Expert insights. Personalized for you.
Powerful words to use in your Assistant CV The competition for Executive and Personal Assistant jobs is fierce. Now more than ever. That is why it is important to make your CV (or resume) stand out from the crowd. To do that, you have to make your CV come to [.]. MORE
Feel like an imposter? In the world of Assistants, where you are so often stepping in for someone else, imposter feelings can be rife and the source of real stress. If you feel like an imposter, to understand how to feel better you need to first [.]. MORE
We are so excited to launch our new series of videos for Practically Perfect PA readers. The series will focus […]. Featured MORE
Artificial Intelligence: Will it help or hurt the Assistant Profession? I have been very aware of artificial intelligence, as a coming event into my business. In fact, we had a fascinating artificial intelligence client in New York City. And I was just blown away by the [.]. MORE
Most of us that have been working in the PA industry for a while now will have heard of the phrase ‘the tech-savvy assistant’. It might have cropped up on your job specs and been discussed during your most recent job interview. It is so important for Assistants to have a good grasp of [.]. MORE
Anticipating needs and other mind reading tricks Over the last few years, I have written a lot about creating a successful Executive and EA partnership. It is the key relationship for Assistants and the one part of the role that you have to get right. Without [.]. MORE
SMART objectives for Executive Assistants are so crucial because, without them, Assistants can be at such a disadvantage. They can be taken for granted, they can be mismanaged, and they can be left without a clue as to what exactly is expected of them in the role. MORE
Completing your Assistant performance review in 2020 It is that time of year again, performance review season. Accept the world has completely changed this year. Completing your Assistant performance review in 2020 is going to be different. Many of you are working from home juggling work and the challenges of [.]. MORE
So, you are thinking about heading into the unknown and need some tips on how to transition out of your role Whether you are changing your career or going into business for yourself, this is a big deal. You are amazing for deciding to follow through with your dream! Well done! The idea didn’t [.]. MORE
Our Tips and Techniques for Assistants video series focus on seasoned Assistant’s advice for success in the role. Each Assistant has a tremendous amount of knowledge to share with you, and we are proud to introduce their videos to you each week. MORE
Common challenges faced by Assistants Working as an Executive or Personal Assistant is a complex and often misunderstood role. Assistants take on a lot and often go unrewarded and unrecognised for their efforts. It isn’t an easy gig, that is for sure. There are a lot of common [.]. MORE
As I’ve always said, your Executive’s number one resource is their time, and your role is to safeguard that time, making sure they use their time correctly so that they are successful in the position. Having complete control over their schedule does allow you to manage the allocation of their time. They have a lot […]. MORE
Is your Executive a poor communicator? In a recent survey conducted in the UK, Hays recruitment found 43% of those surveyed said leaders needed to improve their communication skills. MORE
How automation can help Assistants When you’re an Assistant and wearing lots of hats, juggling different tasks, clients and struggling with an overflowing to-do list it’s easy to get overwhelmed. Being organised is key, and using technology makes it much easier to keep on top of things. MORE
What support do you need from your Executive to work in partnership? What support do you need from your Executive to work in partnership? This will ultimately be something that is personal to you but I wanted to share what I thought were 10 expectations that Assistants should have from [.]. MORE
Many of you are reading this from the comfort of your home office. At first, this may sound like heaven on earth (a lot of people think they want to work from home). The reality will settle in quickly (if it hasn’t already). MORE
How to stay visible and in the loop with your Executive while working from home We are living in strange times. I know many of you will be working from home, trying to juggle your home life and your work life more than ever - while not leaving your home [.]. MORE
Improving decision-making for Assistants Many Assistants are worried about making decisions because they are worried they will make the wrong one. We have talked about how important it is for Assistants to have space for making mistakes. That is very important. MORE
How do you feel when someone gives you feedback at work? Are you open to feedback, or do you feel defensive? What happens when you have challenges at work? Do you face them head-on, or do you avoid the situation? As Assistants, we often come up against misconceptions about the role. MORE
There are a lot of critical responsibilities for Assistants. During the day, Assistants have to do so many different things, so their skills and tasks are incredibly varied. For new Assistants, it is hard to know where to start. Getting the basics right: Personal and Executive Assistant Key Tasks. MORE
