All the best institutions have an amusing anecdote at their origin and The Palm is no exception. If a New York City clerk had paid more attention, the restaurant would actually have been named Parma, after the home town of the founders, John Ganzi and Pio Bossi, but the gormless pen-pusher had trouble understanding their […]

Royal China is a group of restaurants that has its London clientele queuing out of the doors at lunchtime. Bearing this in mind, we choose to venture further north-west to the spacious Harrow venue, writes Nicole Holgate. The locations are all decorated in a similar elegant style with red, black and gold, while being airy […]

Negotiating the terms and conditions of a contract with a hotel can prove to be a minefield if you’re not careful. To ensure you know how best to handle the situation, Nikki Farr outlines her top tips to help PAs navigate their way.   To be honest, there are very few of us who like […]

The incredible space on the 24th floor of London’s Tower 42 was home to Gary Rhodes’s restaurant, Rhodes Twenty-Four, until his contract ended in September. Facing the possibility of an empty restaurant during the busy Christmas season, Restaurant Associates approached Michelin-starred chef Anthony Demetre (pictured) for a 12-week pop-up at AD12 at T42, prior to […]

Spending eight hours at a desk is not uncommon for millions of workers around the world. The only break that many of us get from our chair is a quick walk to the printer, a trip to the toilet, or a stroll to the café around the corner. However, the effect of sitting for so […]

Whether it’s about getting a serious corporate message across or having delegates rolling in the aisles at the annual company dinner, booking a professional speaker can add much-needed kudos to any event. Colette Doyle finds out more.   “There are many different reasons for hiring a speaker – for a keynote it’s motivational, but speakers can […]

What really matters most to your executives when they are on the road? It seems that safety, communication with loved ones and fitness top the list, according to a survey of 675 business travellers.   Safety and security concerns come out in first place, with 76% saying they feel it is important for their employers […]

Have you ever had that moment on a business trip when you’ve seen something breath taking and wanted to send a postcard to a loved one but didn’t have the time to search for one and get to a post office? Now you can snap a photo and send a print to anyone in the […]

Organising a party can be a bit of a headache at the best of times – who to invite, what to serve, what entertainment to provide and so on, but when it comes to organising an event for your company then the pressure is really on. Fear not, however, as Julia Dowling is on hand […]

You know the scenario only too well: your boss has asked you to unearth that vital piece of information that he desperately needs for his presentation to the CEO and – guess what – you just can’t for the life of you track it down. Take comfort in the fact that you’re not alone: the […]

Workers in the UK spend a staggering £67 billion a year on costs incurred because of their jobs. Work-related expenses such as such as childcare, commuting, work clothes and computer equipment cost the average full-time employee £2,681 each year, accounting for 12% of their disposable income. Although salaries have risen by around 1.4%, the average […]

Office printing is often a topic of heated discussion in the workplace. Giving employees the freedom to print anything, any time, can become costly and risky, as accidental data leaks are more likely to happen with increased printing. More offices are looking for ways to cut back on these factors while maintaining a high level […]

It’s important to be supportive of your boss, but it’s also equally as important to provide feedback from time to time, especially if you feel your input could benefit the company. As long as it’s done respectfully, managers appreciate employees who aren’t afraid to speak their minds. Knowing how and when to offer feedback or […]

The Charing Cross Hotel in central London has invested half a million pounds in its meetings and events spaces. The refurbishment project, which was completed at the end of August, saw eight of the hotel’s meeting and event rooms completely redesigned and refurbished, with new technology available, including HD presentation equipment, smart TVs and convenient […]

Recent graduates looking to break into a career as a PA, or those simply after a change in scenery, will notice that the job market for secretarial and support roles is full of possibilities. Vacancies in this sector are on the rise, according to a recent study by specialist recruiter Robert Walters. The research shows […]

With office technology evolving so rapidly and new legislation affecting the workplace coming into play, the need for administrative professionals to keep up to speed with all the latest developments is more pressing than ever. But which courses offer real value, what exactly should PAs be looking for when it comes to continuing education and […]

As the role of PA becomes the career choice of an increasing number of ambitious individuals, the variety of courses geared at enhancing specific support skills also grows. Nicole Holgate examines some of the options. Developed by former PA Lindsay Taylor, ‘Be a PA with PA – Perfect Awareness’ and ‘Perfecting Your Awareness’ are one-day workshops […]

It may not be the most thrilling part of your working day, but intelligent records management is important for meeting legislation, as Jason Thomas explains. Breaching the Data Protection Act has serious consequences. Earlier this year, Sony Computer Entertainment Europe was fined £250,000 following a serious breach. But it’s not just global firms that are investigated. […]