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The personal assistant for PAs and EAs
The mind gameeasy sTeps To discover a confidenT new you
VIP Pampering day
You could be the winner of our A-List prize
Out of Office
Who will fill your shoes when you're on holiday this summer?
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ISSUE fIVE
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J u n e 2 0 1 2
Advice
Reviews
fashion
Hot new products
Venues guide:
d i s c ov E r WA L E s
The personal assistant for PAs and EAs
Opening
Ceremony
One PA’s personal Olympics experience
Mission
Statement
One woman's pledge to train the world's PAs
Check your
records
How to ensure the security and traceability of business documents
office* S h o w S p e c i a lYour guide to thiS Year’S highlightS
Star turn: pa profileMEETing HOllywOOd’s EliTE As EA TO A glObAl filM disTribuTOr
ISSUE SEvEn
•
S e p t e m b e r 2 0 1 2
news
Reviews
Fashion
Beauty
venues guide:
n E wc A s T l E & g AT E s H E A d
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♦ 4 ♦PALIFE.CO.UK OCTOBER 2012 • PALife
PA L I F EP I C K S
N
ewly decorated Skyloft is on the top fl oor of London’s tallest riverside entertainment complex, Altitude 360. This
quirky event space features comfy retro furniture and a wooden reclaimed fl oor –not to mention what is arguably the best view in London. The unique space can host parties for up to 600 guests and dinners for up to 270 guests.altitudelondon.com
Reach for the sky
I N T R O D U C I N G L O N D O N ' S M O S T U N I Q U E E V E N T S P A C E
W
o
w
!
HAVE YOU VISITED
THE NEW-LOOK
WEBSITE
PALIFE.CO.UK
F I N D A L L T H E L A T E S T G R E A T P R O D U C T S A N D S E R V I C E S A T PA L I F E . C O . U K
Get that inner and outer glow
GlossyBox is a monthly subscription of fi ve high-end deluxe beauty miniatures, carefully selected by a team of beauty experts and delivered straight to your
door. Having not only made it possible to glow on the outside, you can have a warm feeling on the inside, too, as your monthly parcel will now come with a 10p donation
to Breast Cancer Care. For women £10 (+P&P) per month; for men £15 (+P&P) per
month. Glossybox.co.uk
V E N U E S
CO
URT
ESY
OF
APP
LE
MIX & MATCH
ith thousands already
signed up, Sooqini is a
self-described “eBay
for anything”, matching
people who need goods and services with
local people and businesses who can help.
Post your request and budget, choose the best
offer, make your payment and exchange ratings
and feedback. After the London launch, Sooqini
plans to expand its platform to the whole of the
UK. Watch this space. sooqini.com
TAKE THE BISCUIT
TO MAKE A REAL IMPRESSION, WHYNOT HAVE AN EDIBLE BUSINESS
CARD, ICED WITH YOUR COMPANY NAME (COMES WITH AN INEDIBLE
CARD TUCKED IN THE BACK)? FROM £59 FOR 48 CARDS. CAKEYPIGG.COM
PALIFE
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♦ 5 ♦PALIFE.CO.UK OCTOBER 2012 • PALife
ONE TO ONE MEDIAUNIT 113, THE CHANDLERY
50 WESTMINSTER BRIDGE RDLONDON SE1 7QY
TEL: 020 7953 7456WEBSITE: PALIFE.CO.UKTWITTER: @PALIFEMAG
EMAIL: [email protected]
EDITORIALEDITOR: COLETTE DOYLE
STAFF CONTRIBUTORS: NICOLE HOLGATE, ABIGAIL WILLS,
NATALIE CHAMBERSADDITIONAL CONTRIBUTORS:
LAURA DAVIESWEB EDITOR: CARRIE MACDONALD
SUBBING: ZOE BALDING ART DIRECTOR: MATTHEW INMANRETOUCHING: BILL GREENWOOD
COMMERCIAL COMMERCIAL SOLUTIONS:
ROB HILL, LYNN BARSI, CHARLOTTE BAILEY, CARLI WATSON
VENUE DIRECTORY: LYNN BARSI
EXECUTIVESCHAIRMAN: JAMES BUCHANAN
PUBLISHER: GEOFF HALLPA: GEORGIA BUCHANAN
ABC APPLICATION WAITING APPROVAL
PRINTED BY: PENSORD PRESS LTD
ALL MATERIAL IN THIS PUBLICATION IS COVERED BY COPYRIGHT. NO PART OF
THIS PUBLICATION MAY BE REPRODUCED OR TRANSMITTED IN
ANY FORM – ELECTRONIC, MECHANICAL, PHOTOCOPYING OR
OTHERWISE – IN WHOLE OR IN PART WITHOUT WRITTEN PERMISSION OF THE PUBLISHER. © 2011 ONE TO ONE MEDIA. WHILE CONSIDERABLE CARE
HAS BEEN TAKEN IN THE PRODUCTION OF THIS ISSUE, NO RESPONSIBILITY
CAN BE ACCEPTED FOR ANY ERRORS OR OMISSIONS. NO RESPONSIBILITY
CAN BE ACCEPTED FOR UNSOLICITED MANUSCRIPTS, PHOTOGRAPHS, ARTWORK OR EQUIPMENT. ALL
CORRESPONDENCE IS ASSUMED TO BE INTENDED FOR PUBLICATION
UNLESS CLEARLY STATED OTHERWISE.
Keep it hush-hush
organs Hotel Group has launched a venue to shout about, as long as you’re not inside it. Library at St Martins
Lane, true to its name, has a striking meeting room complete with leather-bound books. It has a capacity of 50 and is catered by the in-house restaurant, Asia De Cuba. The day delegate rate is £95 and includes refreshments and a working lunch. stmartinslane.com
TOP
TWEETS
THIS
MONTH
ast-minute booking? Cheltenham Racecourse is giving you a chance to win a table for 10 people in its Gold Cup Restaurant on Festival Trials Day,
26 January 2013, when booking a last-minute event until the end of October. The delegate rate of £46 per person is available for short-notice events with a minimum of 300 people in The Centaur conference facility. Cheltenham.co.uk
Courses not just for horses
S N A P U P T H I S G R E A T D E A L
V E N U E S
CO
URT
ESY
OF
APP
LE
The personal assistant for PAs and EAs
P A R I S C O M E S T O L O N D O NVIP PACKAGE TO SEE FOREVER CRAZY
Crazy Horse Paris presents Forever Crazy (forevercrazy.co.uk), the ultimate cabaret entertainment experience, coming to London for
the very fi rst time. PA Life has a pair of platinum tickets for the decadent show at its stunning purpose-built venue on London’s
South Bank. To enter, email ‘CABARET’ to [email protected] by 22 October 2012.