Understanding your personality and communication preferences Understanding your Executive's personality, behaviours and communication preferences are crucial to building an effective relationship and partnership. MORE
Completing your Assistant performance review in uncertain times It is that time of year again, performance review season. Except the world has completely changed this year. Completing your Assistant performance review in uncertain times is going to be different. MORE
It often feels like hierarchy and influence go hand in hand, but the capacity to influence others isn’t exclusively linked to stature and job titles. As an assistant, it may sometimes feel either uncomfortable or even impossible to influence others in the workplace, but it’s not necessarily the case. MORE
Communicating your priorities better with the ‘rule of five’ One of my go-to tools for prioritising and managing my to-do list is Trello. I use the collaboration tool to manage all of my tasks and projects, and I love how easy it easy to collaborate on projects with the other members of the [.]. MORE
One area that seems to change notably from job to job is remuneration and performance reviews for Assistants. In my first full-time job, I had quarterly performance reviews with my manager, half-yearly appraisals and at the end of every year a full review and 360° feedback with my team. MORE
In a recent survey we conducted with the Practically Perfect PA readers we found that many Assistants struggle with the huge amount of work they have to get through in a day. The fast-paced environment, the never-ending deadlines and demands on their time seems to have become the norm. MORE
There are so many events, webinars, publications, blogs out there that talk about accelerating your Assistant career path and progression. Career success comes in many shapes and forms and, let’s face it, is an entirely personal definition. MORE
Assistants and the #Metoo Movement I'm Bonnie Low-Kramen. I'm the author of Be The Ultimate Assistant. I'm a speaker and a trainer, and most of all, I am a human, who cares deeply about this issue, this global epidemic, that is sexual harassment. My goal for [.]. MORE
Working alongside every successful Executive is an incredibly smart, switched-on and highly skilled Executive Assistant. There are many advanced skills that Assistants, who work in the C-suite, need to be successful in the role. We cover a lot of those skills on this website. MORE
Organising and arranging meetings for boards and executive teams can be a long-drawn-out process that requires a lot of patience and managing a lot of moving parts. I would also like to draw your attention to the following guides, which will also help you manage meetings. MORE
Assistants have buckets full of empathy; you wouldn’t be in the job if you didn’t. What I find is that empathy can often be taken advantage of by people who don’t respect what we do – be it, that colleague who wants your time or that Executive who doesn’t understand your role. Empathy can quickly […]. Core Competencies Dealing with coworkers Featured admin administrators assistants Competencies EA Executive Assistant Office manager PA Personal Assistant Virtual Assistant MORE
Where do you draw the line? Setting boundaries for Assistants Let's start with a question. Would you say that you are good at setting boundaries? Here is an even more important question - are you good at setting boundaries, and are you good at sticking to them? Assistants need to [.]. MORE
A new year is an opportunity for a fresh start. So this year, why not make your resolution to impress your boss – and reap the rewards that follow! Here are some top tips on how to make a positive impression in 2020 when planning a meeting. MORE
There are so many Assistants who are also working as an Office Manager and a lot of Office Managers who are also Assistants! The roles are similar, and there are a lot of overlapping skills. However, Office Managers do have to take on some tasks that are high-level and move the business forward. Many Office […]. Core Skills Featured admin administrators assistants EA Executive Assistant office management Office manager PA Personal Assistant Virtual Assistant MORE
Career transitions for Executive Assistants Being an Assistant isn't for everyone. I mean, let's face it, the job has its challenges, and I think you have to love the role to succeed in it genuinely. If you think of the position as a stepping stone to something else or a job [.]. MORE
Developing a growth mindset Developing a Growth Mindset doesn’t have to be complicated, even in the midst of a global health crisis. Let’s be real for a moment… and put things into perspective. Do you honestly believe that you’ll never progress or accomplish anything new in your career or life? [.]. MORE
The role of the Assistant these days is pretty diverse; one day you will be assisting one Executive with personal tasks, the next you may be making business travel arrangements for a different person, managing a project, working on a big event or hiring a new Administrative team. MORE
We all know how hard it is keeping on top of the never-ending to-do list every Assistant and their Executive seem to have. The work can be relentless but don’t fear; there are lots of fantastic apps available that can help you manage your to-do list. Tracking your tasks doesn’t need to be a complicated […]. MORE
