Threat from new Virus

The press today warns of a new cyber attack: The new attack can infect PCs even if people DON'T open email attachments - leaving even savvy web users vulnerable.

The user will not even be warned this is happening - the only message that appears is 'loading'.  The email automatically downloads malicious software into your computer from elsewhere the moment a user clicks to open it.  The mails themselves are not infected - and thus will not 'set off' many web-security defence packages.

Security experts say that the development is 'particularly dangerous'. 'This sort of spam also affects cautious users which would never open an unknown attachment or link,' say security experts Eleven Research Team.

The new emails - dubbed 'drive-by emails' - have been detected 'in the wild' by computer researchers Eleven Research Team: “This drive-by spam automatically downloads malware when the e-mail is opened in the e-mail client. Previous malware e-mails required the user to click on a link or open an attachment for the PC to be infected.”

The new attack loads malicious software from remote websites into your PC as soon as you open an email. The current wave of emails arrives with the title 'Banking Security Update.'

APA says: To stay safe, the security company advises switching all security settings in email software to maximum, and updating your browser to the latest version so it's protected against malicious software.

APA

Its all hearts and chocolate

You've had fruit for breakfast and a salad for lunch, but before you congratulate yourself, perhaps you should add to the tally those three chocolate biscuits and a muffin you had in the office.

The average female office worker consumes a third of her daily calorie allowance – around 650 calories, on snacks such as chocolate a survey’ by MyVoucherCodes.co.uk, based on the opinions of 1,947 women who have a full-time job in an office environment, has revealed.

Research shows the most popular snack food among women at work was chocolate, followed by fruit and then crisps. Nine out of ten female office workers confessed to snacking at their desks. The total number of calories consumed was then added up and 50% of the women said they ate between 650 and 750 calories a day, this is around a third of the Government's recommendations of 2,000 calories-a-day for women.

Almost two thirds of the women who took part in the study said that they snack more whilst in the office than they do when they are at home.

Shelley Young, APA

Flushed with success

Have you ever been out and wondered where the nearest toilet is? Well you might not have to wonder for much longer. A new Smartphone app which shows you where the closest lavatory is by using government information has won the top prize in a new competition. A group of students won an award for the app which made use of free government information.

Developed by three students from the University of Amsterdam “hoge nood” which means ' desperate need' is able to tell the difference between public and semi-public toilets.

A public toilet is a stand-alone facility that is available to everyone and a semi-public is a place that is generally open to the public such as a department store or a pub. The app is currently only available in the Netherlands but it is hoped it will soon be rolled out to other Western countries and will no doubt prove popular with tourists.

The new Smartphone app shows you exactly how far you need to go before you reach a public toilet

The competition was set up to design apps using free information provided by the government. Maxime Verhagen, Holland’s economic affairs minister, said he hoped this would encourage people in the country to make as much use of free government information as possible.[Ed comments - And public toilets presumably!]

Shelley Young, APA

Time for the return of Robin Hood

The CEO of RBS, Stephen Hester, has finally decided to waive his bonus worth almost a million pounds ($1.6 million), the bank said on Sunday, after the handout angered millions of people who are having to bear the brunt of the government austerity measures.

A spokesman for the partly state-owned bank (83%) said Mr Hester would “no longer be taking the bonus”, which was awarded at a time when most workers are suffering wage freezes, sub-inflation rises or worse.

Gareth Osborne said: “Under pressure the bank has been ‘forced’ to waive the payment but no-one has yet said what will happen to the equivalent value (in shares or cash) which the bank could clearly afford to make available.”

“In an earlier [small] business, when times were hard, we invoked a ‘Robin Hood’ bonus scheme We calculated a total payment pot and then divided it so that junior staff received a 10% bonus and senior staff received just 1%; taking from the richer and giving to the poorer. It worked, it attracted considerable goodwill amongst the team and motivation soared. It’s a shame that high paid bankers can’t remember what its like to have to grovel for a loan!

APA

Better off than Europe

UK CEOs are more optimistic about their companies’ fortunes than their European counterparts, finds research. Almost 80% are upbeat about revenue growth in the next year compared with 64% across Europe, according to PricewaterhouseCooper’s annual global survey of more than 1,200 companies. While only 29% are ‘very confident’ of growth in the next 12 months, 46% are very confident over the next three years and at least 92% ‘somewhat confident’ of growth over three years.

Overall, UK business leaders say the outlook for global economic conditions remains challenging, with 89% of UK CEOs believing they will not improve, or decline further in 2012.

Ian Powell PwC

Ian Powell, PwC chairman says: “Our prognosis is that CEOs should expect the current pattern of volatile financial markets and relatively slow growth in western economics to continue. The challenge for the UK CEO is ensuring that their companies remain flexible, maintain cost controls and restructure to adapt to this slower growth environment.’

UK CEOs say their best chance for growth in the next 12 months is more likely to come from increasing their share in existing markets, with less than a quarter (22 per cent) looking for growth from new products or services, and 18 per cent from new geographic markets.

Powell adds: “Growth opportunities still exist, particularly in faster growing emerging market economies and where new technology is opening up possibilities – in areas as diverse as online retailing and low carbon energy. The challenge now is to ensure that the experience of slower growth in traditional markets and the uncertainty created by more volatility does not prevent them taking advantage of these areas of new opportunity.”

