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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

Call them what you like – tapas, mezze, or cicchetti – I love the idea of sharing dishes, so I was very pleased indeed to try out the newly opened all-day dining outlet at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hyde Park, writes Colette Doyle. The Urban Meadow Café’s motto is “farm to fork” – it lays […]

A broad knowledge base and the ability to learn from others are essential skills that many successful people share, according to former Special Assistant to President Clinton and White House Director of Events Laura Schwartz (pictured). “I have found throughout my career and especially in my years at the White House that all great leaders […]

Getting your boss safely from A to B is one of the holy grails of being a good executive assistant. Here, PA Life asks four experts from leading TMCs for their top tips on making travel arrangements and their take on current trends within the market. “Industry evidence shows that, on average, airfares are cheaper if […]

If you’re looking for a more flexible way of working that will allow you to be home-based and pick and choose the clients you want, then you might consider switching to a VA role. With lots of companies now outsourcing their executive management positions and dedicated agencies for freelance office professionals springing up, there’s never […]

The personal assistant role is now a career pathway for many, as office professionals develop their multi-tasking skills, become excellent time managers and act as the second brain of their boss. PAs require skills in anticipation, forward planning and strategic thinking. During the 1980s, research into women in the workplace by Professor Susan Vinnicombe at […]

Pitman Training has launched the Super Achiever Awards to reward people who are committed to driving their careers forward. With nominations now open, the organisation is looking to recognise a top PA. Pitman has gathered a panel of successful businesswomen to judge the nominations and choose a winner for PA of the Year, including Laura […]

Continuing professional development continues to be a tremendously important topic for managerial assistants, with the PA Life debate at this year’s Office show showing that training is considered a worthwhile and essential investment by staff and employers alike (look out for the full story appearing in the November/December issue). With this in mind, PA Life’s […]

The rate at which technology is advancing can bring enormous benefits to your role as a PA. Whether you are responsible for your company’s training and recruitment policies, or you need to learn new skills to get the most from the latest Microsoft technology, it is time to consider IT training. Philip Badman explains why. […]

Recruitment site SecsintheCity has announced the winners of its 2013 awards. Sherri Eckworth at Tullo Marshall Warren won the top honour of PA of the Year (pictured). The site launched the PA of the Year Awards in 2012 to recognise the hard work and professionalism of PAs and to acknowledge their contribution to the organisations […]

Having a great CV is not enough on its own – to get called in for an interview these days, it must be accompanied by an attention-grabbing cover letter. These two documents work hand in hand and you will fail to elicit the desired response from an employer if only one of them is any […]

Own up to your mistakes, keep your boss’s private information confidential and never stop learning – these are just some of the pointers you should keep in mind if you’re aiming to hone your PA skills and seriously impress your exec. According to business etiquette expert Diane Gottsman, making an excuse instead of having the […]

Donna Coulling, (pictured) PA to Helena Bonham Carter and Rachel Weisz, may have started out wanting to be an actress, but she now knows a thing or two about what it takes to become a celebrity PA. Donna gave visitors a look into how she got where she is and how others can follow in […]