INDUSTRY INSIGHTS YOUR PEERS ARE READING
Are you thinking about quitting your job but you don’t know if you are doing it for the right reasons? It is a tough decision to leave any job. You have security, a regular pay-check and of course, once you had your notice in, you can rarely change your mind. So when you do quit, […]. MORE
When it comes to successfully running your Virtual Assistant (VA) business, being an awesome Virtual Assistant isn’t enough. A VA can be excellent at their job, have a positive mindset, the necessary skill set required to do the job well and a desire to be there for her clients. MORE
Just recently I was chairing a panel session at the Conference and Hospitality Show in Leeds. Before going on the stage myself and the other panellists were talking about how we conquer our nerves so that we can get up on stage and speak to the audience. As I think we all know, speaking in […]. MORE
Problem-solving is one of the critical skills that will be needed by office employees by 2020. MORE
As the saying goes, you can’t be all things to all people. As a people pleaser, this is something that I have had to come to terms with in my career. While working as an Assistant, I wanted to help people as much as possible and got pulled in all directions. It soon became apparent […]. MORE
A few years ago, I worked with a Director who did everything on paper. He rarely turned his computer on let alone sent an email or scheduled an appointment in his diary. He took his planner with him everywhere and expected it to be up to date with meetings, he wrote all of his notes […]. MORE
If time management is so obvious why don’t you have enough time? Time Management is so obvious, and it’s unlikely you will read anything new in this blog post. So why should you keep reading? Simple, if you already ‘know what do to’…WHY aren’t you doing it? MORE
Having worked through a few company restructures in my career I have often been given the horrible task of creating new organisational charts. MORE
Regardless of your administrative title, industry or organisation size, you need to find a good mentor explains Joan Burge. Mentors save you time, energy, and even money. They reduce stress and make life easier. MORE
The term office politics comes with a lot of negative connotations. It is very much associated with game playing where the ability to win is equated with success and losing will keep you on the lowest step of the career ladder. MORE
Every business is started by someone with a vision. They are the driving force behind the business, and they want to change the world. You might not work for the person who started the organisation. MORE
I know it is mid-July and we are a world away from the festive season, but it is time to start planning out the end of year party. You may think I am crazy, but actually, this is the best time of year to start thinking about your office do. Planning your festive celebration should […]. MORE
We all know how challenging it can be to plan your Executive’s schedule. Everyone wants some of their time, and there are only so many hours in the day. It is a massive part of the Assistant role, and we do have to work hard to juggle all of the meeting requests with the time […]. 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. MORE
We are halfway through the year, and it is likely that at some point soon you will have a mid-year review with your manager. If you don’t have anything in the diary or your Executive hasn’t mentioned getting together for a review, I would highly recommend you do something about it. MORE
I’ve just finished reading Think Better Analytically, and I want to share my learning with you! I decided to read the book because I don’t think of myself as someone who thinks logically or analytically. MORE
So many organisations are making a move from Microsoft Office to Google Suite (Practically Perfect PA being one such business!). I love Gmail, it is such a great tool, and with all of the available Chrome extensions, you really can make Gmail an incredibly productive tool. MORE
At the recent Virtual Summit, I was talking to a group of Assistants about resilience and how we gain respect in the office. Both of the Assistants said that we had to try not to take things too personally and that having a ‘thick skin’ is an excellent competency to have as an Assistant. MORE
Sometimes it’s hard to take a step back from all the work that you have to get through and look at how best to plan your time. But investing time in planning will save you lots of energy in the long run and make you more productive. It feels so good to check off that […]. MORE
Last week I wrote a blog post about the meetings you should have with your Executive, where I detailed the meetings you should set up in your Executive’s diary that focuses on the work that the two of you need to move the business forward.f MORE
An Executive once said to me “you are the glue that holds the department together, you create the culture.” ” She was so right, part of my role was to help motivate the department. MORE
We all know that communication with your Executive is key to a successful working relationship and I’ve found over the years, the more access an Assistant has to their Executive the more they are seen as a critical asset within the organisation. MORE
We are delighted to invite you to attend Venues + Events Live this Autumn (18-19 September, Old Billingsgate, London & 24 September, Manchester Central) where you will discover the best tips and tricks to help you plan your next event. MORE
