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 Every spring for one week, offices around the world celebrate and recognize the hard work implemented by administrative professionals of all kinds. The holiday formally called “Administrative Professionals Day” is celebrated in North America on a Wednesday during the fourth week of April. It is most well known and observed in North America and Europe and has grown to be a modern, fun filled event as well as one of the highest observed holidays in the workplace.
The holiday dates back to the 50’s when National Secretaries Week was observed for the first time. The National Secretaries Association as well as corporate groups sponsored the first official holiday, and so the trend was set on Wednesday, June 4, 1952. The goal of the holiday was to emphasize the importance of the secretarial position, its value in business and its appeal to the female worker.
According to Wikipedia, “a secretary or administrative assistant is a person whose work consists of supporting management, including executives, using a variety of project management, communication and organizational skills.” In addition to the common secretarial duties such as filing, typing letters and correspondence and other word processing, a secretary sometimes overseas confidential business. Hence, the root of the word secretary comes from the word (secretum) meaning to be set apart, also dealing with confidentiality and “secrecy.”
Secretary’s Day is often celebrated with gatherings, outings to restaurants, ordering lunch in the office, community events and/or classic gift giving such as candy, flowers or even time off. Whether he or she is a secretary, an administrative assistant, a receptionist or an executive assistant, there is a valuable person that can assist any and all types of companies and businesses. Whether you need help with scheduling, you work on the road and could use a helping hand with missed calls or are looking for a full time administrative professional; there is a business guardian angel waiting for you.
At Officense, our on-site executive assistants know and understand your business, greet your clients and answer and screen your calls per your instruction. We focus on delivering a level of service, unmatched by anyone and our team makes every effort possible to cater to your company’s specific needs and standards. Getting the executive help your business needs is something to celebrate.
Happy Secretary’s Day from Officense!
“Administrative Professionals (Secretary’s) Day” (2012, April 24). Holiday Insights
http://www.holidayinsights.com/other/secretary.htm
“Administrative Professionals’ Day” (2012, April 24). Wikipedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Administrative_Professionals’_Day
“Secretary” (2012, April 24). Wikipedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Secretary
Posted in Administrative Assistant, Baltimore, Executive Assistant, Holidays, Office, Receptionist, Secretary's Day, Virtual Office
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Tagged Baltimore, Business, Business Services, Company, Customer service, Event, Instant Business Office, Office, Office Services, Officense, Spring, Virtual office
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 Spring is here, and the surrounding blooms can be seen from every street side corner. Baltimore is blossoming with buds and flowers, and the unusually warm sunshine has been sweeping through the streets (Since March!) as rush hour traffic wiggles through the lanes surrounding the Inner Harbor. Like any other work day, cars inch forward bumper to bumper and intersections are blocked by overcrowding. However, car windows down with a little fresh breeze makes traffic much more tolerable as compared to sleet, ice or even snow (heaven forbid!) during this time in past years.
So what does this early spring bloom mean for business in Baltimore? Well for starters, drug stores and clinics may reap the benefits from the needs of allergy sufferers and your neighborhood’s grocery and department stores may be selling a lot of tissues and allergy medication. The apparel industry is sure to be selling higher volumes of the latest spring styles. An early boost for agriculture may expand the growing season resulting in cheaper produce, but what can be visibly seen as a change for the Baltimore Inner Harbor is out door and sidewalk seating.
Tourism has arrived in Baltimore a little earlier then had been expected. Like Washington DC’s Cherry Blossom Festival, because of an early spring, the city is swimming with pedestrians out to enjoy the sun and smell the flowers. On the downside, rising gas prices have left some travelers no choice but to enjoy spring break locally as opposed to out of state vacationing. Some airlines and cruise ships are charging higher fuel surcharges making out of state and oversea traveling a challenge for travelers on a budget. However, smart vacationers have booked months in advance in order to lock in affordable prices and many vacationers are happy to spend spring break right here in Baltimore.
