Editor's Letters
Issue: January / February 2015

The Way Forward

By - January 26, 2015

So that’s it! The International Year of the Secretary and Assistant is no more. After a year of speaking, writing, campaigning and generally stirring up the world’s Assistants and Executives it has all come to an end. PAFSA in South Africa will be collating all the results over the next couple of months in order to take a view... Read more »
Cover Story Processes & Procedures
Issue: January / February 2015

Creating an Assistant Network Within Your Organisation

By - January 25, 2015

Cathy Harris leads the way with her comprehensive guide to creating an Assistant Network within your organisation
Communication
Issue: January / February 2015

Creating Powerful Partnerships

By - January 25, 2015

Trust is the foundation of all powerful - and successful - partnerships says Peggy Vasquez
Leadership
Issue: January / February 2015

Three Locks That Hold You Back

By - January 25, 2015

Life has no limitations except the ones you make. – Les Brown The story is told of master magician and locksmith Harry Houdini on one of his European tours and how he found himself locked in by his own thinking. After he had been searched and manacled in a Scottish town jail, the old turnkey... Read more »
Communication
Issue: January / February 2015

Winning Beginnings – Opening Your Speech With Impact

By - January 25, 2015

Lyn Roseaman shares her tops tips on opening your speech when speaking in public
Personal Development
Issue: January / February 2015

Choosing Your Attitude

By - January 25, 2015

It can be a challenging time when our world as we know it shifts beneath our feet. One of my favourite quotes is: Don’t worry about having the carpet pulled from under your feet; learn to dance on a shifting carpet. That’s the key right now, and it all depends on where your focus is... Read more »
Career Development
Issue: January / February 2015

Why Your Job (Description) is Never Done!

By - January 25, 2015

We’ve spent 2014, the International Year of the Secretary and Admin Assistant, discussing ways you can advance your career and the administrative profession. We’ve focused on everything from mentorship to generational differences, but one of our primary focuses has been on creating your new and improved job description.   A detailed description of your job... Read more »
Career Development
Issue: January / February 2015

Mission, Vision and Strategy – and the importance for the Executive Assistant

By - January 25, 2015

Can an assistant be effective if they do not understand the Mission, Vision and Strategy of the organization that they are supporting? asks Richard Arnott
Communication
Issue: January / February 2015

Tune In to Tone

By - January 25, 2015

I recently watched the sad news of another high school shooting in the US. The news reporter was emitting a tone of horror, sadness and sympathy when she interviewed a student witness. However, the student answered in a very objective, flat, almost disinterested, tone. The difference in the tone the student used and the tone... Read more »
Personal Development
Issue: January / February 2015

Finding the Gray Area in 2015 – Realistic Goal Setting

By - January 25, 2015

When I’m talking about “finding the gray area” for realistic goal setting, I’m not referring to hair — although I have to admit, I’m due for a colour. But honestly, when we set goals, we tend to think in terms of black and white. We want to be thin, we want to look better, we... Read more »
Heashot Heather Baker
Profiles
Issue: January / February 2015

PROFILE – Heather Baker

By - January 25, 2015

Heather Baker is an International speaker, trainer and author, and the creator of the BakerWrite speedwriting system
Productivity
Issue: January / February 2015

New Year, New Start? Not Necessarily…

By - January 25, 2015

This year I have made a New Year’s resolution not to make any New Year’s resolutions. I am so relieved!   It is going to mean that I can just concentrate on planning what I need to achieve this year in order to enhance my ability to reach more people with my message and grow... Read more »
Personal Development
Issue: January / February 2015

How to Make Your Own Luck!

By - January 25, 2015

At a dinner party the other evening, we were debating whether we were born lucky or was it that we make our own luck. My own sense is that we can create our own good fortune by taking control of our own life and being aware and receptive to opportunities that come our way, at... Read more »
Personal Development
Issue: January / February 2015

Resilience: A Must-Have Skill

By - January 25, 2015

Joan Burge looks at what it means to be a resilient Assistant.
Processes & Procedures Productivity
Issue: January / February 2015

The Art of Proofreading

By - January 25, 2015

Kathleen Drum shares her proofreading secrets
Personal Development
Issue: January / February 2015

Neuroscience – Maximizing the Power of Your Brain for Excellence – Part II – Sleep and Memory

By - January 25, 2015

The human brain is the most complex living structure in the universe, so aren’t we lucky that each and every one of us owns one! What we need to be able to do is understand how our brains work in order to make the most of what we have got.   Neuroscientists recently discovered that... Read more »