The Art of Compromise

What an anti-climax! After months of speculation and the chance to elevate Europe to a politically effective level, compromise wins the day as usual.

Belgian Prime Minister Herman Van Rompuy will become President of the European Council and our own Baroness Cathy Ashton, formerly a Labour Party member of the British House of Lords and latterly EU trade commissioner, will be the foreign policy representative (whatever that means). But who has heard of them? I had to go to my copy of DOD’s Parliamentary Companion to find out anything; hardly a great endorsement for allegedly high office. So what do these choices tell us about the EU's alleged ambitions?

It shows just how difficult progress is to achieve in the face of competing interests and where a principle of comprise demands a particularly low level of achievement. It also shows us that despite rhetoric for a stronger Europe many of the bigger personalities of Europe (Sarkozy, Merkel and Brown) don’t want to be out shone on the world stage. But you also have to consider that Mr Van Rompuy is a well known Federalist and his appointment must send up a flare to suggest that European integration is far from over

APA already works closely with the EU, European Commission and MEPs and will continue to keep watching brief on the situation as it develops. As always, Members views are welcome.

Gareth, APA

Mums rock!

Members will be aware that we have recently put our sales force of Regional Membership Executives (RMEs) on the road to boost APA membership still further. But most will not know that we recruited them via a great website called Working Mums (www.workingmums.co.uk) . Not only did they do a great job for us, but the quality of applicants (all ex-PAs) was outstanding.

I have kept in touch with Working Mums and they have just launched a great 2-4-1 initiative for businesses looking to recruit at the year end. If you advertise with them in November but need more time to find your ideal candidate, they will keep your advert on their site for an additional month at (no extra cost). And they may make your role a 'Featured Job of the Day' on their homepage.

You can advertise for only £99.95 (4 weeks advertising and entry into job directory) and potentially save £129.95 on your recruitment advertising (offer ends 30th November 2009).

I thought this was worth sharing with you. If you make a booking, remember to mention that APA sent you!

Gareth, APA

Visit their site for more details. APA makes this independant endorsement without reward or inducemment.

Dragon's eye view

APA's recent Business Leaders Survey has attracted considerable interest and reaction and it was good to hear from Charlotte (PA to successful Entrepreneur and Dragons' Den participant Deborah Meaden) who gave us the following quote from her Boss:

"It comes as no surprise that in a [APA] survey of 5000 businesses, leaders agreed that having a PA increased their effectiveness significantly. A well organised PA who understands goals and priorities is constantly making decisions on which information and contacts are passed through and what appointments are made. This becomes particularly pertinent when the Boss is regularly out of the office and the importance of having a co-ordinator anchored at the base is paramount. I suspect that bosses who do not believe that having a PA improves their own performance either has the wrong PA or has not yet learnt the benefits of utilising them fully."

Our thanks to Deborah for the quote and to Charlotte for sending it to us. Obviously a great team!

Gareth, APA

Age Discrimination

I was at a business breakfast meeting last week and the keynote speaker was, as usual, extremely inspirational. One thing he said (or more correctly said and attributed to a prominent Politician) hit home and persuaded me to think a little more seriously about it. He said:

"The problem with society today is that we treat children like adults [pause for effect] and adults like children."

Now I don't wish to sound too pompous (or old) but I do believe the result of years of social miscalculation has led to a number of common concerns; everything from the impatience and associated aggression in young children (who seem to grow up far too quickly) to the pampered excesses of the 'Nanny State'.

What do you think?

Gareth, APA

Diploma plaudits

As the professional body for PAs, APA is rightly proud of its professional training and qualifications but there is no higher praise than that received from members and attendees. Here are just two recent examples:

“Module 1 of the APA Diploma in Personal Assistance was a real breath of fresh air. It was less about ‘box ticking’ and very much more about analysing the breadth and importance of the role of a modern PA, combined with understanding own team dynamics in order to work smarter and more strategically. This one day course crystallised what I’ve been after from a personal development programme and, just as importantly, it gave me the opportunity to exchange best practice with similarly experienced and dynamic PAs”.

Emma Kernan-Staines MAPA, PA to Sir Trevor Brooking CBE, Director of Football Development, The FA Group.

"The APA Diploma in Personal Assistance course was fantastic! It was great to find a tailored programme giving tools and tips for those PAs who are passionate about making the most of their career. It was wonderful to meet so many others on the course who, like me, were keen to extend their role far beyond the traditional definition of 'PA', and add real value to companies at the highest level. I would thoroughly recommend this course, both for the wide ranging content and the great networking opportunities that it provides."

Laura Richardson, PA to the Chairman, Chief Executive and Chief Financial Officer, ELEXON Limited.

For more details about the APA range of professional PA courses visit the website and select APA Training or contact training@paprofessional.com

Gareth

Digby's tips for business

Lord Digby Jones (of Birmingham), former Business Minister, Director General of the CBI and all-round champion for British business has set out his ‘Five tips to succeed as the country moves out of recession’.

His plan suggests: 1) Whatever you do … don’t overtrade, 2) Keep investing in people, 3) Do not bank your customers – don’t let debtor days extend, 4) Do not rush to take on more people, 5) Get advice, it does wonders for your competitiveness.

APA members can read the full piece in the Members Area of the website.

I believe Digby has been one of the strongest and soundest voices for business for many years and his advice is, as always, relevant, logical and worthy of note. If I was to add one note of my own, I would temper the thought about not rushing out to staff up post-recession by staying - but don’t forget there will be some great people out there looking for jobs and if you don’t get them ... your competitors will.”

Gareth

APA urges Government to commit to small firm support

“Support for small businesses must not be sacrificed if and when the government embarks on spending cuts” says Gareth Osborne, Director General of APA, echoing proposals made by the Forum for Private Business (FPB).

With net borrowing set to reach £185 billion by the end of 2009, APA recognises that substantial cutbacks are needed to plug the gap in public finances. In view of this, it has written to the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation & Skills encouraging "responsible growth" ahead of the Chancellor's Pre-Budget Report, which is expected to take place in November.

APA is calling for improvements to existing support schemes, reductions in small firms' corporation tax bills, incentives for micro-businesses recruiting staff and a comprehensive regulatory review.

Gareth said, “Despite recent suggestions that the economy is starting to improve, it is clear there is still a difficult road ahead. Government cuts should not include those programmes that are making a real difference for struggling firms. The next 18 months are crucial. As the main drivers of growth, small businesses; which employ more than 50% of the UK workforce, need to be placed at the heart of plans for economic recovery so they can make the most of future opportunities."

Last week, the Office for National Statistics confirmed that the UK remains in recession for the sixth consecutive quarter.

APA