secretaries revisited
While studying I wrote a few essays about secretaries, digital and human ones and the influence of (electric) butlers. Now - arriving in the grown-up-working-world and a 9/5-job the topic gains relevance again.
My position at work is "chef assistance" which means, I am secretary of our boss. It is only a 3-Person company, but I have to manage in good old style all his appointments, telephone-calls, to-dos and advice him regarding all kind of stuff. From helping him with simple office-word-related problems, giving advice as a photographer or just keeping track with his dentist-appointments - it covers almost everything possible.
Remembering the discussions in Sigert's seminars about the informational impact of a secretary I doubt if my boss ever reflected the influence he permits me to have on his organization process by letting me manage even trivial things such as his doctor`s appointments or all the other tiny details. He would be totally lost without his assistant. When going to a meeting he forgets to take directions with him and calls in later for the actual street and number.
Sure this is ok. If I would be boss I would have someone who acts like a second brain of me too.
... and if he gets unfair from time to time it is my turn of course to remind him how important assistances can be. My reading of choice at the moment? P.G. Woodhouse's Jeeves and Wooster stories :)
As one can see from this note everything that reminds me only slightly of my former and beloved studies is a welcome reason to think about media and information. Unfortunately working seems to distract the mind from thinking.
My position at work is "chef assistance" which means, I am secretary of our boss. It is only a 3-Person company, but I have to manage in good old style all his appointments, telephone-calls, to-dos and advice him regarding all kind of stuff. From helping him with simple office-word-related problems, giving advice as a photographer or just keeping track with his dentist-appointments - it covers almost everything possible.
Remembering the discussions in Sigert's seminars about the informational impact of a secretary I doubt if my boss ever reflected the influence he permits me to have on his organization process by letting me manage even trivial things such as his doctor`s appointments or all the other tiny details. He would be totally lost without his assistant. When going to a meeting he forgets to take directions with him and calls in later for the actual street and number.
Sure this is ok. If I would be boss I would have someone who acts like a second brain of me too.
... and if he gets unfair from time to time it is my turn of course to remind him how important assistances can be. My reading of choice at the moment? P.G. Woodhouse's Jeeves and Wooster stories :)
As one can see from this note everything that reminds me only slightly of my former and beloved studies is a welcome reason to think about media and information. Unfortunately working seems to distract the mind from thinking.
ypsilon - 2007-07-24 12:00
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