Opinion

The Dolce Vita Strategy

By - July 25, 2020

Vania Alessi discusses Italian Assistants in the film industry and the Dolce Vita strategy of coping with the pandemic “The Mythicals” It was a hot September day in 2017 when I had a phone call with a brilliant woman whose emotions and enthusiasm I remember perfectly. Daniela Masciale shared with me the details of a... Read more »
Opinion

Innovative Assistants in the COVID-19 Pandemic

By - July 25, 2020

The pandemic could create an unprecedented number of strong and innovative Assistants says Sunethra Jayaratne Nugawela 2020 is an unforgettable year; possibly the most challenging in global history.   A tiny virus monopolizes and controls the whole world whilst people learn to accept uncertainty, manage risks and do business virtually. There has been a  sudden and... Read more »
Opinion

Digital Declutter

By - May 25, 2020

Is it time you did a digital declutter? asks Jacqueline Leib Now is a great time to spring clean our computers.  We always think about spring cleaning when it comes to our homes, but just as it is a good time for house cleaning, it is also a good time to clean up our computers.... Read more »
Opinion

Remote Working After COVID-19

By - May 25, 2020

Is remote working here to stay? asks Maria Fuller COVID-19 has killed more US citizens than the Vietnam war.  It reduced the British Prime Minister to intensive care and plunged the global economy into turmoil.   The global death toll is horrifying. The catastrophic effects of the global pandemic have caused dramatic change across all areas... Read more »
Opinion

The Evolution of Diary Management

By - May 25, 2020

Cheela Srinivasa Rao walks us through the evolution of diary management and details his best practice In this article, we will revisit the evolution of diary management, from the earliest times to the present day, and then discuss the best practice of diary management that will enhance your efficiency. Having a diary means making a... Read more »
Opinion

How Executive Assistants Use Influence

By - May 25, 2020

Basil Read provides the results of his study into how Executive Assistants use influence for the good of the business Conventional wisdom and the popular press tell us that Executive Assistants are influential, yet there has been little research into how these essential staffers of c-suites and front offices impact the organization.  Scholars who examine... Read more »
Opinion

Jack of All Trades

By - November 25, 2019

The strength of an assistant lies within the diversity of the role argues Sisii de Winter Administration Assistant, Gatekeeper, Office Manager, Receptionist, Secretary, HR Manager, Procurement Specialist, Interior Designer, Facilities Manager, Event Planner, Travel Agent, IT Support, Diary Coordinator, Nanny, Personal Shopper, Copywriter, Project Manager, Book Keeper, Social Media Manager, Communications Manager, Counsel and Advisor,... Read more »
Opinion

The IAAP Foundation Scholarship

By - September 25, 2019

Jannie Oosterhoff shares her experience as a scholarship winner for the IAAP Summit  Networking has always been important to me. I am an active member of IMA, International Management Assistants, and was Chairman of IMA Netherlands for almost two years. I am also a member of a national network association for Executive Secretaries and Management... Read more »
Opinion

We Are What We Plan to Be

By - September 25, 2019

Create a life that overflows with lasting success and fulfillment says Catherine Middleton I had the opportunity to witness a remarkable event in Sydney recently, the Success Summit where Tony Robbins was appearing.  An incredible experience to say the least.  He certainly lived up to his reputation of being a brilliant presenter. Tony’s words were... Read more »
Opinion

GDPR One Year On

By - July 25, 2019

Is this the calm before the storm? asks Thorsten Kurpjuhn Following the flood of opt-in/opt-out emails that hit our mailboxes last spring ahead of the introduction of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) on 25 May 2018, silence has fallen over the topic. To some extent, the uncertainty about the legal implications of the legislation... Read more »
Opinion

Finding Fulfillment as an Assistant

By - July 25, 2019

Cheela Srinivasa Rao details his top tips for finding fulfillment as an assistant These days, most offices have an administrator, secretary, executive secretary or executive assistant to manage the executive office.  The scope of this role has changed over time – from taking dictation, using a manual typewriter, to an electronic typewriter, then a PC. ... Read more »
Opinion

Assistants are Better Managers

By - January 25, 2019

Use your empathy and entrepreneurial thinking to make the move to management says Christine Walker Why men often only encourage men is obvious: female executives are rare. In the big picture, one tends to choose the person who best promotes themselves, rather than the one with the best skills and qualifications. A DNA study of... Read more »
Opinion

Boss’s Day

By - November 26, 2018

Sunethra Jayaratne Nugawela explains the origins of Boss’s Day Many people argue about the word boss and are of the opinion that boss is not a professional title to use.  However, Boss’s Day is still celebrated internationally, on or around October 16. The purpose of designating a special day in the workplace is to strengthen... Read more »
Opinion

Dealing with Personal Financial Challenges

By - September 25, 2018

It is always our decision to spend or not to spend says Cathy Harris Standing in the coffee queue one morning I bumped into a fellow assistant, who looked distraught and sad. Out of concern I asked Jemma (not her real name) “why the long face on such a beautiful morning?”  “Oh Cathy”, she said,... Read more »
Opinion

Executive Support LIVE – a Conference that is more than a Conference

By - May 25, 2018

Julia Schmidt explains how attending Executive Support LIVE has expanded her learning experience
Opinion

What would YOU do if you were CEO for one day?

By - May 25, 2018

How would you make your workplace a better one? asks Bonnie Low Kramen To celebrate Administrative Professionals’ Week this year, I was inspired by our amazing global community. These women and men continue to impress me with their depth of knowledge, their resourcefulness, their creativity, their intelligence, and their IDEAS that make so much sense.... Read more »