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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

Rail operator CrossCountry has made available discounted tickets for its corporate customers. The announcement is timely, as the latest American Express Global Business Travel Barometer has revealed that an increasing number of companies are considering using train travel as opposed to air. The “Advance on the Day” initiative has been introduced by the rail company […]

The Ritz 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 may […]

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. […]

Many of us are already practising project management every day both at home and at work, often without even realising it, according to Ann Pilkington. Getting the spare bedroom decorated, or organising a friend’s hen or stag party are all tasks that need careful planning. There will be a critical path – what order do […]

There are some rail journeys that have an innate air of grandeur about them: the Venice-Simplon Orient Express, the Trans-Siberian Express, or the Rovos Rail itinerary from Pretoria to Cape Town, writes Colette Doyle. At the opposite end of the spectrum there’s the horror of your average train ride to work – sweaty armpits pressed […]

Tough times call for everyone to dig deep at work, but a new survey reveals that tensions between office workers and bosses might be at an all-time high. We’re all guilty of an occasional work grumble, but it seems this is on the increase in the current climate. More than half of UK office workers […]

An astounding 4.5 million British office workers are losing more than six days of annual leave every year. Reasons given include being worried about losing their job, or looking bad in front of the boss. One in 20 even admitted they take just half of the time off they are entitled to, saying that using […]

The role of the PA has changed dramatically during the 21st century, due to developments at executive level and changes in technology. Assistants have become vital members of organisations and this has led to a demand for PAs who have knowledge of management theories and practices. Birkbeck University and the Global PA Network have teamed […]

Since restaurant reviewers are supposed to attempt at least some sign of professional impartiality, allow me to make a disclosure up front: I absolutely love Thai food, writes Colette Doyle. From Tom Kha soup and fish cakes to red curry with pork and Weeping Tiger (beef in a spicy marinade), there are very few Thai […]

2014 is going to be a big year for all those working in office management, as it has officially been designated as the International Year of the Secretary and Administrative Assistant (IYOTSA). The idea originated in South Africa, where a group of leading PAs at a PAFSA meeting (the Professional Association for Secretaries and Administrative […]