A memo from Alana Fitch

Technology is one of Alana Fitch’s most precious tools for survival as EA at The Blackstone Group. She champions Velocity as the must-have app that every PA needs to know about when helping to access and instantly book extraordinary experiences from the world’s best restaurants.

“As a PA who has worked for a polo player, a famous Wall Street trader and an Indian billionaire cum entrepreneur and philanthropist, I’ve certainly been thrown into the deep end on many occasions,” says Alana. “Having lived in London, Hong Kong and Singapore I’ve certainly learned how to turn struggles into successes. Whether it is language barriers (using Google translate with an Italian tailor to discuss designs… “un momento”… very painful), event planning (40th birthdays, last-minute venue changes, strops and family altercations), or the general random tasks of dealing with UHNWI’s and their demands (this includes acting as a flight attendant on a private jet in five-inch stilettos serving champagne and caviar). I’ve therefore come to learn that technology is one of my most precious tools for survival.

Time and speed is of the essence and these people don’t have the patience or acceptance of “no”; after all, time is money. This is why it’s so important to work with technology now that we are a digital generation, and with new apps available every day to create convenience to ease our working lives. Having most recently worked for a venture capital firm that deals with entrepreneurs, start-ups and access to what the tech world has to offer daily, I gained great insight into how to really utilise technology to my best advantage.

I most recently came across an app that has changed my life and is truly fabulous. If you’re always asked to secure last-minute top-notch restaurant reservations for your boss then you’ll love Velocity (a London start-up) which monitors bookings and cancellations at London’s top restaurants and gives you the option to make last minute reservations (or anything up to six days ahead). It’s not only useful to pick and choose the restaurant, but instantly lists availability that we can provide to our bosses (making us look super-skilled) and saves us calling round numerous restaurants hoping for availability. Booking is fast and efficient – they even have a US team who are extremely responsive for out of hours. On top of standard bookings, there is the option to settle the bill via the app (courtesy of storing your card details) and it will even order you an Uber at the same time to be ready and waiting.

Follow Alana as @PAConfidential on Instagram for hotspots, experiences and happenings around London