Career Development
Issue: January / February 2015

Why Your Job (Description) is Never Done!

By - January 25, 2015

We’ve spent 2014, the International Year of the Secretary and Admin Assistant, discussing ways you can advance your career and the administrative profession. We’ve focused on everything from mentorship to generational differences, but one of our primary focuses has been on creating your new and improved job description.   A detailed description of your job... Read more »
Career Development
Issue: January / February 2015

Mission, Vision and Strategy – and the importance for the Executive Assistant

By - January 25, 2015

Can an assistant be effective if they do not understand the Mission, Vision and Strategy of the organization that they are supporting? asks Richard Arnott
Communication
Issue: January / February 2015

Tune In to Tone

By - January 25, 2015

I recently watched the sad news of another high school shooting in the US. The news reporter was emitting a tone of horror, sadness and sympathy when she interviewed a student witness. However, the student answered in a very objective, flat, almost disinterested, tone. The difference in the tone the student used and the tone... Read more »
Personal Development
Issue: January / February 2015

Finding the Gray Area in 2015 – Realistic Goal Setting

By - January 25, 2015

When I’m talking about “finding the gray area” for realistic goal setting, I’m not referring to hair — although I have to admit, I’m due for a colour. But honestly, when we set goals, we tend to think in terms of black and white. We want to be thin, we want to look better, we... Read more »
Heashot Heather Baker
Profiles
Issue: January / February 2015

PROFILE – Heather Baker

By - January 25, 2015

Heather Baker is an International speaker, trainer and author, and the creator of the BakerWrite speedwriting system
Productivity
Issue: January / February 2015

New Year, New Start? Not Necessarily…

By - January 25, 2015

This year I have made a New Year’s resolution not to make any New Year’s resolutions. I am so relieved!   It is going to mean that I can just concentrate on planning what I need to achieve this year in order to enhance my ability to reach more people with my message and grow... Read more »
Personal Development
Issue: January / February 2015

How to Make Your Own Luck!

By - January 25, 2015

At a dinner party the other evening, we were debating whether we were born lucky or was it that we make our own luck. My own sense is that we can create our own good fortune by taking control of our own life and being aware and receptive to opportunities that come our way, at... Read more »
Personal Development
Issue: January / February 2015

Resilience: A Must-Have Skill

By - January 25, 2015

Joan Burge looks at what it means to be a resilient Assistant.
Processes & Procedures Productivity
Issue: January / February 2015

The Art of Proofreading

By - January 25, 2015

Kathleen Drum shares her proofreading secrets
Personal Development
Issue: January / February 2015

Neuroscience – Maximizing the Power of Your Brain for Excellence – Part II – Sleep and Memory

By - January 25, 2015

Sue France discusses how our sleep can affect our memory in part 2 of her articles on neuroscience
Personal Development
Issue: January / February 2015

The Case for Coaching… Your Questions Answered

By - January 25, 2015

Lindsay Taylor explains some common misconceptions about coaching What is Coaching? Coaching is a term used for a Programme of one-to-one sessions that enable you to gain greater awareness and an understanding of how to accelerate and achieve your full potential. According to the CIPD (Chartered Institute of Personnel & Development), Coaching is a “skilled... Read more »
Productivity
Issue: January / February 2015

Time Management or Behaviour Management – Part 3

By - January 25, 2015

We have been exploring our behaviours in relationship to how we manage our time. The question that we still need to explore further is “What other skills could I use that would help me manage the behaviours I have when dealing with time?   Meetings and time   What is the real value of a... Read more »
Leadership
Issue: January / February 2015

Are You a Great Leader?

By - January 25, 2015

Some leaders are born great but many of us need to have experienced great business leadership to become one.   Historically, leaders were associated with men who were tall, strong, well-educated and power oriented. Derived from the 19th century, the “Great Man” Theory was a term that was given to describe the men and heroes of... Read more »
Profiles
Issue: January / February 2015

PROFILE – Else-Britt Lundgren

By - January 25, 2015

Else-Britt is the Chairman of EUMA, Europe
Personal Development
Issue: January / February 2015

Resistance Is Futile

By - January 25, 2015

We’ve all heard the adage about accepting things we cannot change and changing things we can change. Yet few realise the extent to which we resist what we cannot change. I’m using the word “resist” to mean “having negative thoughts about…”   If we’re regretting something, we’re resisting the past. If we’re dissatisfied about something,... Read more »
Profiles
Issue: January / February 2015

PROFILE – PA of the Year Tribe 2014: The Amazing Journey We Walked Together

By - January 25, 2015

The International Year of the Secretary and Administrative Assistant 2014, initiated by South Africa’s Professional Association for Secretaries and Administrative Assistants (PAFSA), was launched to commemorate and mark the 30th anniversary since the first year of the secretary which was celebrated in 1984 in the United States. The year 2014 also marked the 9th year... Read more »