Enjoy today’s Day in the life: Hayley Lawrence, PA Regional General Manager and Administration Assistant to Founders Office – Necker & Moskito Islands, in The British Virgin Islands. I love this interview because it shows how exciting, different, challenging and incredible our profession is! Day in the life: Hayley Lawrence, PA to Regional General Manager and […]. MORE
This is a guest post from Jenna Potter, the Social Media & Content Executive at CHS Group. Jenna sends out a Weekly Roundup email series where she selects her favourite 4+ resources every week that help PAs, EAs and VAs advance their career and life. Get it sent to your inbox here. MORE
These ten fantastic pieces of software will help you manage your emails and your Executives. It is worth looking to see which ones will work for you, but they will all help you manage and automate emails! Sanebox: Sanebox turns your inbox back into the inbox it was meant to be by weeding out unimportant […]. Core Skills Email Management Featured Office Technology admin administrators assistants EA Executive Assistant Office manager PA Personal Assistant Virtual Assistant MORE
As we all know writing minutes is an essential skill for Assistants and this ultimate guide to effective minute-taking we will break-down everything Assistants need to know to create minutes that will be read and actioned. MORE
Effective calendar management for Executive Assistants is a hugely important aspect of th role. Assistants spend at the very least a third of their day organising their Executive’s schedule. Juggling our Executive’s time is a complex operation. MORE
Practically Perfect PA
MARCH 18, 2021
Improving decision-making for Assistants Many Assistants are worried about making decisions because they are worried they will make the wrong one. We have talked about how important it is for Assistants to have space for making mistakes. That is very important.
Practically Perfect PA
NOVEMBER 17, 2020
Artificial Intelligence: Will it help or hurt the Assistant Profession? I have been very aware of artificial intelligence, as a coming event into my business. In fact, we had a fascinating artificial intelligence client in New York City. And I was just blown away by the [.].
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Practically Perfect PA
FEBRUARY 18, 2021
Communicating your priorities better with the ‘rule of five’ One of my go-to tools for prioritising and managing my to-do list is Trello. I use the collaboration tool to manage all of my tasks and projects, and I love how easy it easy to collaborate on projects with the other members of the [.].
Practically Perfect PA
JANUARY 21, 2021
Understanding your personality and communication preferences Understanding your Executive's personality, behaviours and communication preferences are crucial to building an effective relationship and partnership.
Practically Perfect PA
MARCH 4, 2021
Powerful words to use in your Assistant CV The competition for Executive and Personal Assistant jobs is fierce. Now more than ever. That is why it is important to make your CV (or resume) stand out from the crowd. To do that, you have to make your CV come to [.].
Practically Perfect PA
APRIL 2, 2020
The role of the Assistant these days is pretty diverse; one day you will be assisting one Executive with personal tasks, the next you may be making business travel arrangements for a different person, managing a project, working on a big event or hiring a new Administrative team.
Practically Perfect PA
NOVEMBER 19, 2020
Where do you draw the line? Setting boundaries for Assistants Let's start with a question. Would you say that you are good at setting boundaries? Here is an even more important question - are you good at setting boundaries, and are you good at sticking to them? Assistants need to [.].
Practically Perfect PA
NOVEMBER 3, 2020
Anticipating needs and other mind reading tricks Over the last few years, I have written a lot about creating a successful Executive and EA partnership. It is the key relationship for Assistants and the one part of the role that you have to get right. Without [.].
Practically Perfect PA
OCTOBER 26, 2020
How to stay visible and in the loop with your Executive while working from home We are living in strange times. I know many of you will be working from home, trying to juggle your home life and your work life more than ever - while not leaving your home [.].
Practically Perfect PA
JANUARY 7, 2021
Career transitions for Executive Assistants Being an Assistant isn't for everyone. I mean, let's face it, the job has its challenges, and I think you have to love the role to succeed in it genuinely. If you think of the position as a stepping stone to something else or a job [.].
Practically Perfect PA
MAY 25, 2020
Most of us that have been working in the PA industry for a while now will have heard of the phrase ‘the tech-savvy assistant’. It might have cropped up on your job specs and been discussed during your most recent job interview. It is so important for Assistants to have a good grasp of [.].
Practically Perfect PA
AUGUST 18, 2020
Common challenges faced by Assistants Working as an Executive or Personal Assistant is a complex and often misunderstood role. Assistants take on a lot and often go unrewarded and unrecognised for their efforts. It isn’t an easy gig, that is for sure. There are a lot of common [.].
