You’d be forgiven for thinking the role of admin and secretarial staff is all databases, documents and pen-pushing.
In fact, admins have a strong influence on the creative juices of a company.
Just look at Peggy Olson in telly classic Mad Men, a character who makes the leap from secretary to creative copywriter look effortless, thanks to her organisational skills, unique perspective and ability to multi-task.
Here are some other key ways admins can help stimulate creativity, whatever the job sector.
Fresh perspectives
Most companies already have teams of creative thinkers, employed specifically for their ability to innovate and problem solve.
Admin staff, however, can offer fresh perspectives on problems, particularly as they’re likely to be dialled in on almost every aspect of company operations.
Collaboration
When creativity is stifled by endless paperwork and bureaucracy, admins know all the best shortcuts. Because they’re such great networkers, they know immediately who to go to that can help a company move with greater freedom, innovation and efficiency.
Information control
On the frontline of company communications, admin and secretarial staff are often responsible for the flow of information in and out of the company.
Not every phone call or email may be relevant and so it falls to admins to separate the wheat from the chaff and the real beef from the spam.
Focus
Many of us have worked in a place where egos can get a little inflated.
While senior managers are bickering over whose idea is the best and who should take credit, the admin is hard at work facilitating the whole process for them, whether through organising the paperwork or making the calls.
Helping everyone focus on the real task in hand, they are instrumental in guiding a business towards the best way to thrive.
Communication
Admins are super communicators and even better networkers. Unfortunately, not every workplace works as a team. Even in the smallest of organisations, sometimes accounts and HR have no idea what the other is doing.
Admins need to know what every department is doing and are ideally placed to help bridge internal skill, information and creativity gaps.
If you have a passion for admin and a creative streak that needs stimulation, head to s1jobs now to check out the latest Admin, Secretarial and PA vacancies.