PAlife P I C K S
@KallieGorsia
THANKS TO @OFFICESHOW I’M NOW ARMED WITH LOTS OF INFORMATION TO TAKE BACK TO THE OFFICE :-)
@LawaLaura
ONLY THING THAT CAN BE HEARD IN THE OFFICE IS THE TIPPY-TAPPY OF KEYS AS PEOPLE TYPE... SO QUIET!
@AnastasiyaDay
THERE ARE NO SECRETS TO SUCCESS. IT IS THE RESULT OF PREPARATION AND LEARNING FROM FAILURE.
@MarkBatterson
DON’T POINT OUT PROBLEMS IF YOU AREN’T WILLING TO BE PART OF THE SOLUTION.
@PaulPennant
IT TIP: IN WINDOWS, PRESS YOUR WINDOWS KEY AND TAB. SEE WHAT HAPPENS.
W
i
n
TICKETS
V E N U E S
Get the taste for good food
Forget mung beans and brown rice – you can still eat healthily
while enjoying great-tasting food. That’s the premise behind Randall & Aubin’s delicious Brain
Food menu, put together by celebrity chef Ed Baines and
delivered straight to your desk. Check out the full menu at
randallandaubin.com
♦ 8 ♦PALIFE.CO.UK OCTOBER 2012 • PALife
S T A Y O N T R E N D W I T H L A U R A ' S W E E K L Y F A S H I O N T I P S A T P A L I F E . C O . U K
WORKING
ressing for autumn is no mean feat, especially when one of the biggest trends to emerge from
the autumn/winter 2012 catwalks was equestrian. Yes, believe it or not, the Horse & Hound look is big business this season, but this is an easy trend to recreate in your workwear wardrobe. It’s all about smart, practical pieces, so although you may not want to wear riding hats to the offi ce, as seen at Tommy Hilfi ger, a classic blazer is the perfect way to show your well-
groomed side. Not to mention giving you a sleek, feminine silhouette at the same time. This is a trend that works best when you take accents, rather than dressing in head-to-toe riding gear, so team a pair of fl at
boots with a suit or dress (the high street is fi lled with great options, particularly at Topshop, Zara and Asos), switch your black blazer for a tweed option or why not try a herringbone suit? Simple, smart and effortlessly chic. Just what dressing for work should be.
KATE BOSWORTH
THE LATEST TRENDS FOR THE OFFICE FROM OUR FASHION EXPERT ELLE MAGAZINE'S LAURA DAVIES
PALIFE
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JUMPER, £77,
FRENCH
CONNECTION
A CUTE AUTUMN SWEATER TO ADD A UNIQUE TWIST
TO YOUR LOOK. NOTE,HEELS ARE A MUST
SKIRT,
£29.99,
H&M
MAKE THE MOST OFTHIS SKIRT BY TUCKING IN A JUMPER, JUST LIKEQUEEN OF LAID-BACK
STYLE KATE BOSWORTH
BOOTS,
£85, ASOS
A GREAT WEAR-ALL-DAY BOOTTHAT WORKS JUST AS WELLWITH SKIRTS AS TROUSERS. THEY ALSO COME IN BLACK
BAG, £29.99,
ZARA
A SMALL, CHIC BAG WILL TAKE YOU SEAMLESSLY FROM DAY TO EVENING
GLOVES,
£22, ASOS
THE PERFECT FINISHING TOUCH TO YOUR LOOK.
WEARING THEM INDOORS IS OPTIONAL!
♦ 9 ♦PALIFE.CO.UK OCTOBER 2012 • PALife
ASOS: asos.com; French Connection: frenchconnection.com; H&M: hm.com; River Island: riverisland.com; Topshop: topshop.com; Zara: zara.com
PAlife F A S H I O N
TOMMY HILFIGER A/W 2012
GE
TT
Y IM
AG
ES
/ CA
ME
RA
PR
ESS
ROSIE HUNTINGTON-WHITELEY
GE
TT
Y IM
AG
ES
STOCKISTS
JUMPER, £35,
RIVER ISLAND
THIS GREAT JUMPER IS COMFORTABLE AS WELL AS
STYLISH – PERFECT FOR DRESS-DOWN FRIDAYS
PA LIFE
T
r
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n
d
MIX UP YOUR NORMAL OFFICE
BLAZER BY TRYING TWEED OR
HERRINGBONE. THE SUBTLE PEPLUM
DETAILING (LEFT) WILL ADD A TOUCH
OF FEMININITY
TROUSERS,
£38,
TOPSHOP
PLUM IS A GREAT AUTUMNAL COLOUR
AND A WELCOME CHANGE FROM BLACK. IF FLARES LIKE ROSIE’S ARE
TOO DARING, SKINNY TROUSERS ARE
FAIL-SAFE FOR WORK
BOOTS
£59.99,
H&M
THE PERFECT PAIR OF BLACK BOOTS WILL GO
WITH EVERYTHING, AND THESE ARE
GREAT VALUE, TOO
BAG, £36,
TOPSHOP
A TAN HANDBAG WILL NEVER DATE. THIS ONE IS BIG ENOUGH FOR FILES, NOTEBOOKS AND JUST
ABOUT EVERYTHING ELSE YOU NEED
JACKET,
£39.99, H&M
JACKET,
£40, ASOS
8.
P o d B i t e s
Pod bites are a healthy but indulgent alternative to traditional confectionery. Dry
roasted edamame beans are coated in dark chocolate or yoghurt and they promise to
contain 35% less fat than chocolate-covered raisins. Yes please! From £2.95 for 100g.
podbites.co.uk
♦ 1 2 ♦PaliFe.co.uk october 2012 • PALife
office snacking is on the increase, and uk workers are feeling the effects – a recent study found the average female worker consumes a staggering one-third of her daily calorie allowance on snacks alone! When those hunger pangs hit, Emma Cooke looks at the best ways to eat healthily at your desk
1.
G r a z e
Have your snacks delivered to your desk with a customised Graze box. take your pick from 100 nutritious options, including nuts, seeds,
dried fruits, crackers, olives and flapjacks, choose which days you want a delivery, then you'll receive your box via royal Mail – genius! We love the Guilt-Free High tea. From £3.89.
graze.com
9.
G o a h e a d
We have always trusted McVitie's for our biscuit fix, and Go ahead cakes and biscuit
bars are perfect for fixing those mid-morning munchies. our favourite are the Fruit bakes
– wheat biscuits with a soft fruit filling. Yummy! available nationwide, £2.39 for six.
goahead.co.uk
2.
t o s s e d
if you want ethically produced sandwiches, salads or breakfast platters delivered to your
office meeting, tossed uses Fairtrade ingredients, free-range chickens and
sustainable fish. any food waste is given to the homeless in covent Garden. Platters from £14.95 (available in london and at bluewater).
tosseduk.com
7.
d i n i n G d i v a s
Whether you need a business lunch or simply some baguettes and salads delivered to your
workplace, Dining Divas caters for all occasions. We love the spiced red lentil,
tomato and coconut soup, which gives a taste of the exotic to eating at your desk.
diningdivas.co.uk
3.
t h e C o l l e C t i v e
these guilt-free gourmet yogurts are a must-add to your weekly shopping list. they
contain probiotics, have no artificial additives or preservatives and are 95% fat free. We love
the fresh fruit flavours, but russian Fudge is our favourite! available from Sainsbury’s and
Waitrose, £2.39 for a 500ml pot.thecollectivedairy.co.uk
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12 ways to eat healthily at work
PALife8_p12-13_Top 12_ZB_NEW.indd 12 25/09/2012 15:08
S H A R E Y O U R I D E A S F O R H E A L T H Y S N A C K I N G O N T H E O N L I N E F O R U M A T PA L I F E . C O . U K
6.