APA

Taxing times ....

UK small business owners could lose £40 million on 1 February by failing to complete their tax returns on time (31 January deadline) says APA. The warning comes as businesses many are struggling ahead of the final deadline for submitting tax returns.

A recent survey of 500 small businesses found that one in ten business owners admitted to missing tax return deadlines. With 4.5 million small businesses in the UK this means that 450,000 small business owners are likely to miss their tax return deadline at the end of this month and incur a fine starting £100 for being just one day late and escalating as the lateness grows.

Gareth Osborne says, ‘I find it truly astonishing that in today’s tough climate so many people still miss the deadline. As a former small businesses owner myself, I understand the pressures faced, yet adding another financial burden by missing a deadline and incurring a penalty is just crazy and it really isn’t that difficult; any half decent business owner should be able to do it themselves or, if all else fails, engage their accountant.'

And remember the US maxim, ‘If the bullet don’t get ya, the taxman will!’ or in our case … HMRC.

APA

New Leeds PA Professionals

PA training has returned to the North in early 2012 with the first ‘PA Professional’ course being delivered by Gareth Osborne at the Park Plaza Hotel in Leeds this week.

As Module 1 towards the highly regarded PA Diploma (DipPA) and accruing points towards the PA Degree (BA Business Administration for Personal Assistants- Middlesex University) the PA Professional programme teaches a host of up-to-date tools and techniques invaluable for the modern PA looking to develop their career potential or the established PA looking to upgrade their knowledge-base.

Gareth Osborne said: “Again we saw an excellent group of PAs looking to enhance their career pathways and supplement the value of support they bring to the organisation’s senior executives. As often happens they threw themselves into the programme and shared and discussed current issues and best practice. Early feedback indicates that everyone found the course of value. ”

Pictured (L-R): Mollie van der Gucht, Jennifer Cleaver, Vicky Kershaw and Emily Woodcock.

APA

Share and share alike

Wow, wouldn’t we all like the opportunity to receive a bonus of nearly £1 million? Well I have to say that RBS has done a great job of ‘shooting itself in the foot’ and a time when it is working hard to regain its credibility sfter bad judgements in the past and pay back some of the £43 billion it owes to its public taxpayer investors for bailing it out.

The news today that RBS will pay Chief Executive Stephen Hester £963K in shares as a bonus does little to abate the anger of those of us who still believe that all bankers should wear sackcloth and ashes for a long time to come. And this is on top of Mr Hester’s basic salary of £1.2 million per annum. The same bank has made over 30,000 people redundant.

We all know it’s a tough (and probably thankless) role and I doubt there are many people qualified and capable of doing it but isn’t it time we got things into perspective and stopped over-paying executives. Perhaps we should tackle footballers in the same breath.

 
APA

Mystic Mug

In June 2009 (30 months ago) serial entrepreneur and Dragons’ Den investor Peter Jones suggested that UK businesses had seen the worst of the economic crash.

In a presentation to the BT Experience 2009 conference Jones said: ‘We are out of the recession. People will say we remain in a recession over the next 12 to 18 months but what we will be seeing from now on are just the consequences of hitting the bottom of the recession.’

I wonder what he thinks now. Hardly a day goes by when we hear about more staff being made redundant and it is not helpful when pseudo-celebrities like Jones try and avoid the inevitable; UK business is in a mess and desperately needs help.

Jones went onto suggest: ‘We lack the mindset of entrepreneurialism in this country. It requires forward thinking, clarity and self-belief and these [skills] need to be encouraged.’

I assume he means by supporting them, guiding them and backing them. Something he would do well to practice on Dragons’ Den.

Gareth Osborne, APA

2012 training sets sail

 

The first training courses for 2012 have started well with full attendance and happy faces. APA has offered its full suite of professional qualification courses from PA Apprentice, PA Professional, PA as a Manager and Module 1 of the Diploma in Personal Assistance this week in Southampton.

Presenters Gareth Osborne and Phil Taylor hosted over 25 PAs from the south coast on the 4 course and reported excellent progress and results. Gareth said: “In this tough financial climate I am glad that both the private and public sectors are investing in their staff and assuring them a careerpath for the future. The PAs reported being busier than ever with increased pressure coming from extra workload; especially management duties, where colleagues have been made redundant. None of them had seen extra reward and three had seen jobs rationalised and pay reduced. Everybody agreed it's tough out there!”

APA training moves to Leeds this week.

APA

Shown (L-R) are 'PA Professional' delegates: Anna Jones, Emma Bloomston, Kirsty McAndrew, Hannah Daly, Maureen Gwyer and Susie Wright-Thomas.

Unemployment still growing

UK unemployment rose by 118,000 in the three months to November to 2.685 million, official figures show.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said the unemployment rate also rose to 8.4% from 8.3%, the highest since January 1996. The number of people claiming Jobseeker's Allowance in December rose by 1,200 to 1.6 million. The number of young people looking for work hit a new record of 1.043m, taking the rate for 16-24 year-olds to 22.3%.

However the number of people in employment rose slightly in the three months to November by 18,000 to 29.119 million.

