Product Description
Today's executive assistant has become a crucial member of every organization's support staff--a key business ally with diverse responsibilities, from overseeing employees to making strategic decisions. Here is the first step-by-step guide specifically designed to help you thrive in this fast-paced profession. Developed by nationally-known business consultatnt and author Melba Duncan, this leading-edge resource provides all the up-to-date information you need to manage information technologes, deal effectively with abrupt organizational changes and office politics, handle stress, resolve conflicts, motivate workers and forge a team mentality, master public relations and the media, capitalize on opportunities emerging fromcorporate restructuring, and more. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (8)

An Older Book, but...
This book is 13 years old and it shows when you get to the parts that talk about technology. If you're reading this hoping to brush up on your tech skills, there are fresher resources that you can get elsewhere. But if you want to learn about the more timeless skills of being an executive assistant, then this is a great read. This book has changed my perception of the job.

My favorite quotations:

"People who have 'the right stuff' for becoming executive assistants enjoy making chaotic situations orderly for their managers, at virtually any cost, and they don't consider the task of doing so to be something odious. They enjoy the role of providing service."

"Today's employers are, for the most part, looking for people who make things make sense, not people who wait for instructions or have no idea how to deal with challenging situations."

"Any one of these tasks can be broken down into constituent parts, but none of them can honestly be considered finished at any point. And these are are just some of the dozens of 'ongoing' functions you're likely to deal with. For the new executive assistant, crossing the items off the list in such a way that they stay off is impossible."

Steno and transcription?!?!
What era does this woman live in?!? Senior EA's raise your hands...how many of you have *ever* done steno work? How many of you consider this a "crucial" skill to achieving a high level EA position? More to the point, how many of you have ever even committed the act? Sure, there are positions out there that require it - a few. They tend to say so in the recruiter' descriptions because it's so unusual.

The rest of the book may be great - I don't know. I stopped right there.

The New Executive Assistant
It is informative and enjoyable. Not quite what I was looking for, nevertheless shares important insights for job seekers --in a fun to read way -- that definitely don't hurt to know.

Disappointed
This is another example of hearing "the same ole stuff."Can't some author get origional?This was so elementary and certainly not "NEW" information, as the title suggests.

Outstanding insights from a former top assistant!
This book has helped so many people!It's perfectly brilliant.

I think it's insane that reviewers are commenting on publisher's type-o's instead of commenting on how significant this book really is. Obviously, Ms. Duncan proofed her own book and after meeting Ms. Duncan at an event, I mentioned the reviews about the errors in the book.Ms. Duncan and her staff has tried desperately for years to demand that the book be reprinted.Some things unfortunately are out of one's hands, and I recognize this after years of being a journalist. Look at the NY Times!And every other book on your shelf!They all have errors!

Ms. Duncan has been instrumental in the salary increases, and gaining recognition for this truly unique role! I recommend this book to anyone in the role or considering it! ... Read more

Product Description
This third edition reflects the latest changes in health care technology as well as the latest unit coordinating practice. It aims to be a comprehensive text that presents material in the form of "Doctor's Orders" including examples and the background material required to understand them. A reference for building orientation programmes, this book also provides practice in writing unit co-ordinating procedures. The text contains study questions with answers to reinforce comprehension, in-depth guidelines for medical terminology, professionalism, communication and assertion skills, a comprehensive list of abbreviations and a vocabulary list accompanied by exercises, medical terminology word element list as an aid in transcription, lists of laboratory studies and normal laboratory values as a reference guide when transcribing orders and an Instuctor's Manual includes computer disk simulating a hospital system. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Very Informational
This is a great book! Very useful and packed full of information. It is great for a study guide. I would defintely recommend.

Health Unit Coordinating, 4th Edition
I found this textbook to be very informative.As an allied health instructor teaching this course, the text is very thorough and detailed.It gives one an indepth knowledge of the nonclinical administrative duties on the nurses' station.This is an excellent textbook for this profession.

