Book Review: Complete Office Handbook

This is a handy office reference book that would be a valuable resource for any administrative assistant, particularly those just entering the workplace. It covers just about everything you would ever come across in today's office and is the only office handbook recommended by the International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP).

You can order it on Amazon.com by clicking on the link on the right-hand side bar of this blog (scroll down), or by going directly to www.amazon.com.

Nuts, Bolts & Jolts by Richard A. Moran: BOOK REVIEW

This is just the neatest book! Richard Moran has a saying for just about everything to do with your career, the boss, general life at the office and even business travel. It is fun to read and humorous, but also has some great advice.

It is written for both the employee and the boss. He has captured office life to a tee with his sayings. He obviously has been around and knows what he is talking about.

I used this quote for my thoughts for the day last week, but it is worth repeating.

"There are at least two people you should never offend: your boss's assistant and your boss's spouse. Either could make your life miserable."

Smart man!

I enjoyed it a lot and would give it a 5++.

He has another book of office sayings called, "Fear No Yellow Stickies" and both can be purchased at Amazon.com.

"Fear No Yellow Stickies" is a smaller volume and could fit in your purse or back pocket to pull out and use whenever you want to wow someone with a brilliant saying. I have it on my desk at work and have had many people comment on it and pick it up for a quick read.

Happy reading everyone!

Working Relationships by Bob Wall: BOOK REVIEW

Working Relationships: The simple truth about getting along with friends and foes at work by Bob Wall.

This is a great read filled with useful information on interacting with your team members, working better as a team and resolving conflict. But reader beware, this book has exercises for you to do so it requires a bit of work on your part and some thinking, but I couldn't put it down and have earmarked the book in so many places. There was just that much information I wanted to highlight. I give this book a big 5 ++ for usefulness.

To order, please go on the IAAP website1 under Education & Training: Educational Products/Bookstore.

1(accessed October 13, 2007)

E-Mail Management by Nancy Flynn: BOOK REVIEW

Well I got the books I ordered through the IAAP website1 and I did promise you in an earlier article that I would do a book review when I read them.

Fortunately, I take the bus to work and have 30 minutes of uninterrupted reading time each way so I was able to finish the first book entitled E-Mail Management: 50 Tips for Keeping Your Inbox Under Control by Nancy Flynn.

In the Preface of the book the author writes: Originally intended as a productive-enhancing, time-saving tool, e-mail has evolved for many of us into a time-consuming, productivity-draining obligation that demands our attention during business hours and personal time alike. And as I am sitting here at midnight writing this article and being constantly interrupted by the ping of incoming email, I can relate to what she is saying. Are we in control of our email or is our email controlling us?

I found in the first few chapters, although I knew what she was trying to say: Don't be a slave to your email! I felt her suggestions were unrealistic, especially in a business where email is a big part of our communication and communication is our income, but once she got into the actual email tips and ideas for managing your inbox I thought it was quite interesting and helpful.

I did come away realizing that I manage my business email not too badly. I had already taken some of the steps she suggested, for instance telling my family and friends to email me on my home email account and not at work. That cut down on a lot of inbox clutter. I actually hadn't realized how much personal email I was getting at work until I re-directed everyone to my home email account. I also re-directed any feeds I had subscribed to to my home email, unless they were work related.

And I came away with some new vocabulary like nettiquette and Crackberry addicts, you'll have to read the book to find out what those words mean...But on the whole I would rate this book as a 4 star in usefulness for managing your business and personal email.

To order, please go on the IAAP website<http://www.iaap-hq.org>1 under Education & Training: Educational Products/Bookstore.

1 (accessed October 2, 2007)