Editor's Letters
Issue: November / December 2011

Christmas Gifts

By - November 27, 2011

Enjoy your rituals and family traditions over the holiday season but come back to work in January with an open mind, full of new ideas and inspiration
Cover Story Leadership
Issue: November / December 2011

An Introduction to Knowledge Sharing

By - November 26, 2011

Mariachiara Novati explains how to increase efficiency through knowledge sharing, enhancing and understanding intellectual capital
Processes & Procedures
Issue: November / December 2011

Creating Your Administrative Procedures Binder

By - November 25, 2011

Julie Perrine details her five-step process for creating your administrative procedures binder Step by Step Many admins cringe when they think about creating an administrative procedures binder (“admin binder”) for their position. Where in the world do you begin when it feels like you are responsible for EVERYTHING that happens in your office? How do... Read more »
Profiles
Issue: November / December 2011

PROFILE – Mariachiara Novati

By - November 25, 2011

Mariachiara Novati is the President of MACSE Italia Can we start with a little background information – where do you live, what do you do as a job, and what motivates and inspires you? I have lived in Milan since 1995, but I come from a small village in the country. I took my degree... Read more »
Opinion
Issue: November / December 2011

Working with new technology

By - November 25, 2011

‘In a recent discussion within various PA/ administrative LinkedIn groups, I asked what changes in working practice over the last 10 years had been the most challenging.   ‘There were varied replies, however the most commonn reply was the impact of new technology. Trying to keep up with new systems and packages and the speed... Read more »
Communication
Issue: November / December 2011

Working Well With Different Work Styles

By - November 25, 2011

It happened again. You carefully crafted an e-mail, making sure none of its points could be misinterpreted. You even numbered the three items that required attention and indicated the exact date and time by which you needed a reply. Nonetheless, the response arrived a day late, and you didn’t receive a clear answer to your... Read more »
Business Strategy & Acumen
Issue: November / December 2011

Why Training Fails

By - November 25, 2011

Training develops skills, but skill alone does not allow an employee to succeed, explains Ann Latham
Career Development
Issue: November / December 2011

Virtually There

By - November 25, 2011

Carmen MacDougall on how to make the move from employed assistant to virtual assistant. The world of the assistant today is a far cry from when I started working at the tender age of 18 using a typewriter as my tool to carry out my secretarial duties. Now, we are living in a world where... Read more »
Opinion
Issue: November / December 2011

The Feedback Feature

By - November 25, 2011

We asked you ‘What is the best piece of advice you could give a boss? We asked you ‘What is the best piece of advice you could give a boss about how to work effectively with their assistant?’ Tammy Sanders, Greater Pittsburg, USA Talk to them! How can someone be efficient and support you effectively... Read more »
Personal Development
Issue: November / December 2011

Stepping up … and giving others a helping hand

By - November 25, 2011

Claire Lister, Managing Director of Pitman Training, talks about taking charge of your own career development and training as well as that of others.   In previous articles, I’ve talked about how the role of top level secretaries and PAs has expanded to include many other elements such as finance, marketing and human resources. If... Read more »
Technology
Issue: November / December 2011

Social Media – the revolution

By - November 25, 2011

Is the world bearing witness to the biggest shift since the Industrial Revolution? The Big Bang Over the last few years, the world as we knew it has been transformed. The way we live our day-to-day lives has been changed forever and the business environment has been revolutionized. Since 2009 the Internet has grown by... Read more »
Productivity
Issue: November / December 2011

Smart ways to manage e-mail chains

By - November 25, 2011

Dr Monica Seeley explains how to stop an e-mail chain from spiralling out of control   E-mail threads (chains) are the bane of many people’s lives. You know the symptoms: ‱ Endless ‘Reply All’ e-mails about the same topic; ‱ Ever-expanding lists of names in both the cc and To box; ‱ The content but... Read more »
Communication
Issue: November / December 2011

Regional Focus: Russia

By - November 25, 2011

Executive Secretary asks an expert on the region to give his personal guide to doing business in Russia.   On the face of things Russia has changed. Political movement, government reforms, a stable economy, vast natural resources and a large population have all led to Russia becoming the R in BRIC (The big four: Brazil,... Read more »
Health & Wellbeing
Issue: November / December 2011

Practical tips to improve your posture

By - November 25, 2011

Personal assistants often suffer at work, both psychologically and physically. Stress, back pain, neck aches, tingling in the arms and hands are common symptoms among you.   ‘The risks of office work Let’s have a short glance at the scientific literature to understand why your body and mind ring the alarm bell. Three major hazards... Read more »
Personal Development
Issue: November / December 2011

Practical Parenting

By - November 25, 2011

Reviewing your family work/life balance This morning, when dropping my 4-year old off for his pre-school session, we saw one of his friends in floods of tears, trying to drag his mum back towards her car. His mum was clearly upset by this, saying that her son goes there 4 and a half days a... Read more »
Productivity
Issue: November / December 2011

If You’re Thinking of Checking that Blackberry in a Meeting – Don’t!

By - November 25, 2011

We’ve all done it. The meeting is going on and on. Your boss is rambling. You “get” the gist of the concept. You’re bored. Your mind drifts. Hmmm. Wonder what newfound treasure has appeared in my PDA?   Who will notice if you sneak a peak? Your boss will. Others in the meeting will. Don’t... Read more »