Sassy Admin Tells All

I'm famous!

2006-01-20T18:42:00.000-06:00

Check out the article about me at Desk Demon!

Back to Work!

2006-01-17T11:18:00.000-06:00

Wow, nothing like an extra day off on the weekend to refresh the brain. The PowerPoint I was working on was a great success, but it took a lot of time and effort to get it done. I was so wiped out by Friday that I took Monday off to rest, and I'm glad I did. I just wish it hadn't been all rainy this morning, it made me want to stay snuggled in bed, even though I was ready to get back at it at work. I really do have an awesome job.

Wow, nothing like an extra day off on the weekend to create some chaos. You get back in the office to find some things done unnecessarily or incorrectly and some things waiting to be done that don't require you at all. The line of the day is "You're not allowed to take a day off!" and you're welcomed back with many requests which begin with the words "While you were gone..." I really do have a crazy job.

Anything for Recognition

2005-12-19T21:09:00.000-06:00

The quickest way to get recognition from the top is to do something the top needs done. But if that something is a massive presentation encompasing the accomplishments of several departments of your company over an entire year, and it needs to be ready to present to the company in 15 business days, think twice.

Unless you're crazy (like me) you'll probably decide to keep your mouth shut when they ask for volunteers. Me, I'm in up to my elbows and looking forward to showing off a bit. I'd rather be here, going nuts to make it look good, then be looking at the finished product and wishing I'd taken the opportunity. It's not for everyone, though.

Mysteries of the Morning Mind

2005-12-16T08:10:00.000-06:00

As I was taking the lid off my Styrofoam cup this morning to remove the tea bag, I realized that I was holding something steeped in mystery.

Wow.

Hearing voices

2005-12-14T15:52:00.000-06:00

For the next couple weeks, I'm spending my afternoons filling in for an admin down in our call center. There's a woman sitting near me who could be a voice double for "Corporate accounts payable Nina speaking... Just a moment." That voice just shouldn't be coming from a live person.

It reminds me of the latest thing in drive-throughs. Tell me if this has happened to you: You get up to the order screen at a drivethrough, proud of yourself because you already know what you want. The slightly bored voice from the speaker asks you if you'd like to buy X. You answer no (or yes, I suppose) and continue to give your order. You're nearly through when an entirely different voice interrupts: "Welcome to ______ can I take your order?" Now wait a minute. Who was that you just spoke to? Probably the bored manager of the bored employee who is now waiting impatiently while you mentally rewind. The voice was too real, too human. If you're going to give me a commercial, at least use a tonally excessive voice so I'll know (or at least hope) that I'm listening to a tape.

Sometimes I wonder if it would really be such a big bad change if we switched over to using computers to ask the questions in call centers. Customer Service Representatives go off a script. They aren't supposed to sound bored, so most of them either have either no personality in their voices, or they sound sing-song. So why not use a computer voice? Just have someone typing the answers the peson gives. They could always jump in and speak to the customer live if something unexpected happens... like a person who is prepared.

If a real person sounds bored, we're offended. If a computer sounds bored, we think it's human.

Stand Back, I'm a Professional

2005-12-13T11:55:00.000-06:00

My slow slide from punk college grrl to business woman has reached a new milestone. Last night, after getting a particularly short haircut, I decided that I needed to balance it out with a nice pair of earrings and a new purse. Sheesh.

If you do a search for my name online, you'll find a bunch of links to an article I wrote in college which was published in an English textbook. The essay was titled "Woman is a Noun" and was all about how silly it was that it was OK for women to look like tomboys in one way, as long as they balanced it by being obviously feminine in another. And here I am a few years later, living it. And honestly having a good time. Ah, well. at least I still have a haircut that requires clippers.

Please, someone explain this...

2005-12-13T11:50:00.000-06:00

I've been thinking about my career and it's direction, and it's come to me that I never want to be an executive. I've met them. I've worked with them. And if I have to give up all of my common sense in order to see the broad picture along with them, count me out! I'd prefer to remember how to perform basic human functions, thank you.

