Administrators are the unseen heroes of almost every business. They not only keep the wheels of the business ticking over but have the knowledge and insight to suggest innovative change within an organisation. With the right combination of experience, ability and personal skills, an administrator can become crucial to the future success of the business.
5 key person skills administrators need to have
Strong communication
The ability to clearly communicate, both in writing and verbally, is essential for an administrator. You might be the first person clients or customers come into contact with, as well as the reference individual for all the teams internally. Given the range and diversity of people you’re likely to have to deal with it’s essential to be able to clearly and concisely communicate with each one, whether you’re explaining or persuading.
Able to handle the pressure
As an administrator you will often find yourself in challenging situations, whether you are stretching the limits of your skill set or dealing with individual demands. Being able to handle any pressured situation with composure and calm is an important skill for an administrator. You’ll need to be able to assess the situation and make decisions on your feet in order to find the right solutions.
Embracing the new
Being an effective administrator requires a desire to get into the latest technology and systems so that you are primed to identify the best option for the business. Knowledge of key systems, such as Microsoft Word, Outlook and Excel is a basic requirement and a breadth of understanding when it comes to everything from payroll through to PowerPoint will also be incredibly useful. The most valued administrators are often those who are always testing out new ideas and willing to learn new systems and processes so as to be of benefit to the business. For example, an administrator with a sound understanding of social media who is able to kick start this channel for an employer - and explore its potential for the business - will be a huge advantage.
A cost effective mindset
Every business is always keen to make cost savings. An administrator with a natural eye for opportunities to reduce costs and introduce efficiencies will be a huge asset to any organisation. The person in an administrator role is often privy to a wide range of information and insights that others in the organisation may not have. As a result they are often perfectly placed to be able to suggest cost cutting solutions that could prove to be invaluable to the business.
Always having one ear to the ground
Being an industry insider is a crucial skill for an administrator, both when it comes to understanding the language of the sector and the systems and technology that support and drive it. Being in touch with industry trends and able to identify those that might be beneficial to the business is also a great skill to have.
Our
Effective Administrator course is designed to help nurture all the key skills that are likely to be most useful to an administrator in developing a long and fruitful career. Get in touch today to find out more.