APA is encouraging Government to focus its efforts on support for business and the creation of new, long-term jobs.

APA

Pay Stats 2011

The majority of company staff saw their pay packets remain static or shrink in 2011. Some 48% say that their pay was frozen and 5% suffered a pay cut, with just 18% receiving a cash bonus, according to CIPD.

51% of private sector employees have had a pay rise since the start of 2011 compared to 45% in the not-for-profit sector, but just 24% of those in the public sector have received an increase. Public sector employees (70%) are most likely to have seen their pay frozen in 2011, followed by those in the not-for-profit sector (48%) and the private sector (42%).

Among those who did receive a pay rise in 2011, satisfaction levels have dipped slightly since last year, but net satisfaction remains strongly positive (+56 in 2011 compared to +61 in 2010).

APA is about to launch its own ‘profession specific’ pay and attitudes survey and expects similar results. APA Director General, Gareth Osborne said: “PA still seem to be fairing well in the marketplace and receiving additional reward as the job becomes more challenging and as other staff, including senior managers, are released.”

APA

PAs of the future

APA has welcomed government plans to improve how IT is taught in UK schools to better prepare young people for work.

The Education Secretary, The Rt Hon Michael Gove MP, has announced plans to invigorate the way the subject is taught across England and Wales, describing the current teaching as ‘harmful' and ‘dull'. The drive is to increase take-up of the subject by ‘capturing pupils interest’ earlier in their school career.

APA believes employers are keen for education providers to teach youngsters the right skills demanded in the workplace, and has applauded the government's intervention as a step in the right direction.

Gareth Osborne said: “There has always been a gap between what is taught and what is valuable to the individual as an employee. If the private sector is to drive and grow the economy of the future, then well-educated kids with innovative and entrepreneurial talents; especially in the field of IT, are needed.”

"If Britain is going to move towards a knowledge-based, high-tech economy as the government has suggested previously, we need to see more specific tailoring of the education system for the needs of employers.”

APA

It pays not to earn in the UK

Chancellor George Osborne has said child benefit for higher rate taxpayers will be removed, after ministers' hints the policy could be made "fairer". But he has said he would set out in the next months how the policy would be "implemented". It was acknowledged there was an issue with the £42,475-a-year threshold - amid criticism the changes unfairly hit single earner families.

Child benefit is available for every child in the UK below the age of 16 and is one of the few remaining non-means tested benefits. It is worth £20.30 every week for a first-born child and £13.40 for each subsequent child. It is paid to the parent directly responsible for care of the youngster - in practice it is most often claimed by the mother. In October 2010, Mr Osborne announced plans to scrap child benefit for any household with a parent above the 40% tax threshold - currently about just over £42,400.

APA has previously criticised Government for unfairly hitting single earner families and mid-range joint earners - just over the threshold - while a couple both earning just under £44,000 a year each would keep the benefit.

APA said: “We are awaiting news on how government intends to implement the planned cuts.” Members' views are welcomed. 

APA

Easing inflation

The UK economy stands on the precipice of contraction, with businesses’ turnover expectations falling further in December. However, easing inflationary pressures may help prevent the UK from falling back into recession, despite lowered revenue expectations, research finds. According to Audit, accounting and business services firm, BDO.

BDO’s Output Index, which measures turnover expectations three months ahead, has now remained below the crucial 95.0 mark that indicates growth since July 2011. However, while the outlook is gloomy, the accountancy firm's Inflation Index came down for the fifth consecutive month. The decrease in the Inflation Index is welcome news for consumers, who are expected to feel less of a squeeze in 2012.

APA joins others and urges the Bank of England to consider a further round of quantitative easing, and also wants to see the banks continue to step up their lending to UK businesses; especially those that employ more people. APA also wants to see the government introducing measures in 2012 that encourage private sector investment in long-term infrastructure developments like HS2.

APA

The Big Freeze

The majority of company staff saw their pay packets remain static or shrink in 2011. Some 48 per cent say that their pay was frozen and 5 per cent suffered a pay cut, with just 18 per cent receiving a cash bonus, according to the annual ‘Employee Attitudes to Pay’ survey by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD).

Around half (51 per cent) of private sector employees have had a pay rise since the start of 2011 compared to 45 per cent in the not-for-profit sector, but just 24 per cent of those in the public sector have received an increase.

Public sector employees (70 per cent) are most likely to have seen their pay frozen in 2011, followed by those in the not-for-profit sector (48 per cent) and the private sector (42 per cent).

As a consequence of stagnant pay, the net satisfaction score among those who received a pay freeze is -41, down on the -26 posted in 2010 and the -23 in 2009. Among those who did receive a pay rise in 2011, satisfaction levels have dipped slightly since last year, but net satisfaction remains strongly positive (+56 in 2011 compared to +61 in 2010).

Gareth Osborne agrees with CIPD’s assertion that employers must try harder to explain how they will reward and recognise employee performance. “If not, levels of motivation and productivity could fall, perpetuating a vicious circle that could hold back both organisational performance and wider hopes of economic recovery,” he says.

APA

More hurdles for small businesses

HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) is threatening tens of thousands of small businesses with fines if they fail spot checks on their paperwork. The crackdown comes despite a government pledge to cut red tape and regulation for small businesses. Companies that are found to have failed to keep or preserve records ‘in real time’ can be fined up to £3,000.

