Why assistants deserve to be greatly appreciated

Bosses should acknowledge everything that their PAs do for them through a series of meaningful gestures such as writing a handwritten note to thank them for their contribution, publicly recognising their input at staff meetings and investing in their professional development by providing an annual training budget.

These are just some of the ideas that the co-founder of the New York Celebrity Assistants organisation, Bonnie Low-Kramen has come up with to commemorate Administrative Professionals’ Week, which is celebrated annually in North America during the last full week of April. She also suggests that managers offer an unexpected financial bonus, give their assistants an extra day off and send them a card on their birthday.

Committing to regular, scheduled one-to-one meetings, expressing appreciation for the work done by PAs and EAs at regular intervals and supporting assistants by taking time to solicit their opinions are also recommended by Bonnie as positive ways that executives can convey their gratitude.

Bonnie highlights comments made by Virgin Group boss Richard Branson, (pictured above, with his previous assistant Penni Pike) who acknowledges that having a good PA is invaluable to his success. Writing on LinkedIn, he remarks: “People often ask how I’m able to keep on top of businesses in dozens of different countries… well, having an assistant who is on the ball 24/7 is one of the main ways it is possible.” Paying tribute to his current assistant Helen, he describes her as his “memory” and says she is a great sounding board for his many ideas.

Read Bonnie’s original blog at glassdoor.com/blog/10-ways-assistant-administrative-professionals-week/