The role of the PA has always been one that requires a certain amount of self-confidence. With such a wide variety of tasks to handle on a daily basis and the need to concentrate on them in order to be successful, it’s important for management assistants to know how to be assertive when they feel […]

The art of delegation can be difficult to master, but it is a vital workplace skill. Effective delegation can save you time, energy and stress while building a strong, successful team who feel valued. People often avoid delegating tasks, because they struggle to relinquish control or don’t have faith in the abilities of their colleagues, […]

What do a pyjama-wearing employee, a sleepy member of staff and a client with bad personal hygiene have in common? They all feature in the embarrassing stories collated by AirConUK.co.uk, which has been canvassing input from office workers up and down the country. One client of the air conditioning and fitting company recalls a female […]

Sometimes business leaders find themselves so pressed for time that having an assistant can feel like adding another task to the to-do list, especially if he or she is new. However, agreeing on a concrete system for delegating work can relieve some of the stress. The most important point is to have a single, shared […]

To achieve the positive outcomes we require from our business interactions, we need to communicate accurately and effectively. So how can you improve your interpersonal communication skills? If you are asked to name the most important tool you use in your day-to-day life you might not think immediately of your communication skills, but our ability […]

Managing the Matrix – Dawn Metcalfe (Wiley, £18.99) This book is about how to thrive and survive if you’re employed at a “matrix” organisation. Put simply, if you work for a large firm with multiple bosses and different workflows you are operating in the matrix. It can pull you in many directions with lots of contradictory […]

Instant Motivation – Chantal Burns (Pearson, £12.99) The surprising truth about this book is that the title doesn’t match the subject matter. This is not to say it isn’t good; it is and I found it interesting, informative and thought provoking. It’s more for those interested in how your mind works. Burns draws on her 15 […]

The Anti-Ageing of Harmony Richards – Fiona Jane Collins (Self-published, £1.99 Kindle edition) I can only manage to read a book from the “chick lit” genre when the mercury is nudging 40 and there is white sand between my toes. So it was with a heavy heart that I set out to read this book over […]

Wool – Hugh Howey (Arrow, £10.99) The size of this title is daunting, but it’s actually three books in one. Originally self-published as an e-book, it was understandably picked up for a hard copy edition and became a best-seller. It takes place in an underground bunker called a silo, where humanity continues to survive after the […]

Some people are daunted by the thought of a large menu, but not me – I’m more likely to feel cheated at the thought of a meagre selection, so it’s with some trepidation that I go to visit Le Coq, writes Colette Doyle. This Islington restaurant serves up just one principal dish and the clue […]

In a city full of restaurants, those looking for a place that offers something slightly different sometimes have to dig a bit deeper to find a real gem, writes Molly Dyson. Moti Mahal claims to be the only restaurant in London equipped with a thatee (clamp) grill, which you can see the cooks using thanks […]

Time, safety and reliability are increasingly common factors when making travel arrangements for senior management. Your boss is certain to appreciate a flight schedule that doesn’t oblige him or her to leave home at the crack of dawn, and one that allows him to return before it gets ridiculously late. Being able to maximise the […]

Provence offers much more than the well-known coastal resort cities. Molly Dyson goes off the beaten track to visit a tranquil property that is anything but ordinary Far from the tourist-clogged beaches of the Côte d’Azur lies a peaceful resort nestled in the hills of Provence. While Château de Berne is best known for its […]

Great executive assistants need a certain set of skills to help their bosses get ahead while advancing their own careers. Among the essentials are technology and social media knowledge, as well as being aware of what’s going on around the office and in the wider business world. This is the advice of the founder of […]

Top PAs and EAs are responsible for enabling their bosses to work effectively, but what skills do they need in gain in order to be as efficient as they can be? Here are some helpful hints for those looking to give their career a boost Choose who you work for carefullyPerhaps not the most useful […]

London restaurants are going up in the world – quite literally, writes Colette Doyle. Long-time stalwarts such as the Paramount at Centre Point have been joined by newcomers including Sushisamba at Heron Tower and Aqua at the Shard. And now there’s City Social, located on the 24th floor of Tower 42, close to the City’s […]

In the modern age of creative cocktails and innovative food, a restaurant offering delicious dishes and drinks that rival the fanciest bars is a rare find, writes Molly Dyson. Silk & Grain is one such place, while also providing a stylish, relaxed environment. The atmosphere here is ideal for both lunch meetings and post-work drinks. […]

A lot of dining establishments these days rely on gimmicks – sharing plates, cocktails served in jam jars, or placing your order via a touchscreen table, writes Colette Doyle. Orso is one of those reassuringly old-fashioned places that doesn’t need to resort to any such trickery; the emphasis here is on genuinely good Italian food […]