One prevailing industry trend is the demand for improved technology and innovations that will help PAs do their jobs more effectively. Adam Fidler looks at a piece of kit that is transforming the profession. I would imagine youโve heard of the “iPad revolution” โ where many people now rely on tablet computers in their day-to-day personal and working lives. A lot has been written about using tablets at work, but usually from the managerโs perspective. So after having an iPad for around three years now, I would like to share how to use it to make you more effective as a PA.
First, think about the type of things you will want to do most on your tablet. The technology has come a long way since it originally came out and they can now practically replace your laptop. Iโve used my iPad in meetings that have gone on for more than seven hours and the battery has lasted throughout.
“But you donโt have access to Microsoft Office on a tablet,” I hear you say. Well, this is no longer a problem. The Quickoffice app lets you edit, open and create any type of Microsoft file. To write Word-style documents I will often use Appleโs own version, called Pages, which allows you to save files so that they are compatible with other operating systems. When saving, itโs also a good idea to use a cloud service such as Dropbox to ensure that documents are immediately available to your computer or other devices โ just make sure that they are the correct file type first.
There are further advantages to having your tablet when on the go. One question PAs always get asked when out and about is what the boss is doing, or what his schedule is like next week. Previously we would have to say, “Iโm sorry, I donโt have access to it remotely”, but not any longer. Now you can have more than one email exchange account on your tablet, which means that you can view both your and your managerโs diaries. Your calendar will show each schedule overlapping in a different colour, so you can always see your bossโs movements and reply to emails asking about meetings and availability when away from the office.
Finally, you cannot use your tablet effectively without a proper keyboard. While most have an automatic version that pops up on screen, this is very hard to use when you are composing lengthy emails, or taking minutes of meetings. So invest in a good one (I have an Apple wireless keyboard, which has a particularly nice look and feel to it) and your tablet will work as a very portable laptop.
It is also worth getting hold of a workstation-style cover. It means that your keyboard is kept separate from your tablet (there are times you wonโt want to use the keyboard, for example when reading documents or books), but when you do need it, the cover doubles up as a stand. Itโs a very neatly designed piece of kit and is preferable to the permanent hard cases that you lock an iPad into, which then donโt give you the choice of using it without a keyboard.
Last, but by no means least, if youโve not heard about Evernote, a note-taking and note storage app, then youโve not lived โ it is simply one of the most useful apps ever created.
Adam Fidler is Executive Assistant to the Chief Executive of Salford City College and European PR Officer for networking association EUMA. He spoke about the iPad revolution and its application for PAs at this yearโs Office show.
