Business Strategy & Acumen
Issue: July / August 2013

What gender differences still exist at work?

By - July 23, 2013

Dr Lynda Shaw conducted detailed research to find out what some of these perceived gender differences in the workplace are in 2013
Business Strategy & Acumen
Issue: July / August 2013

Benefitting from Change

By - July 23, 2013

Recent economic challenges have forced organisations to restructure, downsize or reassess their priorities. This can be stressful and unsettling. However, with the right attitude, knowledge and determination, a proactive PA can grasp these opportunities and turn them into successes. Let’s have a look at how this can happen. First of all, let’s consider why organisations... Read more »
Business Strategy & Acumen
Issue: July / August 2013

Whistle While You Work?

By - July 23, 2013

It’s a hard one – turn a blind eye or tell on your colleagues? Read on for a guide to whistleblowing… “What do you do if your ethics and those of your employer differ? This can provide a dilemma for an individual and resolving it will depend on a variety of situations. Generally if your... Read more »
Business Strategy & Acumen
Issue: July / August 2013

4 Steps to Building a Culture of Respect

By - July 23, 2013

Respect for ourselves guides our morals; respect for others guides our manners – Laurence Sterne “In surveys conducted by Weber Shandwick in 2011 it revealed what many already know or experience – incivility in the workplace is on the rise and many place the blame at the feet of workplace leadership. The online survey was... Read more »
Business Strategy & Acumen
Issue: July / August 2013

Business Goals? Don’t Tell Everyone!

By - July 23, 2013

Many business coaches suggest we tell everyone our business goals – it makes them more real and it forces accountability. But according to Jessica McGregor Johnson author of “The Right T-Shirt” this is not a good idea. In fact the exact opposite is true – don’t tell everyone your goals! “Why? Because these new ideas... Read more »
Business Strategy & Acumen
Issue: November / December 2012

Why Do Executives Still Need PAs?

By - November 25, 2012

In a world that moves faster every day, with serious advances in technology, and automation infiltrating many industries, we quietly wonder what the future holds for today’s Personal Assistants   What will our jobs look like in the future, and why would executives still need us? The case for Personal Assistants, in my opinion, is... Read more »
Business Strategy & Acumen
Issue: September / October 2012

Problem Solving For Dummies

By - September 25, 2012

I belonged to a local networking group that touts allowing only “one person per profession”. Over the four years I was a part of the group, there had been several times when someone’s competitor had visited and the group worked with the competitor to find ways for them to be a part of the chapter... Read more »
Business Strategy & Acumen
Issue: September / October 2012

The new WoW* factor

By - September 25, 2012

*(WoW=Ways of Working)   The traditional office environment has never been too pleasant for most employees, unless one is in the c-suite level where you can arrange your time and space according to your personal taste and needs. In fact, it’s not really what your daily surroundings look like, not even how your colleagues behave,... Read more »
Business Strategy & Acumen
Issue: September / October 2012

Five Tips to Follow Before Awarding Gold, Silver and Bronze at Work

By - September 25, 2012

Although rewarding performance tangibly is an important, there are several things to consider in addition to ‘medals’ to ensure you maintain the inspiration and motivation of your workforce.   A fellow in Britain is making fourth place medals to send to synchronized divers Tom Daley and Peter Waterfield, and others who just missed bronze. He... Read more »
Business Strategy & Acumen
Issue: July / August 2012

Is flexible working the way of the future?

By - July 25, 2012

Is flexible working the way of the future? This September, Britain will recommence its fight to stop Europe making it difficult for our employees to work more than 48 hours per week. The Working Time Regulations 1998 set out exceptions to the limiting 48-hour working week, and many employers rely on one of the main... Read more »
Business Strategy & Acumen
Issue: July / August 2012

Supporting New Dads in the Workplace

By - July 25, 2012

‘If dads are recognised and supported in the workplace, mums can reap the rewards at home, and at work’, says Helen Letchfield, Co-Founder of Parenting for Professionals. Employees who have just become fathers need recognition and support for the change they are going through. Although they don’t have to make the same life-changing decisions that... Read more »
Business Strategy & Acumen
Issue: July / August 2012

Business as Usual When Business is Unusual

By - July 4, 2012

Being proactive is an Executive Assistant’s characteristic by default, but more is required for successful risk management While participating in the International Disaster and Risk Conference (IDRC) back in May 2010, in Davos, Switzerland, despite being of a discipline not obviously linking back to my profession, I came to my moment of truth. I realised... Read more »
Business Strategy & Acumen
Issue: May / June 2012

International Business – The Increasing Role of Assistants

By - May 25, 2012

Dawn Stallwood provides guidance for Assistants on supporting executives doing business overseas and dealing with documents for international use
Business Strategy & Acumen
Issue: November / December 2011

Why Training Fails

By - November 25, 2011

Training develops skills, but skill alone does not allow an employee to succeed, explains Ann Latham
Business Strategy & Acumen
Issue: November / December 2011

A sustainable workplace

By - November 25, 2011

We’re all in it together When it comes to environmental or sustainable policy, it seems that businesses are making the same initial mistakes that they did when the internet first became available. At that time everyone rushed to create a website and packed it full of information but failed to develop a strategy or to... Read more »
Business Strategy & Acumen
Issue: September / October 2011

Thinking Like An Interviewer

By - September 25, 2011

Understanding the objectives behind some common questions   Anyone who has been on more than a few job interviews has likely noticed that they tend to include variations on many of the same questions. That’s not because interviewers are lazy. It’s because those questions have proved useful in yielding information about why the organisation should,... Read more »