Opinion
Issue: July / August 2013

A Modern Day in the Life of a PA

By - July 23, 2013

Over the many years we have focused on secretarial recruitment we have watched their role within businesses shift dramatically. Today, we are seeing two very distinct new directions evolving alongside the traditional PA requirement. “On the one hand we are seeing the growth of the PA as company “hub” within an increasingly virtual, mobile, self-sufficient... Read more »
Opinion
Issue: July / August 2013

Plan B

By - July 23, 2013

When we, the 60s generation, began working we were absolutely sure that the job we were going to choose would last all our lives. “Even if we might have decided to change companies, (though in Italy this is not common), we were able to do what we studied for and had a real possibility of... Read more »
Opinion
Issue: November / December 2012

Why Every Assistant Should be a Touch-Typist

By - November 25, 2012

Typing is an old-fashioned skill, but is still crucial for your success as a modern PA explains Adam Fidler We’re gradually losing an important skill in the Administrative field – an old skill which so many new Assistants no longer learn. A skill that is so crucial to the Assistant’s role I cannot understand why... Read more »
Opinion
Issue: July / August 2012

The MA Stockholm Syndrome

By - July 25, 2012

Have you ever felt trapped in an abusive workplace relationship? So have others, and it may now become a recognized problem For six months I worked for a luxury fashion brand and I have lived a terrible experience. I felt like I was trapped in a circle of negative thoughts because the people around me,... Read more »
Opinion
Issue: May / June 2012

‘Mad Men’ and Powerful PAs

By - May 25, 2012

There is an office career revival afoot – and Secretaries are leading the way.   Whilst I’m a big believer in looking forward, not back, I’ve had good cause to reminisce over the past few months as we’re currently celebrating 175 years since Sir Isaac Pitman invented shorthand. As part of these celebrations we’ve asked... Read more »
Opinion
Issue: May / June 2012

I Am So Organised Because Of A Bump In The Road

By - May 25, 2012

One Assistant wonders why all has gone quiet on the office front. “Well, that’s another job done”, I think to myself with some satisfaction. It has been ages since I had time to sort out the hard files and archive older files. Electronically, my files are all organised so I can always find documents. Anything... Read more »
Opinion
Issue: March / April 2012

A Job for the Girls?

By - March 25, 2012

We start our journey down memory lane looking at the changing role of women in the workplace In previous articles I’ve talked about the changing role of Executive Assistants and Secretaries and how the future seems to hold involvement in, and responsibility for, a wide range of business functions, including marketing, finance and HR. This... Read more »
Opinion
Issue: January / February 2012

Where have all the PAs gone?

By - January 25, 2012

Adam Fidler sets out the case for teaching office skills at pre-employment, or post-University There was a time when a school leaver, having completed their exams, at the age of 16, could hold their head up high and state that they were going to college to study secretarial skills. They were proud and enthused to think... Read more »
Opinion
Issue: January / February 2012

Create the Life You Deserve

By - January 25, 2012

Carmen Macdougall examines why we may hold ourselves back from creating the life we want in 2012. ‘Everyone imposes their own mental limits. We tell ourselves we can’t possibly do things. But if one pushes those limits just a little bit further and breaks the boundaries, anything is possible.’ Debra Searle, Transatlantic Rower, and Author... Read more »
Opinion
Issue: November / December 2011

Working with new technology

By - November 25, 2011

‘In a recent discussion within various PA/ administrative LinkedIn groups, I asked what changes in working practice over the last 10 years had been the most challenging.   ‘There were varied replies, however the most commonn reply was the impact of new technology. Trying to keep up with new systems and packages and the speed... Read more »
Opinion
Issue: November / December 2011

The Feedback Feature

By - November 25, 2011

We asked you ‘What is the best piece of advice you could give a boss? We asked you ‘What is the best piece of advice you could give a boss about how to work effectively with their assistant?’ Tammy Sanders, Greater Pittsburg, USA Talk to them! How can someone be efficient and support you effectively... Read more »
Opinion
Issue: September / October 2011

Spice Up Your Life

By - September 25, 2011

Doing Business In India   Providing cultural awareness tips and guidelines on any country is fraught with challenges. Nobody likes to hand out information that is taken to apply to a whole nation or culture simply because the reality on the ground is multi-faceted, flexible and fluid. Nowhere is this more true that with India.... Read more »
gift horse: horses on a carousel
Opinion
Issue: September / October 2011

Gift Horse

By - September 25, 2011

From a simple invitation to a company compliance issue. How do you deal with gifts and incentives? asks Patricia Jacob
Opinion
Issue: July / August 2011

Careering Ahead

By - July 25, 2011

Amanda Perry had sporadic success returning to work as an administrator after a 20 year career break. Here, she explains how the difficulties she encountered have shaped her very successful career as an interview consultant When I returned to secretarial college following my career break, I found that things had changed significantly. Back when I... Read more »
Opinion
Issue: March / April 2011

International Women’s Day

By - March 25, 2011

We asked you what advice would you pass on to the next generation of working women? Lisa Sargent – I’d tell the next generation to never stop learning, keep up with new technology, be open minded because change is inevitable and remember to spend quality time unwinding with family and friends. Kimberly A. Callahan –... Read more »