What really matters most to your executives when they are on the road? It seems that safety, communication with loved ones and fitness top the list, according to a survey of 675 business travellers.   Safety and security concerns come out in first place, with 76% saying they feel it is important for their employers […]

Organising a party can be a bit of a headache at the best of times – who to invite, what to serve, what entertainment to provide and so on, but when it comes to organising an event for your company then the pressure is really on. Fear not, however, as Julia Dowling is on hand […]

Workers in the UK spend a staggering £67 billion a year on costs incurred because of their jobs. Work-related expenses such as such as childcare, commuting, work clothes and computer equipment cost the average full-time employee £2,681 each year, accounting for 12% of their disposable income. Although salaries have risen by around 1.4%, the average […]

Office printing is often a topic of heated discussion in the workplace. Giving employees the freedom to print anything, any time, can become costly and risky, as accidental data leaks are more likely to happen with increased printing. More offices are looking for ways to cut back on these factors while maintaining a high level […]

The Charing Cross Hotel in central London has invested half a million pounds in its meetings and events spaces. The refurbishment project, which was completed at the end of August, saw eight of the hotel’s meeting and event rooms completely redesigned and refurbished, with new technology available, including HD presentation equipment, smart TVs and convenient […]

It’s important to be supportive of your boss, but it’s also equally as important to provide feedback from time to time, especially if you feel your input could benefit the company. As long as it’s done respectfully, managers appreciate employees who aren’t afraid to speak their minds. Knowing how and when to offer feedback or […]

Recent graduates looking to break into a career as a PA, or those simply after a change in scenery, will notice that the job market for secretarial and support roles is full of possibilities. Vacancies in this sector are on the rise, according to a recent study by specialist recruiter Robert Walters. The research shows […]

With office technology evolving so rapidly and new legislation affecting the workplace coming into play, the need for administrative professionals to keep up to speed with all the latest developments is more pressing than ever. But which courses offer real value, what exactly should PAs be looking for when it comes to continuing education and […]

Are you well on the way to finalising your company’s next conference venue, speakers and seminars, but don’t know how to engage potential delegates? In today’s world of technology, what is the best tool available? Michael Douglas discusses the benefits of using a mobile event app. Why create a mobile app?A good mobile application enables […]

PAs are often overlooked and not acknowledged as they should be, so that’s why the UK’s leading title for office professionals is launching the PA Life Club, a members’ only platform designed specifically for personal and executive assistants. Debuting at the Office show at Olympia on 8 October, the club will offer a whole raft […]

The mere thought of business travel is usually enough to make us break out in a sweat. However, some travellers would appear to be using their journey as down time to focus on the simple pleasures of life rather than work. A recent survey conducted by American Express Global Business Travel shows that 72% of […]

There’s nothing more disheartening than going to work every day dreading the thought of facing an antagonistic boss. For those of us struggling with the idea of leaving a job to get away from a negative situation, Les McKeown has five steps to survive even the most difficult scenario. First, decide if it’s bad enough […]

Are you a lifelong, dyed-in-the-wool, career PA? Then it’s time to get the recognition you deserve this year at the Office show, which will reward the dedication of the nation’s longest-serving PA. To mark this year’s National PA Day celebrations on 8 October at the Office show, a search for Britain’s veteran PAs has been […]

Do you want to develop your skills in the face of an ever-growing list of responsibilities, but are exhausted at the thought of endless evening courses and days out of the office? Then a new style of vocational training providing everything PAs need in one place, taught by former PAs, could be what you’re after. […]

More than half (58%) of PA freelancers in the UK do not understand their payslips, with the main reason cited as “I don’t need that level of detail”. According to research released by payroll umbrella company Paraplus, the results are of some concern as more than one third of freelance PAs (36%) said they had […]

If you’re considering going from full-time company PA into a freelance role, this may be the ideal time. The number of individuals and businesses hiring online PAs, or virtual assistants, is doubling year on year, according to new statistics.   A recent survey conducted by job platform Elance shows there has been an 85% annual […]

Communications technology in the modern age is advancing at an exponential rate and changing the way we communicate, both personally and professionally. With social networking and the ability to communicate with anyone anywhere in the world at our fingertips, the need for face-to-face communication would appear to be diminishing.   However, the value of meeting […]

In today’s corporate world, an increasing amount of a PA’s time is taken up planning travel. With the introduction of the Qi technology suite, Business First has designed simple-to-use tools to promote efficiency and, more importantly, save PAs valuable time booking business travel. The company’s iPortal is an interactive gateway with a wide range of […]