Editor's Letters
Issue: January / February 2014

An Open Invitation

By - January 27, 2014

So here we are. It’s finally the year that we have all been waiting for. It’s our year! The year when we spread the word that Assistants are no longer just ‘assisting’, they are ‘doing’ as business people in their own right. With some of the world’s most powerful Associations and trainers from all four... Read more »
Cover Story Leadership
Issue: January / February 2014

IYOTSA 2014; Powered by Excellence

By - January 26, 2014

Your guide to the International Year of the Secretary and Assistant 1. What is IYOTSA? IYOTSA is the International Year of the Secretary and Assistant. It takes place this year, 2014. In 1984, a similar international celebration was organised by the PSI and 2014 marks its 30th anniversary. The 2014 celebrations are coming out of... Read more »
Project Management
Issue: January / February 2014

Be Results Driven

By - January 25, 2014

‘A professional is someone who cares about results, not just the activity. The only catch is that it takes a certain kind of person’. Michael Hammer, author of Re-engineering the Corporation Successful leaders do not think “What are the tasks I have to do today?” They think “What are the results I have to achieve?” Their... Read more »
Leadership
Issue: January / February 2014

The Key Attributes of an Effective Executive Personal Assistant

By - January 25, 2014

The role of the Executive Personal Assistant is growing exponentially says Richard Arnott
Personal Development
Issue: January / February 2014

Making Decisions

By - January 25, 2014

For some people, making a decision is easy. Well, it certainly seems that way. They weigh up the situation, look at the alternatives and then they make a considered judgement after taking all relevant points into account. Such a decision might be to change jobs, choose a partner, rent a house, book a holiday or... Read more »
Project Management
Issue: January / February 2014

Make Deadlines Your Friend

By - January 25, 2014

It’s tempting to think of deadlines as negative, especially when imposed on you by others. Deadlines can make you feel powerless, frustrated, even stressed if you feel it’s out of your control to meet them. But deadlines can be extremely powerful too when used to positively manage yourself and drive your productivity, putting you back... Read more »
Communication
Issue: January / February 2014

Your Ultimate Secret to Success

By - January 25, 2014

Psst – It’s not really a secret… Before you read the rest of this article, do a quick Google search for “secret(s) to success”. It doesn’t matter if you make the word “secret” singular or plural. Now take a look at a couple of the lists you get on your search. And yes, your search... Read more »
Profiles
Issue: January / February 2014

PROFILE – Deborah Shaw

By - January 25, 2014

The Association of Celebrity Assistants in the UK just celebrated their 10th Anniversary at an exclusive birthday bash hosted by The Dorchester. With representatives from their Los Angeles & New York Celebrity Assistant equivalents in attendance and a new ‘entente cordiale’ in place between the three organisations, Executive  Secretary went to meet the three leading... Read more »
Profiles
Issue: January / February 2014

PROFILE – Kelly Engstrom

By - January 25, 2014

The Association of Celebrity Assistants in the UK just celebrated their 10th Anniversary at an exclusive birthday bash hosted by The Dorchester. With representatives from their Los Angeles & New York Celebrity Assistant equivalents in attendance and a new ‘entente cordiale’ in place between the three organisations, Executive Secretary went to meet the three leading... Read more »
Profiles
Issue: January / February 2014

PROFILE – Kimberly McFarland

By - January 25, 2014

The Association of Celebrity Assistants in the UK just celebrated their 10th Anniversary at an exclusive birthday bash hosted by The Dorchester. With representatives from their Los Angeles & New York Celebrity Assistant equivalents in attendance and a new ‘entente cordiale’ in place between the three organisations, Executive Secretary went to meet the three leading... Read more »
Leadership
Issue: January / February 2014

4 Keys to a “Yes Face” Attitude

By - January 25, 2014

What you do when you don’t have to will determine what you’ll be when you can’t help it – William D Hersey In his book, The Grace Awakening, Charles Swindoll tells a story about Thomas Jefferson and a group of companions who were travelling across country on horseback. They came to a river which had... Read more »
Leadership
Issue: January / February 2014

Leadership and Strategic Process

By - January 25, 2014

“Years ago I was in the audience of a Liz Story concert. She is a cool jazz pianist who has been nominated for multiple Grammy awards. In the middle of one of her songs she stopped, slowly turned to the audience and said: “You know, in quantum physics, if you know where you’re going you... Read more »
Communication
Issue: January / February 2014

“I’ve said the wrong thing!”

By - January 25, 2014

In my last article, I wrote about “sitting at the table” – getting more involved in the meetings you support, partnering with your upline for a better outcome of each meeting and gathering the confidence to participate. In taking my own advice, I sat at the table for a meeting I was invited to. I... Read more »
Opinion
Issue: January / February 2014

Make Just One Person Happy!

By - January 25, 2014

A while ago I started an article with “Time is the only issue we have absolutely no control over” and saying how relentless it was and how disconnected we were becoming from other humans due to computers, mobile phones etc. That is the case in many spheres of our lives but there is something that... Read more »
Profiles
Issue: January / February 2014

PROFILE – Shirley Taylor

By - January 25, 2014

Originally from Sheffield, England but now one of the top trainers in Asia, Shirley Taylor explains how she made the move to become nothing short of an dministrative Professional rock star in the region.
Productivity
Issue: January / February 2014

Just Because We Can, Should We?

By - January 25, 2014

Just because we can, should we? Be connected to our work 24/7, that is? The advances in digital technology have been truly amazing – enabling us to be connected, well, constantly. With our ability to check email at 2am, receive phone calls while traveling wherever we are, and hold real time video meetings with clients... Read more »