. King Woodbridge of the Dictaphone Corporation created and launched this day, along with National Secretaries Week, in 1952. Their objective wasn't commercialism or placation. It was "to recognize the secretary, upon whose skills, loyalty, and efficiency the functions of business and government offices depend".

While the titles change and evolve over time, the celebration should continue. Despite computers and downsizing, administrative professionals make businesses run smoothly. They are taking on more technology requirements and handling more management activities than their 1952 counterparts. Harry and friends had the right idea: celebrate the profession and promote solid business values. It's just that over the last five decades the execution has become totally commercialized and the event is de-personalized.

Re-personalize it. These last twelve months have been an amazing challenge to everyone in your company. Nobody feels the pain like your administrative professionals. They have to roll with the your moods, with job stability, with communicating changes and executing everything others think up. This last few years has meant more fear, less pay, and more work than ever. During tough times, people continue to search for answers, and too often alone. As a result, I think the bosses of the world are blowing it. They are ghetto-izing this opportunity. Think of the normal gifts you people give--chocolates, flowers, photograph frames (so they can put your picture in it?), greeting cards. Do you really think these are the best gifts? Think about it. These are not professional gifts that recognize someone's intellectual and material contribution. These gifts only recognize your lack of imagination.

The third week of each April, and particularly the third Wednesday, is a special time just for YOUR administrative professional. It's your chance to shine. You can be a dynamite boss or a dud, it's your choice. The hint? Don't give the standard clinker. The solution is simple; personalize your expression and promote your AP's growth. In a recent poll taken by the International Association of Administrative Professionals respondents were asked how they'd like this special day observed. Almost one fourth responded that they'd prefer a training session or educational event. Only two percent responded that they'd like candy or flowers, while only four percent preferred being taken to lunch.

In my first book, Love is the Killer App, I define BizLove as the intelligent sharing of intangibles (knowledge, network and compassion) to promote another person's growth. To give some growth, give some Bizlove, in the form of a great book. You can make a profound difference on someone's life with just the right message. Which book to give? Think about a person's dreams, interests, and business challenges. Have a conversation with him/her as you research the gift. They will be happy to tell you about books they want to read, subjects they're curious about, ideas they want to pursue.

A great book is a gift that keeps giving. As Cicero once said: "Books are the wise man's passport to success and greatness. Books are the thresholds to wonder; the gateways to enlightenment; the foundations of virtue; and the pediment of honor."

Here are some of my recent book recommendations

Posted at 8:08 AM in Abundance , Business Effectiveness , Leadership | Permalink | Comments (4) | TrackBack (0)

Comments

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Posted by: women supras shoes | November 22, 2011 at 12:37 AM

Knowledge is power. Knowledge really is the most important thing in the world. Remember the old saying "give a man a fish, feed him for a day; teach a man how to fish, feed him for a lifetime". It's really true. Knowledge is what allows us to learn how to fish.

David Grey
Audiocanyon

Posted by: Best iPod docking station | April 28, 2011 at 11:23 PM

Great thoughts, and an excellent analysis of the meaning behind the day and the gifts given. Flowers and candy eventually go away, but growth never does.

Posted by: Brian O'Connell | April 28, 2011 at 12:47 PM

It's a good article. thanks for the link also.

Posted by: wfs | April 28, 2011 at 02:32 AM