HMRC reportedly plans to expand the checks, as many as 20,000 small businesses will face demands to show receipts for income and expenditure. Those who are unable to do so will face penalties, which business leaders warn could push some into bankruptcy and hit the economic recovery.

Gareth Osborne of APA says: “The Business Records Checks initiative simply increases pressure on the UK small business community at a time when many are being forced to take pay cuts to secure the future of their companies. The actions of HMRC are in direct contrast to the government's stated commitment to support UK SMEs by cutting red tape. If small businesses are indeed the engine room to drive the UK's economic recovery, they must be provided with conditions for growth, rather than increased regulation and costly bureaucratic processes; they may however create some new jobs for HMRC staff facing redundancy.”

Despite receiving widespread criticism from small business groups, including APA, it is unacceptable that HMRC will continue to push ahead with the programme until at least the end of the financial year.

APA

Jobs in 2012

“Not a great year ahead for employment,” says Gareth Osborne, Director General of APA on the first day in the office for 2012.

“For PAs this is going to be a difficult year. I strongly recommend staying in their job and only moving when the next one is secure and the contract signed; frankly this is not a time for being too brave. For those who are experiencing difficult times with their current employer, market yourself mercilessly to others and use the team at APA to help. “

“For those currently job hunting: Perfect your CV, modify it specifically for every employer you approach and make sure you say things that inspire. Remember, few great jobs make it to the agency or job board. Real employers have people who talent spot for them (just like football scouts hunting for players) and these people seek out and track talent they want to employ; or would like to employ, when the role becomes vacant. Look out people you would like to work for, write to them and tell them why; sell yourself, you are the best product you have at your disposal.”

“If you register with an agency then make sure they are PA specific and interview them. In this tight market they need to present the best candidates to clients; you need to know you are seen as valuable to them and not just another CV. Remember it is a buyers market.”

“APA members should remember that the organisation is there to help them and people often call us when they are looking for a great PA. Those PAs who are looking for jobs or just interested to shop around should let us know.”

APA

May 2012 bring you great success

APA wishes a Happy New Year to all of our existing and future Members and hopes 2012, despite being an economically challenging period, gives you new hope, happiness and good fortune.

APA

Book now at training@paprofessional.com - it really pays.

Final results are in

Results are in, ahead of the holidays, for the last UK APA Diploma programme of the year. The December cohort of five senior PAs all scored a pass in their Diploma test and can all now add the designatory letters DipPA to their signature blocks.

APA DG, Garth Osborne said: “This was a particularly strong group of PAs and they bonded and participated well in the final two-day session of the course (incorporating the final test). They felt the course was challenging and worthwhile and was designed to reflect the needs by PAs of their status and experience.”

“We already have a number of PAs signed up for 2012 and look forward to training and qualifying them to this very high Diploma standard. We have trained around 500 PAs in 2011 and expect to train may more next year.”

Places are filling quickly for January, February and March and members should book early to reserve a place.

APA

Pictured (L-R) are Diploma holders: Claire Verrall, Jayne Pearson, Anuszka Elland, Ann Haynes and Joanne O’Rourke.

Season's greetings

The head office staff and roving team of APA send the warmest season’s greetings to Members in the UK and around the world. May your holiday be peaceful and relaxing and may you, and those around you, enjoy good health and happy times.

APA will be working with a reduced staff from 19th December until 3rd December but will be accessing and replying to essential emails throughout the holiday period. The office will be closed from Thursday 22nd to Tuesday 3rd January 2012.

Please feel free to use the following addresses to contact us:

gareth.osborne@paprofessional.com

training@paprofessional.com
membership@paprofessional.com

APA looks forward to supporting your career in 2012.

APA 2011

I've started, so I'll Finnish

APA Training has finished on a high with its final qualification programme of the year, for the prestigious Diploma (DipPA), taking place in Sweden this weekend.

Course leader, Anders Magnusson said: “The Diploma has been exceptionally well received in all of the Scandinavian countries and we anticipate even greater take-up in 2012. APA’s DG, Gareth Osborne, has long been recognised as an innovation guru in this region and has worked with private sector and Helsinki university partners to embed the PA programmes in plans for business development. We have delivered a number of courses in Sweden and Finland and our first in Denmark in 2011. When we deliver an Oslo programme in January we can genuinely suggest APA has region-wide coverage.”

Gareth Osborne said: “Scandinavian PAs have all the challenges and frustration UK PAs face. With outstanding knowledge of English they are great to teach and benefit enormously from the knowledge we share. We plan to take a group of UK PAs to meet them next year.”

Pictured (L-R) are: Julia Turenen, Alice Karlsson, Aada Salo and Ida Makela. Missing are: Emma Kinnunen and Olivia Gustafsson.

APA

Never a better time to book training

“I know from experience that the hardest person on the team to buy for is your PA. As a good Boss you have probably bought many a small thank-you throughout the year (the odd bottle of perfume from travels abroad and oodles of chocolate) but Christmas is always difficult.”

