Features included:

• Ready for Christmas? Lee Morrissey takes you through what needs to be done to leave the office on December 24 with a clear conscience



• Party costs. James Gilby gives some tips on justifying the cost of Christmas parties, and hidden extras to watch out for



• Executive gifts. Sara Goodwins goes up-market, and selects some top-end gifts for clients and colleagues



• Charity giving. It's a good time of year, says Ian Boughton, to set up a charity giving scheme at work



• A-Z of table dressing. Sara Goodwins gives us an alphabet of ideas for making party tables look stunning



• Christmas at Royal Palaces. Historic Royal Palaces explain how you can follow in the footsteps of kings and queens and enjoy corporate Christmases in royal palaces



• A PA party booker par excellence. Gina Irvine of Smarter Group lets us in on her pre-Christmas period



• Invitations unlimited. Ian Boughton gives us some new slants on the traditional party invite

To access the September 2005 issue click here


Features included:

• Team secretaries. Ian Boughton looks at the impact of "multi-bossing"



• Interview questions. John Lees discusses the benefits of preparing great questions to ask your interviewers



• Secretarial qualifications. What do employers really want? Sara Goodwins investigates



• Personalities at work. John Hancock suggests the way to get on with people is to accept that we all have different personalities, and to find out how to deal with them.



• Blended learning. Karen Mannering explains how mixing different training and learning opportunities could be your best option for up-skilling.



• New career forum for media PAs. Three top PAs tell how it is in the upper echelons, at the launch of a new career forum.



• PA Perspective. What are the top 5 skills you need at the top?



• Job hopping. How long is long enough in one job? And how long is too long?

To access the July / August 2005 issue click here


Features included:

• Business travel boosts. John Hancock investigates the improvements for the business traveller on the roads, rails and in the air.



• Travel itineraries. Sally Longson gives us the low-down on what to put in, and what to leave out, for that top travel itinerary.



• Business on track. Norman Flack looks at how the railways are bringing their business services up to speed.



• Booking hotels online. We asked Sara Goodwins to test out a few big names in online booking.



• Travel tips. Even experienced travel bookers find they're always learning. Mark Harris of the Institute of Travel Management gives some guidance.



• PA Perspective. Our resident PA Lee Morrissey discusses how you can contribute to your boss's trip.



• Accommodation portfolios. Penny Cottee explains why hotel and apartment portfolios save you time, money, and hassle.



• Choosing the best flights. Travel guru Graeme Payne offers his tips on making the right flight choices, courtesy of the Business Travel Show.

To access the June 2005 issue click here


Features included:

• What are ASPs and how can they help you work smarter? Peter Dunwell explains all.



• Backing up your computer files may be the best investment you can make in your business. Sara Goodwins gives some advice on how to protect your documents



• Viruses - make sure you don't catch one with our guidance from Symantec



• Spam! The scourge of email. Ian Boughton offers some advice on minimising it



• PA Perspective. Lee Morrissey takes a look at several technological tools and assesses their merits to the PA



• Health at work. Penny Cottee offers some guidance on keeping fit at the workstation



• Keeping in touch with your remote team. Peter Dunwell checks out the options



• DeskDemon's new IT Pavilion, WorkSmart, is unveiled at the Times Créme Show. We profile what's on offer.

To access the May 2005 issue click here


Features included:

• Why you love your job. Sally Longson runs through her Top Twenty reasons you became a PA.



• Why PAs are so brilliant! Several readers express why they think today's PAs are just SO good!



• Sector profile. Ian Boughton seeks meaning in the official statistics relating to administrative staff.



• Training for new PAs. Sara Goodwins looks at training courses for more junior secretaries.



• PA Perspective. Lee Morrissey explains how PAs contribute in concrete ways.



• CPD. The IQPS gives some insight into why Continuing Professional Development is key.



• The X factor. Ros Jay explains what makes some people stand out from the crowd.



• Networking. Penny Cottee explains why networking is so vital.

To access the April 2005 issue click here


Features included:

• Corporate hospitality. John Hancock offers advice on places to go and ways to succeed.



• Gifts by post. Sara Goodwins offers tips on gifts you can send by post, and how.



• Team-building. Ian Boughton tells us about team-building with a charity angle.



• Historic venues and disabled visitors. Ian Boughton looks at how Britain's historic venues have responded to the Disability Discrimination Act.



• Party Tips. Suzie Cliff, organiser of the RSVP Show, gives the benefit of her experience



• PA Perspective. Lee Morrissey explains why corporate hospitality in the public sector needs to be handled with care, and offers some solutions.



• Maximising your hospitality spend. It's an expensive game, says Robert Courtney, so here are some ways to make every penny count.

To access the March 2005 issue click here


Features included:

• Meeting etiquette. Karen Mannering offers advice on getting meetings right first time.



• Conference venues. Norman Flack gives a tour of the best the UK has to offer.