Practically Perfect PA
APRIL 16, 2020
So, you are thinking about heading into the unknown and need some tips on how to transition out of your role Whether you are changing your career or going into business for yourself, this is a big deal. You are amazing for deciding to follow through with your dream! Well done! The idea didn’t [.].
Practically Perfect PA
JANUARY 28, 2020
SMART objectives for Executive Assistants are so crucial because, without them, Assistants can be at such a disadvantage. They can be taken for granted, they can be mismanaged, and they can be left without a clue as to what exactly is expected of them in the role.
Practically Perfect PA
FEBRUARY 17, 2020
As we all know writing minutes is an essential skill for Assistants and this ultimate guide to effective minute-taking we will break-down everything Assistants need to know to create minutes that will be read and actioned.
Practically Perfect PA
NOVEMBER 24, 2020
How automation can help Assistants When you’re an Assistant and wearing lots of hats, juggling different tasks, clients and struggling with an overflowing to-do list it’s easy to get overwhelmed. Being organised is key, and using technology makes it much easier to keep on top of things.
Practically Perfect PA
FEBRUARY 4, 2020
One area that seems to change notably from job to job is remuneration and performance reviews for Assistants. In my first full-time job, I had quarterly performance reviews with my manager, half-yearly appraisals and at the end of every year a full review and 360° feedback with my team.
Practically Perfect PA
OCTOBER 9, 2020
Developing a growth mindset Developing a Growth Mindset doesn’t have to be complicated, even in the midst of a global health crisis. Let’s be real for a moment… and put things into perspective. Do you honestly believe that you’ll never progress or accomplish anything new in your career or life? [.].
Practically Perfect PA
DECEMBER 10, 2020
What support do you need from your Executive to work in partnership? What support do you need from your Executive to work in partnership? This will ultimately be something that is personal to you but I wanted to share what I thought were 10 expectations that Assistants should have from [.].
Practically Perfect PA
MAY 7, 2020
There are a lot of critical responsibilities for Assistants. During the day, Assistants have to do so many different things, so their skills and tasks are incredibly varied. For new Assistants, it is hard to know where to start. Getting the basics right: Personal and Executive Assistant Key Tasks.
Practically Perfect PA
MARCH 2, 2020
There are so many events, webinars, publications, blogs out there that talk about accelerating your Assistant career path and progression. Career success comes in many shapes and forms and, let’s face it, is an entirely personal definition.
Practically Perfect PA
FEBRUARY 18, 2020
Effective calendar management for Executive Assistants is a hugely important aspect of th role. Assistants spend at the very least a third of their day organising their Executive’s schedule. Juggling our Executive’s time is a complex operation.
Practically Perfect PA
DECEMBER 8, 2020
Assistants and the #Metoo Movement I'm Bonnie Low-Kramen. I'm the author of Be The Ultimate Assistant. I'm a speaker and a trainer, and most of all, I am a human, who cares deeply about this issue, this global epidemic, that is sexual harassment. My goal for [.].
Practically Perfect PA
NOVEMBER 5, 2020
Completing your Assistant performance review in uncertain times It is that time of year again, performance review season. Except the world has completely changed this year. Completing your Assistant performance review in uncertain times is going to be different.
Practically Perfect PA
SEPTEMBER 1, 2020
Feel like an imposter? In the world of Assistants, where you are so often stepping in for someone else, imposter feelings can be rife and the source of real stress. If you feel like an imposter, to understand how to feel better you need to first [.].
Practically Perfect PA
MARCH 10, 2020
In a recent survey we conducted with the Practically Perfect PA readers we found that many Assistants struggle with the huge amount of work they have to get through in a day. The fast-paced environment, the never-ending deadlines and demands on their time seems to have become the norm.
Practically Perfect PA
JUNE 16, 2020
Working alongside every successful Executive is an incredibly smart, switched-on and highly skilled Executive Assistant. There are many advanced skills that Assistants, who work in the C-suite, need to be successful in the role. We cover a lot of those skills on this website.
Practically Perfect PA
NOVEMBER 5, 2020
Completing your Assistant performance review in 2020 It is that time of year again, performance review season. Accept the world has completely changed this year. Completing your Assistant performance review in 2020 is going to be different. Many of you are working from home juggling work and the challenges of [.].
