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"You don't know what you don't know. Surround
yourself with new incoming information and people who know the answers or
where to find them. Set yourself up for continuous growth, satisfaction and
success as a career administrative professional by reaching out for new
ideas and growing with new levels of success-minded, growth oriented
people."
--Karen Porter, VAAP Founder and President
PRODUCT TESTIMONIALS
 "I am grateful for your site. It has changed my life.
Dear Karen,
I just can’t put into words how much your site means to me. I
use the tools every day. I had reached a point in my job where I
was being given multiple projects without clear direction. After several weeks
of struggling daily with not only managing my projects but trying to overcome
the feeling of carrying a 1000 lb. pack on my back, I had come to my wits end;
something had to change and it had to be immediately. I decided to do a search
for any help out there for administrative assistants.
Your site was the first one I came across. As I began reading a few pages I
was captivated and the rest was history. I immediately felt a huge sense of
relief and calm, finally the answers and direction I had been asking for. You
see, when I started out in the work world, being an administrative assistant was
never the top of my list. I didn’t feel I had the personality for it, and the
ones I knew were always so busy and hurried that I didn’t want that for me.
Well, 30 years later here I am. If I could give you the feeling finding this
site has meant to me. It has helped me to own my job and want a career, not just a
job, and to continue to learn how to do all the things that an administrative
professional does.
The fact that there is an association that provides assistance to ones like
myself who have struggled over the years trying to do things people assume you
automatically know how to do is in itself, PRICELESS."
With deep appreciation,
Leslie R Tiongison
Administrative Assistant
Washington, DC |
 "Karen,
you have been supplying each of us in the administrative support roles since
2004 with exactly what we needed to make our success possible.
Some of the things written were simple ideas and things that we already knew
but refreshed what's often forgotten.
I appreciate the organizational tips that I hadn’t
thought of that are especially useful while supporting multiple executives.
Your publications have become a reference book for my top drawer! I especially
enjoy the spelling and grammar refreshers that we may have forgotten since
school.
I appreciate your willingness to share your
knowledge and personal time given in each of your publications. Your passion
to share and mentor those in our field is evident and very much appreciated.
Even as I am in career transition, I will remain a TEA/VAAP member to maintain
that competitive edge and continue to learn best practices.”
With the utmost admiration and gratitude,
Dawn Hill
Executive Assistant
Atlanta, Georgia |
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"Hello Karen, I am so excited to be a member of the VAAP.
It is an honor to be a part of any program you initiate. My membership is one
of which I am personally doing (not the company), and I feel great about that
because it benefits my personal growth as well as the company.
I have benefited not only from The Effective Admin
newsletters but your being there when I needed another voice ... whereby in
many cases your insight helped me set the record straight for myself. I am so
grateful you took time out from your busy schedule to respond back to me.
I remember back in March, I was placed under new management
after 20 or so years of working with the same group of people and you helped
me manage to stay on track by your words of wisdom. Also, if you remember, I
am the admin who is over 60 years old and was laid off from a large energy
company last year and was offered a position the same day as the termination
date. Most of my colleagues were saying how difficult it would be for someone
my age to find a job...not if you believe in yourself and continue the path.
I am where I should be on this leg of my career...amazing how
things work out....since joining this company almost one year ago, you again
were instrumental in helping me get on track with working in a new field.
Karen, please stand and take a bow for I believe you have been a 'SHINING
STAR' in so many of our lives. Definitely in mine!"
Thank you,
Dora Cranford
Executive Assistant
Houston, Texas
Lifetime Member of VAAP |
I've heard enough!
I'm ready to join. Enroll me now!
Many of the self-study publications that are now included in
the VAAP educational materials were once sold separately in a packet of information
called "An Effective Admin VIP" at a website for The Effective Admin (the producer of this
specialized material for administrative professionals and founder and operator of VAAP). In the boxes below are some
testimonials from administrative professionals
testifying to the quality of that content which includes The Effective Admin Tips Series,
The Effective Admin In-Depth Special Reports Series, and in The Effective Admin
newsletter issues. All of this material, which is what these administrative professionals
are referring to, are
learning resources
included in your VAAP membership materials. You get what they are talking
about and more!
"I'm Worth it!"
"I purchased the 'Effective
Admin VIP' package because I’m worth it! I love my job and want to continue to
strive to be the absolute best at it.
I love this product and all of the information it contains. It’s relevant and
helpful in a variety of ways...."
Shannon Farrell
Administrative Assistant to the Dean of Academic Affairs
Herkimer, NY |
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"One of the Best Products I Have Found"
"I am responsible for training new EA's and this is one of the best products I
have found for EA training."
Kathy L Jordan
Executive Assistant
Decatur, TX |
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"I Want to be a Better Admin"
"I purchased this product
because I want to be a better admin and I will do whatever it takes to get
there. I love this product. It makes you think and gives helpful tips."