• Conference programme planning. Sara Goodwins helps you plan from start to finish.



• Event evaluation. Lee Morrissey reminds you not to forget the post-conference activity.



• BACD has access to conference destinations nation-wide. We give an easy click-through list of conference bureaux across the UK.



• Dozy delegates? Penny Cottee gives some tips on keeping them awake and alert.



• Chairing seminars and training sessions. Fred Redwood tells you how.

To access the February 2005 issue click here


Features included:

• DeskDemon's new career tool, My Career. Sally Longson profiles this valuable new career-guidance service



• Interviews - what you can ask, and what you can't. Sara Goodwins investigates the laws which apply to interviewing candidates for jobs



• Web CVs. A look at state of the art cyber cvs, the latest recruitment statement from the USA



• Online recruitment. Karen Mannering gives some solid advice on how to run a cyber job search



• Induction. It's all very well paying to get new employees, but if you don't welcome them in, it could be a waste of money. Ian Boughton explains



• Job offers. Lovely situation to receive job offers, but how do you evaluate them properly? Recruiters OfficeTeam give us some tips



• Running recruitment from the PA's view. Lee Morrissey offers some pointers on organising recruitment in house



• Where do women want to work? Hedwig Wurzer profiles Aurora, which focuses on women's recruitment and subsequent progress in organisations

To access the January 2005 issue click here


Features included:

• Take stock of your career. Sally Longson recommends the festive season as a good time to take stock. Look back at what you've achieved in the year, and look forward to next year's plans



• What do bosses buy their PAs? Sara Goodwins finds out



• Ideas for that tricky gift for the boss. David Edwards provides a wide range of present solutions for your manager



• PA Lee Morrissey gives us her take on Christmas



• Flirting to get ahead. How to make the most of the Christmas party to advance your career by deviously flirty means



• The PA's Carol. Sara Goodwins rounds off the year with a festive song for PAs everywhere.

To access the December 2004 issue click here


Features included:

• Cathy Dugmore from Hunter Roberts gives some tips on dealing with confidential issues in the office



• Ethics at work. Director of the Institute of Business Ethics, Philippa Foster Back, explains why ethics are more important now than ever, and how a PA can approach tricky moral dilemmas



• Tips on keeping your information secure and hidden from prying eyes



• Making your workstation a fortress - ways to ensure data is locked away securely and that your desk is not a source of info leaks. David Edwards gives some advice



• PA Perspective. Lee Morrissey gives us an inside view of negotiating the tricky questions your colleagues ask, and how to keep business secrets



• Internet security - is your firm's cyber presence at risk? Peter Dunwell assesses your risk



• The law. The Data Protection Act and the Freedom of Information Act appear to contradict each other in some instances. Sara Goodwins investigates

To access the November 2004 issue click here


Features included:

• Choosing your future career path: Sally Longson offers some help to those who are unusure of their future direction



• Who is managing who? PA Lee Morrissey gives some thoughts on how to up-manage the boss



• Managing juniors: Josephine Hampshire looks at ways to motivate and guide junior staff



• Time management: Patrick Forsyth advises you to ditch the unnecessary tasks



• Clear the desks: David Edwards offers pointers on supplies and products to help you keep the workstation ship-shape



• Managing your image: a top image consultant answers questions on building your work wardrobe with ease



• Management Resources: books, training courses, online resources - all to help you manage better.

To access the October 2004 issue click here


Features included:

• Inclusive or exclusive? We gather views on how other cultures and faiths feel about the standard UK corporate Christmas festivities



• Top party tips for a tip top party: Christmas party advice



• Using party management firms: We look at how event management firms can help



• Book your holiday. How to make sure you get first dabs on the holidays you want to take off



• Private dining. What do you need to know about private dining for your Christmas party?



• A party planner reveals all. We talk to a party organiser about the job, and get some hot tips



• Diaries. Things to consider before ordering this year's company diaries



• Christmas cards. What does your choice say about your firm?



• Tasty options. We look at the best in edible and drinkable Christmas gifts for clients



• Getting home safely. Advice to help you make sensible choices about getting home

To access the September 2004 issue click here


Features included:

• The conference sector. Tony Rogers looks at the how the sector has matured in the last 30 years.



