Disaster Recovery Journal Fall 2024

4. Empathy and understanding : As a central figure in the office, you’ll need to understand and empathize with all team members. Often, you’ll be the voice of the employees, advocating for their needs and ensuring everyone feels heard and valued. 5. Sharp negotiation skills : Whether managing the office budget, securing deals with suppliers, or mediating workplace disagreements, strong negotiation skills are essential. You’ll need to be comfortable advocating for the best interests of the company and finding solutions that work for everyone involved. 6. Continuous business knowledge development : Stay ahead of the curve by continuously expanding your business acumen. From budgeting and financial planning to recruitment strategies and management theory, a strong business foundation will enhance your effectiveness and open doors for advancement. 7. A grasp of legal basics : Dealing with contracts, supplier agreements, and other legal documents is often part of the job. A basic understanding of legal terminology and contract terms will help you protect the company’s interests. 8. Strong emotional intelligence : Developing strong interpersonal skills and emotional intelligence is crucial for successful team management. This involves understanding and managing your own emotions while also being attuned to the emotions of others. By fostering a positive and supportive work environment, you can boost morale, productivity, and employee engagement. Office roles are constantly evolving. By embracing lifelong learning, seeking professional development opportunities, and staying updated on industry trends, you can ensure your skills remain relevant and continue to thrive as part of a dynamic organization. v

one in the office become adept at leverag ing software and online platforms. Cloud-based document management systems have replaced filing cabinets, while project management tools stream line workflows. The modern office worker isn’t just tech-savvy; they are responsible for implementing and often training others on the technology that drives the organiza tion’s efficiency. The modern office manager is no longer confined to administrative tasks. They play a crucial role in shaping com pany culture, ensuring the working envi ronment encourages greater productivity and employee wellbeing. As technology continues to evolve, Sandy will increasingly be required to gather data to track key performance indi cators, measure employee satisfaction, and inform strategic decision-making. They will have to promote environ mentally friendly practices in the organi zation and play a key role in implementing sustainable initiatives. As remote and hybrid working becomes more common, everyone will have to adapt to managing an atomized workforce, ensuring seamless communication and collaboration across geographical bound aries. Creating a culture of efficiency and wellbeing Recognizing that happy employees are productive employees, office managers are often tasked with promoting employee wellbeing. This could involve organizing team-building activities, implementing flexible work arrangements, and advocat ing for employee benefits which support work-life balance. Open communication and seamless collaboration are hallmarks of the modern workplace. Office managers ensure com munication channels are open and effec tive, whether through team messaging platforms, or fostering a culture of open dialogue. With more staff members working from home and in different cities and countries, the office manager can no longer send a card round the office, along with an A4 manilla envelope, when a staff member is

leaving the company, celebrating a birth day, getting married, or having a baby. Such communal celebrations are essen tial in maintaining a positive working culture and so Sandy must find a modern, technical solution to do the job. The modern office manager is a stra tegic thinker, anticipating challenges and developing creative solutions. They often play a role in budget management, negotiating with suppliers, and ensuring the business’s resources are used effi ciently. They often juggle multiple respon sibilities, from onboarding new hires to organizing company events. They are the bridge between employees and upper man agement, so they need to be approachable, empathetic listeners who can advocate for their team’s needs while also communi cating company goals and expectations clearly. Sound familiar? Skills for the modern office manager Business resilience professionals need to know their office managers. Here are some of “Sandy’s” attributes you may also need to develop: 1. Masterful organization and time management : This goes beyond filing. You’ll need to juggle multiple schedules (including your own), track projects, manage suppliers, and stay on top of daily tasks and long-term plans. Strong organizational skills are crucial to prevent work from piling up and ensure everything runs like clockwork. 2. Exceptional communication skills : You may end up being a communication hub for your organization, connecting with everyone from new hires to the CEO. Clear and effective communication is essential for avoiding mistakes, resolving conflicts, and providing direction. 3. Innovative problem-solving abilities : Over time, you will gain invaluable company knowledge, making you an excellent problem-solver. You’ll be called upon to navigate challenging situations, often with limited resources. Thinking outside the box and finding creative solutions is key.

Tsvetelina Hinova is co-founder of Thankbox, an online card and cash collec tion service whose main goal is to foster appreciation and connectivity within teams.

20 DISASTER RECOVERY JOURNAL | FALL 2024