The vast majority of recruitment agencies and employers now use video as part of their interview process, because it saves time and money on the early stages of the interview process. MORE
Before we dive into our list of productivity tools, I want to spend a few minutes talking to you about the importance of keeping up with the latest technology. MORE
The most important aspect of the Assistant role is saving our Executive time. It is their most valuable resource, and everything that we do should be geared up to protecting and nurturing their time. MORE
This week’s Technology of the Week: Sortd What is Sortd? Sorted is an add-on feature and chrome extension for Gmail. It allows the user to drag and drop emails into customised columns so that you can prioritise and sort your emails. What does Sortd do? MORE
What would be your first thoughts if your exec board wanted a weekend away retreat that also included golf? How many people thought of Barcelona as the first place that sprang to mind? Not many, I would guess. MORE
Every business and organisation needs its employees to work together, to move projects forward and reach common goals. Collaboration is an essential skill for everyone. However, for Assistants, collaboration is vital. We have to work with other members of staff on projects and reaching common goals. MORE
You know what it is like, you are having a hectic day, emails to answer, meetings to attend, people talking to you, asking questions and looking to you for answers. The phone rings, you have no idea who it is or what they want. They want to speak to your Executive or someone random in […]. MORE
Networking is such an essential part of the Assistant role. We can work in such silos that without a network to support our endeavours, the position can be very lonely. MORE
Many Assistants are being asked to look after their company’s online profiles and their organisation’s social media messaging. It can be a time-consuming task that requires some thought because social media platforms change so rapidly. MORE
Have you ever felt like you’re stuck and don’t know what to do next? Unsure about the direction your career is taking? Or utterly uninspired by your current situation? I hear you. I have been there myself. A few years ago, I felt lost, frustrated and had no clue how to move forward. I felt […]. MORE
When your Executive leaves to start a new role, it is understandable that Assistants are concerned about what to expect from a new Executive. You build up such a strong relationship with an Executive, that can take years to get right, and the thought of going through that again is daunting. MORE
A few weeks ago, the wonderful Jeremy Burrows asked me to appear as a guest on his fantastic podcast – The Leader Assistant. If you haven’t subscribed yet, I’d really recommend it. I am coming up on an episode soon. 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. MORE
Just think how much time you spend organising travel for your Executive or your team? It’s a lot, right? Maybe 20% of your week? Maybe more? That time will be taken up by meticulously planning trips with the hope that nothing will go wrong while their Executive is away from the office. 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
The trait that I admire most in exceptional leaders (think Oprah Winfrey and Brene Brown) is the time they dedicate to learning new things. I love that they read, take on new ideas and concepts and never stop growing. This is something that I always try to find time for, and I think it is […]. MORE
We are really excited to announce that we will be sharing an article each month from Executive Secretary Magazine. We are starting with this fantastic article from Marie Herman. Following these tips really will save you a massive amount of time searching the internet! MORE
It goes without saying that for an Assistant to be successful in the role, they need to have strong business acumen. I’ve written about this skill a lot over the years, and I have presented on the topic at various events. 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! MORE
Working for someone who is a micromanager is hard work. There is no denying it, and it is especially true for Assistants. We are there to save our Executive’s time and the organisation money. It is hard to do that part of our job if our Executive is involved in everything that we do. MORE
Practically Perfect PA
AUGUST 1, 2019
Every business and organisation needs its employees to work together, to move projects forward and reach common goals. Collaboration is an essential skill for everyone. However, for Assistants, collaboration is vital. We have to work with other members of staff on projects and reaching common goals.
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.
Practically Perfect PA
JULY 11, 2019
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
JULY 9, 2019
Problem-solving is one of the critical skills that will be needed by office employees by 2020.
Practically Perfect PA
AUGUST 19, 2019
The trait that I admire most in exceptional leaders (think Oprah Winfrey and Brene Brown) is the time they dedicate to learning new things. I love that they read, take on new ideas and concepts and never stop growing. This is something that I always try to find time for, and I think it is […].
