Personal Development
Issue: May / June 2013

See Me!

By - May 25, 2013

Whenever you find yourself in a tricky situation, whether interrupting a meeting, telling someone you can’t do what they want or getting a difficult person to do something, it will be easier if you are perceived as naturally competent and confident – that you have authority. The problem for some is that we unintentionally send... Read more »
Career Development
Issue: May / June 2013

Interviewing Like a Pro

By - May 25, 2013

There is a great deal of information regarding interviews on the internet and on social media sites! You can find good questions to prepare, advice on how to dress and even some tips on body language. “So why another article on the subject? Well it’s simple! In the world we live in today we, as... Read more »
Leadership
Issue: May / June 2013

Green Working: a Guide from Green Office Week 2013

By - May 25, 2013

A recent survey of 1,000 office workers, commissioned by Avery Green Office Week, revealed that 55% of people say they work with colleagues who either disregard green working practices, or worse, are deliberately wasteful. Forgetting to recycle, needlessly throwing away paper and leaving computers switched on overnight were just some of the top green issues... Read more »
Leadership
Issue: May / June 2013

Four Steps to Becoming the Ultimate Manager

By - May 25, 2013

“Be kind to people on the way up – you’ll meet them again on your way down.” Jimmy Durante It was recently reported in USA Today that 48 percent of employees believe that being courteous leads to advancement at work. And in a recent AOL article, business writer David Schepp writes, “with five applicants for... Read more »
Profiles
Issue: May / June 2013

PROFILE – Janet Ashford

By - May 25, 2013

Janet Ashford is a course leader for the Institute of Directors (IoD) Can we start with a little background information? I started my career in a large law practice as Executive Assistant spending over 15 years working in both legal and auditing firms supporting senior Managing Partners and directors at an executive level. I then... Read more »
Personal Development
Issue: May / June 2013

Excellence Busters – The Four Beliefs That Will Hold You Back

By - May 25, 2013

Be a yardstick of quality. Some people aren’t used to an environment where excellence is expected. – Steve Jobs While you may be familiar with the many inventions of Thomas Edison which include the incandescent light bulb and the microphone, but there is a back story to one invention that is of great significance. It... Read more »
Events Excellence
Issue: May / June 2013

Arranging Sustainable Conferences and Meetings – a Beginner’s Guide

By - May 25, 2013

Going “green” is no longer an option – it’s a must! Adam Fidler gives us the lowdown on arranging sustainable conferences and meetings Most organisations today have a policy on sustainability, but for the Management Assistant, or conference organiser, being asked to arrange a sustainable event or “green” conference can add another strand to what... Read more »
Project Management
Issue: May / June 2013

PAs: the World’s Best Jugglers

By - May 25, 2013

The vast knowledge that can be sourced on the Internet tells me that the world’s best juggler can handle seven balls at a time, with 352 moves. A competition I’d like to see is him taking on my very own PA who seems to juggle well over 353 moves a day! I have always been... Read more »
Personal Development
Issue: May / June 2013

Accountability is More Than a State of Mind

By - May 25, 2013

People may want to be leaders. However, not many want to accept the accountability that goes with it. But you cannot have one without the other as they are two sides of the same coin. “Last week, I was in a meeting with a client, the CEO of a London company who said to me:... Read more »
Communication
Issue: May / June 2013

Make Foreign Languages Work for You

By - May 25, 2013

America’s Foreign Language Deficit “, “Is Britain Falling Behind Due to a Lack of Language Skills ?”, “Foreign Language Skills Cost Scottish Businesses . This selection of recent headlines highlights the lack of foreign language skills in Anglophone businesses. With Frankfurt being touted as the up-and-coming financial centre in Europe, it is now essential that... Read more »
Technology
Issue: May / June 2013

IT Talk

By - May 25, 2013

How many times have you heard this reply when you call IT support “Hello IT support , Have you switched your PC on and off , is your PC plugged in?” or the worst when you don’t even reach a person and you have to listen to pan flute hits of the seventies . I... Read more »
Leadership
Issue: May / June 2013

Creating value-addition from Retiring Personnel

By - May 25, 2013

Many of you may look forward to your retirement with great enthusiasm. You can start to play golf, join a bridge group, travel the world or just stay in bed each morning until 10am. For those of you who can afford to do so, then your dream may well become reality. However, for others, retirement... Read more »
Personal Development
Issue: May / June 2013

Your Mind Is Your Kingdom

By - May 23, 2013

Are you king or queen of your own mind? Lindsay Taylor thinks on The 16th Century English poet Francis Quarles famously stated “my mind is my kingdom”. If we take time to think about Quarles’ meaning, in essence we are creating a rich kingdom in our own minds and ironically substantiating his claim. Interpreting Quarles’... Read more »