Do You Say Thank You Enough?

Today is officially Professional Administrative Assistant’s Day. It is a great reminder to simply say ‘thank you’ to the individuals in your company who help make it all happen. Face it, the executives can make all the tough decisions, but when it comes down to the nitty gritty every day tasks that must be done in order for the company to function properly, it is the administrative assistants who get it done. They are the individuals who catch the balls that might fall when everyone else is looking the other way.

They may have different titles in various companies. They come in all shapes, sizes, ages, and genders. Their tasks vary from typing and data entry, to making travel arrangements, filing, answering the telephones, setting up meetings, transmitting messages, keeping track of where everyone is at, delivering and opening mail, and much more. Some are asked to handle personal matters such as picking up dry cleaning and shopping for their boss. Whatever their tasks entail, they are the ‘glue’ that holds it all together. I’m glad there is a day dedicated to thanking them. However, we should all remember to thank them even when it isn’t their special day.

Here are some great ‘thank you’ ideas to use throughout the year. On a hot summer day, pick up a box of frozen ice cream cones and bring it in after lunch to share with all the assistants. Pick up Starbucks gift cards to give them. Buy them a small potted plant (Home Depot and Lowes always carry some). If they listen to an iPod, give them an iTunes gift card. Purchase some fancy pens in the office supply store and let them pick the one they want. Bring in a box of donuts some morning. Remember to include a hand written card that says that you really appreciate all they do, even if you often forget to say thank you. Also, it’s not how much you spend that matters, it’s the fact that you took a few minutes out of your day to recognize all they do for you and the company so that you can all be successful.

The author, Marge Bonura, is the Director of Sales & Marketing for New England Machinery, Inc. (NEM). NEM is a leading manufacturer of bottle unscramblers, cappers, orienters, retorquers, lidders, pluggers, pump sorter/placers, scoop feeders, hopper elevators and much more. The company has been in business since 1974 selling to the food, beverage, pharmaceutical, personal care, chemical, household products, automotive and other industries. For more information on NEM, visit their website at www.neminc.com.