Memo to OC Businesses: Honor Your Admin Assistants

Next week marks the annual Administrative Professionals Week which honors office workers for their contributions to your companies' successes throughout the year. It's one of the largest workplace observances in the nation.

No, it's not a 'Hallmark Holiday' devised by by gift merchants and it's roots go back to 1952 when the International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP), formally called the National Secretaries Association, founded Professional Secretaries Week to recognize office support staff in business and government.

The name has changed to evolve with the changing responsibilities of support staff.  While many workers still hold the “secretary” job title, other classifications such as office manager, executive assistant, administrative assistant and office coordinator fall under the the IAAP definition of administrative professional:

“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.”

What are the dates this year?

National Administrative Professionals Week is April 19 - 25, 2009 and National Administrative Professionals Day will be observed on Wednesday, April 21.

How is the week celebrated?

Some companies celebrate the entire week while others focus on the Wednesday holiday. The IAAP website contains several suggestions for ways to honor and enhance the professional development of your administrative staff.

Are there any do's and don'ts if we want to send flowers for Administraive Professionals Week?

We have a few recommendations to make your gifts personal, appropriate and of good value.

1)  Do order flowers or plants early and have them delivered on Monday so they can be enjoyed in the office the entire week. It also lets your admins know you didn't forget. ;)

2)  Do choose something size appropriate for a desk and request a vase or container with a smaller footprint.

3)  Don't send red roses since they are most associated with romance. There are many beautiful varieties in alternate colors and there's no need to start office rumors.

4)  Do write a personal note card that genuinely expresses your thankfulness for a job well done. My personal favorite over the years was a gift card message from a group of co-workers which read "You are the glue that keeps everything here together."

5)  Don't choose a wrapped bouquet or boxed flower unless you know the admin already has a vase and has the time and tools to arrange the flowers his/herself.

6)  Do order from a local florist here in OC. You'll save at least $12-15 in service fees tacked on by national online companies plus you'll be keeping 100% of your dollars here in our local economy. Don't see what you're looking for on your florist's website? Pick up the phone and request a custom item - plus many flower shops offer price considerations and discounts for multiple orders delivered to a single business.

We hope you'll choose from Avante Gardens' wide selection of flowers and gifts for Administrative Professionals Week, but wherever you shop, keep it local for best values.

The last "do" isn't just about flowers: Do consider honoring admins outside your own company. No doubt there are support staff members at the companies with which you do business who always manage to get the impossible done quickly. A token of thanks for their efforts would be most appropriate and highly appreciated.  

No matter how you choose to celebrate the holiday, be sure to take the time to recognize professional admins and say 'thanks' for a job well done.  

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