Editor's Letters
Issue: July / August 2013

Changing Lives

By - July 27, 2013

Back in the March issue of Executive Secretary, we featured a truly inspiring young Assistant who I met at the BEL Conference in Anaheim in February. Marina Ivey‘s leg had been amputated at the age of 15, following a particularly nasty car accident. Today, two further amputations later and as a single mother of 11-month-old... Read more »
Career Development
Issue: July / August 2013

The Real Power of the Executive Assistant

By - July 27, 2013

Unless you have been in some far flung part of the universe for the past two years you will have been witness to one of the most damaging economic downturns in living memory. More importantly it is a real fact that we are not out of the woods yet. There have been businesses that have... Read more »
Cover Story Leadership
Issue: July / August 2013

The Business Case for Assistants

By - July 26, 2013

Adam Fidler explains how crucial the Assistant role is, and why it’s here to stay Just last week, in the organisation where I work, I was asked to talk to a group of Senior Managers about the role of the Assistant, the rationale behind it, and why, in this day and age, the role is... Read more »
Technology
Issue: July / August 2013

Plan for a Disaster – Don’t Pay Until it Happens

By - July 25, 2013

How businesses can protect their business IT infrastructure, mitigate risk and keep costs to a minimum Whilst stories of businesses being affected by natural disasters grab the headlines, it is the ever-growing threat of cyber-attacks that has helped move IT disaster recovery planning up the agenda for business managers. No plan. No excuse IT disaster... Read more »
Project Management
Issue: July / August 2013

Planning to Succeed

By - July 25, 2013

Lucy Brazier explains how a clear vision of what you want your event to be will always bear fruit in the end. Here she explains the difficulties surrounding the organisation of the Gala Dinner for this year’s Executive Secretary LIVE event and how she overcame them with a little help from Harrods Back at the... Read more »
Career Development
Issue: July / August 2013

The Apprentice: the Solution to Recession-hit Britain’s Administrative Needs?

By - July 23, 2013

Since 2008, at the height of the UK recession, over 3.7 million people have been made redundant, leaving administration roles stretched to breaking point. Secretarial roles were hardest hit and as head counts were slashed, the day-to-day administrative workload didn’t decrease. A problem soon arose as to how companies could get essential administrative support when... Read more »
Leadership
Issue: July / August 2013

Perceptual Positions

By - July 23, 2013

Changing the way you see things can make all the difference says Lindsay Taylor
Personal Development
Issue: July / August 2013

Professionalism – The Golden Rules

By - July 23, 2013

There are a great many “Golden Rules” available on every conceivable subject, for work, for leisure, for health and many more besides. However, here is a set for you to consider which generates enormous change for the better wherever it is used. When we think about the meaning of professionalism, we need to consider not... Read more »
Career Development
Issue: July / August 2013

So You Think You Want to be a Celebrity PA?

By - July 23, 2013

Being a Celebrity PA isn’t all red carpets and freebies. There is some of that! But there is also a lot of waiting in basements for plumbers to fix boilers and ferrying clothes to and from the drycleaners. It is a very diverse role, so it is hard to generalise. Every Boss will have different... Read more »
Career Development
Issue: July / August 2013

Making the Most of Your Business Trip

By - July 23, 2013

Whether you take regular business trips yourself or you organise them for your manager there are lots of opportunities to get the most out of your time away from both the home and the office. Since launching maiden-voyage.com in 2008, it has been my absolute passion to make business travel both safe and social for... Read more »
Project Management
Issue: July / August 2013

Creating Excellence – Sigma Green Belt Project

By - July 23, 2013

I hope you enjoyed my article in the May edition of Executive Secretary on 5s. Have you tried it yet, even in your kitchen or garage? I am delighted to write my second article which is based around how I achieved my Sigma Green Belt. Six Sigma is widely used in industries worldwide and basically... Read more »
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
Communication
Issue: July / August 2013

Face the Fear of Feedback

By - July 23, 2013

Whether it is standing in front of the mirror rehearsing a speech, your annual performance review or comments about a great meal you prepared we all want positive feedback and praise. But what about the feedback we don’t want to hear, but often need to hear? The bottom line is no one is perfect. Bu... Read more »
Profiles
Issue: July / August 2013

PROFILE – Anel Martin

By - July 23, 2013

Anel Martin is an award-winning South African assistant & task team member for IYOTSA What is your background? I was raised in a small town called Bloemfontein in the Free State (South Africa) and attended Eunice Girls High (my formative years have greatly influenced who I am today). I relocated to Pretoria in 1998 to... Read more »
Personal Development
Issue: July / August 2013

Bullying at work

By - July 23, 2013

We asked you how to combat bullying in the workplace; here are your responses
Career Development
Issue: July / August 2013

Dressing for Success: an Administrative Professional’s Guide to Looking the Part

By - July 23, 2013

Like it or not, people form opinions about you based on the way you dress says Julie Perrine