A survey conducted by information management company Iron Mountain and professional services provider PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) has found that 66% of firms regard the handling of paper as a serious security risk, yet only 31% monitor the policies in place to guide employees in the storage and disposal of confidential documents. A mere 39% adhere to […]

Being able to communicate effectively is the cornerstone of any good working relationship, but it’s not always as straightforward as you might think. Luckily, highly experienced former PA Heather Baker is on hand to offer the benefit of her advice at the next PA Life Training Day. Heather’s session on The Art of Communication will […]

The Goring (pictured) is one of those hotels that can justifiably be called “a bastion”, upholding civilised behaviour and impeccable good manners, writes Colette Doyle. Run by CEO Jeremy, who represents the fourth generation of the Goring family, this venerable property is a long-time favourite of the residents of nearby Buckingham Palace and can lay […]

Dressing for work… if you get it right, it’ll give you confidence and can even make you more successful in your job. Managing your appearance is an important part of who you are, both at work and at home. It tells people about your personality and your lifestyle. Nobody can deny that, in today’s world, […]

Over a quarter of employers (27%) have introduced flexible working initiatives to meet the needs of their ageing workforce, new research from Group Risk Development (GRiD), the trade body for the group risk industry, has found. Since the abolishment of the Default Retirement Age, most employers are looking at ways to accommodate older members of […]

Love was in the air this weekend thanks to that little holiday called Valentine’s Day. However, as the date drew near my partner and I struggled to come up with ideas for a romantic evening. Luckily, Merlin Events London came to the rescue with its one-off “Loved-Up” couples’ dinner at the famous Madame Tussauds. It’s […]

PAs in the US are lawyering up and taking their former employers to court over their unacceptable behaviour. First up is US songstress Mariah Carey who is being sued by 49-year-old Ylser Oliver, who was with Mariah for seven years and is accusing the singer of having forced her staff to work “on average approximately […]

Are you successful? What does that even mean? I remember when I posted on Twitter and Facebook that I was a finalist in the Executive PA magazine/Hays PA of the Year awards, I felt successful. My goal was to be as successful as I could be in my career, so surely this was success? This was […]

When times are tight you may not be able to get travel suppliers to budge on price, but they may throw in extras if you put business their way, says Catherine Chetwynd As the recession recedes, are travel buyers fighting to keep prices down?They’re not all trying to get rates slashed, many are aiming for […]

If you’ve ever found yourself carrying out personal errands for your boss – picking up his or her dry cleaning, paying bills, or running out of the office to buy their partner’s birthday present – take heart in knowing you’re not alone. A US study shows that 23% of PAs across the pond are regularly […]

Personal image consultant Valentina Saggese studied fashion and personal shopping at the Luxury Academy of Milan and has several years’ experience of show rooms and high-level clothing shops. She and her partner Alain Mehada, who has been a stylist for more than 15 years, offer their expertise in a broad range of situations for both […]

One Moorgate Place is offering PA Life readers the chance to experience the venue’s luxurious private dining options at an exclusive hosted dinner, taking place on Thursday, 26 February. Attendees will be treated to a delicious three-course à la carte meal prepared by One Moorgate Place’s head chef, accompanied by wine and a guided tour of […]

Cupid has been hard at work lately, with a recent survey revealing that two in five UK employees may have spent Valentine’s Day with a secret office sweetheart. What’s more, as many as 28% admit to having an affair with a married colleague. In the annual office romance survey conducted by online job site CareerBuilder, […]

GetTaxi has signed on as the headline sponsor of the next PA Life training day, taking place once again at the ILEC Conference Centre in Earls Court on 15 June. GetTaxi UK Head of Sales Gary O’Neill says: “We’re thrilled to be the headline sponsor for the PA Life training day in June and can’t […]

Think of the Côte d’Azur and what may first come to mind is in-your-face opulence. Colette Doyle takes a detour and discovers a more tasteful interpretation of the delights that Provence has to offer It’s amazing how a scent can so potently evoke an image of a certain place. In Seville, it’s the azahar, or […]

The title of EA used to carry a much different connotation from its current incarnation back when management assistants were “just secretaries” and the salary reflected this attitude. Today, EAs are seen as the gatekeeper to their company and have the chance to earn a decent salary.   In California’s Silicon Valley, for instance, base […]

The Goring is one of those hotels that can justifiably be called “a bastion”, upholding civilised behaviour and impeccable good manners, writes Colette Doyle. Run by CEO Jeremy, who represents the fourth generation of the Goring family, this venerable property is a long-time favourite of the residents of nearby Buckingham Palace and can lay claim […]

Sushi restaurants should no longer be perceived as in-and-out affairs where the dishes float past you on a constantly moving conveyor belt, writes Molly Dyson. Since the cuisine has become such a popular choice for the UK’s up-and-coming generation of creative business people, these establishments have turned into swanky modern venues. Uni is no exception, […]