Career Development
Issue: July / August 2013

Next in Line

By - July 23, 2013

Succession planning in a business is always a concern. But for smaller firms, worries about cost, wasted time and internal politics can obscure a real need to prepare for the future… Succession planning is all about ensuring survival. Lining up the next generation of people to run an organisation can ensure that a company continues... Read more »
Opinion
Issue: July / August 2013

So What Was Your Last Challenge?

By - July 23, 2013

It’s the weekend and the sun is shining. You’ve cleared your desk, had your meetings and circulated the action points, your “To Do” tray is cleared and the weekend is beckoning. So will it be a family weekend – meeting your parents, in-laws, aunts and uncles you haven’t seen for ages at your long lost... Read more »
Technology
Issue: July / August 2013

Using Social Media to Effectively Market and Run Events

By - July 23, 2013

In all aspects of our home and professional life there is no escaping Social Media. Whether we personally like or dislike it is now not the question; the question is “How do we embrace it and use it to its best advantage?” When planning your event it is becoming increasingly important to have a social... Read more »
Personal Development
Issue: July / August 2013

Workplace Habits: Making it a Habit to do Things Today

By - July 23, 2013

After working in the fields of commerce and industry for many years, it never ceases to surprise me how many people so often fail to follow through on their word and/or achieve their targets. It may well be the fear of getting it wrong; not being seen as the “expert” or just getting caught up... Read more »
Personal Development
Issue: July / August 2013

Feel the Zeal: How to Keep Your Professional Enthusiasm Alive

By - July 23, 2013

Remember how eager and engaged you were when you first started out in your career? Just getting to your desk in the morning and thinking about the day ahead could give you a thrill. Meetings were exciting places to exchange ideas and make new contacts, and every new project came with a sense of opportunity.... Read more »
Leadership
Issue: July / August 2013

Building Trust in a New Team

By - July 23, 2013

Anel Martin shares her top 10 tips for building trust in a new team At many times in my career I was the new kid on the block. That first morning on your way to a new job you feel the butterflies in your stomach. The unknown lies before you. Starting fresh is exciting and... Read more »
Health & Wellbeing
Issue: July / August 2013

Sun, Sand, Sea and Stress…

By - July 23, 2013

Claire Lister, MD of Pitman Training Group, offers her approach to proactively dealing with holiday hell Holiday season is approaching. It’s great to have the excitement of time out in the sun to keep us going and essential to have time to switch off, and enjoy time with family and friends. It’s also the perfect... Read more »
Career Development
Issue: July / August 2013

Writing Winning CVs for Commerce and Industry

By - July 23, 2013

We know the market is tough pretty much wherever you go, but you can sell your skills to future employers effectively if you think hard about writing a concise, targeted CV. Don’t be shy though – it is all part of your own personal marketing plan, so you need to describe your strengths and achievements... Read more »
Personal Development
Issue: July / August 2013

Better Networking

By - July 23, 2013

I meet a lot of people. It’s my job. I came to realise many years ago that “Who you know determines who you become in life”. Behind every successful person is a sound and well-nurtured network. The most successful people are always the best connected. They have invested in their future by realising the importance... Read more »
Communication
Issue: July / August 2013

A Formula for Productive Office Relationships

By - July 23, 2013

Have you ever been afraid at work – afraid to ask a question or afraid to make a suggestion? Even if you are a confident person, perhaps you had a feeling more of hesitation or worry. No matter what you call it, chances are your answer is yes. At some time or another, most of... Read more »
Project Management
Issue: July / August 2013

Why Multitasking is Getting You Nowhere – Fast!

By - July 23, 2013

Multitasking hurts us every time we attempt to engage in it explains Dave Crenshaw
Business Strategy & Acumen
Issue: July / August 2013

Benefitting from Change

By - July 23, 2013

Recent economic challenges have forced organisations to restructure, downsize or reassess their priorities. This can be stressful and unsettling. However, with the right attitude, knowledge and determination, a proactive PA can grasp these opportunities and turn them into successes. Let’s have a look at how this can happen. First of all, let’s consider why organisations... Read more »
Communication
Issue: July / August 2013

Go On, Persuade Me!

By - July 23, 2013

There are times when all of us need to persuade people to see things differently. To get others to do something we need them to do or to accept our view or ideas. There are also times when we need to negotiate deadlines, resolve conflict, change mindsets, resolve problems and obtain permission to do something.... Read more »
Communication
Issue: July / August 2013

Don’t Pull the Plug! – The Importance Of Admins as Connectors

By - July 23, 2013

Malcolm Gladwell, author of The Tipping Point, notes that there are three types of people involved in the phenomenon of word of mouth, and one of them is “Connectors”. While Gladwell is looking at character traits to clarify personality types, it seems to me that the same can be said for different positions as a... Read more »
Communication
Issue: July / August 2013

All the World’s a Stage

By - July 23, 2013

Many people, administrative assistants included, are afraid of public speaking. In fact, it’s the number one fear in America, rated higher than snakes or fire! Truth be told, there is so much more to it than just talking on a raised platform. While you speak, you stand alone and all eyes are upon you making... Read more »
Technology
Issue: July / August 2013

Format Documents In Minutes, Using Word Styles, Style Sets & Themes

By - July 23, 2013

As a former PA turned small business owner, Vickie Sokol Evans has always worn multiple hats Like you, I need to make sure that nothing falls through the cracks and that I’m working at my top speed. This includes automating my process for creating proposals, project plans and other Word documents, by using Styles, Style... Read more »