Pen Pal

Admin's Assistant

2009-01-01T06:12:00Z

Working in a Virtual World With the availability of advanced technology, the work environment is evolving from a rigid in-house business structure to a more relaxed, virtual office. Companies are tapping into a new idea of what working in an office really means. Virtual assistants, teleconferences and telecommuting are quickly becoming the trend. So, how does this all work for companies? It's becoming easier to remain connected to your office without leaving home. Many employees are now able...(read more)

Climbing the Ladder

2009-01-01T06:10:00Z

How to approach your boss regarding a pay increase You’ve worked hard, stayed late, came in early, gave up your Saturdays, took on extra projects willingly and completed them early. And now, after all this extra effort, you’ve decided it’s time to ask your boss for what you think is a well-deserved raise. Here’s how to go about it the right way: Pick the right time! If your company is struggling during these tough economic times, your odds of getting a raise are probably slim—it...(read more)

News You Can Use

2009-01-01T06:08:00Z

Make This a Happy New Year by Saving $1000 Wouldn’t it be wonderful to have an extra $1000 (or more) next year—Money that you could do anything with? It does not have to be a fantasy. Anybody can do it. So, let’s start planning. First, decide what you want to do with the extra money. It could be anything from a family vacation to paying off a loan. Now that you have decided what your goal is, make a progress chart. This can be as elaborate or as simple as you like. It is just a...(read more)

Renew You!

2009-01-01T06:06:00Z

Energy Boosters The alarm clock sounds. You’re up and out the door, with another busy day ahead. Midmorning, you feel as though you’ve worked an entire day already. You’re wishing you had gone to bed earlier. You’ve already had too much caffeine. You know you should’ve eaten breakfast. You need a boost, and fast. For a quick lift, try raisins, almonds, carrots or olives. Drink some cold water or green tea. Treat yourself to some dark chocolate. The antioxidants will...(read more)

The Giving Tree

2009-01-01T06:04:00Z

Kids for a Clean Environment In 1989, at the age of 9, Melissa Poe knew the importance of taking care of the environment. She wanted to make sure that people knew she cared about keeping the planet clean and healthy, so she started the group Kids F.A.C.E. (Kids for a Clean Environment). Her group started with just six children. They recycled, picked up litter, planted trees and helped teach other kids how to do the same. Melissa wrote a letter to then President Bush to encourage him to help stop...(read more)

Ask the Expert

2009-01-01T06:02:00Z

How to Ace an Interview by Katie McConnell, Quill Recruiter Prepare. This is an area many people overlook, but it will increase your confidence and comfort level in an interview. Review your resume. What are the achievements you’re most proud of from current and previous jobs? What skills or experience sets you apart from your peers? Ask the recruiter what you can expect in the hiring manager’s interview. It can also be helpful to talk with previous managers, who can help you recall what...(read more)

Editor's Note

2009-01-01T06:00:00Z

Happy New Year Pen Pal readers! A new year means a new start, which for many translates to self improvement. This is a theme we’ve touched on in the past, so instead of chiming in with the same advice you’ve all heard before, I’m going to suggest we do something different. We’ve probably all done enough self-reflection and introspection for a while, so let’s focus our do-gooder efforts on something new. Let’s take a shot at improving someone or something else this...(read more)

Admin's Assistant

2008-12-01T06:12:00Z

Rules for IM-ing at Work When e-mail was invented, it was hard to believe that business communication could get done any faster. Today, that too has evolved and businesses are working faster than ever via Instant Message (IM) programs. Similar to e-mail, IM-ing at work has risks. Some risks are more problematic than others—from abuse of resources to Trojan viruses. In some businesses, the benefit of IM can outweigh the risks by allowing coworkers to quickly communicate with each other in real...(read more)

Climbing the Ladder

2008-12-01T06:10:00Z

Surviving a reorganization or major change within your company In these challenging economic times, we all must be prepared for corporate reorganization or a major change within our company. Mergers or acquisitions occur, staffs are downsized or consolidated, and employees sometimes must work longer hours for the same salary. But is it OK to settle for “at least I still have a job?” Chances are you will probably work in a company that undergoes reorganization several times (or more) during...(read more)

News You Can Use

2008-12-01T06:08:00Z

Business Vocabulary Good communication skills and a good business vocabulary are essential in today’s fast-paced business environment. Most of us have been in a situation when we’ve failed to find the right word or proper terminology to express ourselves in a business meeting, or even an informal conversation. This affects our job performance and the impression we make on coworkers and clients. Here are some easy steps for improving your business vocabulary: Keep a list of unfamiliar...(read more)

Renew You!

2008-12-01T06:06:00Z

Holiday Stress Less Tips Dashing through the snow, With a list that seems to grow. Down the road we speed, Hurry! Get what we need. First, there is all the food, Then, décor to set the mood. Make sure everybody has a gift, Or someone will be miffed. Jingle bells! Jingle bells! Just get out of my way. There is so much I must do, It’s the holiday! Does this sound like your holiday season? Do you feel like the time between Thanksgiving and New Years Day is just a blur? How about making...(read more)

The Giving Tree

2008-12-01T06:04:00Z

Unite for Sight Sometimes it’s easy for healthy people to take their good health for granted, whether it’s the ability to see, hear, speak, feel or move around. There are people who live each day without these abilities. Thankfully, there are groups that create resources for people with health problems. Unite for Sight is one of those groups. When Jennifer Staple was 18 years old, she founded Unite for Sight. She was a sophomore at Yale University, and she believed that no person should...(read more)

Ask the Expert

2008-12-01T06:02:00Z

How to best support multiple people from Quill’s Assistant to the President, Debra Litwiler Try to take care of all routine tasks, like report printing, first thing in the morning. Keep a spiral-type notebook handy at all times to jot down items that need to be brought up or reviewed. Set up a 30-minute daily meeting with those that you support to review items from the current day and to review the next day's calendar of meetings and commitments. Also, use this time to ask questions and...(read more)

Editor's Note

2008-12-01T06:00:00Z

Happy holidays to all the Pen Pal readers out there! This is always one of my favorite times of year. As soon as my family and I have eaten our last bites of turkey and have polished off our final pieces of pumpkin pie on Thanksgiving, I’m completely ready to trade in those pilgrims for snowmen. My mind immediately shifts over to the holiday season and all the wonders it holds. Only at this time of year am I actually excited for excessive amounts of snow and door buster sales at 5am. But while...(read more)

Admin's Assistant

2008-11-01T05:12:00Z

Outsourcing is Out! Insourcing is In! But What is Insourcing? A new trend is emerging inside companies. The hot topic of outsourcing (sending work outside the company to be completed) is now changing by bringing the focus back to the company. Insourcing, a term used to describe work being done either in-house or through local subsidiaries, rather than sending those jobs overseas, is making its way into the corporate world. Some companies have switched to insourcing because they have become discouraged...(read more)