If you've ever worked in an office setting, you likely understand the invaluable role that administrative professionals play in keeping things running smoothly. From managing schedules to coordinating meetings and ensuring the office is well-supplied, these individuals are the backbone of any organization. And because we love well-organized and supplied offices, administrative professionals are our favorite kind of people! 

As we approach Administrative Professionals Day, it’s the perfect opportunity to shine a spotlight on these humble heroes who often work quietly and tirelessly behind the scenes, yet their contributions are felt throughout the entire company.

Originally known as ‘National Secretaries Day’, Administrative Professionals Day has evolved over the years to encompass a wider range of roles and responsibilities within the modern workforce. Today, it serves as a day to honor and recognize hard workers and those who are in roles such as administrative assistants, office managers, executive assistants, and other support staff who play a vital role in the success of businesses of any size.

With many workplaces still hybrid and whose teams may be dispersed across different locations or who are working remotely, the importance of administrative professionals has truly grown. Throughout the challenges posed by the pandemic, these individuals have been instrumental in keeping teams connected, organized, and productive. Whether it's adapting to new technologies, managing virtual meetings, or juggling multiple priorities, administrative professionals have demonstrated resilience and adaptability in the face of adversity. In fact, folks in these roles have had no choice but to be more adaptable than those in other job roles! 

FriendsOffice has grown leaps and bounds after the pandemic and many of our team members are remote or are working collectively across our eight office locations. Many of us have taken on new administrative duties in order to lighten the load of any one team member. For example, our accounting team works from two different offices and shares encrypted documents through OneDrive. Additionally, our purchasing team is spread across multiple offices and submits orders through a cloud-based platform. Even our designers utilize Microsoft Teams to communicate floor plans and renderings from multiple locations. Our entire sales team is spread throughout all of our different territories so they are constantly talking over the phone about product updates and client needs, and most are working together through group chats with our customer care team or with each other. It takes a lot more collaboration to run a business these days, but technology continues to streamline many administrative functions we all have in our job roles.

So, how can we show our appreciation for our administrative team members and each other? While grand gestures are always appreciated, sometimes it's the small things that make the biggest impact. Providing well-stocked breakrooms with snacks, coffee, and utensils is a wonderful practice! We can also focus on equipping offices with comfortable furnishings and ensuring a clean and organized workspace in order to support administrative professionals in their day-to-day tasks. Additionally, a simple handwritten note on a post-it or heartfelt branded thank-you card can go a long way in making people feel valued and appreciated.

As we celebrate Administrative Professionals Day on Wednesday, April 24 this year, let's take a moment to recognize the hard work, dedication, and overall contributions of those individuals in our organization who step-up or step-in for the betterment of all; they deserve to be recognized and thanked for their unfailing care and concern of the team.