I T S U
The slogan says it all: Eat Beautiful. The lunchtime menu contains salads, sushi and sandwiches, as well as rice cakes and honey cashews for those mid-morning munchies.
Although aimed at people who lead an active lifestyle, if you’re feeling inactive the company
will deliver to selected London locations.itsu.com
10.
F R U I T F O R T H E O F F I C E
Keep the workforce healthy and motivated with fresh fruit delivered to your offi ce. For
50% off your fi rst order, enter PA50* at the checkout. The standard Fresh range
starts from £18.99 for 10 people. *Discount cannot be used for upgrades.
fruitfortheoffi ce.co.uk
♦ 1 3 ♦PALIFE.CO.UK OCTOBER 2012 • PALife
PAlife H O T L I S T
5.
P R O P E R C O R N
Gourmet popcorn – whatever next? Scientists now say popcorn contains more
antioxidants than fruit and vegetables – one 30g serving has up to 300mg of antioxidants, which is nearly double what you'd fi nd in the same serving of fruit. Propercorn comes in
four fl avours and costs 80p per packet.propercorn.com
4.
P O P C H I P S
Popchips aren’t fried, they’re 'popped' with a little heat and pressure for a snack so tasty
you won’t even notice that it’s (gasp!) healthier. Originating from California (where else?), you can now take your pick from fi ve fl avours. We can’t stop popping them in our
mouths! Find them at Waitrose for 69p.popchips.co.uk
12.
Y E R B E M A T E
It can be hard to resist the lure of a high-sugar energy drink. Instead, why not try the South American alternative, Yerba Mate tea (£3.49
for 15 bags)? This natural drink has been used for centuries by native tribes to focus,
rejuvenate and naturally energise the body.teapigs.com
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11.
M I G H T Y M A T C H A
Known to be energy-boosting, mind-focusing and metabolism-fuelling, one cup of this drink contains the same antioxidants as 10 cups of
green tea. Need more convincing? Mighty Matcha (£19.99 for 30g) was awarded a gold
star in the Great Taste Awards 2012. mightymatcha.com
B A D H A B I T S A recent survey taken by Ipsos Mori reveals that:
of workers DON’T have BREAKFAST or LUNCH
2.5%
of offi ce employees are REGULAR SNACKERS
78%
20% choose CRISPS
20% BAD EATING HABITS in the offi ce account for a loss of
PRODUCTIVITY of at least 15%
EATING HABITS in the EATING HABITS27% choose BISCUITS
27%
PALife8_p12-13_Top 12_ZB_NEW.indd 13 25/09/2012 15:08
F I L M C L U B
B O O K S O F T H E M O N T H
PAlife B O O K C L U B / F I L M C L U B
THE BUDDHA IN THE ATTIC by Julie OtsukaFIG TREE; £12.99
It has been almost a
decade since Julie Otsuka released her critically adored debut novel, When the Emperor was Divine, about a Japanese-American family incarcerated in a Utah internment camp during World War II. Her highly
anticipated follow up – The Buddha in the Attic, about a group of Japanese mail order brides – is precise, poetic and just as wonderful.
The story begins just after the First World War, with a group of Japanese women clutching photos of the men they are to marry as they are transported from Japan to San Francisco on a treacherous boat journey. In just 128 pages, we see the mail order brides grieving for the life they have left behind and nervously anticipating what might await them in America. They endure fi rst sex with men they have only just met, suffer the
confusion and alienation of life in a new culture, are expected to undertake arduous manual labour, and eventually raise children who are heartbreakingly ashamed of their Japanese heritage.
Written as a series of sparse, poem-like linked passages using ‘we’ – as if narrated by the group of women, rather than one woman in particular – The Buddha in the Attic is haunting and surprisingly intimate. A fascinating slice of history and an utterly original read.
MAINE by J. Courtney SullivanATLANTIC BOOKS; £12.99
A lovely, page-turning read about four women from a
dysfunctional family (well, aren’t they all?) who unpick years of guilt, envy and rivalries during a holiday in their family beach house in Maine. Sullivan skillfully reveals shocking secrets and uncovers love is in unexpected ways.
ALL IS SONG by Samantha HarveyJONATHAN CAPE; £16.99
Shortlisted for the Orange Prize for Fiction for her
debut, The Wilderness, Samantha Harvey returns with All is Song. It centres on a man who returns to London and moves in with his strange brother to strengthen their familial bonds. All Is Song is both moving and beautifully written.
GRAZIA'S ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR
HANNAH MARRIOTT PICKS HER
FAVOURITE READS FOR THIS MONTH
The annual celebration
of all things fi lmic that is the
Oscars ceremony provides a
great opportunity to refl ect on
the best fi lms of the previous year
and then watch as many as is
feasibly possible while still fi nding
time to eat, sleep and work.
If you intend to play a little
catch-up then PA Life seriously
recommends The Artist, a
wonderfully crafted French slient movie that is both wittier and more watchable than that description makes it sound.
For fans of the book The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, David 'The Social Network' Fincher's
stab at a fi lm version is more than admirable (though it's still worth catching the Swedish original).
For a more thoughful watch, catch Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy (featuring last year's dishy Best Actor Colin Firth) and the great
♦ 1 3 ♦
Have you read any of these books? Discuss your favourite reads in the PA Life Book Club forums at PALIFE.CO.UK
PALIFE.CO.UK FEBRUARY 2012 • PALife
DISCUSS YOUR
FAVOURITE FLICKS
IN THE PA LIFE
FILM CLUB FORUMS
AT PALIFE.C
O.UK
B O O KC L U B
V O I C E Y O U R O P I N I O N A N D R E A D M O R E R E V I E W S A T PA L I F E . C O . U K
and equally pleasing-on-the-eye Ryan Gosling in The Ides of March.
Finally, get to the cinemas or the West End and catch War Horse. Both play and fi lm are stunning and, for animal lovers, incredibly moving.©
SO
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20
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. © E
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BooksFINAL.indd 13 23/01/2012 22:57
♦ 1 4 ♦palife.co.uk september 2012 • PALife
Zoe Kenny
P r o f i l e
w a n t t o f e a t u r e i n a P r o f i l e ? e m a i l u s a t e d i t o r i a l@ pa l i f e . c o . u k
ince gaining her qualifications in business administration, Zoë Kenny
has worked her way up to become the executive assistant to the managing director of global post-production and film distribution company Deluxe Digital London – a role that involves her being a friend, confidante and gatekeeper.
