WHILE their work is often behind-the-scenes, administrative assistants are clearly valuable to the executives they support.

“Behind every successful business leader is an outstanding assistant,” said Diane Domeyer, executive director of OfficeTeam, a staffing service.

Administrative support roles are expanding, and managers now rely on their assistants more than ever for project management, research and budgeting tasks, in addition to their traditional responsibilities.”

A survey developed by OfficeTeam asked 150 senior executives at the United States 1,000 largest companies, ‘How important is your administrative assistant’s role to your success?’

The response?

. Very important (48 per cent);

. somewhat important (37 per cent);

. somewhat unimportant (8 per cent);

. very unimportant (5 per cent); and

. don’t know/no answer (2 per cent).

Managers should take the time to acknowledge these contributions.

OfficeTeam and the International Association of Administrative Professionals conducted a separate survey of more than 300 administrative professionals to determine how they have been recognised for their work.

Some examples:

. ‘My boss acknowledged my contribution through a company announcement and reimbursed me for a professional development seminar and dinner’;

. ‘There was a huge banner and all kinds of presents in my office’; and

. ‘My company provided financial support for my education’.

Copley News Service