Ergonomics Shmergonomics

2005-11-29T12:44:00.000-06:00

Last night, I created some new designs for the Sassy Admin gift shop. My theme for the evening was ergonomics, and as I was creating, I was thinking to myself how lucky I am that my day job company takes such good care of me.

Today, I found out that I can no longer use my graphics tablet at work because it's not company owned, and that they won't buy me one ($100) because it's a "luxury item" and everyone will want one, etc. etc., and it's not justified because I don't have a history of repetitive stress injuries. Never mind that my lack of injury is due in large part to the fact that I've taken care of my hands by using this technology for the past year. Good grief.

The holidays are upon us!

2005-11-22T16:45:00.000-06:00

Ever wonder why the bosses look so frazzled around this time of year? It might have something to do with the budget and business plan and vacation time and holiday time and holiday parties and corporate gifts and everything else that makes the holidays frantic for us common mortals.

As if the regular work week wasn't enough, now there are major events to fit in, on half the days, around a bunch of people being out of the office. Of course, it often translates into the people who are "on vacation" showing up in casual dress to "just take care of a few things." For the entire day.

The randomness of life as an Admin is ever increasing.

This week I will:

Organize and manage a potluck for 70 people.
Prepare, package and ship a pallet of materials to an upcoming trade show.
Hand out paychecks early because of the holiday.
Pester people to turn in forms for their holiday vacation days.
Help submit many last minute expense reports.
Research holiday gifts/events.
Design yearly awards for our top vendors.
Order supplies.
Distribute supplies.
Find time to handle all of the usual stuff.
?

How do I get myself into these things?

2005-11-11T23:12:00.000-06:00

Today: At the office from 8 to 5, one 15 minute break. Out at 5:00. Straight over to our other location, to help with a physical inventory. Scheduled to key in data 6:00 PM to 3:00 AM.

The time is now 10:59 PM. I've keyed about ten minutes worth of data. They've bought me dinner and Starbucks. I've sketched some new designs for the Sassy Admin gift shop, checked the website stats, and taken myself on a tour of the facility. Now I'm contemplating whether or not I should have let my boss know that I planned to pick up these extra nine hours by working this special project. I totally forgot to mention it (something about being too busy with other people's special projects) and so I'm really not sure if I'll be paid for this or not. Apart from the lack of sleep, though, its no great hardship either way. I figure the free food will just about balance out with the gas I bought to get down here.

I was getting pretty bored there, until I discovered that the person who told me there was no internet access on this computer was very much mistaken. That, and someone just figured out how to hook up the projector, and someone else grabbed Finding Nemo from their car. Yeah, life can really be a chore.

ooh! Someone just brought me about three minutes worth of keying to do! Catch ya later!

Call me MacGyver

2005-11-02T20:52:00.000-06:00

I've had a lot of interesting jobs in my life. I've been a pizza delivery driver and a television camera operator, a cook and a nude model. I have to say, though, that being an admin is the best by far.

Have you ever had a day, or a week, or a month, when it just seemed like you did the same thing over and over? The sort of workplace monotony that makes you wonder if you really could do it in your sleep? Not as an admin, that's for sure! Rarely do I have a day when I don't end up doing something that makes me shake my head with wonder that I actually get paid to do this stuff. The job description I use to explain what I do is that I get to do the fun stuff that's left over. It's so true. Sure, there's pressure and deadlines and solving problems on the fly... but that's just part of being the MacGyver of the office world, right?

Newest Admin on the Block

2005-10-30T21:17:00.000-06:00

I was hired by my company to do data entry. Now, almost a year and a half later, I find myself an administrative assistant to one of the vice presidents of the company. Yay me! Only thing is, I've never been an admin, or even worked with an admin. I really don't know what I'm supposed to be doing. It hasn't stopped me so far, though. By some fortunate combination of useful skills and blind luck, I'm praised for my "unique and creative approach to problem solving." Hey, it works for me!