Editor's Letters
Issue: November / December 2012

Resolutions

By - November 27, 2012

New Year is quite possibly the most positive, forward-looking holiday we celebrate. We say goodbye to the past and turn our attention to the good that the coming year promises. Many of us make New Year’s resolutions for positive change, such as quitting smoking, losing weight or pursuing a dream career. New Year’s Day brings... Read more »
Personal Development
Issue: November / December 2012

Super Achievers – There’s nothing like a PA!

By - November 27, 2012

What makes a super PA? What does it take to really stand out? We look at five ways to prove to your employer you are worth a gold medal. With Olympic glory still very much in our minds, and our successes on this world stage bringing a strong glow of pride for us Brits, there’s... Read more »
Cover Story
Issue: November / December 2012

The Future of the Administrative Profession – Surviving or Thriving?

By - November 26, 2012

Joan Burge on the future of the administrative profession In this age of great economic change, it is essential that the administrative professional rises to the challenge and thrives. It’s important to recognize the difference between surviving and thriving, because the key to success is available to those who successfully manage to cross the divide... Read more »
Technology
Issue: November / December 2012

An Introduction to MS Publisher

By - November 25, 2012

How to get the most out of MS Publisher and create your own, unique publications. If you are handy with other MS Office applications, you will find MS Publisher a piece of cake. MS Publisher is a desktop publishing application which you can use to create flyers, brochures, invitations, newsletters and more.. Where MS publisher... Read more »
Leadership
Issue: November / December 2012

Nine Management Lessons from the London 2012 Games

By - November 25, 2012

Kathleen Drum details the management lessons from the Olympic Games that can be applied to any working environment
Personal Development
Issue: November / December 2012

What Morgan Freeman Taught Me About Goals

By - November 25, 2012

Last weekend I watched the film The Bucket List and it reminded me of the whole goal setting process and why it matters to us all. If you haven’t seen the film it stars Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman. Without spoiling the plot, two terminally ill cancer patients decide to leave hospital, go on a... Read more »
Career Development Communication
Issue: November / December 2012

How to Network With Confidence

By - November 25, 2012

So many PAs have said to me: ‘I am absolutely terrified about walking into a room full of strangers.’ I reply: That’s OK, they are just people you haven’t got to know yet.’ Then they say: ‘I am not very good at networking’, ‘I find that my hands are shaking or my voice goes all... Read more »
Leadership
Issue: November / December 2012

Embracing a New Year of Change

By - November 25, 2012

I read this humorous story not too long ago. If the circus comes to town and you paint a sign saying ‘Circus coming to the Fairgrounds Saturday,’ that’s advertising. If you put the sign on the back of an elephant and walk it into town, that’s promotion. If the elephant walks through the mayor’s flowerbed,... Read more »
Productivity
Issue: November / December 2012

Are you an email hoarder?

By - November 25, 2012

I’ll admit that occasionally I watch the TLC show Hoarders. I always feel better about myself after I watch it. My life may be messy sometimes, but it isn’t anything like that! Or is it? You may not be a classic hoarder. You may not have areas of your home and office that are crowded... Read more »
Communication
Issue: November / December 2012

7 Ways to use Emotional Intelligence at Work

By - November 25, 2012

Emotional intelligence is about understanding our emotions (and the emotions of those around us) and learning to manage the way we handle them says Lucy Brazier
Communication
Issue: November / December 2012

Write Successful And Persuasive Communications

By - November 25, 2012

Do you want to ensure people read your messages? Do you want to convince people to do what you want? Some emails we can’t wait to read and we are excited by their content. Others, however, we start to read and immediately delete, or don’t even open at all. What is it that makes the... Read more »
Career Development
Issue: November / December 2012

From Assistant to CEO

By - November 25, 2012

Have you been in a situation where everything seems to be going well? Then BAM! The balance is upset and you have to face a change. How do you deal with it? Imagine a scenario where your job has disappeared. Although the process will be the same in any situation, this is the moment when... Read more »
Opinion
Issue: November / December 2012

Why Every Assistant Should be a Touch-Typist

By - November 25, 2012

Typing is an old-fashioned skill, but is still crucial for your success as a modern PA explains Adam Fidler We’re gradually losing an important skill in the Administrative field – an old skill which so many new Assistants no longer learn. A skill that is so crucial to the Assistant’s role I cannot understand why... Read more »
Personal Development
Issue: November / December 2012

What Your Executive Needs From You

By - November 25, 2012

Have you ever heard an executive raving about his or her assistant and wondered what that person does that garners such praise? Would you like to be that person? As an administrative professional turned entrepreneur, my perspective has shifted from how to become the admin my executives couldn’t live without, to finding admins I can... Read more »
Communication
Issue: November / December 2012

The Forgotten Art of Writing

By - November 25, 2012

There’s a way to combat email overload and office politics – and it has nothing to do with a computer. What business tools do we all have to hand nearly all of the time? No, not a smart phone. Look around again. What is it you reach for when taking a phone message? A pen... Read more »
Profiles
Issue: November / December 2012

PROFILE – Barbara Grogan

By - November 25, 2012

Barbara Grogan is the National Director-President of the Association of Administrative Assistants in Canada Can we start with a little background information? Where are you from? I grew up in a small town called Bolton, just north of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. What is your background? After graduating from high school I went to Montreal, Quebec to... Read more »