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bethalize
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« on: May 22, 2002, 11:03:06 am » |
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Has anyone here in the UK seen the latest MYOB magazine? I cannot believe this article - it was written by someone from the company that runs Creme. Inappropriate training damages UK businesses
PAs and secretaries are wasting time every day and costing British businesses billions of pounds because of inadequate training, claims the organiser of one of Britain's biggest PA and secretarial events. Marcus Timson, organiser of the Times Creme Executive Secretary and PA Exhibition (14-16 May, Olympia 2 in London) commented; "PAs and secretaries often experience anxiety because their boss has requested they perform a task that is - through no fault of their own - above and beyond their existing responsiblities, knowledge or experience. Time is then involuntarily wasted while they figure out what to do by consulting colleagues or guessing, leaving them feeling frustrated. This is occurring more and more frequently as the current structure of office roles has seen PAs and secretaries take on extra roles that were once the responsiblity fo an experienced specialist, such as PR manager or payroll clerk."
Timson suggests that inadequate training not only wastes time and decreases their morale, it can also present a poor company image. He asks: "How many of us have been frustrated by working with someone who seems to have no idea?" Timson advises companies to take steps to ensure specialists liaise with PAs to develop their skillsets. "Companies should arrange with office equipment suppliers, marketing agencies, accountants and other such companies to train PAs. Managers should also review the training needs of staff regularly."Am I alone in finding this piece offensive? I can't believe that someone is making it out to be MY fault that my company doesn't train me. Hell, it's not like I don't WANT to be trained. I ask often enough. And, by the WAY, if I don't know how to do something, I bloody well LOOK IT UP. I read the manual, check the Internet, I research it. And if I ask once, I don't need to ask again because I WRITE IT DOWN! How stupid does this person think secretaries are? Bethalize Deskdemon Forum Board Staff Edited by andream on 22/05/02 06:43 PM. |
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Jackie G
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« Reply #1 on: May 22, 2002, 11:06:26 am » |
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Yes, I too thought this article was very bad. I have let Mr Timson know what I think of it, and am awaiting his response! Will let you know . . .  Jackie www.iqps.org
DeskDemon Forum Board Staff
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sydney
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« Reply #2 on: May 22, 2002, 12:35:51 pm » |
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I am insulted. Are we little puppets wandering aimlessly around the office, waiting for our Master's call? I am a professional. I take pride in my work, I am good at my job and the tone and wording of this article is offensive to not just UK PA's but to PA's and Office Support Professionals everywhere. To have this come from one of the developers of Creme is simply unpardonable. Is anyone else having trouble with their blood pressure over this?
"How many of us have been frustrated by working with someone who seems to have no idea?.
I can say with absolute assurance that the people who have "no idea" aren't PA's they're the Media company determined to make money by marketing to PA's during Creme. It's offensive, it's patronising and we should DO Something about this!
Syd
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adrian_roberts
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« Reply #3 on: May 22, 2002, 02:18:37 pm » |
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I think I mentioned that perhaps things at Creme were not so fresh as they were purported to be.
What say we email all the vendors who attended and let them know we are not amused? I think a bit of shaking is in order. We want more, and we will not tolerate being dismissed or demeaned. In particular, by someone who is supposed to understand us.
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mellowstella
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« Reply #4 on: May 22, 2002, 02:20:10 pm » |
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That's so nasty. Does these people really think that we don't see them not taking us seriously? I've been asking for training for three years - ever since I got here - and I'm always told that there isn't the money although there's enough money to send the people I support to conferences and put them in hotels at 100 pounds a night. I know - I booked iit! Personally, I want proper training in things like software and business methods, not some company trying to sell me their products.
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andream
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« Reply #5 on: May 22, 2002, 02:28:03 pm » |
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Okay folks, lets chill here a minute, my email overfloweth and I understand your sense of outrage, but and this is a huge BUT, we need to get the other side of the story. I have a call into Mr. Timson, I have a call in to the Magazine who originally printed the story, I have different stories about who said what. Let's make sure that we have all the information correct and then let's take collective action.
I agree the article is demeaning. I agree with the sense of outrage you all are emailing me about. I agree with the fact that this should certainly be something that we take collective proactive action on, but proactive is the key here.
Reaction without thought accomplishes nothing. Let us determine together what good we can do our peers, and our profession and what action we can take to make our voices heard. We will help you, we will take action, we will facillitate your group action, but I ask you to wait.
Let's get the entire story. I will share it with you, I am not afraid to do that, I AM Afraid that action taken which is based on not having all the facts may result in something that does not become the call to arms that you hope to accomplish.
