The Institute of Administrative Management has been re-launched and is now accepting membership applications. Following its closure at the end of 2013, the organisation has been purchased by educational awarding body Industry Qualifications. Members of the IAM have access to a list of benefits that will continue to grow as the year progresses, including the […]

With a recent survey by the union Unison revealing that a third of women claim to have been bullied at work and the Chartered Management Institute reporting that bullying costs the UK £13.8 billion a year, we bring you some tips on how to react if you find yourself in this unfortunate situation. Firstly, pay […]

Whether you’re starting out in your career or you’re looking to make your next move up the ladder, studying can be a great way to improve your chances of securing that dream job. Michael Cheary tells you how. While hard work and enthusiasm will help you progress in your career, enhancing your skills and knowledge is […]

CityHawk offers a new approach to restaurant booking, giving PAs the power to spontaneously discover and reserve a table at London’s best restaurants with three taps on a smartphone. Launching in the capital, the app presents a shortlist of hand-picked nearby restaurants, from well-known favourites to hidden gems, all with real-time availability. CityHawk learns from […]

The head of a virtual assistant agency has spoken out about the most common mistakes that executives make when interacting with their EAs. Failing to delegate properly is the number one error, with managers getting too caught up in admin tasks, such as scheduling meetings or processing invoices, which should more properly be left to […]

Last week I brought you a taster of my time at the recently held Meetings Show and now here’s the conclusion of my epic three days. My busy schedule included the hosted buyer welcome reception, which was put on by Lime Venue Portfolio and held at the Science Museum. There was great steampunk entertainment from […]

The latest Exeter PA Network seminar has proved to be a success for the group, with more than 60 management assistants attending the event at the Mercure Southgate Hotel in Exeter. The seminar was styled as a celebratory event aimed at raising awareness among the regional PA community of the various awards that are open to […]

Phew, trade shows are hectic occasions! Not only did I run myself ragged going round the stands at the Meetings Show at Olympia, but I had my hands full in the evenings too. First off, it was time for some Caribbean flavour as I headed to the Jamaican High Commission in Kensington Gore to sample […]

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Before sending your executive jetting off on overseas travel, make sure you’ve satisfied all the necessary business visa requirements, advises Karen Taylor. Companies often have the misconception that business travel visa requirements are the same across the world. This is far from the truth and in fact the difference in the application processes and traveller […]

If you pride yourself on having a deep, gravelly voice and imagine that this will help you be taken more seriously in the workplace, then you may need to think again. New research has shown that women who have a low-pitched, creaky tone of voice are considered both less competent and less educated, plus less […]

At PA Life we’re devoted to bringing you the very latest news, advice and recommendations on a whole smorgasbord of topics that we hope are of interest to you in your professional lives. Since our most popular stories seem to be those that provide suggestions on how to engender a better working relationship with your manager, […]

Monaco’s impressive tourism credentials easily wow even the best-travelled visitor, as PA Life Editor Colette Doyle discovers. Built on a hill with a palace perched on top, and home to a romantic love story involving Hollywood royalty and a dashing prince, Monaco is a real-life fairytale destination. The principality may be small in size, but […]

Malaysia’s capital is full of life, sights and cultural experiences. PA Life Editor Colette Doyle is your guide. Kuala Lumpur is a cosmopolitan melting pot, bringing to life the tourism authority’s catchy slogan, “Malaysia, truly Asia” and effortlessly blending influences from indigenous Malay, Indian and Chinese culture to spectacular effect. It is also the world’s […]

With business travel on the increase, it’s more important than ever to exercise duty of care over executives jetting off overseas. Business travel expert John Burke opens your eyes to the potential risks It’s a fairly standard scenario: you’ve spent the afternoon arranging a trip for your boss to the far east, involving three airlines […]

Nelson Mandela’s personal assistant has exposed the power struggles that went on within his family over the last few years of the much-respected South African leader’s life. In her memoir, Good Morning, Mr Mandela, Zelda La Grange points the finger at his oldest daughter, Makaziwe, who apparently attempted to stop some of his old friends […]

What’s in a name? Well, when it’s the Bingham hotel and restaurant, you get a rich history of nobility and culture, as the Richmond property was once the home of Lady Ann Bingham and later the poets Katherine Bradley and Edith Cooper. I was invited to the venue’s 30th anniversary party and I’m glad I […]

Sourcing a venue for corporate events isn’t always an easy task, but academic institutions offer a low-cost alternative to hotels and conference centres. PA Life takes a look at the huge selection available across the UK. University of Bristol (pictured): bristol.ac.uk/conferences-hospitality/conferences/; Number of meeting spaces: The campus provides numerous spaces across a wide variety of […]