If your Boss is struggling for ideas (or worse, asks you to get yourself something!), you couldn't do better than suggest they enrol you for a professional qualification with APA. The ‘PA Professional’ programme is a great starting point for experienced PAs and if s/he is feeling really generous with the company’s funds (and it is tax deductable) then ask them to commit to the full Diploma and get some letters after your name. You can always mention the perfume as an after-thought!

Gareth, APA

Office? A thing of the past by 2021

Workers in the UK expect that by 2021 offices will face extinction as technology enables mobile working, says a new study.
 


Some 58 per cent of the office workers surveyed as part of the research believe that companies will no longer require an office space to do business in ten years. The study, commissioned by Virgin Media Business, reveals that 56 per cent of employees expect to see a marked reduction in the amount of time they spend travelling to and from work or to meetings.
 


Nearly two-thirds, or 63 per cent, hope that one device will be all they need to work, offering access to everything they require in not only their professional but also their private lives.
 


Mark Heraghty, Managing Director of Virgin Media Business, says, ‘This is a trend that we’re already starting to see across the UK, with mobile working tripling in the last year alone. ‘As employers search for more agile and effective ways of running their businesses, we’re increasingly finding that firms are swapping expensive office spaces in favour of a virtual workplace, where all activities can be conducted remotely.’
 


Some 83 per cent of the workers polled say they are more productive now than in 2001, as smart phones and cloud computing make it easier to work out of the office.

 
APA

Working for professional status

This week has seen 8 more PAs undertake training towards professional qualification and status with APA. Five PAs completed Module 2 and sat the final test (assessment) for the award of their Diploma (DipPA) and three more started Module 1 for completion of the Diploma in the New Year.

Desribing the training as challenging, Claire Verrall said: "It was a great experience." And Anuszka Elland who always enjoys meeting other PAs said in a message to cohorts: "It was really nice to meet you all and hope you have recovered since yesterday's trauma! I feel exhausted today!"

Pictured (L-R) are: Claire Verrall, Jayne Pearson, Anuszka Elland, Ann Haynes, Joanne O'Rourke. Then: Vicky Fryer, Shelley Hulka and Kristine Eglite.

Gareth Osborne, Director General, who delivers most of the Module 2 training himself said: “It is good so many great PAs find our programmes challenging, there would be absolutely no sense of achievement or reward if they were, like many courses, just a walk-in-the-park. APA sets and maintains an exceptionally high standard, and some fall, but most rise to the opportunity and leave elated. We recognise that PAs can’t take long learning periods away from the office so we make our courses intensive – yet achieveable.”

APA

Public sector strike fails to disrupt training

When we first heard that the recent public sector strike was schedule for a day APA was running a training course in London we feared the worse. Fortunately PAs are made of sterner-stuff and despite some essential drop outs; mostly due to childcare arrangements, the current ‘PA Apprentice’ course ran with great success.

The strike failed to delay arrival, delivery or departure and the course went well.

APA

Pictured Left (L-R) are: Danielle Cliff, Holly Denny and Stephanie Doyne.

The bigger they are the later they pay ...

I don’t often use this forum for gripes but there is one thing that has always annoyed me and it does affect us all. It relates to those large businesses that operate holier-than-thou corporate policies and then abuse small organisations by taking advantages of them, demanding excessive discounts and taking unreasonable credit by paying their bills late.

I felt so strongly about this issue that it became my raison d’être when I was a member of the Cabinet’s small business advisory panel. As a result of this passion I subsequently went on to co-write the recommendation to Government for the introduction of processes to ensure small business gets a fairer crack-of-the-whip.

Again this week I have been wound-up by a number of UK blue-chip organisations that are taking advantage of APA (a classic smaller business). One has overcharged us by £1,000; and dismissed it as an oversight. One has failed to pay an already extended and discounted invoice and one more has suddenly decided to take payment from our credit card (42 days) ahead of providing the service. This thuggish behaviour should not be tolerated and it certainly isn’t here – I will update you if I don’t get suitable apologies – and will definitely stop using the businesses concerned services.

Gareth, APA

Not a pretty picture ...

Chancellor George Osborne has announced public sector pay rises are to be capped at 1% for two years, in his update on the state of the economy. Public sector employment is also forecast to fall by around 710,000 up to 2016 - up from forecasts of 400,000.

Outlining his plans to MPs, based on economic forecasts from the independent Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR), Mr Osborne told MPs the UK economy was now forecast to grow by 0.9% this year - compared with 1.7% forecast in March and 0.7% next year, down from the 2.5% forecast in March.

Gareth Osborne said: “The Government seems to be doing what it can to achieve its strategy for recovery but I suspect the problem is like bailing out a holed lifeboat. With effort and luck it will keep floating but the situation is extremely desperate and we shouldn’t under estimate the time it will take and impact it will have. A whole generation is condemned to no work, no money and little comfort. We should all reflect on how we got into this bank-fuelled mess.”

For full details go to: http://www.paprofessional.com/index.php?id=994

APA

Four more join the diploma challenge in Leeds

This week has seen APA return to Leeds, its northern home, to stage the first round of the diploma programme in the city centre for 2012. APA also uses Manchester as a northern base but Leeds seems a popular choice for delegates from across the north-  the NW (including Liverpool and North Wales) and the North East and north Midlands.

