Let’s discuss the team members who are responsible for managing schedules, coordinating logistics, and delivering the essential services that are fundamental to your company’s success. While their roles are not always directly associated with generating profits or interacting with clients face-to-face, their contributions are irreplaceable. Without them, the company would grind to a halt in 2.2 seconds — even faster if someone needs a document that is buried in SharePoint. Administrative Professionals Week is coming up, and it’s the perfect opportunity to highlight your support team’s dedication and indispensability.
Understanding the Backbone of Your Company
The individuals on your administrative and support team are standout examples of reliability. Working behind the scenes to troubleshoot and solve problems, they act as the silent force that sustains the vitality of the company’s mission and vision. Their attention to detail ensures that no issue goes unnoticed while maintaining the stability and efficiency of daily operations. Armed with an intimate understanding of the company’s intricate systems and processes, they offer timely and adept support across all departments. Moreover, their commitment to the continued mastery of their responsibilities creates a place of excellence and innovation that permeates through the company’s core.
Cultivating a Culture of Appreciation
When administrative and support staff feel valued and acknowledged for their contributions, they tend to experience higher levels of job satisfaction. Recognizing the pivotal roles they play not only cultivates a sense of belonging but also nurtures a deeper commitment to the company’s objectives. By laying the groundwork, you can significantly boost employee morale, thereby enhancing the likelihood of achieving strategic goals. Leveraging insights from personality assessments, such as The Omnia Behavioral Assessment, can further refine and customize your approach.
5 Ways to Celebrate and Connect
1. Team Building Activity
Engaging support staff in an interactive exercise not only injects excitement into the workplace but also ignites teamwork and camaraderie within the group. A sense of community and synergy among colleagues happens when collaboration is high.
- In-Office: Organize a scavenger hunt around the office, hiding items related to support functions or team achievements in various locations. For example, items could include finding a specific IT tool or locating hidden surprises throughout the hunt.
- Virtual: Adapt the scavenger hunt for remote work by creating a virtual scavenger hunt with online clues and challenges. Utilize technology to facilitate communication and coordination among support staff members. Challenges could involve finding screenshots of successful customer interactions or locating specific documents within shared drives.
2. Appreciation Awards
Getting the entire company to participate in the recognition event establishes a culture of appreciation and acknowledgment. The benefit of this initiative lies in reinforcing positive behaviors and strengthening team cohesion. Recognize specific skills or traits that make admin and support staff exceptional.
- In-Office: Print out customized certificates or trophies for each award category and present them during a team meeting or luncheon. Take photos of the recipients receiving their awards for posting on company bulletin boards or social media.
- Virtual: Design digital certificates or badges for each award category and email them to recipients. Host a virtual awards ceremony using video conferencing software, where each winner is acknowledged and applauded by their colleagues.
3. Lunch with Leadership
Inviting your admin team to have lunch with you is a pathway to open communication and strengthens relationships across different levels of the company. This fosters a welcoming atmosphere for them to share their ideas and concerns which builds transparency and trust.
- In-Office: Reserve a private area in a nearby restaurant or have food brought into the office for admin and support staff to have lunch with you. Encourage open conversations and provide a space for staff to ask questions or share their thoughts in person.
- Virtual: Arrange for virtual lunch sessions where admin and support staff can join you via video calls. Provide food delivery vouchers or reimbursements to enable everyone to enjoy a meal together while having informal discussions and networking.
4. Wellness Day
Facilitating healthy activities among the support team can decrease job fatigue. By doing this, you are demonstrating your focus on employees’ happiness and well-being.
- In-Office: Bring in wellness professionals such as masseuses or yoga instructors to provide on-site services. Set up relaxation stations with calming music, essential oils, and comfortable seating areas for them to unwind.
- Virtual: Organize remote wellness workshops or sessions on mindfulness, meditation, or stretching exercises. Provide resources such as guided meditation recordings or fitness challenges that they can participate in from any location.
5. Skill Swap Sessions
Having employees share their expertise advances continuous learning within the team. This can enhance job performance, efficiency, and adaptability as employees learn from each other’s experiences and best practices.
- In-Office: Schedule designated times for them to gather in small groups and share their knowledge on various topics related to their roles. Provide flip charts or whiteboards for brainstorming sessions and promote hands-on learning experiences.
- Virtual: Host online skill-sharing sessions using video conferencing platforms where employees can present tips, tricks, and best practices related to their job responsibilities. Record the sessions for future reference and generate digital handouts or guides summarizing key takeaways.
Administrative Professionals Week serves as a reminder of the important role played by administrative and support staff in driving the success of the business. Beyond just a designated week of recognition, it underscores the ongoing need to applaud and appreciate their tireless efforts throughout the year. Embracing tools, like the Omnia Group’s assessments and reports, enables a deeper understanding of team dynamics and individual strengths, further enhancing your ability to empower your team.
By having a culture of appreciation, you can nurture an environment where your support team feels seen, valued, respected, and motivated. Let us take this time not only to express sincere gratitude to our admin and support teams but also to reaffirm our commitment to their continued growth and success. Happy Administrative Professionals Week!