• Unusual venues. John Hancock provides a round-up of some of the most unusual places to hold an event in the UK



• Finding venues. Norman Flack gives some advice on venue sourcing



• Private hotels. Our Q&A session put the owner of private hotel 22 Jermyn Street, Henry Togna, in the hot seat



• Large capacity venues. We round up the UK's largest venues for those large events



• Online booking. Sara Goodwins looks at the pros and cons



• A PA's perspective. Theresa Mabbutt gives some tips on running successful events



• Training courses. If you want to improve your event management skills, try these courses



• Hotel inspection. We interviewed an under-cover hotel inspector to see what the job is like

To access the July 2004 issue click here


Features included:

• How to network. Sara Goodwins reveals her tips on working a room successfully



• Networks to join. Fred Redwood offers some new networking options



• Virtual networking. Andrea McKinney explains how to network online successfully and safely



• A PA's view. Top PA Lee Morrissey has a wry look at the gender differences between males (who network seriously) and women ( who chat frivolously)



• Boost your confidence. To be able to enter a room and network successfully, you need to look and feel confident. Sue Firth tells you how



• Setting up a network. PA Bernice Pennycuick explains how she created MKPANet for secretaries in Milton Keynes



• Why network? What's the point? Glenda Stone, CEO of Aurora, gives you ten reasons



• Secretarial associations. If you're not networking, these nine support and professional development organisations for PAs, secretaries and administrators can get you started

To access the June 2004 issue click here


Features included:

• PA's role. Graeme Payne looks at the PA's role in travel booking, and the importance of travel policies



• Hotels vs apartments. Sara Goodwins compares the two options, and advises on when each is better utilised



• Jet lag. Roger Collis gives guidance on avoiding jet lag while on business travel



• Health advice. Michelle Collis from MASTA outlines a good PA's preparation prior to an executive's trip



• Carry on luggage. John Hancock unravels the mystery of cabin luggage - dimensions, regulations, and more.



• Internet resources. PA Julie Lever gives a comprehensive round-up of useful travel-related websites



• DeskDemon's travel resources. Travel editor Bev Wright explains what DeskDemon has to offer travel bookers



• Videoconferencing options. Sara Goodwins looks at the choices for those who can't, or won't, travel



• Women's travel tips. Staying safe when travelling on business alone

To access the May 2004 issue click here


Features included:

• Understanding business. Sally Longson explains why it's vital to have a grip on the business environment you work in.



• Budgets. John Hancock takes a look at how to run a budget skilfully.



• Purchasing skills. Ways to make sure you buy only what you want, at the right price, by Sara Goodwins.



• Using Microsoft Excel to help you budget. Tips from Microsoft about online assistance available. This example focuses on using 'What if?' scenarios to see what would happen to your budget if you changed the variables.



• PA's perspective on skilful budgeting skills. Lee Morrissey takes a look at how to save money when organising a conference.



• Negotiating tips. Editor Penny Cottee gives some tips on getting the best deal.



• Guidelines for buyers. The Chartered Institute for Purchasing and Supply outlines some key rules for buyers

To access the April 2004 issue click here


Features included:

• Training plans. Helen Vandevelde explains how to use your training plan to boost your career.



• Training available for PAs. Roisin Woolnough investigates the training courses on offer for secretaries and PAs



• Alternative ways to source skills. Ian Boughton advises looking at alternative ways of getting training, rather than simply waiting for the next training course to come along.



• Persuading the boss. PA Ann Nuckley gives advice on how to sell your manager the idea of training.



• Maximising your training. Tips to get the most out of your training time.



• Freeing your learning mind. Learning strategist Bill Lucas explains how to remove barriers to learning, to help you access more from your training time.



• Learning techniques. Sara Goodwins talks to five office professionals who have chosen different ways to learn, including on-the-job NVQ, online learning, and studying while working.

To access the March 2004 issue click here


Features included:

• Team leading for PAs. Advice on leadership skills for successful conference teams.



• Technology for presentations. Elizabeth Baker gives sound advice on preparing your IT in order to minimise last minute let-downs.



• Meetings in cyber space. Janice Pearson gives tips for organising effective and enjoyable virtual meetings.



• Skills for chairing meetings. Fun quiz with a serious message, helping you to guide meetings with more confidence.



• Venue contracts. Reading the small print is vital when booking venues. Industry expert Peter Rand explains why, and what to look for.



• The hotel trade explains: what they want from PAs to simplify the venue-booking process.

To access the February 2004 issue click here


Features included:

• Taking time to reflect. Five steps from Life Coach Dr Andree Bates to help you assess where you are now, before planning where you want to go



• Volunteering while working. It's possible to give time to others without giving up the day job. And the benefits are surprising.



• Assertiveness skills. If you want to make changes to your life and career, you need to know how to ask for them in a way that guarantees you'll get them.



• Work life balance. Elizabeth Baker looks at the options open to the secretarial and PA profession.



• What are flexible options really like? Claire Portman talks to a group of PAs who have chosen flexible alternatives to the 9-5

To access the December 2003 issue click here


Features included:

• Christmas parties. Project management skills explained using the Christmas party as a model. By Elizabeth Baker



• Christmas chores checklist. Count-down to Christmas outlining the tasks that need to be done before the festive season. By Suzanne Brown



• Creativity. Techniques to help you free your creativity. By Ann Light



• Alcohol limits. Up to the minute guidance on legal alcohol limits and information on the effects of drink on your system. By Suzanne Brown



• Office security. Tips on what to check before you lock up for Christmas. Information provided by Hawksmere

To access the November 2003 issue click here