It would be very easy for Zoë Kenny to become blasé about her role; bumping into celebs in the office coffee shop and attending film premieres on a regular basis, but you get the impression that she is well aware of the perks of her job.
“My role involves liaising with senior clients from major Hollywood studios. We see quite a lot of A-Listers in the building who come to look at various cuts and edits. You don’t get that in every office,” she says.
Deluxe Digital London offers post-production and distribution services to the film industry, and its distinctive office on Wardour Street in the heart of Soho, one of two London hubs, is like a rabbit warren, housing some 250 staff. Film posters and photos of famous actors line the walls, demonstrating just how well-connected the company is.
As DDL is a global company, Zoë spends a lot of time booking travel, and she acknowledges that she has considerable spending power. “I also have quite a lot of influence because of the relationship I have with my boss Peter Wright, the managing director. I can say we should have this or try that and because he trusts me he will give something a go,” she explains.
Zoë is quick to point out the benefits of having a good rapport with her boss, who has ensured that she is not just a faceless person on the end of the phone by
encouraging her to network. “He recognises that it benefits him for me to get on well with the clients. It can make them feel more comfortable, which as a supplier I think is important,” she says.
As well as enjoying the interaction with top film executives, Zoë also loves the event management aspect of her role. “One element that can be really stressful is the staff Christmas party, but when people come up to you and say it was the best party they’ve ever been to then it can also be the best part.”
Of course there are elements of the job that Zoë finds less enjoyable. “You have to deal with difficult people in the workplace and there can be office politics to negotiate but I think I’m quite a diplomatic person,”
she explains, adding that staff will often ask her questions that they probably wouldn’t ask the MD, as they see her as a more approachable figure.
So, for Zoë, being an executive assistant does not mean sitting in an ivory tower. “I’m sure there are people within the company
who wouldn’t want to tell me things because they are scared it would get back to my boss but I’ve got some really good friends here. I know things way before they do but they would never make me feel like I should tell them,” she says.
Zoë has worked for Deluxe Digital London for four years, so what does the future hold? Well, having recently got engaged she is currently planning her wedding at a French chateau and as we talk she ponders whether she might run an animal sanctuary in her retirement, but for now she is very focused on her role.
“Deluxe Digital London is a global company and constantly growing so it will be fun to be part of the changes that will come about over the next five to 10 years. It makes you proud to be part of a successful company,” she says.
ea to the managing director of deluxe digital london, Peter wright
July 2008 – present
Deluxe Digital londonea to the managing director,
peter Wright
About Deluxe Digital LondonDeluxe was founded by William fox of the fox film corporation in 1911
and has a rich history in the feature film business. DDl was created
through the acquisition and merger of capital fX in 2005 and midnight
transfer in 2007. its principal services are in digital and data
feature film post-production and distribution.
June 2007 – July 2008
Diesel, office manager
March 2005 – June 2007
World Design & trade (which includes clothing brands such as firetrap, fullcircle and sonneti),
pa to the mD
the staff
asK Me
questions
they
wouldn't
asK the Md
cV
♦ 1 5 ♦palife.co.uk september 2012 • PALife
PAlife P r o f i L e
words: abigail willsphotograph: katie hyams
iPad 2
Great for: MultimediaPrice: from £399What does it do? The iPad is an
increasingly common sight in offi ces
and meetings, given its functionality
surely it is only a matter of time
before it becomes the norrn for PAs.
For this model, Apple has introduced
iMessage as a rival for the likes of
Whatsapp and BBM in the world of
instant messaging.
The sensitivity and responsiveness
of the touch screen still impresses
and it fi ts very nicely into most bags.
Despite its many rivals it is still the
best looking tablet on the market
and is fantastic for multimedia, with
a great selction of in-built tools.
There are also over 140,000 iPad-
specifi c apps to choose from which
should make any journey or cold
winter's day all the more bearable.
apple.co.uk
Sony Tablet S
Great for: Reading and browsingPrice: from £349 What does it do? Technology giant
Sony weighs into the tablet battle
with distinctive design. Wishing to
distance its product from the iPad
and its many imitators, the Sony
Tablet S is shaped like a wedge for
easy handling. Unlike many of its
competitors it has a mini USB port
which is very useful for handling
documents. The battery life is a tad
disappointing, but the amount of
Sony-specifi c content seems to
indicate the company is ready to
challenge Apple head on..
sony.co.uk
Samsung Galaxy
Tab 10
Great for: Viewing media and creating business documentsPrice: from £479What does it do? As the name
suggests the Galaxy Tab boasts a
10.1” HD screen which essentially
means viewing documents or fi lms
on this device is a completely
pleasurable experience.
For PAs, the ‘Mobile Offi ce’ is a real
winner with Microsoft software such
as Word, Excel and PowerPoint all at
your disposal. The main drawback
though is the price which is perhaps
unrealistically high.
samsung.com
PAlife T E C H N O L O G Y
♦ 3 3 ♦
T e c h n o l o g y . . .T e c h n o l o g y . . .
ON REVIEW: TABLETS
Tablets have become the must-have offi ce accessory, but great touchscreen computers don't begin and end with the iPad. However, it would be remiss of us not to mention the Apple product which has once again become the benchmark. Here are a multitude of options whether buying for your boss, for the offi ce of for personal use.
Asus Eee Pad
Transformer
Price: £430Great for: Professional functionalityWhat does it do? A common gripe of tablet owners is that many still aren’t a practical match for a laptop. The Eee Pad bridges the tablet/laptop gap with a QWERTY keyboard add-on. A detachable screen works very well as a tablet when you need to work on the run, and it also comes complete with Polaris Offi ce, which enables you to edit a variety of professional documents. uk.asus.com
Kogan Agora
Price: £119Great for: Value for moneyWhat does it do? While the Agora, understandably given the cost, may not have all the bells and whistles of other devices, it has the majority of the features consumers have come to expect from tablet computers.For your £119 you get built-in wifi , and the Android 2.3 Operating System has access to the usual apps such as YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and of course, Angry Birds. A tidy budget option from our Australian cousins.kogan.co.uk
Amazon Kindle Fire
Price: £130
Great for: shopping and multimedia consumptionWhat does it do? The logical next
step for the Kindle, the Fire isn't
quite as easy to use as its Amazon
predecessors. Despite a relatively small 7” inch screen, the display is very pleasing and, for a device without a great deal of hardware, it provides good video quality. But fi ngers have inevitably been pointed at the fact that there is no GPS, Bluetooth or 3G. In terms of value-for-money this product ticks many boxes, though. amazon.co.uk
BlackBerry
Playbook
Great for: Multi-tasking and full internet capabilitiesPrice: £249What does it do? This tablet is sleek,
very easy on the eye, and light
enough to be extremely portable.