Four new, experienced PA delegates from a mix of sectors; the public sector, academia and small business, stated work on the diploma programme by undergoing training in the PA Professional module (a standalone session for PAs with experience in the role or for those wanting a refresher or update or module 1 of the longer Diploma programme).

Pictured (L-R): Dalya Bernstein, Hayley Smith, Annica Murman and Helen Russell

APA

The Notorious Nine

In the wake of two more recent exceptional performances by PAs in the furtherance of their careers, Katie Manning and Catherine Dernulc joined the magnificent seven to create the ‘Notorious Nine’. Nine PAs who are setting the standard for other to achieve in PA-excellence; by passing their Diploma examinations at a ‘Pass with Distinction’ grade.

Carly, Laura, Emma, Kate, Lisa, Tara, Emma, Katie and Catherine

Congratulations to them all.
APA

Nothing inspires like a great reception

When I recently walked into the reception area of the headquarters of one the world’s largest hotel-owning groups I was impressed by the friendly greeting, helpful assistance and immediate recognition of my existence (if only my name) that I received from the reception staff. I felt welcome and wanted; no bad way to be relaxed for a first and important meeting with the company. The environment was light, airy, busy yet both professional and comfortable. I felt compelled to mention this as I was received by my host and walked into the meeting room; equally present.

Perhaps I should no have been surprised (given the nature of their role) to read – on the wall behind the reception desk – a company mantra – which read: “Nothing inspires like a great reception”.

At last, I thought, someone who gets the point of a first impression, and the need for great receptionists!”

Gareth, APA

Well done IHG.

Employment Law review

Announcing a consultation on changes to employment legislation, Business Secretary, Vince Cable said he wanted to help firms expand without making existing staff feel insecure. The key items within the consultation are expected to be:

·         a "call for evidence" on whether "micro-firms" can dismiss staff without their agreement and without them being taken to a tribunal if they pay compensation
·         a consultation on "protected conversations", which would allow employers to have frank discussions about poor performance with workers without fear that they could be used as evidence in a tribunal
·         a "call for evidence" on the length of time required for a consultation period on planned redundancies; it is currently 90 days, but the government is considering reducing that to 30
·         a requirement for all claims to go to the conciliation service Acas before reaching employment tribunal options for a "rapid resolution scheme" for more simple cases to be settled within three months

The business secretary also confirmed plans to make people work for two years before they could make a claim for unfair dismissal from April - up from one year at present. APA will be answering the consultation and now asks Members to submit comments to inclusion.

APA

CIPD appoints Sue Upton as Interim Managing Director

Jackie Orme

The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development has announced the appointment of Dr Sue Upton as Interim Managing Director. Sue will be taking on the additional responsibilities alongside her existing role of CIPD Membership and Marketing Directo. This is a new role, recognising the long-term absence of Jackie Orme, CIPD's Chief Executive, who is undergoing treatment for cancer.

Sue Upton said: "All of our thoughts at the CIPD are with Jackie Orme and her family at this time. We've also been grateful for all the kind messages of support we've received for Jackie. My focus in taking on this interim role will be on working with all of my colleagues to ensure we deliver on the vision Jackie has set for the CIPD and the wider profession".

APA

Qualifications and Association membership pays

APA Director General Gareth Osborne has spoken, via the web, to a Canadian PA audience on the importance of professional qualifications; citing research that showed they could add tens of thousands of pounds to an employee's lifetime earnings.

 An independent study by CCPMO, commissioned by the major UK professional bodies, estimated increased lifetime economic benefit of holding professional qualifications to be highly significant. It also found that membership of a professional body would also result in increased additional earnings. In the case of a PA, the total could be in excess of £64,000 in additional income.

Osborne said: “Research highlighted the immense value added by professional qualifications – for individuals, employers and the wider economy. These qualifications have a multiplier effect as professionals use their knowledge and skills to maximise the learning and performance of the whole workforce. For PAs this means an increase in their own effectiveness (and productivity) and that of their Boss and their department."

He added: "A government's skills agenda cannot succeed without the contribution made by professional bodies and their qualified members. APA works hard to ensure that its qualifications are recognised as the must-have endorsement for a PA’s professional development. This, coupled with the availability of the Middlesex University PA Degree, developed with APA creates, a career pathway for PAs aspiring to be future business leaders."

APA

Catherine makes it nine

Gareth Osborne has today presented the Diploma in Personal Assistance to Catherine Dernulc, only the ninth holder of a Diploma at ‘Pass with Distinction’ grade. This makes Catherine one of a small group of elite PAs who achieved a very high score in their diploma course work, test and work assignments as assessed by the APA Panel of Members who score and mark these awards.

Gareth said: “Catherine performed exceptionally well on the course and the standard of her work assignments was very good. She is an experienced PA who demonstrated a combination of resourcefulness and common sense in finding near perfect solutions to the scenarios set. She has already recommended APA Training to other PAs in the business.”

APA

Pictured (L-R): Gareth Osborne, Catherine Dernulc and colleague Kelly Wise.

Vocational Training Fund for the New Year

Small businesses will be able to bid for a share of a new £250 million government fund for vocational training programmes in the New Year.  The initiative is part of a government scheme designed to boost economic growth and ensure that the UK workforce has the required skill sets.

