Administrative Professionals Week

Administrative Professionals Week and Day, formerly named Professional Secretaries Week/Professional Secretaries Day is the week of April 20-26, 2008 with the actual day falling on April 23, 2008. Administrative Professionals week and Administrative Professionals Day is always the 4^th full week of April.

The week long period of recognition was originally organized in 1952 as National Secretaries Week by the National Secretaries Associations, now known as the International Association of Administrative Professionals. The organization was organized to attract people to the profession as well as to recognize secretaries for their contributions to their business units and organizations.

In 2000 the \ IAAP changed the name of their annual week long recognition and day.

As technology and productivity goals within corporations and businesses have changed and therefore the role of the administrative professional has evolved quiet a bit as well. It is now a challenge to provide recognition, which is career focused, gender neutral and appropriate to the administrative professionals' contribution to the overall success of the manager, the team and the organization at large.

The IAAP suggests that companies provide some type of career specific training, motivational speaker, or other career training or seminars during this annual week of recognition. In addition a personal gift from the Administrative Professionals' specific manager or direct supervisor is always a great way to be appreciated.

When selecting a gift for Administrative Professionals Day it is important to consider the Administrative Professional's specific likes and dislikes. While all tokens of appreciation are generally appreciated, the ones that are given, which demonstrates the givers thoughtful nature and heart felt appreciation are truly heartwarming and meaningful.

In many corporate settings the executive management team will offer a small token and boiler plate gift to all employees in a certain band or class. These gifts are generally the same and not at all personalized. The savvy manager or direct supervisor will recognize the true potential of individual recognition offered by the annual Administrative Professionals Week. A simple gift, which incorporates a favorite food or scent, something that is luxurious, be it rich dark chocolate or soothing lotion, is a great way to say thanks and indulge the recipient.

Many administrative professionals have told the IAAP, that they really enjoy gifts of recognition that is tied to their professional contributions to their respective teams and organizations. Adding a gift voucher to a small basket of chocolates for additional skills based training at a local college or business school, or offering to pay for other professional development in addition to a small gift which says I do know what you enjoy and I am so happy to have you on the team, is a great way to show not only appreciation for all the Administrative Professional does everyday but is a chance to strengthen loyalty and commitment and foster an environment of professional teamwork. Appreciation is a two way street.