Helpfully the Playbook syncs with
your BlackBerry smartphone so
that your emails, address book, task
list and BBM contacts are
transferred. However, drawbacks
include the unimpressive
"Blackberry App World" and an
absence of a spell-check function
which is very frustrating.
uk.blackberry.com
BEST FOR…
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PALIFE
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PALIFE.CO.UK FEBRUARY 2012 • PALife
COMPILED BY CHRIS BAKER
F I N D A L L T H E L A T E S T G R E A T P R O D U C T S A N D S E R V I C E S A T PA L I F E . C O . U K
TechnologyFINAL.indd 33 12/02/2013 17:02
I have a new pair of shoes. I’m delighted with them because, not
only are they a new pair of shoes and therefore automatically fabulous, but they walk the line wonderfully between being smart enough for the offi ce and being striking enough to be worth showing off to practically everyone I see.
I know what you are thinking, and the answer is they are pink and black, which sounds awful, but is not as 80s retro as it sounds. And although they have made my feet a little sore, it’s nothing beyond what every girl expects with gorgeous new footwear.
Sam, my offi ce stalker, notices them immediately and decides to send me an email.
‘Trying to impress someone?’ he asks. I
sense the answer he wants is ‘yes, you’ but as any woman knows, you never wear shoes to impress a man.
‘As any woman knows, you never wear shoes to impress a man,’ I email him back.
‘What would you wear to impress me?’ he replies, uncomfortably quickly.
‘Nothing,’ I email back equally quickly to get him off my case. It’s only when I see the smile on his face across the offi ce I realise what I’ve done. I think, on balance, I prefer those American-style offi ces
with the dividing walls between desks than our open-plan working environment, it would stop me having to see smug colleagues’ faces when they’ve played a trick on me.
I’m currently embroiled in a long and tedious series of emails between me and a hotel that has tried to overcharge Boss for a stay. I won’t say which one, other than it is based in London, has white front doors and nice views across the city from its meeting rooms. The argument is only over £7, but I’m pursuing it on principle even though I know it’s quite possibly an enormous waste of my time. This, combined with the Sam email exchange, has put me in something of a foul mood and I hanker for a cup of coffee but know if I get up to make one everyone in my vicinity will suddenly
become thirsty and demand a drink as well. I decide instead to go for a walk past the postroom in the vague hope Simon, the object of my workplace affection, is in there. I pop into the ladies’ on his fl oor to spruce up and then walk past his door, looking as good as I can given the circumstances. To both my delight and horror he is there, chatting to a courier. He looks over and smiles and we share a moment before he returns to his conversation. I should be happy, but dear reader I am furious. He looked straight into my eyes and not once down at my feet. Doesn’t he know I’m wearing a pretty pair of shoes today just so he’d notice? Honestly…
W I N E C L U B
PAlife C O L U M N I S T S
t
hink of a bold red, and chances are it’s Shiraz or Cabernet Sauvignon. Yet how about something a bit different? As we
haven’t yet seen the last of winter, this month I’ve picked some alternative bold reds to keep the chills at bay.
Let’s begin in Aragon, Spain with ALEGRIA OLD VINES CARINENA 2010. 60-year old vines provide wonderfully concentrated Carinena grapes from the wine region of the same name. This wine is jam-packed with cherry, plum and spice notes all of which blend to really hit the spot. You'll fi nd it wonderful paired with lamb casserole or rich vegetable stews. It’s also amazing value at £6.99
You may or may not be aware but
♦ 1 6 ♦PALIFE.CO.UK MARCH | APRIL 2012 • PALife
TO HEAR
MORE FROM
PA CONFIDENTIAL MAKE
SURE YOU REGISTER AT
PALIFE.CO.UK AND
VIEW HER WEEKLY
BLOG.
P A C O N F I D E N T I A L
Shiraz (a grape you have heard of) has soared in Australia, and Malbec has truimphed in Argentina. So too recently has the Pinotage grape variety given South Africans something to shout about. Developed specially for hot South African conditions, Pinotage wines are bold, spicy and often smoky.
Enjoy the perky roasted coffee aroma as you sip THE GRINDER PINOTAGE 2010. It is bursting with characteristic smokiness supported by notes of wild cherry and a spicy collection of red fruit. You'll fi nd it delicious paired with grilled and barbecued meats – because whatever anyone says, March is never too early for a barbecue. (£9.99)Wines available from laithwaites.co.uk
THE SECOND OF OUR REGULAR COLUMNS FROM MELANIE REEVE, SENIOR WINE EXPERT AT VINOPOLIS
OUR DIARIST'S TALES FROM THE DESK
RED WINES
THE
ARGUMENT
IS ONLY
OVER £7
BUT I AM
PURSUING
IT ON
PRINCIPLE
ILLUSTRATION: STEPHEN BALBI
F O L L O W T H E W E E K L Y A D V E N T U R E S O F P A C O N F I D E N T I A L A T P A L I F E . C O . U K
PALife3_p16_PAConfWineFINAL.indd 16 12/03/2012 15:57
PAlifer e s t a u r a n t s
The Drift
Heron Tower, 110 Bishopsgate, London ec2n 4ay0845 468 0103thedriftbar.co.ukMain courses from £7.25
ith an eclectic decor that includes a huge aquarium, a
wall covered entirely in intricate mosaic and carefully selected artefacts that look like they’ve been lifted straight from a pirate's ship, The Drift is a taste of the seaside in the heart of London. It also offers an equally imaginative menu.
Beyond the safety of fish and chips and burgers, it’s possible to find plenty of creative textures and flavours – all with a British stamp but with subtle european influences, such as the array of chorizo or grilled vegetable antipasto starters. The mains, which sum up the ‘best of British’ theme with a seafood
twist are outdone by the unusual salads, which are perfect for a light summer meal – the salmon salad is worthy of a mention for the contrast of crisp, crunchy broccoli,
peas and green beans, served with a light pesto dressing. There is also a range of fantastical cocktails – Bloom gin with rhubarb syrup and frozen rosebuds, anyone? For an added sense of theatre, you can see the chefs and bartenders at work in the open kitchen – for the best seats in the house, ask for the captain’s table, immediately next to the food preparation area. and whatever you do, save space for the lemon curd crème brûlée and the gorgeously chewy chocolate brownie with vanilla ice cream – sublime!
Cinnamon
South Quay, Marsh Wall, London e14 9SH020 3002 2300hilton.co.uk/canarywharfBrunch costs £24.95 per person
he Hilton at canary Wharf has just launched a new
brunch menu at its cinnamon restaurant. Having not experienced brunch before, I was keen to know what's on offer for diners when it's traditionally too late for breakfast but too early for lunch. We started off at the vast buffet before considering the à la carte options. It was hard to hold back on the huge piles of pastries, muffins, fruit and cereals, but we had the main course to consider, although you can, of course, be more restrained than us and just eat from the buffet. The menu included a number of ‘breakfast’ dishes, but we threw caution to the wind and left behind the possibilities of pancakes or eggs
benedict: my friend had a side of roast beef with all of the trimmings, and I plumped for a salad of rocket and Thai beef.
