When away on business, wouldn’t it be great to have access to a network of like-minded contacts that could give you advice on how the local transport system works, suggest a cool venue for a meeting, or even just meet you for a coffee? This scenario has become reality thanks to Maiden Voyage, a secure, […]

PAs are often tasked with finding new suppliers for their company – whether that’s a hotel, technology supplier or catering provider. We want to know how you normally go about that part of your job and the different ways you try to source the best business contacts. In exchange for taking part in a short […]

Taking time out of the office to learn and develop your skills is an important part of any PA’s life. More than 50 assistants recently took the opportunity to travel to Cambridge for the Møller Centre’s training event entitled “The confident, assertive and efficient PA”. PAs from the southeast were treated to talks lead by […]

A group of lucky PA Life readers were recently treated to an exclusive opportunity to visit historic Trinity House on a private tour of its maritime treasures. Expert guide Geoff Boyd showed them round the venue’s five rooms, which contain royal portraits and artefacts that are part of the rich legacy of Britain’s maritime past. […]

Karren Brady, Vice-Chairman of the West Ham Football Club and Kanya King, Founder and CEO of the MOBO Awards, will each deliver an empowering keynote speech at this year’s International Confex, being held at London’s Olympia on 12 and 13 March. This remarkable line-up of entrepreneurial women is complemented by a two-day programme of seminars […]

If you prefer keeping your new romance from others on a strictly need-to-know basis, then you’re not alone. According to a recent survey, more than half of UK office workers prefer to keep a relationship with a colleague a secret. The poll reveals that of the 55% of people who think office romances should be […]

Congratulations to the January/February competition winners: Sharon Preston at Panasonic UK wins a one-night stay in an Executive room at the Charing Cross Hotel. We also ran a competition to win a Big Biscuit Box from Nestlé Professional and the fortunate recipients were Catia Lobato at Hyatt Hotels and Resorts, Janet Hopkinson at BBC South […]

Your CV is your ambassador in the competitive world of recruitment. When you apply for a job, it has to stand out. It’s not enough to just list your skills on a page; your CV must be legible, punchy and obviously suited for the position. If you’re not getting any interviews, the problem may lie […]

PAs should be regarded as an extension of the management team and need to gain more official recognition of the pivotal role they play in connecting a manager to both his staff and his clients. This is the message from Ana-Maria Valente, the founder of the International Year of the Secretary and Admin Assistant 2014 […]

Think of sherry and a fusty, overly sweet beverage beloved by maiden aunts everywhere probably springs to mind, writes Colette Doyle. The Sign of the Don urges you to think again, located as it is on the site of the original Sandeman port and sherry cellar. Upstairs, the bar has a buzzy vibe and downstairs […]

The name Marco Pierre White is synonymous with a great gastronomic experience and Marco Grill at Stamford Bridge combines his signature style with the relaxed atmosphere of a steakhouse, writes Molly Dyson. Circular booths with comfy leather seats frame the dining room and autographed images of celebrities hang on the mirror-effect walls, paying homage to […]

Personal assistants have once again been hitting the headlines, so we take a behind-the-scenes look at what they’ve been up to. In the US, the former personal assistant to a member of the Dave Matthews Band has been found guilty of fraud and sentenced to 18 months – half of which time he will serve behind […]

With Valentine’s Day upon us, those looking for love may not need to look any further than their workplace. A survey on the Acas website has found that three-quarters of employees have considered a romance in the office and more than half have actually embarked on a relationship with a colleague. As common as it […]

Sometimes being more productive and succeeding at work is as easy as a quick change to your normal routine. Whether you rethink your lunch breaks or aim to get out of bed earlier, these top tips have been proven to help you have a better day. Get the most out of your breaks A study […]

A trip on the Orient-Express makes a perfect corporate away day, as Colette Doyle discovers on a murder-mystery themed journey. What images come to mind when you think of train travel? Probably for many of us it brings to the fore that unpleasant and often overcrowded experience of getting into the office in the mornings. […]

The UnAmericans – Molly Antopol (HarperCollins, £12.99) People have strong feelings towards short stories: they’re enjoyable because you can read them in one sitting, but frustrating because they leave you wanting more. I have always been in the latter camp, but reading this collection has convinced me that fully developed plots are not solely the […]

Boy, Snow, Bird – Helen Oyeyemi (Picador, £12.99) This is an intriguing tale of a mother, her stepdaughter and her daughter, their relationships with each other and their past. It is 1950s America and Boy Novak runs away from home and her abusive father. She ends up in Flax Hill, Massachusetts.   It is here […]

The short winter days are having a profound effect upon the motivation and energy levels of the UK’s workforce, but employers are sticking their heads in the sand when they could be doing more to help. In a new survey of 1,000 office workers commissioned by flexible workspace provider Avanta Serviced Office Group, 84% of […]