How do I use my PA?

Submitted by Mark Marshall
in
General Questions and Comments

Hi all when I started my role the job came with an inexperienced PA. The culture of the organisation is to use them to do very basic things like booking meetings, take minutes, book travel etc.

I want my PA to be much more than that and to really help me in my job, freeing me up and keeping me organised.

I honestly dont know where to start or how to use her effectively.

Any help apprciated.

thanks

MM

Submitted by Devangi Patel on Tuesday July 3rd, 2012 5:46 am

1) Need to understand her skill level and how much you can utilise her.
2) Analyze all your task and risk level with those task
3) Start delegating task with low risk level , so even if any mistake happens risk would be low for damage
4) Develop her and watch her skill same time and within few months you would be able to give her more responsbilities
give her responsbilities for those task and without making concious effort She would be doing a lot more.
 
( Dont rush for her to start straight away , Give her oppurtunity to develop and prove her self. )
 
 

Submitted by Nara Altmann on Tuesday July 3rd, 2012 4:04 pm

Have you listen to the podcasts for that?  There are 5 podcasts with regards to managing your admin (second link bellow).  I think the first one is Effective Executive-Efficient Assistant (first link bellow).  If I recall correctly it talks about meeting your admin first thing in the morning, say 5-10 minutes a day and making sure she knows your priorities for the day.  The way she can help you most is if she knows your priorities.  
The way to accomplish Jay_Nexus recommendation above is to have one-o-ones with her/him and through these one-o-ones find our more about her skills and to establish a trust relationship with her/him. 
http://www.manager-tools.com/2006/05/effective-executiveefficient-assistant-part-1
http://www.manager-tools.com/category/navigator/team-management/administrator?#