Both portions were huge: I have never been intimidated by a salad before! We soldiered through – not really difficult, as both types of beef were cooked to
perfection. after also polishing off a dessert each, we left barely able to move. One thing is for certain – cinnamon puts on a good spread in gorgeous surroundings, which will see you through until dinner.
♦ 1 7 ♦paLIFe.cO.uk SepTeMBer 2012 • PALife
v o i c e y o u r o p i n i o n a n d r e a d m o r e r e v i e w s a t pa l i f e . c o . u k
cinnamon
the drift
one Thing's
for CerTain:
Cinnamon
puTs on a
gooD spreaD
a TasTe
of The
seasiDe in
The hearT
of lonDon
the drift
o u t f o r
l u n C h
any pa worth their salt should
have the names of all the best
restaurants at their fingertips, so
add these to your repertoire
cinnamon
re
vIe
WS
By
nIc
OLe
HO
LgaT
e
PALife7_p17_Restaurant_Review_ZB_NEW.indd 17 25/08/2012 16:55
♦ 2 7 ♦PALIFE.CO.UK OCTOBER 2012 • PALife
S M Y T H S O N
Smythson provides a gorgeous range of leather diaries and books that can be personalised with a name, initials or company logo in gold, silver or blind embossing. Address books or notebooks can be customised with a unique slogan: who wouldn’t want a notebook that proclaims ‘genius’? The range also includes accessories for the discerning traveller. Snazzy phone covers, elegant toiletry bags, tablet sleeves and luggage tags are all crafted in top-quality leather and beautifully gift-wrapped. Notebooks from £35; diaries from £180.smythson.com
C O U R V O I S I E R
Luxury cognac house Courvoisier is offering secretaries and PAs an exclusive incentive for the festive season: a £60 gift voucher for all of you choosing Courvoisier XO for your bosses this Christmas. With every purchase of three or more bottles of Courvoisier XO, you will receive a £60 gift voucher to spend at top London department store Harrods. With its blend of fi ne and well-matured cognacs, it’s guaranteed to keep the higher-ups happy for another year. From £112 for 70cl.courvoisier.com
PALIFE
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PAlife C O R P O R A T E G I F T I N G
the art of
G I F T I N GGIFTS FOR COLLEAGUES, BOSSES OR CLIENTS ARE AN IMPORTANT PART OF THE RELATIONSHIPS YOU MAINTAIN IN THE OFFICE. NICOLE HOLGATE
LOOKS AT THE MOST INSPIRED IDEAS AROUND
H O T E L C H O C O L A T
Everyone loves chocolate. Hotel Chocolat’s corporate team has more than 20 years’ experience and aims to ensure the chocolate gift is remembered long after it’s been enjoyed. PA Life can highly recommend the Chocolatier’s Table (£58) with its 65 pieces ranging from velvety truffl es to crisp chocolate ingots and crunchy coated almonds. You can also choose from a large number of bespoke corporate gifts, with the option to add a personalised company sleeve and message. Our mouths are watering already.hotelchocolat.co.uk
PALife8_p27-28_Corporate gifts V3.indd 27 29/09/2012 12:46
♦ 2 8 ♦palife.co.uk october 2012 • PALife
s h a r e i d e a s f o r w h a t t o b u y t h e b o s s o n t h e o n l i n e f o r u m a t pa l i f e . c o . u k
M o ë t &
C h a n d o n
If you’re splashing out on the Champagne this Christmas, Moët & Chandon has put together two special bottles, available exclusively at Selfridges in Oxford Street. Moët & Chandon minis (£16.99 for 20cl), covered with glistening gold snowflakes, are the perfect stocking fillers to celebrate the festive season. For a bespoke gift, available from 16 November, customers can purchase a bottle, magnum, jeroboam or methuselah (from £41.99 for 75cl) and have it personalised with a festive illustration and message written in gold calligraphy and accented with Swarovski crystal. This is one bottle that won't be thrown out with the rest of the Christmas recycling.moet.com
F i l M o l o g y
Discounted vouchers from Filmology can be used at more than 450 cinemas across the UK and Republic of Ireland, enabling the recipient to choose a film they want to see, when they want to see it. Prices start at £2.75. Convenient and money-saving – no one can complain there! filmology.co.uk
t h e S C o t t i S h W h i S k y
e x p e r i e n C e
Take the drama out of finding the perfect dram with the personal shopper service at The Scotch Whisky Experience. The free service is available online and in person at the five-star attraction’s specialist shop in Edinburgh, and ensures a bottle can be selected that goes hand-in-hand with its recipient. With more than 300 bottles available to buy online, there is a whisky to suit every taste or budget. The Balvenie DoubleWood (£35 for 70cl) is a 12-year-old entry-level malt, and a classic after-dinner drink. The retail outlet also houses one of Scotland’s largest collections of rare and premium malts for those looking to buy a gift that is extra special.scotchwhiskyexperience.co.uk
l i n k S o F
l o n d o n
Links of London offers a huge range of gifts, most of which are suitable for engraving or embossing with a company logo or message for a perfect finishing touch. Its top 10 suggested corporate gifts include a business card holder in black leather or elegant silver, a luggage tag, an A5 portfolio in black leather, silver cufflinks and a selection of fountain pens. Every item is packaged in a presentation case or gift-wrapped in a distinctive Links of London box with a hand-tied ribbon. Gift items from £30.linksoflondon.co.uk
l o r d S g i F t S
Lords Gifts & Wines has a wonderful range of hampers and wine gifts for Christmas 2012, which can be viewed in full on the website. With years of experience in meeting the diverse needs of businesses sending out hampers and wine gifts to its clients and employees, Lords offers a fantastic service to complement its stylish, contemporary product range. The food and drink hampers feature wines that have garnered awards and enthusiastic reviews, as well as delicious food from leading independent UK producers. As wine importers, Lords is able to offer bottles from thriving, smaller winemakers rapidly gaining a name for themselves that are not available from the shops. Packages from £15.95, or get 10% off all orders over £1,000 placed before the end of October by quoting code PAL1709. lordsgifts.co.uk
the art of
G I F T I N G
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PALife8_p27-28_Corporate gifts V3.indd 28 29/09/2012 12:47
♦ 2 8 ♦palife.co.uk february 2012 • PALife
Anuszka Elland
Profile
w a n t t o f e a t u r e i n a p r o f i l e ? e m a i l u s a t e d i t o r i a l@ o n e to o n e m e d i a . c o m
W
hen not managing high-level correspondence
and the diary of a boss barely in the country, anuszka elland is busy mentoring other eager eas and pas and championing the profession she loves.