Enjoying spring break in your local area can turn out to be not only affordable but entertaining and fulfilling as well.  Some of the events and recreation Baltimore has to offer include several concerts at Ram’s Head Live such as Tommy McGee, The Wisdom Court Spring Fest with DJ Remedy and Blue October. Also, don’t miss out on the most talked about entertainment currently taking place in Baltimore: Ringling Brothers And Barnum & Bailey Circus!
After a long workweek, spend the weekend at the Inner Harbor or even take a break from the Monday through Friday routine and spend a week night enjoying live music in Baltimore City. What spring has brought to business life in Baltimore is a way to get outside on your lunch break or  enjoy a breath of fresh air at a patio style dinner after a long day’s work. What both tourists and Baltimoreans alike can agree on, is that spring is in the air, and city life is looking brighter and smelling sweeter right here in Charm City.
“Spring Break 2012 Baltimore” (2012, March 20). 410AREA.COM
http://www.410area.com/springbreak/
“Seasonal Story Ideas: Spring’s impact on business” (2012, March 14). businessjournal.org
http://businessjournalism.org/2012/03/14/seasonal-story-ideasspringbusinesses/
“Rising gas prices affect spring break plans” (2012, March 20). post-gazette.com
http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/business/personal/rising-gas-prices-affect-spring-break-plans-64400/
Posted in Baltimore, Business Address, DC, Office, Receptionist, Virtual Office
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Tagged advanced business, Baltimore, Business, Business and Economy, Company, Event, Instant Business Office, Office, Office Services, Seasons, Shopping, Spring, Virtual office
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So your office decided to go business casual, allowing employees to work comfortably in the workplace. But what exactly does that mean? How can business be casual? Though it was intended to make life simple, “business casual” is such a flexible term that it’s actually cause for confusion. Since the scope of business casual varies from workplace to profession in general, business casual means; dressing professionally, looking relaxed, yet neat and pulled together.
Know your audience and office environment:
The definition of business casual depends a lot on the office environment and the type of customers you serve which can vary tremendously. Some businesses already have set guidelines for the type of clothing that is appropriate within the office, even on dress down days like Fridays, where some offices allow jeans or shorts. However, there are some offices where you will find that business casual means something different to each person as there are no set rules on what to or what not to wear. If you are new to a business, it’s suggested that you side on the professional side until you see what your coworkers are wearing or you feel comfortable.
Here are a few helpful tips to make sure you are business casual:
Women:
Business casual: Generally means suits, collared shirts, knee-length skirts, cardigans, and tailored dresses. In some offices sleeveless blouses or vest, polo shirts, and trousers are also acceptable. Closed toe or peep toe pumps with a low heel for comfort.
Casual (or Friday casual): Includes, all the business-casual options, and in some companies, can include jeans (that aren’t torn, ratty or tight fitting), capris are okay if they are of a dress-pant material, which is usually not denim or heavy cotton. In some offices, tailored shorts are also acceptable however they should be no more than 2” about the knee. For footwear, leather shoes with a modest heel and clean sneakers are acceptable.
Here are some other general guidelines for women: 
- Keep your casual classy; the biggest mistake most women make with this particular dress code is to go too casual.
- Casual does not give you the leeway to wear flip flops, old scuffed shoes, tight or revealing clothing, or ripped jeans.
- Having a few quality pieces in basic colors will give you a lot of coordinating wardrobe options throughout the week. Consider buying key pieces like skirts, t-shirts, and pants that fit you well in browns, grays, blacks, or navy blues.
- If your office allows you to wear jeans, dress up your denim!! Jeans in a darker wash convey a dressier, refined look and try choosing a tailored fit or a trouser jean and pairing it with a fitted blazer and ballet flat.
Men:
Business casual: Generally means khaki pants, a plain polo shirt or a long-sleeved casual button-down oxford shirt, a V-neck sweater, sometimes a sports coat or blazer, and brown leather shoes. Loafers are a good choice, and you should wear socks.
