PA-Life-Christmas-Party-2022

News

The myths and realities of references

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Most people think of references as a rubber stamp. You simply jot down your previous employers’ contact details, they say nice things about you and it helps you get a new job. The reality is far more complex, with many HR experts warning that unless people wake up to the wide-ranging myths surrounding references, they […]

How to create a perfect presentation

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Facing a room full of people who are ready to hang on your every word is a nightmarish scenario for some, but good public speaking skills come with practice and preparation. Whether you’re presenting a report to your company’s board of directors, or sitting in an interview, here are a few helpful hints for success. […]

Picking an incentive programme

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One of the first workplace casualties of a recession is often the staff incentive scheme. But, says incentives expert the Grass Roots Group, companies are now realising that cancelling rewards and bonus programmes to save money is a false economy. It’s a temptation for companies to see an incentive scheme as a luxury, something that […]

Paper puts private information at risk

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A survey conducted by information management company Iron Mountain and professional services provider PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) has found that 66% of firms regard the handling of paper as a serious security risk, yet only 31% monitor the policies in place to guide employees in the storage and disposal of confidential documents. A mere 39% adhere to […]

Tried & tasted: The Goring and Uni

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The Goring (pictured) is one of those hotels that can justifiably be called “a bastion”, upholding civilised behaviour and impeccable good manners, writes Colette Doyle. Run by CEO Jeremy, who represents the fourth generation of the Goring family, this venerable property is a long-time favourite of the residents of nearby Buckingham Palace and can lay […]

Communicate with confidence

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Being able to communicate effectively is the cornerstone of any good working relationship, but it’s not always as straightforward as you might think. Luckily, highly experienced former PA Heather Baker is on hand to offer the benefit of her advice at the next PA Life Training Day. Heather’s session on The Art of Communication will […]

Employers support ageing workforce

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Over a quarter of employers (27%) have introduced flexible working initiatives to meet the needs of their ageing workforce, new research from Group Risk Development (GRiD), the trade body for the group risk industry, has found. Since the abolishment of the Default Retirement Age, most employers are looking at ways to accommodate older members of […]

PAs in the news

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PAs in the US are lawyering up and taking their former employers to court over their unacceptable behaviour. First up is US songstress Mariah Carey who is being sued by 49-year-old Ylser Oliver, who was with Mariah for seven years and is accusing the singer of having forced her staff to work “on average approximately […]

Get more from your travel suppliers

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When times are tight you may not be able to get travel suppliers to budge on price, but they may throw in extras if you put business their way, says Catherine Chetwynd As the recession recedes, are travel buyers fighting to keep prices down?They’re not all trying to get rates slashed, many are aiming for […]

Bosses bother assistants

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If you’ve ever found yourself carrying out personal errands for your boss – picking up his or her dry cleaning, paying bills, or running out of the office to buy their partner’s birthday present – take heart in knowing you’re not alone. A US study shows that 23% of PAs across the pond are regularly […]

Personal shoppers provide three top fashion tips

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Personal image consultant Valentina Saggese studied fashion and personal shopping at the Luxury Academy of Milan and has several years’ experience of show rooms and high-level clothing shops. She and her partner Alain Mehada, who has been a stylist for more than 15 years, offer their expertise in a broad range of situations for both […]

Survey lifts the lid on office romance

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Cupid has been hard at work lately, with a recent survey revealing that two in five UK employees may have spent Valentine’s Day with a secret office sweetheart. What’s more, as many as 28% admit to having an affair with a married colleague. In the annual office romance survey conducted by online job site CareerBuilder, […]

EAs are in an enviable position

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The title of EA used to carry a much different connotation from its current incarnation back when management assistants were “just secretaries” and the salary reflected this attitude. Today, EAs are seen as the gatekeeper to their company and have the chance to earn a decent salary.   In California’s Silicon Valley, for instance, base […]

Tried & tasted: The Goring

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The Goring is one of those hotels that can justifiably be called “a bastion”, upholding civilised behaviour and impeccable good manners, writes Colette Doyle. Run by CEO Jeremy, who represents the fourth generation of the Goring family, this venerable property is a long-time favourite of the residents of nearby Buckingham Palace and can lay claim […]

Tried & tasted: Uni

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Sushi restaurants should no longer be perceived as in-and-out affairs where the dishes float past you on a constantly moving conveyor belt, writes Molly Dyson. Since the cuisine has become such a popular choice for the UK’s up-and-coming generation of creative business people, these establishments have turned into swanky modern venues. Uni is no exception, […]

GetTaxi sponsors the PA Life training day

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GetTaxi has signed on as the headline sponsor of the next PA Life training day, taking place once again at the ILEC Conference Centre in Earls Court on 15 June. GetTaxi UK Head of Sales Gary O’Neill says: “We’re thrilled to be the headline sponsor for the PA Life training day in June and can’t […]

Checking in: Le Mas Candille

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Think of the Côte d’Azur and what may first come to mind is in-your-face opulence. Colette Doyle takes a detour and discovers a more tasteful interpretation of the delights that Provence has to offer It’s amazing how a scent can so potently evoke an image of a certain place. In Seville, it’s the azahar, or […]

How to interview

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PAs are often called upon to conduct interviews, but don’t underestimate the importance of proper training – otherwise you may end up with someone unsuitable Interviewing skills are fast becoming another string to the PAs bow. As senior secretaries take on more and more management roles, many are expected to interview people to work under […]