A design-led hotel nestled in the charming French countryside could make the ideal location for that off-site team-building event or management get-together, as Colette Doyle discovers As soon as you set eyes on hotel Le Saint-James, set in the renowned culinary centre of Bouliac near Bordeaux, you can tell this is no corporate cookie cutter […]

Country hotel Sopwell House has been named a winner in the prestigious Condé Nast Johansens Awards for Excellence. The property won the “Best for Meetings” category, which recognises the venue’s contribution to the corporate event world. Held on 3 November at the May Fair Hotel in London, hoteliers from across the UK and Ireland joined […]

Visitors to the PA Life stand at this year’s Office show were given the chance to win one of three fabulous prizes from buyagift.co.uk. We’re pleased to announce that the lucky winner of our grand prize of a two-night stay for two at a UK hotel of her choice from a shortlist provided by Buy […]

In support of the International Year of the Secretary and Administrative Assistant, (IYOTSA) Pitman Training has developed a new free app intended to help encourage confidence in the workplace and challenge negative perceptions in a bid to help support professionals become more proud of their career. Recent research carried out by job listing site Monster […]

Given that there’s a Chinese restaurant on just about every UK high street, going to one for dinner isn’t usually that special an experience, but Hutong is in a class of its own, writes Colette Doyle. For a start, the setting is simply breathtaking: perched on level 33 of the impressive Shard building, the views […]

Personal assistants have once again been hitting the headlines, whether that’s because they’re being asked to do outrageous tasks by their celebrity bosses, or are suing them for loss of earnings. First off, we report on the case of a high-net-worth individual who has been having a tough time finding a PA. New York business […]

New research suggests that the traditional Christmas bonus may be under threat, with just 7% of workers likely to get a festive treat in their December pay packet this year. However, the study also shows how employers may be missing out if they fail to amend their Scrooge-like ways. The “Thank You” report, published by […]

Following three long years of study and hard work, a group of PAs has completed the UK’s first undergraduate degree programme that tailors business administration techniques for management assistants. The course, which is offered by Middlesex University, allows PAs to learn on their own time in the workplace. Originally developed in partnership with the now […]

The quality of our environment plays a huge role in how we feel and can have a big impact on our mood, emotions and productivity. Sylvia Garvin presents her top 10 tips on how to turn your average office into an amazing workspace 1. Organise your spaceA cluttered desk can reduce productivity. Avoid accumulating piles […]

Feel Good: how to change your mood and cope with whatever comes your way – Dr Shane Pascoe and Dr Graham Law (Capstone, £10.99) This is a practical and well-written guide to help you understand why you feel the way you do and how to deal with your own moods, as well as other people’s. […]

The Edge: how the best get better – Michael Heppell (Hodder & Stoughton, £13.99) This isn’t a book about living on the edge. It’s about having “the edge”, defining your own unique selling point and what makes you brilliant. With just one look at the content list, you’ll know this is worth a read. It […]

Gone for Good – David Bell (Penguin, £7.99) A quarrel results in Elizabeth Hampton not speaking to her mother for weeks and events take a tragic turn when the police call to say she has been found dead. When she arrives at the scene, it transpires that she was murdered. The rising energy of this […]

The Language of Flowers – Vanessa Diffenbaugh (Random House, £6.99) This novel is based around the romantic Victorian language of flowers – the symbolic meanings people placed on specific plants to convey emotion to loved ones. It’s a beautiful story about Victoria, a girl given into care, and the profound difference a foster mother made […]

We are pleased to announce that the winner of a private cookery class for 10 people at Jenius Social (pictured) is Alycia Hatt from Macquarie Capital. She is joined by Alison Mawdsley, who will enjoy a one-night stay at the new Tommyfield Hotel Rooms in Kennington. Meanwhile, Fiona Forbes from the University of the Highlands […]

Office workers across the UK will be familiar with the age-old dilemma of objects going missing from their desks. New research reveals that the occurrence is widespread and costs businesses a great deal of money. It also highlights some of the more unusual items to be stolen from companies. The study was commissioned by stationery […]

The City of London is known for its swanky restaurants and cocktail bars that cater for resident high-class bankers and business people, but it’s also home to some of the capital’s most interesting niche eateries. La Tagliata is tucked away on a quiet side road away from the buzzing atmosphere of Liverpool Street and is […]

According to leading biology experts, it’s time to introduce a few live plants around the office, as employees can reap numerous benefits from maintaining an affinity to nature. In addition to improved health, a bit of greenery can also increase staff productivity. The research, which was gathered from various biology practitioners around the world by […]

Appropriate catering is one of the most important factors that generates value for an event and leads delegates to feel satisfied about their time spent away from the office. However, it’s not all good news, as food actually appears to be a bone of contention between delegates and organisers. According to the Value of Satisfaction […]