Casual (or Friday casual): Includes all the business-casual options, and in some companies, can include jeans (that aren’t torn or ratty), T-shirts (that are clean and inoffensive), and tennis shoes.
Here are some other general guidelines for men:
- A short-sleeved shirt is, by definition, always a casual (or business-casual) shirt.
- Khaki and flannel pants are business casual for most businesses.
- Tank tops, shorts, and sandals are weekend wear, not business wear.
- Plain shirts are best, in general; shirts with ads on them are for fishing.
- Button-down oxford shirts are business casual; T-shirts are for musicians and computer types (and for mowing the lawn).
- Loafers and dark walking shoes are business casual; clean sneakers, running shoes, and hiking boots are for play but can make occasional appearances on casual Fridays.
- Blazers and sports coats are business casual for some businesses and dressy for others.
Ultimately, with the freedom that business casual allows, you should take the opportunity to express yourself. You should feel confident when you get dressed. For ladies, add your personality with a fun accessory that you are comfortable in. Always err on the conservative side and you will make a good impression.
Resources Tapped:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Business_casual
http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/defining-businesscasual-menswear.html
http://www.lasvegasrestaurants.com/article.cfm/article/15/Dressing-to-Dine–Dress-codes-defined
For most Americans, Presidents’ Day is extra time to relax and a leisure holiday for shopping and catching up on day-to-day tasks. For others, this holiday is used to buff up on their knowledge of presidential history by visiting historic sites, museums, restaurants and places of presidents’ past.
There are several educational sight-seeing opportunities in the DC/Metro Area. Here are some ideas (compiled by Harriet Baskas, msnbc.com):
- The official presidential libraries and museums operated by the National Archives
- Ford’s Theater- the site of the April 14, 1865, assassination of President Abraham Lincoln, is hosting a Presidents Day open house on Feb. 20. Among the free activities scheduled are storytelling, Civil War-themed ranger talks and a presentation by costumed actors that includes a reconstruction of Lincoln’s assassination.
- The Newseum-Every Four Years: Presidential Campaigns and the Press, a new exhibit opening Feb. 17, traces the way the media has covered presidential campaigns from “William McKinley’s 1896 front porch campaign to Barack Obama’s 2008 Internet campaign.” In addition to notable TV campaign ads, the exhibit includes campaign artifacts such as handwritten notes taken by John F. Kennedy during a 1960 presidential debate and the “Florida, Florida, Florida” white board used by NBC’s Tim Russert on election night 2000. Also, as a bonus, they are also showing an exhibit on First Dogs: American Presidents and Their Pets, runs through 2012.
There are also several other fascinating sight-seeing opportunities a bit further from the District, in the neighboring state of Virginia.
- George Washington’s estate at Mount Vernon- There will be free admission on February 20th. A costumed General Washington will be on hand for activities to include the traditional wreath-laying ceremony at Washington’s Tomb, music and military performances.
- Colonial Williamsburg
- Alexandria-the 280th anniversary of George Washington’s birth with a celebration that includes a Birthnight Banquet & Ball(Feb. 18), a Revolutionary War Reenactment (Feb. 19) and the George Washington Birthday Parade(Feb. 20).
- Gatsby’s Tavern- Historic sites around Alexandria where early patrons included George Washington, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison and James Monroe, will offer free admission on Presidents Day as well.
You may also want to go presidential sight see in in less likely states from this list (compiled by Lonely Planet).
Presidents’ Day was originally enacted in 1880 to celebrate George Washington’s birthday. After the 1951 drafting of the “Uniform Monday Holiday Act”, the holiday was shifted between February 15 and 21, to celebrate both Washington’s and Lincoln’s Birthday. Today, the holiday is meant to honor all commander-in-chiefs. Hopefully these destination ideas will help you reflect on these great men that have made American History.
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