Wait a bit before you take action. Please. I'll let you know what we have found out as soon as I can, hopefully by close of business today!
Andrea
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kittie
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« Reply #6 on: May 22, 2002, 04:45:49 pm » |
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I have to be honest and say that on the face of it, this is a disgrace. He may even think that he's drumming up business for training providers by spouting off, but what an unprofessional tactic.
As someone who's struggled for a while to 'get on' because I don't have a degree (yeah right - as if that automatically gives you common sense, organisational skills etc, etc), I find this really insulting and puts back the profession a hundred years!
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adminexpert
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« Reply #7 on: May 22, 2002, 05:05:08 pm » |
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I have to agree with Kittie, as an Office Administrator, I am very upset both with the show and with the mentality behind it that would allow someone so obviously unprepared to speak to the press in this manner.
I can not however, believe that Mr. Timson meant this the way it came out. It simply doesn't make sense that he would attack the very group that they are dependant on to make Creme a success.
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mellowstella
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« Reply #8 on: May 22, 2002, 05:19:39 pm » |
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Maybe he thought we wouldn't notice. Isn't this magazine for businesses? He was talking about us, not TO us.
If I remember rightly, when you talk about someone in a different way to their face than you do behind their back, that's called being two faced. Or even hypocritical.
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copyboy007
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« Reply #9 on: May 22, 2002, 05:34:38 pm » |
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It seems the article attempts to focus on the topic of workplace anxiety caused by insufficient training for those that are ordered to perform tasks unfamiliar and outside their usual job description (which itself varies, as there are many levels of PA professionals). The wording of the article surely could have been more balanced with respect to conveying a neutral position as the topic could also relate to other professionals that may deal with low morale in the same situation. Hopefully, readers can see through the rhetoric and a correction will be printed to clarify his intentions.  CopyBoy007
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countrigal
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In the meantime, we'll sit back and wait to see what the whole story is, to the best of Andrea's ability to get it. I agree with everyone that the way this was presented looks terrible, and I'm hoping that it was a bad case of taken out of context or skewed, but whatever it is, we'll know as soon as possible and then can proceed to DO something about it other than just venting our feelings in here over this disgrace. If he really thinks like that, then he'll be facing a very powerful set of folks as a united force as all admins stand up and disavow him and his words. If he doesn't really think like that, and it was taken out of context, then the magazine will get some attention I'm sure. Let's be patient (sit and stew on it a bit) and see what Andrea uncovers.
Good luck Andrea! Something tells me you're going to need it.
CountriGal
Deskdemon Editorial Board Member
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andream
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We're actively working on getting all the story together, I have a phone meeting with the editors at the Times tomorrow and we'll keep you advised of everything that transpires so if you will all bear with me a bit longer, and uhhh holding some of the emails would be a nice thing, save some of that anger for something constructive you guys!
We will see to it that you are heard, I give you my word.
Andrea
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copyboy007
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One more thing is that those who do the stories are known to disregard HOW things are said. When there are words used, especially those that evoke more drama (even when obviously used in another intention), many "journalists" tend to stick with what was technically said versus what was obviously communicated in the conversation. A couple of years ago, I was misquoted by a fast talking "journalist" who seemed disinterested in the overall facts of a subject and more interested in why this and why that on a small part that interested her. After it was published, the only information printed turned out to be misleading and inaccurate because of partial reporting. Although it was arguably correct, the final mix was disappointingly incomplete. Therefore, I am sure there is more to it, if this publication will give space for rebuttals by all involved, including the one interviewed. CopyBoy007
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raindance
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Now ... why did I decide not to go to Creme this year? I wonder ...
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superninjaadmin
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Bethalize, OK, I agree that the article was VERY POORLY WRITTEN! My employer is in a very high profile business, and we are in the news media CONSTANTLY - and I must tell you that our company is continuously misrepresented by the media (newspaper and TV). We have external communication people that work with the media on a daily basis to help them to get their stories and information straight, but even with our efforts, the media still has screwups. Getting to your article: I read this article, and my first impression is that the author did not intend to slam secretaries and PAs, but to stick it on management for not keeping their staff (secretaries and PAs) properly trained in the latest technology or information that's out there in the workplace. This also includes communicating. Failure to communicate with staff is the issue I believe he is trying to point out. I applaud Andrea and the other UK Deskdemon members for taking the proactive approach to get the correct story from the author. I hope that a follow-up article is published that clears up the mud. Looking forward to hearing the outcome...  SNA |
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