Your Problems Solved: The Admin Pro Forum

Any team-building exercises for small groups?

“I’m looking for suggestions for outside team-building exercises for a small group of three employees. All exercises seem to be for larger teams. Our company budgets $150 per quarter for such events. Thanks.” – Susan

How can I improve professionalism in land of tank tops, flip-flops?

“Our administrative employees – fiscal, HR, data, support – are grouped together in a separate unit and we have contact with the public as well as potential employees. My question: I feel I’m the only person in an administrative role who projects any level of professionalism. Some people wear skin-tight denim capris, tank tops and flip-flops. Others apparently wear whatever happened to be lying on the chair beside their bed. How do you recommend – besides being an example (which hasn’t worked thus far) – improving the professional image of this unit?  (FYI, we don’t have a dress code.)” – Lisa

Supervising staff at multiple locations

Recently, I accepted a very challenging new position with my company. I will be supervising five receptionists/secretaries, two at one site and three at another. I will be traveling between the offices each week. This is my first supervisory position. I’m hoping my fellow AdminPro Forum readers with supervisory experience can offer advice on how to lead a group and how to supervise staff located at multiple locations. — Anonymous

Problem when sending recurring invitations in Outlook

I have a problem when sending a recurring invitation in Microsoft Outlook that is set weekly for a specific day and time. When I instruct Outlook to change the date for only one specific week, the original invitation is still generated to all invitees. Does Outlook generate this re-invite only when specific date information is changed? — Ellen Golden 

Software for tracking employee leave

We have 100 employees who switch workdays, take vacation leave, training, etc., and we’re having a hard time tracking them. Currently, we use a sign in sheet to update the record. We’d like to track employee leave via the computer and have everyone access it from his or her workstation. Can anyone suggest a good software program? — Jennifer Sparrow

Setting performance goals

With the new fiscal year right around the corner, I need suggestions for three goals that I can accomplish in the coming year.  I have already cleaned and updated my filing system; held quarterly secretarial meetings, brought in outside speakers; held travel training sessions; and arranged for field trips.  I'm looking for new ideas that I can turn into goals for the coming year. - Anonymous

Telephone etiquette

Telephone screening and taking messages are a very important part of my job, but I am terrible at getting a name right when someone calls.  Does anyone have any suggestions on how to politely ask (sometimes more than once) a person’s name and the nature of the call? I don't want to come across as unprofessional to my "new boss." - Cherile

Microsoft Access 101

I am building a Microsoft Access database, but I don’t know where to start?  I know what I want to do, but I don’t know how to begin. - Angela Thomas

Anyone use MS SharePoint or a similar alternative?

My company needs a simple way to share and update documents in real time, with 5-10 clients. We would like to customize the document for each client so it includes each client’s logo. Initially, we may use one or two Excel spreadsheets for tracking projects and later add Word documents. What would be the best and most economical method to accomplish this? - Chriss Shofner

Know a good project-software product?

I have been tasked with project coordination for my boss’s home renovation, which is quite extensive.  I am looking for a user-friendly project-software program.  Has anyone used a project-software program that you can recommend? - Karen Kosmoski