My PA career started 11 years ago when I went to Australia. i started temping as a receptionist for the australian Defence industry (aDi), then travelled around australia. The day i was supposed to fly home and go to university i changed my mind and decided to stay another year. it was then i was told aDi’s business director needed a pa. Two months later i was told that for the last six months my boss had only managed to keep a pa for an average of three weeks because he was an absolute nightmare. as it was my first pa job, i just thought that that was the way it was.
I worked in admin jobs through university and planned to do so until I found my dream job in media. Then i had a mid-twenties crisis. i didn’t know what i wanted and thought maybe i want to be a teacher or own a café. However, when i got offered a temping job for NHS Nottinghamshire Drugs and alcohol team, i thought this is what i want to do – work in the public sector and make a difference to people’s lives. i went on to become the office manager and pa to the strategic manager, kate Davis. kate is the best boss i ever had: she developed my career and gave me project management tasks [anuszka was made equality and Diversity projects officer for the NHS Nottinghamshire] and she is still a close friend and mentor.
I thought the Amnesty International role had my name written all over it so I went for it. My second interview was with Salil and the first question he asked me was: ‘if you were running
amnesty international what would you do?’ i had done my research and i talked about digital activism and using social media to get young people on board.
I do a lot of scheduling. In four-and-a-half months, Salil has been to New York twice, australia, New Zealand, copenhagen, india, and he’s in Dubai at the moment. i make sure he’s got briefings for his meetings with ministers, heads of state and potential donors. i liaise with senior directors to make sure projects progress and i shortlist and interview potential volunteers to work within the office.
I liaise with some incredible people. We get calls from folks like the ambassador for yemen and we receive high-level correspondence from the government. We had a call from the
archbishop of canterbury’s pa the other day. Then Salil came back from New york with hollywood actress Heather Graham’s email address.
Networking is valuable. i met the ea to the ceo
of uNicef through a networking event. a couple of weeks ago one of my colleagues couldn’t find a meeting room and i told her to phone Vanessa and see if she could use a room at uNicef. and she was able to.
I spoke at the 2010 ExecSec Summit and championed the male PA. i mentor christopher Juliff, NHS ceo Sir David Nicholson’s pa. i encouraged him to apply for the Times/Hays pa of the year award and he came runner-up. i wanted him to win because it would open the doors for other male pas by highlighting it is more of a business assistant role. The job has moved on a great deal from a stereotypical Miss Jones, filing her nails and taking a few calls.
ea to salil shetty, secretary General of amnesty international
c h a m p i o n i n G t h e u n d e r d o G
a brief history of amnesty international
1961
amnesty founded by english labour lawyer peter benenson.
1972
Granted consultative status at the inter-american commision
on human rights.
1976
fund-raising nights The Secret policeman's balls begin.
1977
organisation awarded the Nobel peace prize.
1988
Human rights Now! world tour awareness events staged.
2002
international criminal court established after pressure.
2011
fight continues with 50th anniversary film.
amnesty.org.uk
ThE job hAs
movEd on
from A grEAT
dEAl from A
sTErEoTyPicAl
miss jonEs
ProfileFINAL.indd 28 12/02/2013 16:59
♦ 2 9 ♦palife.co.uk february 2012 • PALife
PAlife P r o f I L E
pHoToGrapH: roberT HolMeS
ProfileFINAL.indd 29 12/02/2013 17:00
t h i n k o f a b e t t e r w a y t o d o i t ? l e t u s k n o w : e d i t o r i a l @ o n e t o o n e m e d i a . c o m
It’s just a whisper over 210 miles from London to Paris ,
hardly any distance at all, so no wonder so many business
travellers do the trip every day. Eurostar may be your first thought
when planning a hop to the French capital, and admittedly for
time, convenience and comfort it does tend to come up trumps.
It’s worth remembering though that there are other perfectly good
alternatives if you’re looking for a more luxurious or more
budget-friendly form of transport.
And don’t worry if you’re booking the journey for a group of
people rather than just your boss. All of the ideas here can be
adjusted for more than one traveller, while the private jet option
even allows your boss to have a board meeting en route to and
from the heart of Paris.
All that's left for you is to find is a suitable Parisian hotel,
restaurant or meeting room, and you'll find a guide at palife.co.uk
Small Budget
C o a C h
How long: from 7 hours 30 minutes (depending whether you travel by ferry or Eurotunnel)
Cost: Single – from £29, return –
from £39
Who to do it with: Eurolines. They
offer great-value ticket prices, have
complimentary wifi on board so you
can work and run plenty of services
throughout the day.
Route: Jump on the coach at
London Victoria Coach station and
get off the other end at Gallieni in
central Paris. Coaches travel either
via the Eurotunnel or on the ferry.
Pros: Environmentally friendly,
affordable, travel by ferry allows you
to stretch your legs en route and will
appeal to the nautically inclined.
Cons: Long journey time,
uncomfortable, little privacy.
eurolines.co.uk
medium Budget
t r a i n
How long: from 2 hours 15 minutes
Cost: Single (business premier) –
£260, return (business premier) –
£225
Who to do it with: Well, not much
choice on this one. Eurostar is the
only operator that can go through
the tunnel at the moment. However
it does treat its business premier
travellers well with dedicated ticket
office and carriages, fast-track
check-in, free wifi, plug sockets and
plenty of work room.
Route: The Eurostar leaves from St
Pancras International and takes you
directly to Paris's famous Gard du
Nord International.
Pros: Fast, spacious, able to work
easily as you travel, pretty good
value for money.
Cons: Within London you can only
board at St Pancras International,
and it isn’t cheap for a train journey.
eurostar.com
large Budget
C o m m e r C i a l j e t
How long: 1 hour 20 minutes
Cost: Single (business class) – £483,
return (business class) – £530
Who to do it with: British Airways
– its multi-tiered executive club has
plenty of perks including special
offers, ability to spend Avios points
(earned every time you travel) on
other flights, holidays and car rental,
and the ability to share
membership with family members
and get access to the executive
lounges. If your boss is flying
business he can request
champagne too.
Route: British Airways flies to Paris
Charles de Gaulle from London
Heathrow.
Pros: Comfortable, fast, with the
ability to work easily on board.
Cons: Expensive, lots of time spent
in airports, not eco-friendly.
britishairways.com
luxury
P r i v a t e j e t
How long: 45 minutes
Cost: Single (midsize jet, up to 8
passengers) – £7,762 plus VAT,
return (same day) – £7,992 plus
VAT
Who to do it with: Air Partner. The
firm is used by the Queen so these
planes are literally fit for royalty. Air
Partner provides an excellent
in-flight service, there are facilities
to hold meetings on some jets and
transport can be arranged on
arrival. Even helicopter transfers
within Paris are no problem.
Route: Private jets can fly from
London Luton to the wonderfully
central Paris Le Bourget, Orly or
Charles de Gaulle.
Pros: Private, can hold meetings
and work onboard easily, fast, and
will impress clients.
