PAs should be regarded as an extension of the management team and need to gain more official recognition of the pivotal role they play in connecting a manager to both his staff and his clients. This is the message from Ana-Maria Valente, the founder of the International Year of the Secretary and Admin Assistant 2014 […]

Think of sherry and a fusty, overly sweet beverage beloved by maiden aunts everywhere probably springs to mind, writes Colette Doyle. The Sign of the Don urges you to think again, located as it is on the site of the original Sandeman port and sherry cellar. Upstairs, the bar has a buzzy vibe and downstairs […]

The name Marco Pierre White is synonymous with a great gastronomic experience and Marco Grill at Stamford Bridge combines his signature style with the relaxed atmosphere of a steakhouse, writes Molly Dyson. Circular booths with comfy leather seats frame the dining room and autographed images of celebrities hang on the mirror-effect walls, paying homage to […]

With so many cuisines to choose from nowadays, it can be tricky to settle on just one when you’re tasked with organising the catering for your company’s next reception. Japanese is always a firm favourite, though; sophisticated enough to wow even the pickiest guest, yet sufficiently well known to not be too leftfield for the […]

Buying presents can be fraught with potential disaster at every turn. I’ll never forget that incident with the Gucci bag, when an acquaintance said he could get me one cheap for my sister-in-law’s birthday; well, how was I supposed to know he was referring to a plastic carrier, rather than the actual handbag? It’s bad […]

Personal assistants have once again been hitting the headlines, so we take a behind-the-scenes look at what they’ve been up to. In the US, the former personal assistant to a member of the Dave Matthews Band has been found guilty of fraud and sentenced to 18 months – half of which time he will serve behind […]

Recently the media has been commenting on the emergence of female-only clubs where professionals can meet and network. PA Life investigates the allure of such venues for women who want to get on in business. Grace Belgravia is the newest addition to London clubs flying the flag for females. Its ethos is based upon five […]

With Valentine’s Day upon us, those looking for love may not need to look any further than their workplace. A survey on the Acas website has found that three-quarters of employees have considered a romance in the office and more than half have actually embarked on a relationship with a colleague. As common as it […]

Have you recently become manager of a team, delegating down instead of managing up? Shilpa Wymer helps new supervisors to understand their role better. “What do you think you’re doing? This is simply not good enough,” you’ve just found yourself shouting at the office administrator. You didn’t mean to, but what with trying to meet […]

Travelling by private jet is no longer the preserve of the rich and famous. Patrick Margetson Rushmore explains how it can be a viable business expense for your time-strapped executive. Making the impossible possible is the unwritten rule of being a successful PA. However, organising a marathon of international meetings for your boss and an […]

Sometimes being more productive and succeeding at work is as easy as a quick change to your normal routine. Whether you rethink your lunch breaks or aim to get out of bed earlier, these top tips have been proven to help you have a better day. Get the most out of your breaks A study […]

A trip on the Orient-Express makes a perfect corporate away day, as Colette Doyle discovers on a murder-mystery themed journey. What images come to mind when you think of train travel? Probably for many of us it brings to the fore that unpleasant and often overcrowded experience of getting into the office in the mornings. […]

The short winter days are having a profound effect upon the motivation and energy levels of the UK’s workforce, but employers are sticking their heads in the sand when they could be doing more to help. In a new survey of 1,000 office workers commissioned by flexible workspace provider Avanta Serviced Office Group, 84% of […]

Organising ground transportation is often considered a straightforward decision, but to ensure you get a superior experience there are a number of pointers you should follow, as Patricia Gardiner explains. Define a supplier selection strategy: Before choosing a provider, carefully consider what services you require. This should include everything from whether you need a short-notice […]

Face to Face in the Workplace – Julie Cooper (Spring Publishing, £20) This is a great reference guide for understanding behaviour during one-to-one conversations in the workplace. Perhaps it’s not the first book a PA would pick up and use, but the topics it covers gives great advice for all sorts of outcomes and would […]

Showing Up: how to make a greater impact at work – Tim Robson (Capstone, £14.99) Although this book is written in an easy-to-read style, at first I found it hard to engage with the subject. I’m not sure I would have continued to read it under ordinary circumstances, but I’m glad I persevered. The idea […]

The UnAmericans – Molly Antopol (HarperCollins, £12.99) People have strong feelings towards short stories: they’re enjoyable because you can read them in one sitting, but frustrating because they leave you wanting more. I have always been in the latter camp, but reading this collection has convinced me that fully developed plots are not solely the […]

Boy, Snow, Bird – Helen Oyeyemi (Picador, £12.99) This is an intriguing tale of a mother, her stepdaughter and her daughter, their relationships with each other and their past. It is 1950s America and Boy Novak runs away from home and her abusive father. She ends up in Flax Hill, Massachusetts.   It is here […]