International Association of Administrative Professionals

Are you looking for administrative professionals to network with? To help you solve problems? To share frustrations and successes with?

As an administrative professional who works virtually, this is a great group to meet with face to face. As a virtual worker, it is important to get out, meet and greet, network, socialize and more. The International Association of Administrative Professionals is the world’s largest administrative professionals group that promotes the profession. We have more than 40,000 members worldwide!

I am getting ready to be installed as the Colorado-Wyoming-Montana Division President on June 1! Not only is this a bit overwhelming, but I look at it as another adventure and opportunity to more the virtual world into the brick and mortar world and help the corporate admin understand our world a bit better. I find that my friendships are lasting and the support we give one another is fantastic! I encourage you to check out to see if there is a local chapter near you. Go, visit! If there is not a chapter, contact me for the opportunity to join a virtual IAAP chapter.

About IAAP

• The International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP) is a not-for-profit professional association with approximately 40,000 members and affiliates and nearly 600 chapters worldwide.

• IAAP works in partnership with employers to promote professional excellence.

IAAP Mission, Objectives, Purpose, Vision and Core Values

• The IAAP mission is to be the acknowledged, recognized leader of administrative professionals and to enhance their individual and collective value, image, competence, and influence.

• IAAP’s purpose is to provide information, education, and training and to set standards of excellence recognized by the business community on a global perspective.

• IAAP’s objectives are to elevate the standards of all administrative professionals and to promote their working relationships with management through continuing education, authorized programs, and publications.

• IAAP’s vision is to inspire and equip all administrative professionals to attain excellence.

Definition of Administrative Professional

• IAAP defines administrative professionals as “individuals who are responsible for administrative tasks and coordination of information in support of an office related environment and who are dedicated to furthering their personal and professional growth in their chosen profession.”

Customer Service

Well, I think our refinancing is complete!

I have learned a couple of lessons from this experience -

1) I do not deal well with money-related stress

2) Customer service is paramount

One of the companies that we dealt with needs a lesson in customer service! They were stiff, non-cooperative, and basically treated us with very little respect. Now granted, we wanted them to settle our account for less, so we could pay them off – but I felt less than valued when dealing with them.

So, my response? I called the CEO of the credit card company. Have I heard back from him? No. I plan on calling again and again, if necessary to get my message to someone about their customer service. Credit card companies suck you in and then ick!

How does this relate to being a VA? Think about it. You might tell a potential client everything they want to hear to land that client. Bad idea! That client will become dependent upon you and if you cannot honor your word, treat them as if they are the only client you have – your reputation and good will are at stake.

I have relearned that customer service is ultimately the best service you can give a client.

Life’s Journeys

Well, we just finished refinancing our house! Now, for some reason this should feel like a good thing. But, I am sitting here full of angst because of the refinancing terms.

We – actually my dear husband – had a couple of serious accidents over the last couple of years. One included crashing his airplane. So, like many self-employed people, we did not have insurance. Yikes! So we are digging out from under medical bills and debt. I hate debt – and so does my husband. But, do you think I would even consider that he feels as bad as I do? Never in a million years.

This is an important lesson, especially in any partnership. There are at least two of us in it. As a VA, it is important to remember that you have that second person who is directly affected by what you do or don’t do. And, if things are not going smoothly a ripple affect happens. Rather like yelling at the dog when you come home from a bad day at work.

Face-to-face communication can be hard – it can be even harder over the telephone, IM, or email. Keep in mind that distant, but very real, person who is collaborating with you. It is not all about us, in spite of what Paris Hilton thinks.

Treat others as you want to be treated – in your personal life as well as your professional life!

I Believe

Well, it has been a busy couple of months! I worked with a mentor to put the business back into business. As a VA, I think we are subject to burnout very easily. It is important to take care of ourselves – give ourselves a day off, get a massage, learn something new, and most importantly – believe in ourselves.

As Spring is finally springing in the Colorado valley, I am enjoying the idea of camping, riding my motorcycle, fishing, biking, and more.

I get this fantastic newsletter from the Older Wiser Women website – Barbara Phillips. As we age, we just keep getting better and better and can use our talents to help our clients. In the latest newsletter there is a link to a wonderful video. I have put it here – enjoy!

I Believe!

If you want to visit Barbara’s sites – I encourage you to do so. She has tons of great information for those who are superbly Older Wiser Women!

OlderWiser Women

Healthy Aging for Women

Til next time!