With the verdict now in and the Italian sisters who worked as personal assistants for Nigella Lawson having been cleared of fraud, we take a look at what else PAs around the world have been up to recently. While high-profile clients can be demanding, working for them can also bring its own rewards, as Walter […]

In the recent economic downturn, many companies were forced to make employment cuts to save money. It would appear that no matter how deep these cuts go, however, executives are unwilling to let go of their valued assistants. With organisations continuing to shed staff, the role of the PA has proven to be one of […]

The Ritz (pictured) is a byword for opulence and dining here is something to which all bon viveurs aspire, writes Colette Doyle. Luxury comes as standard, as frock-coated waiters cater to your every whim and each patron, whether they have a title or not, is made to feel special. If you like understated minimalism you […]

The workplace of the 21st century is one where change is virtually the only constant factor. PAs are increasingly required to adapt to new processes, adhere to new rules and change their approaches to projects in order to keep up with the pace. This can seem rather daunting at first, but change is something we […]

Today’s office environment is more hectic, more stressful and more demanding than ever before. PAs are at the forefront of this, often having to work for two or three bosses, taking on a variety of diverse responsibilities and managing projects and teams. In the midst of all this, professional training – and especially IT training […]

Executive assistance is the third-hardest area to find qualified employees for and strong communication skills are most in demand when it comes to hiring admin staff. The findings come from a Salary Guide produced by recruitment specialist OfficeTeam, which also shows that administrative hiring in the UK is gaining strength year on year. Candidates with […]

Performing well at an interview is a skill that can be learnt, so here are some suggestions for success next time you’re face to face with a recruiter. • Match your skills to the job specification Interviews often start with an open question such as, “Tell me about yourself”. Many candidates fall into the trap of […]

I count myself lucky that my role as venue-finder supremo, looking for lovely new places where Mr P can take his important business contacts, allows me to do the rounds of some rather famous chefs. Recently, I had the pleasure of dining at The Ritz, overseen by the MBE-awarded John Williams and I have also […]

Looks may not be everything, but experts say you should dress as though they are if you want to get ahead at work. It would appear, however, that there is a point at which some women take the idea of looking good a little bit too far. A study published in the journal Psychology of […]

The term personal branding has become a hot topic in the last decade, but what does it actually mean and how does it relate to personal assistants? Do you sometimes feel other people seem to get all the best opportunities? You work hard, try your best but you always have the feeling you are not […]

Personal assistants have been making headlines across the globe these last few weeks. First up is the court case brought by that well-groomed doyenne of all things culinary, TV cook Nigella Lawson, who is currently embroiled in a fraud trial involving her former PAs. Italian sisters Elisabetta and Francesca Grillo stand accused of committing fraud […]

This year marks the 175th anniversary of Brown’s Hotel, making it something of a Mayfair institution, writes Colette Doyle. This Rocco Forte-run property has seen many a famous face cross its doors over the decades, including Queen Victoria. Nowadays, it welcomes the likes of Tracey Emin, Paul Smith and Stella McCartney and is synonymous with […]

Great Days at Work: How Positive Psychology Can Transform Your Working Life – Suzanne Hazelton (Kogan Page, £14.99) Suzanne Hazelton writes with experience and knowledge throughout Great Days At Work, using her understanding of psychotherapy and work with numerous business leaders to add gravitas to her theories.   One of the overarching positives is its […]

The Kama Sutra of Work: Why Work is the New Sex and How to Make Sure You’re Getting Enough – Avril Millar (Self-published, £9.99) You’ll discover plenty of hard-hitting observations and wise words of advice sandwiched between sexy titles and sultry sutras, such as “Recognise there is more, much more, to you than meets the […]

Naming Monsters – Hannah Eaton (Myriad Editions, £12.99) Naming Monsters is a very different and interesting book with a story being told not just by words but by images too. The main character is a young girl who lives with her grandmother, and it follows her journey of teenage life via boys, exams and friendships. […]

Finally My Ambulance – Joseph Smith (Jonathan Cape, £14.99) This book invites you to embark on a journey via 13 short stories connected by theme and tone. I’m not sure exactly what journey the book took me on as I found the writing didn’t flow from story to story. Finally My Ambulance was the longest, […]

Equipment theft is a serious issue for the majority of businesses, but almost a quarter of firms say they don’t take precautions to prevent it, despite reporting some unusual items that have been lost or stolen, including wigs, a portable loo, eyelashes and a fire surround. A survey of 2,000 companies commissioned by Avery reveals […]

Keeping costs down will be the key factor in organising business travel this coming year, with all modes of transport being closely monitored by companies in order to find the best available deal. The results of the latest American Express Global Business Travel Barometer reveal that 87% of companies surveyed say that keeping on top […]