Practically Perfect PA
JULY 30, 2019
Every business is started by someone with a vision. They are the driving force behind the business, and they want to change the world. You might not work for the person who started the organisation.
Practically Perfect PA
JULY 26, 2019
So many organisations are making a move from Microsoft Office to Google Suite (Practically Perfect PA being one such business!). I love Gmail, it is such a great tool, and with all of the available Chrome extensions, you really can make Gmail an incredibly productive tool.
Practically Perfect PA
JULY 22, 2019
Have you ever felt like you’re stuck and don’t know what to do next? Unsure about the direction your career is taking? Or utterly uninspired by your current situation? I hear you. I have been there myself. A few years ago, I felt lost, frustrated and had no clue how to move forward. I felt […].
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.
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!
Practically Perfect PA
JULY 16, 2019
I know it is mid-July and we are a world away from the festive season, but it is time to start planning out the end of year party. You may think I am crazy, but actually, this is the best time of year to start thinking about your office do. Planning your festive celebration should […].
Practically Perfect PA
MAY 27, 2019
We’ve all been there, picture the scene.
Practically Perfect PA
JULY 15, 2019
Networking is such an essential part of the Assistant role. We can work in such silos that without a network to support our endeavours, the position can be very lonely.
Practically Perfect PA
JUNE 6, 2019
Before we dive into our list of productivity tools, I want to spend a few minutes talking to you about the importance of keeping up with the latest technology.
Practically Perfect PA
MAY 9, 2019
Just recently I was chairing a panel session at the Conference and Hospitality Show in Leeds. Before going on the stage myself and the other panellists were talking about how we conquer our nerves so that we can get up on stage and speak to the audience. As I think we all know, speaking in […].
Practically Perfect PA
AUGUST 12, 2019
Regardless of your administrative title, industry or organisation size, you need to find a good mentor explains Joan Burge. Mentors save you time, energy, and even money. They reduce stress and make life easier.
Practically Perfect PA
JUNE 14, 2019
We are really excited to announce that we will be sharing an article each month from Executive Secretary Magazine. We are starting with this fantastic article from Marie Herman. Following these tips really will save you a massive amount of time searching the internet!
Practically Perfect PA
JUNE 4, 2019
Just think how much time you spend organising travel for your Executive or your team? It’s a lot, right? Maybe 20% of your week? Maybe more? That time will be taken up by meticulously planning trips with the hope that nothing will go wrong while their Executive is away from the office.
Practically Perfect PA
MAY 13, 2019
The vast majority of recruitment agencies and employers now use video as part of their interview process, because it saves time and money on the early stages of the interview process.
Practically Perfect PA
AUGUST 15, 2019
What would be your first thoughts if your exec board wanted a weekend away retreat that also included golf? How many people thought of Barcelona as the first place that sprang to mind? Not many, I would guess.
Practically Perfect PA
JULY 4, 2019
At the recent Virtual Summit, I was talking to a group of Assistants about resilience and how we gain respect in the office. Both of the Assistants said that we had to try not to take things too personally and that having a ‘thick skin’ is an excellent competency to have as an Assistant.
Practically Perfect PA
JULY 29, 2019
When your Executive leaves to start a new role, it is understandable that Assistants are concerned about what to expect from a new Executive. You build up such a strong relationship with an Executive, that can take years to get right, and the thought of going through that again is daunting.
Practically Perfect PA
MAY 20, 2019
Are you thinking about quitting your job but you don’t know if you are doing it for the right reasons? It is a tough decision to leave any job. You have security, a regular pay-check and of course, once you had your notice in, you can rarely change your mind. So when you do quit, […].
Practically Perfect PA
JUNE 13, 2019
It goes without saying that for an Assistant to be successful in the role, they need to have strong business acumen. I’ve written about this skill a lot over the years, and I have presented on the topic at various events.
Practically Perfect PA
MAY 21, 2019
Last week I wrote a blog post about the meetings you should have with your Executive, where I detailed the meetings you should set up in your Executive’s diary that focuses on the work that the two of you need to move the business forward.f
Practically Perfect PA
MAY 17, 2019
Having worked through a few company restructures in my career I have often been given the horrible task of creating new organisational charts.
