Editor's Letters
Issue: May / June 2015

Vive la Difference

By - May 26, 2015

This weekend I spent an informative and inspirational day with over 200 Assistants from Italy. I spoke at their Secretary Day conference with a translator using consecutive as opposed to simultaneous translation. It meant that I had to pause every couple of lines in order to allow the translator to relay what I was saying... Read more »
Cover Story
Issue: May / June 2015

Brave PAs

By - May 25, 2015

Angela Garry offers brave tips on how to make your job more enjoyable
Productivity
Issue: May / June 2015

Are you“Tech-Savvy”?

By - May 25, 2015

What does it mean to be Tech-Savvy? asks Vickie Sokol Evans
Communication
Issue: May / June 2015

You Are Talking But What Is Your Body Saying?

By - May 25, 2015

Is your mouth saying one thing and your body something else? If you’re giving a speech you’ve probably thought carefully about the words – but have you thought about your body language? Unless your body language is aligned with your vocal language you are missing the opportunity to deliver the full impact of your message,... Read more »
Productivity
Issue: May / June 2015

Stay Sane and Delegate

By - May 25, 2015

For some, the word delegation is not a word which often falls in to their work life vocabulary. Tainted with the philosophy of “if you want something doing properly, do it yourself” or the apprehension at the thought of passing work on to someone else, who already has their own workload to be getting on... Read more »
Profiles
Issue: May / June 2015

PROFILE – Weka Avosa

By - May 25, 2015

Weka Avosa is the National President of PNGAAP, the Association in Papua New Guinea which is hosting the World Administrator’s Summit in August 2015 Can we start with a little background information? Where are you from? I am Papua New Guinean. I was born of mixed parentage. My Mum was from the Gulf Province and... Read more »
Career Development
Issue: May / June 2015

Finding Balance

By - May 25, 2015

As I sit, nursing a broken knee, an injury from my beloved sport of horse riding, I have been given the opportunity to reflect on the balance of my life. This is not something we tend to do very often. In fact, I can’t remember the last time I did the exercise! This is something... Read more »
Personal Development
Issue: May / June 2015

I’m Optimistic That You Can Become More Optimistic

By - May 25, 2015

Are you a happy person? I mean, do you generally look at life optimistically, or are you more pessimistic or realistic, or even – gulp – negative? If you’re not sure, you can test yourself with the glass-half-full analogy. Do you see the glass as half-full or half-empty? Or maybe you just think the glass... Read more »
Leadership
Issue: May / June 2015

Five Excuses That Kill Accountability

By - May 25, 2015

Doug Dickerson details the five excuses that kill accountability and perpetuate a victim mentality As a leader there are few things more important than creating a strong and healthy organizational culture for your employees to thrive in. It’s up to you as the leader to be proactive and take the lead in developing the organizational... Read more »
Health & Wellbeing
Issue: May / June 2015

A Rather Winding and Rocky Pathway!

By - May 25, 2015

The last few months have been something of a challenge but the first and most important thing is that my cancer has been dealt with and I require no further treatment other than an oestrogen suppressor (Tamoxifen) for the next five years. However the pathway and the side paths have been interesting. I decided that... Read more »
Communication
Issue: May / June 2015

EQ and A Round the World Yacht Race

By - May 25, 2015

Some months ago I was interviewed by Sarah Hopwood for a TV Channel about the use of Emotional Intelligence on the BT Global Challenge Round the World Yacht Race in 2001 and what it had meant to me. I felt it was imperative that we understood and utilised this skill to maintain good relationships whilst... Read more »
Personal Development
Issue: May / June 2015

When Life Throws You a Curve Ball

By - May 25, 2015

“How do you make God laugh?” Answer – “Tell him your plans!” Now whether you believe in a God of any shape or size there is a real truth in this. We can plan till the cows come home but sometimes life does just throw us a curve ball. The first reaction is often that... Read more »
Profiles
Issue: May / June 2015

PROFILE – Laura Belgrado

By - May 25, 2015

Laura Belgrado is an Executive Assistant and world-class international trainer
back-up: holiday vs office
Productivity
Issue: May / June 2015

Let the Back-up Begin!

By - May 25, 2015

Not having back-up systems in place leaves a company vulnerable explains Bonnie Low Kramen
Communication
Issue: May / June 2015

No Problem!

By - May 25, 2015

How many times have you responded, “no problem”? I know I have used that phrase. But that phrase can be a “problem” says Marsha Egan Now, I’m sure that whenever you have used that phrase, you intended to convey a positive response. Your intentions were to let the other person feel good about requesting the... Read more »
Events Excellence
Issue: May / June 2015

When Bad things Happen to Good Event Planners

By - May 25, 2015

I felt very proud of myself standing alone in the middle of a school playing field close to Wembley Stadium, I had cleverly hired it as a landing pad. I was now at the penultimate stage of a weekend event looking after some very important guests, whom I now felt were my friends. They’d been... Read more »