Practically Perfect PA
NOVEMBER 28, 2019
How do you feel when someone gives you feedback at work? Are you open to feedback, or do you feel defensive? What happens when you have challenges at work? Do you face them head-on, or do you avoid the situation? As Assistants, we often come up against misconceptions about the role.
Practically Perfect PA
FEBRUARY 3, 2020
This is a guest post from Jenna Potter, the Social Media & Content Executive at CHS Group. Jenna sends out a Weekly Roundup email series where she selects her favourite 4+ resources every week that help PAs, EAs and VAs advance their career and life. Get it sent to your inbox here.
Practically Perfect PA
APRIL 26, 2020
Many of you are reading this from the comfort of your home office. At first, this may sound like heaven on earth (a lot of people think they want to work from home). The reality will settle in quickly (if it hasn’t already).
Practically Perfect PA
NOVEMBER 1, 2019
We all know how hard it is keeping on top of the never-ending to-do list every Assistant and their Executive seem to have. The work can be relentless but don’t fear; there are lots of fantastic apps available that can help you manage your to-do list. Tracking your tasks doesn’t need to be a complicated […].
Practically Perfect PA
DECEMBER 9, 2019
It often feels like hierarchy and influence go hand in hand, but the capacity to influence others isn’t exclusively linked to stature and job titles. As an assistant, it may sometimes feel either uncomfortable or even impossible to influence others in the workplace, but it’s not necessarily the case.
Practically Perfect PA
MARCH 4, 2020
Our Tips and Techniques for Assistants video series focus on seasoned Assistant’s advice for success in the role. Each Assistant has a tremendous amount of knowledge to share with you, and we are proud to introduce their videos to you each week.
Practically Perfect PA
JUNE 18, 2020
Organising and arranging meetings for boards and executive teams can be a long-drawn-out process that requires a lot of patience and managing a lot of moving parts. I would also like to draw your attention to the following guides, which will also help you manage meetings.
Practically Perfect PA
JANUARY 7, 2020
A new year is an opportunity for a fresh start. So this year, why not make your resolution to impress your boss – and reap the rewards that follow! Here are some top tips on how to make a positive impression in 2020 when planning a meeting.
Practically Perfect PA
MARCH 12, 2020
We know that many Assistants are heavily involved in organising events.
Practically Perfect PA
OCTOBER 4, 2019
These ten fantastic pieces of software will help you manage your emails and your Executives. It is worth looking to see which ones will work for you, but they will all help you manage and automate emails! Sanebox: Sanebox turns your inbox back into the inbox it was meant to be by weeding out unimportant […]. Core Skills Email Management Featured Office Technology admin administrators assistants EA Executive Assistant Office manager PA Personal Assistant Virtual Assistant
Practically Perfect PA
JANUARY 14, 2020
We are so excited to launch our new series of videos for Practically Perfect PA readers. The series will focus […]. Featured
Practically Perfect PA
JULY 2, 2019
There are so many Assistants who are also working as an Office Manager and a lot of Office Managers who are also Assistants! The roles are similar, and there are a lot of overlapping skills. However, Office Managers do have to take on some tasks that are high-level and move the business forward. Many Office […]. Core Skills Featured admin administrators assistants EA Executive Assistant office management Office manager PA Personal Assistant Virtual Assistant
Practically Perfect PA
MAY 6, 2019
Enjoy today’s Day in the life: Hayley Lawrence, PA Regional General Manager and Administration Assistant to Founders Office – Necker & Moskito Islands, in The British Virgin Islands. I love this interview because it shows how exciting, different, challenging and incredible our profession is! Day in the life: Hayley Lawrence, PA to Regional General Manager and […].
Practically Perfect PA
NOVEMBER 7, 2019
Assistants have buckets full of empathy; you wouldn’t be in the job if you didn’t. What I find is that empathy can often be taken advantage of by people who don’t respect what we do – be it, that colleague who wants your time or that Executive who doesn’t understand your role. Empathy can quickly […]. Core Competencies Dealing with coworkers Featured admin administrators assistants Competencies EA Executive Assistant Office manager PA Personal Assistant Virtual Assistant
Practically Perfect PA
JUNE 18, 2019
As I’ve always said, your Executive’s number one resource is their time, and your role is to safeguard that time, making sure they use their time correctly so that they are successful in the position. Having complete control over their schedule does allow you to manage the allocation of their time. They have a lot […].
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