Michele Duke
Executive Assistant to CIO
Houston, Texas |
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"Just What I had Been Looking for"
"The material is great, just what I had been looking for, very detailed. My
favorite is the tip sheets."
Norma Ramirez-Hall
Administrative Assistant
Sugar Land, TX |
"I was Looking for an Edge"
"I purchased 'Effective Admin VIP Products'
because I was looking for an edge - they have given me priceless tools to
remain successful in my profession and allow me to be a valuable asset to my
directors and my company. The product(s) are useful in many, if not all
aspects of my job as an administrative professional."
Debbie Ryan
Admin Assistant
Santa Clara, CA |
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"I've Actually Learned Something From Everything I
Have Read"
"I bought the
Effective Admin VIP because I am always looking to further my
knowledge and the publications looked very promising.... I haven't had
as much time as I'd like to read everything I've received, but I have
enjoyed everything I have read so far. I've actually learned something
from everything I have read. I haven't read the tips in order and I'm
currently reading tip 2 and I LOVE IT!!!"
Carolyn Isherwood
Department Specialist IV
San Diego, CA |
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"I am Getting New Ways of Doing Things"
"I purchased this product to help me improve in my profession. I think the
product is great! I am getting new ways of doing things. I am now using the
agenda for the travel Itinerary. The information you provide is just right."
Name Withheld for Privacy
Executive Assistant
New York, NY |
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"I Felt I Needed a Little Refresher Course in Some
Things"
"I have
been in the law profession as a paralegal for many years. As my job
has changed and now an executive assistant, I felt I needed a little
refresher course in some things that I have not done in years. (e.g.
The Guide on Taking Minutes was a great help.)
I have not
got a chance to go through all of the guides as of yet; but I have
read the newsletters and I find them very helpful with answering
questions that I have been asking myself or others that may or may not
have the answer. The guides and newsletters on effective meetings are
a great tool because in my previous job I was not required to have or
go to any meetings. I initiate monthly Team Quality Meetings, Travel
Meetings and Weekly HR meetings."
Michelle Edwards
Executive Assistant
St. Louis, MO USA |
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"I Want to be the Best Executive Admin Assistant
That I can be"
"[I purchased this product because] I want to be the best executive admin
assistant that I can be. I especially found the internet research links
recommended useful, as well as how to log internet research, etc.
Moreover, I like the goal setting information as well. I definitely have
learned extra tips throughout the entire course of information that was
provided, and think that this is a great help for any executive assistant
looking for ideas on ways to enhance and improve their role within an
organization.
Additionally, I like the suggestions provided with the email management
section; the part about ... is a great tip that I immediately started to
incorporate and think that it really helps when there is such a high volume of
emails transmitted throughout the day."
Michelle L Hogan
Executive Administrative Assistant
Provo, UT |
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"The Product Provides Many Different Scenarios and
Ideas That Help in an Everyday Situation"
"I am very much enjoying this product. I purchased The Effective Admin product because I wanted to update my skills and try to
be as current as I possibly can with systems, processes that are out there.
Also knowing what others are experiencing is great. Hearing how others have
dealt with situations is helpful and gives us a different perspective -- being
able to see 'outside the normal box.'
The product provides many different scenarios and ideas that help in an
everyday situation. Tips and tricks on applications such as Outlook are very
helpful. Examples of itineraries and tips on travel plans help make the
planning process a lot easier."
Linda McQuoid
Senior Personal Assistant
Tiverton, ON, Canada |
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"I Love the Fact, After 33 Years, I am Still
Learning New and More Efficient Avenues to do my Work. Your Product is
Awesome!"
"As an admin of 33 years, I have to say this is a tool
anyone can use. There are plenty of topics to increase your productivity,
knowledge, organization and more. The quick tips are my favorites; I use most
of them daily. I have passed on some of these verbally to the up and coming
admins in our office. I love the fact, after 33 years, I am still learning new
and more efficient avenues to do my work. Your product is awesome!
I had a few AH HA moments reading through your special reports. I've laughed
until I snorted on some of the topics, due mostly because I've done it myself
or wrong for so many years. I must say, you've got something here. Keep them
coming."
Jaymee Roberts |
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"Finally, Someone Who Understands!"
"I purchased [the product] because I was
looking for an online, in-depth training seminar for seasoned administrative
professionals where I could really enhance my skills and performance. The
package looked like it was jammed packed with a lot of very useful
information.
I love this kit and definitely got my money's worth! I really didn't know what
to start with because there is so much in it that I want to dive into. After
an ugly day at the office, I chose Special Report: Administrative
Professionals Biggest Interruptions and Distractions at Work - And Solutions
to Manage or Eliminate Them. As I started reading the materials, I felt a sigh
of relief and thought, 'Finally, someone who understands!'"
Gloria von Gesslein
Executive Administrator
Weehawken, NJ |
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I've heard enough!
I'm ready to join. Enroll me now!
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