VA Industry Archives - Practically Perfect PA

J’adore rapport – working with a new manager

Posted on January 30, 2013 by admin

. Congratulations you got the job, you’ve worked your notice, you have bought a few outfits and now you are sitting at your desk ready to face the challenges of a new role. Hopefully you would have been interviewed by your new manager so you will have gained some understanding of what they are like and what they require from you. Nevertheless it can be a daunting prospect working with a total stranger, especially as a PA/EA because we do … click to continue

What can assistants expect in 2013

Posted on January 4, 2013 by Practically Perfect PA

. Well 2012 is over and done with and we are now already two days into 2013. Over the holidays I´ve been thinking about the year ahead and have lots of exciting things planned which will keep me busy. I hope you all feel the same and are looking forward to the next twelve months. I think it will be another interesting year for assistants with lots of changes and further challenges for our industry. In honour of it now … click to continue

Great Apps for Assistants

Posted on September 5, 2012 by Practically Perfect PA

Like a lot of us these days I am glued to my iPhone. Over the last year I’ve had it stolen … twice! Both times I’ve replaced my phone as quickly as is humanly possible because I am just lost without it (sometimes I am literally lost without it thanks to my dependence on Google maps to get me about London!) I use my iPhone every day and I’ve found there are loads of apps which are really helpful … click to continue

Olympic Sports for Assistants

Posted on August 1, 2012 by Practically Perfect PA

So the London 2012 Olympics is finally here! I absolutely adored the opening ceremony and revelled in the celebration of our British culture and traditions. As a local East Londoner I could also just about make out the fireworks and the Red Devils flew over my house so I was extra pleased.. London is really busy at the moment but the place is buzzing and I think the city is looking pretty hot right now! I’ve been glued to my … click to continue

You’ve got mail…

Posted on April 3, 2012 by admin

PAs, EAs and administrators Managing your boss’ emails

Managing your boss’ emails is one of the crucial tasks that we as assistants are asked to perform. I remember starting out as a PA and found this to be particularly difficult because I just didn’t know if my manager wanted me to treat her emails the same way I treated mine, I didn’t know how to respond to her emails and importantly I didn’t know what to keep and what to delete. It was tricky and took up a … click to continue

The tricky world of expenses

Posted on March 22, 2012 by admin

I must admit I’ve been struggling to start writing the blog this week, I knew I would be discussing the dreaded task of processing expenses and as I’m sure you can imagine the subject hasn’t really stirred my creative juices! Unfortunately for us this is a job we as assistants have to complete on quite a regular basis, it is dull, time-consuming and can cause no end of problems but we have to do it. So how do we organise … click to continue

Gatekeeping: what does it actually mean?

Posted on March 12, 2012 by admin

Pin It According to Wikipedia the word ‘gatekeeper’ is a person that controls access to something or more recently an individual who decides whether a given message will be distributed to a wider audience. The term ‘gatekeeper’ is used in association with PAs/ EAs frequently, you will see it in job applications, CVs, articles relating to the industry and everything in between, but what does it actually mean to us? In an attempt to answer this question I first did … click to continue

The PA Club: We will Rock you at The Dominion Theatre. Tuesday 28th February

Posted on March 6, 2012 by admin

Last Tuesday I attended my first London Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) PA Club event. Taking place at The Dominion Theatre the night consisted of a canapé reception, tour of the events facilities and a ticket to the show We Will Rock You. If you are an assistant I would highly recommend you put your name down on The PA Club’s mailing list as they do organise very interesting and useful events at various locations across London. Aside from … click to continue

Gatekeeping

Posted on February 28, 2012 by admin

Man vs. Woman

Posted on February 1, 2012 by admin

I was at lunch with a fellow EA a few weeks ago and as usual we were discussing our jobs and having a bit of a grumble about our work. My friend was having a particularly bad time with her boss, who just happened to be female. Their relationship had become so terrible that my friend went so far as to say she “would never work for a woman again”! Coming from a ‘women’s lib’ sort of background I was quite … click to continue

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