Check the library first...
This book was written by an RN (registered nurse), so most of the information in here pertains to *that* profession.
Health unit coordinating is strictly a non-clinical duty, yet this book offerstechniques on how to take vital signs, how to start IV's, and several otherpatient care items. It's hard to feel that sort of pride the book refers toafter becoming a certified health unit coordinator when you're shown somany duties you're not allowed to perform.
If you're desperate forinformation on this profession, I suggest going to your local publiclibrary and reading the first few chapters, because they really are themost helpful. Other than that, hands-on experience will be your bestteacher.
... Read more

Product Description
Pitman 2000 is a system designed for easy learning, with a speed potential to meet the demands of the modern business world. Shorthand is a valuable asset to everyone, young or old, in private or business life. This title is a beginner's guide to the basic theory. It gives you a working vocabulary in Pitman 2000 in clear and easy stages. Each of the main sections contains a set of sounds and rules, short forms, phrases and exercises. Review exercises give you the opportunity to consolidate material already covered, and a key to the exercises enable to measure your rate of progress throughout the book. Specially compiled by experts at Pitman to make self-tuition both simple and stimulating, this authoritative guide should be of use to anyone seeking a first or refresher course in Pitman 2000. ... Read more

Product Description
Pitman 2000 is a system of shorthand designed for easy learning, with a speed potential to meet the demands of the modern business world. This beginner's guide presents the basic theory and a working vocabulary in Pitman 2000 in clear and easy stages. Each of the main sections contains a new set of sounds and rules, short forms, phrases and exercises. Review exercises provide the opportunity for consolidating material already covered, and a key to the exercises enables readers to measure their rate of progress throughout the book. This text has been specially compiled by experts at Pitman to make self-tuition both simple and stimulating. ... Read more

Product Description
15 Hour Word Processing series Anna Ruthven An easy-to-follow, jargon-free introduction to word processing. The series builds up skills and confidence by progressing logically from elementary to intermediate and advanced. There are four guides in the series, covering Wordstar, Amstrad, Locoscript, BBC Wordwise, Wordwise Plus and View. When placing your order please specify the version you require. BBC Micro with View: 80 pages A5 10.95 ... Read more

Product Description
Those who seek jobs in the office support field will find this book to be a valuable resource! Office managers, administrative assistants, executive aides, and other office support personnel have a lot of common when they create a resume, and this book shows resumes and cover letters of individuals who want to find work ranging from office management to clerical. No matter what industry or type of work – medical, manufacturing, nonprofit, and other environments – this book will provide a competitive edge to those who seek employment which involves admin support, executive support, clerical, and secretarial responsibilities. For those who seek federal employment, there’s a special section in the book showing how to create federal resumes and government applications. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

best test preparation book
this book helped me study for and obtain a civil service position in a community college.many of the questions were straight from the book.

Great exam review
My wife purchased this book because the first time she failed the clerical exam. I later found out that half of the people who take this exam fail and she decided that she needed to purchase a study aid. Well, she PASSED!!!!. This book really prepared her. ... Read more

Product Description
This text exactly matches the core module Business Administration Stage II which forms part of the Administration and Secretarial Procedures Certificate. ... Read more

Product Description
This reference manual assumes that the reader has acquired marketable secretarial skills and is possibly in his or her first job. The text aims to give advice and save time and worry when dealing with a host of everyday problems, such as finding the right job, getting on with the boss, managing time, filing, travel arrangements, information sources, social occasions and dealing with information technology. ... Read more

Product Description
This text is based on the principle of "learning by doing". The book concentrates on developing the knowledge, skills and competencies required within the NVQ schemes for business administration levels I and II, as well as covering the criteria for most of the elementary/intermediate clerical duties and office skills courses. It provides a realistic approach to enable students to understand the different office procedures and documentation they will meet in the various departments of business organizations. Comprehensive coverage is given to the many aspects of office work from the traditional office procedures to the latest electronic developments. ... Read more

Product Description
This introductory textbook has been designed to guide secretarial students through the many facets of office procedure and routine - including the creation and presentation of office documents such as letters and memos - and to provide information on office equipment and secretarial services. ... Read more

Product Description
The techniques the listeners hear on this program are easy to implement. They'll not only make the listener more effective on the phone, but more confident and in control of every situation. 2 cassettes. ... Read more

Product Description
Packed with savvy, down-to-earth advice, this practical career planning guide shows secretaries what they're doing right, what they're doing wrong, and what more they can do to maximize their career growth potential. Helps secretaries identify their own special skills and the value of those skills in today's job market, and shows how to apply them to their chosen career path. Provides guidance on upward advancement, changing careers, and new approaches to the job interview. Exposes the ``rules'' and ``games'' secretaries must contend with in the office environment. Identifies five main behavioral styles associated with secretaries, and shows how each affects one's promotability. Includes actual case histories, a sample time log, and skills inventory. ... Read more