Prime Minister David Cameron says: “I know times are tough, especially for young people, who are trying to get their foot in the door and launch their career. That is why I am determined to do all that we can to give people the very best skills, training and opportunities to succeed, and why despite tough spending decisions we are investing in record number of apprenticeships.’

Cameron says that there has been an ‘incredible take up of these apprenticeship places’ and that the government is taking action to make it easier to take on apprentices, giving employers the power to take control of the training so that the skills they need are met.

APA Director General, Gareth Osborne says: “Skills are central to the UK economy and our long-term competitiveness. We have been lobbying government hard to ensure they understand the role played by PAs in small businesses; where they are the enabling conduit for all executive plans and decisions, we are please that essential vocational skills may be recognised and even funded.”

APA

Sam sweeps the board

Samantha Herridge MAPA DipPA, PA to the Director of Strategy and Development at Elexon Limited, swept the board at the Mayfair PA of the Year Awards 2011 last week. The event was held at the elegant, five-star May Fair Hotel, close to Berkley Square, which was transformed into a glamorous 1930s-style club for the PAs and their invited guests.

London’s leading PAs enjoyed a medley of blues and jazz songs, while champagne was served courtesy of Harrods and watermelon vodka cocktails were shaken and stirred by mixologists.

After a careful selection process, a trio of experienced judges including Erik Brown (Mayfair Times), Tracy Finn (Harrods Corporate Service), and Donna Coulling (PA to Helena Bonham Carter, Sir Derek Jacobi and Rachel Weisz) selected Sam as the winner of the ‘Newcomer of the Year’ award and the highly prestigious ‘Mayfair PA of the Year’ 2011.

APA and all its members applaud Sam for her outstanding achievement.

APA

Photograph from the APA Archieve: Sam with her Diploma

7- 0 to the FA

Last week saw the presentation of Diploma (DipPA) certificates to seven members of the Football Association team at Wembley; who each scored an outstanding success.

APA Director, Emma Kernan-Staines, herself PA to Sir Trevor Brooking CBE, Director of Football Development at the FA said: “It has been a long-held ambition of mine to establish a career pathway for PAs here at the FA. With the support of department directors and the HR staff we now have a programme of progressive development that recognises individual PAs progress along that pathway. I am extremely proud of what we have achieved.”

Commenting on the awards Dr. Gareth Osborne of APA said: “Over a spring to autumn period of 2011 the FA team members have worked tirelessly on their work assignments and they have all scored well in their final Diploma examinations. They were great fun to work with and I now hope some will look towards the Middlesex University PA Degree programme as a future opportunity.” Details of the degree can be found at http://tinyurl.com/cobe7fd

APA

Pictured Left: Emma Kernan-Staines and Right: Gareth Osborne
Pictured with their Diplomas: Sarah Weber, Jordana North, Tania Saunders, Chrystal Nagle, Natalie Thomas, Claire Brewer and Susan Ahmed.

Moaning over

I have a bit of a history for criticising Peter Jones; the High Dragon, for his infatuation with his own celebrity status. I particularly damned his advert for ‘Money Supermarket’; where he was seen riding a shopping trolley around a store shouting ‘wheel’, A crass, ego-fuelled exercise and unworthy of his business expertise and status as an entrepreneurial role model. But things have changed.

At last I am pleased to be able to praise the jolly giant for his sympathetic handing and the easy, professional style he brought to interviewing Michelle Mone OBE (and Richard Reed of Innocent) this week on his new BBC2 programme. It was genuinely inspirational, informative and insightful. Now that’s more like it Peter.

Gareth, APA

(Image courtesy of the Daily Mirror)

Remembering

APA remembers today all those who gave their lives in the pursuit of peace and freedom and sends thanks to those serving in countries around the world to ensure we establish tolerance and understanding and overturn fanaticism; wherever it is found.

APA

Flexibility makes for a family friendly employer

Employers who offer flexible hours and allow regular homeworking are rated the most family friendly by parents, according to Workingmums.co.uk's recent poll of over 2,100 candidates.

According to the results 87% said that offering flexible hours was a key factor in terms of what made a family-friendly employer, whilst 83% said allowing some regular work at home was what mattered. 78% favoured offering part-time jobs and 75% said allowing holiday days to be taken at short notice to deal with emergencies such as sick children was what counted. Childcare help was important for 62% of parents, whilst benefits like extended maternity pay periods, networking and support groups and parenting courses all rated much lower.

The survey suggested that ‘flexibility encourages full time work and responses recorded that 79% said they would be encouraged to work full time if there was some home-working in their job. 72% said flexible hours would encourage them to work full time and 67% favoured working close to home.

APA fully supports the drive for increased flexibility in the workplace and greater home-working. This is perfectly possible for PAs using all technologies available to them without disruption to the task in hand.

APA

Are your winter strategies evolving?

Businesses should start planning now for harsh winter weather to avoid being caught out by sudden cold snaps as seen during the previous two years, says APA. The organisation is making the warning after predicted an end to the unseasonably mild conditions across the UK by the end of November.

