9. Secretaries take memos; administrative professionals expedite inter-office communication.

8. Secretaries type letters; administrative professionals facilitate company communication with national and international clients.

7. Secretaries file; administrative professionals manage and organize data for efficient retrieval of corporate records.

6. Secretaries un-jam the copy machines; administrative professionals maintain high-tech equipment vital to day-to-day operations.

5. Secretaries answer the phone; administrative professionals manage communication between staff and customers.

4. Secretaries listen to office gossip and complaints; administrative professionals act as corporate arbitrators and manage conflict between administrators and staff.

3. Secretaries order office supplies; administrative professionals manage inventory of critical corporate resources.

2. Secretaries buy gifts when boss realizes he or she has forgotten spouse's birthday or anniversary; administrative professionals facilitate crisis management at the executive level.

1. Secretaries get little respect in the corporate environment; administrative professionals get just a bit more.

While working at a publishing house, we executives could be gone for days at a time and the company would continue operating just fine. But if any administrative professional was gone for more than an afternoon, the house collapsed. So, my best wishes go out to all the administrative professionals who keep business, well, in business!

Copyright © 2007 James N. Watkins

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