When you meet the PA to a high-profile CEO, you don’t expect to hear that she took a break early in her career to pursue an entirely different profession. Christine Hampson, who is currently the management assistant to the CEO of the British Security Industry Association (BSIA), did just that after starting as a secretary […]

Businesses are missing out on nearly a quarter of additional revenue due to a lack of face-to-face meetings. This is one of the primary findings of an in-depth study carried out by hotel group Crowne Plaza. Just over 40% of those surveyed believe they lost a contract, deal, or client, or did not secure revenue, simply […]

These days you only have to look around at people on the high street to realise that the majority of them are busy with smartphones, tablets, or laptops and are probably connected to a wifi hotspot or their network data. It comes as no surprise then to learn that 86% of all job seekers use […]

We all know that feeling: waking up to the sound of our alarm as well as the rain pounding on the window and knowing when you draw back the curtains you will be greeted by a grey, angry sky. Hitting the snooze button and postponing the day for another 10 minutes seems like the best […]

PA Life magazine has been declared the Best Industry Publication for management assistants in the pa-assist.com Members’ Voice Awards 2014. The publication beat off competition from a number of other sources of information, including two other print titles that were also shortlisted. Commenting on the accolade, PA Life Editor Colette Doyle (pictured above with PA […]

A new meeting room booking system is set to revolutionise the reservation process for PAs booking events, offering real-time management and hassle-free service. The new Okanda online portal aims to streamline the time-consuming booking process for customers. It provides high-level functionality and a user-friendly dashboard thanks to the company’s knowledge of the issues that surround […]

How to Stress Less: simple ways to stop worrying and take control of your future by Benjamin Bonetti (Capstone, £10.99) This book is a great resource for anyone who wants to learn some easy ways to manage pressure in their lives. The premise is that we don’t “have” stress, we “do” stress; it is our […]

Walking Tall: key steps to total image impact – Lesley Everett (Self-published, £10.99) Although this book isn’t specifically targeted at PA’s, it’s a great reference and training book for any office professional wishing to update their appearance and enhance their personal brand. The author encourages you to take a look through your wardrobe and gives […]

Friendship – Emily Gould (Virago, £14.99) I read this book in the hopes that it would be a touching story about gal pals and found myself delving into the challenging tale of two women who have to grow up fast at the age of 30. While the situations faced by the main characters can be […]

The Cherry Blossom Murder – Fran Pickering (CreateSpace, £7.99) When a Tokyo-based Londoner finds a body under the blooming cherry blossom, she sets out to track down the killer and stop them striking again. This book is an enthralling romp through glitz, intrigue, theatre and sake, with a dash of the humble cup of tea […]

What is it like to live the high life? I had the opportunity to get a taste of it at the Go Native serviced apartments Christmas party at the company’s luxurious Mayfair property. The event took place at the building’s penthouse suite, (pictured) a two-bedroom flat that dwarfs my own tiny accommodation. Each room has […]

PA Life magazine has been declared the Best Industry Publication for management assistants in the pa-assist.com Members’ Voice Awards 2014. The publication beat off competition from a number of other sources of information, including two other print titles that were also shortlisted. Commenting on the accolade, PA Life Editor Colette Doyle said: “This award is a […]

Many exhibitors used this year’s Meetings Show as an opportunity to present their new offerings to the corporate market. We’ve put together a selection of our favourites Belfast Waterfront (pictured)Northern Ireland’s only purpose-built conference centre gave visitors a closer look at the £25.9 million expansion that was announced earlier this year. Set to open in […]

Being persuasive involves convincing others to adopt a particular viewpoint or course of action and can be a very useful skill to have in the workplace. Here, we take a look at how you can win over both colleagues and management to become more influential in the office. First off, research shows that we’re far […]

Airport Parking and Hotels (APH) is an award-winning long-stay parking operator and booking agency. From now until 31 January, the company is offering PA Life readers 15% off its services, plus the chance to win a number of exciting prizes, such as weekend use of a Fiat 500 convertible, an overnight stay at an airport […]

The choice of venue can make or break an event and organisers often find themselves under a lot of pressure to get it spot on. Sales and Marketing Manager at BMA House Rowan Bennett has some top venue-planning tips that’ll ensure you don’t go far off track. When booking, consider holding your meeting or conference […]

Have you or your delegates ever experienced disruption while attending a conference, meeting, or event? It’s a common occurrence. Annoying noises, other guests at the venue and logistical headaches are just some of the distractions that get in the way of meeting effectiveness. Warwick Conferences has commissioned an independent Value of Satisfaction report, which investigates […]

Here’s some food for thought: what do you get when you give simple ingredients to a talented, Michelin-starred chef? The answer is a selection of utterly divine dishes, a few of which I sampled last night at the PA Life Club networking event at Anthony Demetre’s Arbutus restaurant in glorious Soho. The venue is small, […]