My previous visits to Inn the Park have all been to grab a bottle of water or a quick bite to eat at its self-service café during walks through St James’s Park, writes Molly Dyson. Having sat down for brunch recently, I’m now glad I’ve had a chance to experience a proper meal at this […]

Why is continuing professional development so important for PAs? When PA Life Editor Colette Doyle recently posed this question to a group of management assistants, she received a whole raft of interesting answers. Training is a great way to refresh your existing skills so you don’t get too set in your ways, was one of […]

In order to build a good working relationship with your executive, regular, face-to-face communication is key. Adam Fidler offers an educational session on the importance of making time to talk Despite living in a technological age, where communication is instantaneous, bosses and PAs need to speak to each other – not just via email. Face-to-face […]

The delicious-looking box of goodies pictured above comes courtesy of treat-purveyor Choccywoccydoodah and is the latest prize offered by the PA Life Club, won by Rachel Russ, a PA at the Islington Clinical Commissioning Group. The club offers members the chance to win a super prize every single month – recent giveaways have included a […]

Recruitment of secretarial and office support staff has been boosted by a resurgence in permanent appointments, according to the latest salary survey from specialist recruitment agency Robert Walters. An increase in job numbers and rising candidate mobility means that administrative professionals from a range of backgrounds can look forward to a salary increase this year, […]

Personal resolutions may be at the top of everybody’s list this time of year, but it’s also good to make some changes at work to improve the office environment. Whether your goal is to boost your own mood or the entire team’s, here are simple steps you can take to help out. Our friends at […]

Good project and time management skills and the ability to communicate effectively are well known as essential qualities that all dedicated administrative professionals should possess, but other soft skills can be just as important. Being curious is a great trait to have says HR and recruitment expert Sharon Tsao, as it means you’re more likely […]

Would you like to discover all the tricks of the trade that will enable you to work effectively for more than one boss at a time? Then you need to book on to Angela Garry’s session at the next PA Life training day in June. With more than 17 years’ experience as an assistant, Angela […]

How To Deal With Difficult People: smart tactics for overcoming the problem people in your life – Gill Hasson (Wiley, £10.99) As a person who hates confrontation, I thought this would be a good read and I wasn’t disappointed. The definition of a “difficult” person is hard to narrow down, so the author spends the first […]

The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake – Aimee Bender (Windmill Books, £6.99) There is an age-old adage that food cooked with love tastes better. Rose Edelstein, a seemingly normal girl discovers her “gift” at the tender age of nine – the ability to taste the feelings of the people who make the food she eats. From […]

Not Just An Admin – Peggy Vasquez (Turning Point International, £12.99) This book takes you through the author Peggy’s personal and professional life, from starting out in her career to her current role as a chief executive assistant. The section on the power of partnerships is written in an easy-to-digest manner and the author covers all […]

A Thousand Splendid Suns – Khaled Hosseini (Bloomsbury, £5.99) It was only after reading this book that I had an insight, an understanding as to why our military forces were stationed in Afghanistan. This is a brutal and uncomfortable read. It’s the story of two particular Afghan women whose lives are unquestionably far removed from the […]

Wine Matters was set up to deliver wine and whisky tastings for corporate events of all types. Each session is individually tailored to your specific requirements and the company can either use supplies available at the venue, or source its own. A typical tasting lasts an hour and a half and features six to eight […]

We are pleased to announce that Julie Davies of the Wigan Borough Clinical Commissioning Group is the winner of a VIP stay for two at a Village Urban Resorts property of her choice (pictured above). In addition to Julie’s luck, Cynthia Casey of EVP Warner Bros gets a hamper of Heathcote & Ivory beauty products, […]

With its stunning mountains and dramatic coastline, Ireland’s County Donegal offers a breathtaking setting for corporate retreats. Molly Dyson is your guide If anyone has ever questioned Ireland’s nickname of “the emerald isle”, they obviously haven’t been to Donegal. Lush green fields stretch as far as the eye can see, breathing life into the fitting […]

Luxury corporate gift company Thomas Lyte has been granted a Royal Warrant as goldsmith and silversmith by Her Majesty the Queen. The warrant is granted for a five-year period to the firm’s silversmith, Kevin Williams. Thomas Lyte is a modern British luxury brand specialising in leather accessories and silverware. It is renowned as an expert […]

Avery Rewards is an in-pack promotion that rewards PAs for choosing Avery products. To celebrate its 2015 launch, the company is looking to thank some of the unsung heroes in UK offices. The Avery Rewards team has created seven awards to recognise superstars in the work place. You can nominate a colleague, friend, or even […]

Failure to keep on top of clutter at work means that the average UK office desk is weighed down by almost a stone of workspace-related paraphernalia. Research suggests that this can lead to stress, spats and even official warnings from bosses. That’s why Product & Solutions Manager at Brother UK Andy Johnson has come up […]