APA warns that SMEs can be particularly vulnerable to the impact of freak weather and should start planning ahead by checking their premises are winter-proof, insurance is up to date, and contingency plans are well-thought-out in case staff can't get in to work. The past two winters have seen Arctic weather cause havoc for British businesses due to the disruption, and, according to early long range forecasts, December is likely to start with severe frosts with the chance of snow for many areas closer to Christmas.

According to data from a major small business survey, 13 per cent said they were ‘seriously' impacted by last winter's bad weather, and 37 per cent said they experienced weather-related problems of some sort. Figures also showed during the winter of 2010 that 34 per cent of workers experienced ‘significant problems' getting to work, with 10 per cent unable to get in at all at some point. Eight per cent of workers were prevented from going in to work at least once because their children's school had closed due to the bad weather.

APA recommends that PAs speak to HR to ensure strategies are in place or should establish their own. Remember, people are our most expensive and most valuable business asset.

APA

A 'Top PA'

Full marks go to Office Angels for a great day at the ‘Britain’s Next Top PA’ awards held on Wednesday this week. The event was professionally coordinated, superbly staged and the six finalists were all worthy winners.

OA had received 182 entries for this year’s competition and, in the first round of telephone interviews, specialist staff had found it difficult to create a shortlist from the strong field of PAs nominated for the award. The final 6 were testament to their efforts and gave the judges; seen below, a tough decision to make  during the full day of tasks, exercises and competence based interviews.

At the awards dinner, held at ‘Gordon Ramsey at Claridge’s’ the same evening, Helen Milligan;, former PA and ‘Apprentice’ runner-up (but we all know she was the real winner) presented the title of ‘Britain Next Top PA 2011’ to Lesley Knight, PA to the Chairman of Chiltern Railways. Lesley had been cited by colleagues for her dedication to her boss, her commitment to managing the team of PAs and facilitating their career development and her innovation within the railways industry.

Lesley was thrilled with the accolade, and said: “It is great to see Office Angels recognise PAs for the work that we do. It is a real honour to be named as winner, especially as there was such a high standard amongst the finalists, and I’d like to thank my manager for nominating me.”

APA members should make a calendar note for September 2012 to enter and win.

Shown are:

(back row L-R): Gareth Osborne, APA (Judge), Jonathan Sheppard, AirFrance KLM (Judge), John McKenna, Jayne Paterson and David Clubb, MD Office Angels.

(front row L-R) Karen Wilkins, De Vere Venues (Judge), Rachel Andrews, Anneliese Ainley, Helen Milliga, Lesley Knight ('Britain's Next Tp PA 2011) and Sally Huxham. 

APA

A ‘Distinction’ for Katie and a triumph for Vic

Anyone who turned down the generous (free) invitation for APA members’ to attend the Hays PA Conference on Friday not only missed an outstanding event but also missed a demonstration of great organisation and polished delivery by the Chairperson, Victoria Darragh FAPA.

All PAs are great organisers but Vic managed to engender a sense of professionalism and fun into the day; which made it quite special. I and all the attendees would like to send Vic and her PA network a round of applause and our admiration. Well done to all involved – especially Hays who funded the event.

One of the highlights for APA was the presentation, by APA Directors Emma Kernan-Staines and Laura Richardson to Lucy Manning who recently attained a ‘Pass with Distinction’ in the PA Diploma (DipPA). Katie is an exceptional PA and joins the PA Elite who hold this very rare Award at this grade. Well done Katie.

Shown in the group are some of the APA Members attending the event: Claire Howard, Joan May, Sam Herridge, Terry Benson, Laura Richardson, Lisa Fawcett, Katie Manning, Jenni Newman, Tina Skilton, Anuszka Elland and Emma Kernan-Staines.

APA

More Diploma entrants

The flow of PAs undertaking the APA Diploma in Personal Assistance (DipPA) is growing every month as it becomes the professional qualification of choice amongst PAs and HR departments committing to PA Training. October has been one of the busiest on record for the professional body with courses running in UK and international locations.

Shown left are the latest attendees at PA programmes starting in the UK and Finland. Shown (L-R) are:

Left: Ann Haynes, Anuszka Elland, Claire Verrall and Jayne Pearson. Right: Ilta Fisk, Lahja Halvari, Elina Karvonen and Maaria Hanninen.

APA

Bespoke and tailored for PAs

Last week saw the first of the APA round of autumn and winter Roadshows around the country with a host of different topics and sponsors.

With the number of women rising to board and executive level [Although still too low], the first event was generously and jointly hosted by the world’s leading cloth suppliers, Holland and Sherry and the pioneer of women’ tailoring, Carol Alayne of Tailoring for Women.

Carol described the hand-crafted process and the benefits of high quality tailoring and kindly compared it to the tailored training courses from APA for PAs. Each intended to exceed the need and last a life time.

Members greatly enjoyed the experience of a contemporary exposure to bespoke tailoring and couture design in the friendly environment of Holland & Sherry’s interim offices in Barclay Square; while there historic offices in Savile Row are being refurbished.

Pictured (left): APA Director Emma Kernan-Staines with Claire Howard, (centre) Lindsay Taylor & Nicolas Guilbaud of Holland and Sherry, Carol Alayne of Tailoring for Women and Gareth Osborne of APA, (right) Members check-out the cloths.

APA