Practically Perfect PA
AUGUST 8, 2019
Working for someone who is a micromanager is hard work. There is no denying it, and it is especially true for Assistants. We are there to save our Executive’s time and the organisation money. It is hard to do that part of our job if our Executive is involved in everything that we do.
Practically Perfect PA
MAY 14, 2019
We all know that communication with your Executive is key to a successful working relationship and I’ve found over the years, the more access an Assistant has to their Executive the more they are seen as a critical asset within the organisation.
Practically Perfect PA
JULY 12, 2019
An Executive once said to me “you are the glue that holds the department together, you create the culture.” ” She was so right, part of my role was to help motivate the department.
Practically Perfect PA
AUGUST 13, 2019
We are delighted to invite you to attend Venues + Events Live this Autumn (18-19 September, Old Billingsgate, London & 24 September, Manchester Central) where you will discover the best tips and tricks to help you plan your next event.
Practically Perfect PA
JUNE 24, 2019
A few weeks ago, the wonderful Jeremy Burrows asked me to appear as a guest on his fantastic podcast – The Leader Assistant. If you haven’t subscribed yet, I’d really recommend it. I am coming up on an episode soon.
Practically Perfect PA
JULY 23, 2019
Many Assistants are being asked to look after their company’s online profiles and their organisation’s social media messaging. It can be a time-consuming task that requires some thought because social media platforms change so rapidly.
Practically Perfect PA
MAY 7, 2019
Sometimes it’s hard to take a step back from all the work that you have to get through and look at how best to plan your time. But investing time in planning will save you lots of energy in the long run and make you more productive. It feels so good to check off that […].
Practically Perfect PA
JUNE 11, 2019
A few years ago, I worked with a Director who did everything on paper. He rarely turned his computer on let alone sent an email or scheduled an appointment in his diary. He took his planner with him everywhere and expected it to be up to date with meetings, he wrote all of his notes […].
Practically Perfect PA
JUNE 17, 2019
We are halfway through the year, and it is likely that at some point soon you will have a mid-year review with your manager. If you don’t have anything in the diary or your Executive hasn’t mentioned getting together for a review, I would highly recommend you do something about it.
Practically Perfect PA
AUGUST 5, 2019
The term office politics comes with a lot of negative connotations. It is very much associated with game playing where the ability to win is equated with success and losing will keep you on the lowest step of the career ladder.
Practically Perfect PA
MARCH 12, 2019
You know what it is like, you are having a hectic day, emails to answer, meetings to attend, people talking to you, asking questions and looking to you for answers. The phone rings, you have no idea who it is or what they want. They want to speak to your Executive or someone random in […].
Practically Perfect PA
MARCH 21, 2019
I’ve just finished reading Think Better Analytically, and I want to share my learning with you! I decided to read the book because I don’t think of myself as someone who thinks logically or analytically.
Practically Perfect PA
APRIL 23, 2019
The most important aspect of the Assistant role is saving our Executive time. It is their most valuable resource, and everything that we do should be geared up to protecting and nurturing their time.
Practically Perfect PA
MAY 10, 2019
This week’s Technology of the Week: Sortd What is Sortd? Sorted is an add-on feature and chrome extension for Gmail. It allows the user to drag and drop emails into customised columns so that you can prioritise and sort your emails. What does Sortd do?
Practically Perfect PA
AUGUST 2, 2019
We all know how challenging it can be to plan your Executive’s schedule. Everyone wants some of their time, and there are only so many hours in the day. It is a massive part of the Assistant role, and we do have to work hard to juggle all of the meeting requests with the time […].
Practically Perfect PA
JUNE 10, 2019
As the saying goes, you can’t be all things to all people. As a people pleaser, this is something that I have had to come to terms with in my career. While working as an Assistant, I wanted to help people as much as possible and got pulled in all directions. It soon became apparent […].
Practically Perfect PA
MARCH 28, 2019
If time management is so obvious why don’t you have enough time? Time Management is so obvious, and it’s unlikely you will read anything new in this blog post. So why should you keep reading? Simple, if you already ‘know what do to’…WHY aren’t you doing it?
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