Cons: Expensive, not eco-friendly.
airpartner.com
Journeys
london to Paris
♦ 3 2 ♦PALIFE.CO.uk FEBRuARy 2012 • PALife
PAlife t r A v e L
JourneyFINAL.indd 42 12/02/2013 17:01
PRE A C H I
NG
♦ 3 3 ♦palife.co.uk march | april 2012 • PALife
PAlife P r o f i L e
how do you build a career as a successful pa?
PAlife c A r e e r s
PALife3_p33-35_careerpas.indd 33 14/03/2012 10:15
♦ 3 4 ♦palife.co.uk march | april 2012 • PALife
So how has the pa role evolved to merit this increase in interest and salaries? castalia coaching and Training founder Susie Barron-Stubley says: ‘What’s changed is the level at which assistants work. There is a sense that this is a serious business role and more awareness that it is not just a secretarial role. it’s now seen as a viable career choice for anyone with a degree, particular those with an mBa or business degree.’
as outlined in the introduction, pas don’t just sit around and do a bit of typing and book their boss into the occasional restaurant. They still do that and so much more, pas are now managing teams, multiple bosses, organising events, preparing meeting briefs and sitting in on and contributing to meetings. So if you are the pa to the senior people within a company, and a fTSe 250 company at that, you will have some serious clout. an executive assistant
working within the financial services sector, who wishes to remain anonymous, claims: ‘When you are an executive assistant you run the show. You are in touch with the business and you know where your boss can add their worth.’
Terminology
it is worth at this stage emphasising that the various titles assigned to the personal assistant role, which can range from pa, office manager and executive assistant, do not universally indicate what tasks you are in charge of. The titles and jobs are assigned depending on company. So a ‘pa’ in one company could be doing the same job or even more things than an ‘executive assistant’ in another company.
So why has the pa role changed to such an extent? one theory is the rapid technological growth which has taken place in the last few decades. Barron-Stubley says: ‘The skillset changed roughly around 20 years ago and what has changed the role without a shadow of a doubt is the use of technology.’ everyone can type now and technological advances mean people can organise their work and timetables more effectively themselves which means
anT a joB Where: you have high levels of responsibility for
the smooth running of a multi-million pound business; you are privy to significant company
information; you manage a team and several projects; you are never bored because everything’s different every day and where you liaise with a whole host of industry leaders who are keen to speak to you? Well, if you haven’t already
realised, you are currently in a profession that can lead to this.
long gone are the days where the pa role is just a stop-gap job with no room for
progression that only involves secretarial work. association of personal assistants director Gareth osborne says: ‘it’s a profession in its own right. a lot more people are pursuing it as a career and salary bands are escalating. i know pas
earning over £100,000.’recruitment firm morgan mckinley have
seen a rise in candidates for pa jobs. in january 2011 they had 74 pas come in on their books,
while in january 2012 they only had 102. not only has morgan mckinley noticed a greater interest in pa roles, the company has also noticed a change in typical applicant skillsets. ‘There is
a definite increase in the calibre of candidates, we are really
impressed,’ says morgan mckinley’s manager of the hr, Secretarial and
Support teams.
There is a sense
This is a serious
business role and
more awareness
ThaT iT is noT jusT
a secreTarial
role
PALife3_p33-35_careerpas.indd 34 13/03/2012 16:18
what is expected of PAs has changed. ‘Previously a PA’s core skills were technical ones, now it is more about leadership,’ says Barron-Stubley.
Another reason for the development of the PA role is that the job specifications of the people they work for have increased. Association of Personal Assistants director general Gareth Osborne says: ‘Most executives now are pushed to do more work and so they need someone alongside them who can help with that work. My PAs have the same skillsets that I have.’
The recession and the inevitable job cuts have contributed to the increased duties taken on by PAs. Oxford Media and Business School principal, Andrea Freeman says: ‘During the recession lots of people were made redundant and now things are back on track, companies are scared to take too many people back on board. So PAs are doing more jobs than they used to.’ PAs also have a lot of relevant skills which means they are good bet for companies to hire to take on multiple job roles and not have to provide them with too much training.
There is also a sense that the PA role has developed so much because it is a natural progression for a job inhabited by intelligent individuals. Wallace says: ‘Intelligent people have more willingness to develop the role and PAs have built it up themselves.’ Given that PAs are exposed to the inner workings of a business through assisting their boss it is perhaps no surprise that they do take on more roles because of the knowledge they accumulate. Executive PA at Lenovo Lucinda Viney says: PA's were traditionally low paid contractors with no benefits. Companies now see that we add real value to directors, executives and vice presidents, so they needed to make the role more attractive. PA's are now offered full time contracts, pensions, benefits and bonuses. We
have access to all sorts of confidential information to support our execs better and so they want to keep hold of trustworthy, hardworking PA's.’
StepS to take
to reach the top
There is no set career ladder within the PA industry, as mentioned
earlier, titles and job responsibilities are dependent on the organisation you are with.
Official qualifications are not necessary but
they do help. ‘Any qualifications in business, focusing on the relationship building aspect of the role are good,’ suggests Barron-Stubley. Having a foreign language would also be beneficial if you wish to work at a senior level in a big international firm.
Whatever your qualifications though it is worth bearing in mind that it is unlikely that you will be hired as the EA to the CEO of Barclays bank straight away, you will most likely start in a junior role, or maybe a middle management role if you have an official qualification and then can progress onwards from there.
The most important thing is experience – build up lots of experience and behave like a sponge and you will get ahead. Wallace says: ‘It’s all about gaining life experience, just absorb everything around you.’ Don’t be afraid to ask questions either, it is much better to ask questions than
♦ 3 5 ♦PALIFE.CO.uk MArCH | APrIL 2012 • PALife
to get something wrong.It is also crucial to remember that you
represent your boss. How people perceive you reflects on them. katie kenworth, executive assistant at a private equity firm says: ‘Certain skills are essential in the PA role, you have to be flexible, organised, calm under pressure and most of all friendly and approachable, you are the Pr for your boss! ‘ This means having a good attitude and maintaining a friendly front no matter who is asking you questions. Equally the good attitude you present to people trying to get hold of your boss, you need to present to your boss yourself. It would be hard to build up that good rapport and relationship and move ahead if you don’t respect your boss. Chemistry is not something that can be forced so it is important when considering a job offer that you take into account what you think your relationship with your boss will be like.
And finally, don’t be snooty about the tasks that get assigned to you. There is nothing worse to an employer than a personal assistant who thinks certain tasks are not in their job remit. Our anonymous source in the Financial Services sector says: ‘It makes my ears scream when people say that’s not within my job remit.’ As well as assisting with the business at a high level, our source used to volunteer to buy teas and coffees for a former boss to cheer him up and build up their business relationship. Flexibility is your best asset as a PA. continued on
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You have to
be flexxible,
organSied, cal
under preSSure
and moSt of all
friendlY and
approachable
PAlife c A r e e r s
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