Burden-free Business

Plans to scrap or simply remove more than 160 burdensome regulations have been announced by business secretary Vince Cable. The proposals will see changes to legislation that the government hopes will make life easier for businesses.

 Cable believes government should roll back the number of rules and regulations that our businesses have to deal with if we it is to create the right conditions for sustainable economic growth. A point APA enthusiastically supports and has endorsed in recent letters.

The Red Tape Challenge was a key action from the government’s Plan for Growth, which is focusing on creating the right conditions for businesses to start up, invest, grow and create jobs. Over the lifetime of the Challenge, government will examine all of the existing regulations on the statute book, with a view to breaking down the barriers and promoting opportunities for business, freeing them of unnecessary red tape.

Minister for Business and Enterprise Mark Prisk says, ‘We’ve listened to what people have said about the confusing and overlapping rules with the aim to get rid of the ones we don’t need and making the ones we do simpler to understand and put into practice. At the same time though we are preserving good regulation, such as the hallmarking regime, for which there was strong support.”

Dr Gareth Osborne said: “Government have made a good start but there is much more to do. It will take time to sanitise years of bureaucratic over-administration. APA will continue to press for better regulation, not just less regulation.”

APA

Pay and benefits count most in the current economy

A desire to 'increase pay and benefits' has become the number one reason why employees want to change jobs, overtaking 'improving job satisfaction' according to the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development's (CIPD) Employee Outlook survey, as the economic downturn continues to erode people's standard of living.

The survey of 2,000 employees finds more than half of workers (54%) say their top reason for wanting to change job is to increase their salary and benefits, with improving job satisfaction cited second most commonly (42%). This is a reversal from last year when 61% cited job satisfaction and 48% said improving pay and benefits. The trends are uniform across all sectors.

Other findings that highlight increased financial pressure include:

·         36% of employees report their standard of living has worsened over the previous six months, compared to 29% saying this was the case in summer 2010

·         Just 7% report an improvement in living standards, a fall from 10% a year ago
·         Almost a fifth (18%) of employees say they run out of money at the end of the week or month either always  or most of the time
·         One in five (18%) say keeping up with bills and financial commitments is a constant struggle, while one in 10 (8%) are falling behind with bills or credit commitments

Low levels of job satisfaction and engagement in the public sector are likely to be influenced by rising levels of job insecurity, with over a third of public sector employees (35%) thinking it likely they could lose their jobs compared to 30% last quarter.

Gareth Osborne of APA said: "The heightened level of uncertainty around job security in the current economic climate creates an even greater need for employers to communicate and consult with their staff. PAs are the perfect people to measure increasing unease amongst colleagues and should listen for financial concerns and report them to their Bosses; it could be critical in the short term for productivity and the retention of key personnel.”

APA

Bad news, it was good weather

Preliminary estimates for UK GDP growth in Q2 2011 published earlier today by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) suggest that the current fiscal policy is failing and desperately needs revision if the economy is to sustain growth.

“Forecasting economic growth of just 0.2% is disappointingly low and well below expectation,” said Gareth Osborne of APA, “In fact anything less than 0.5% would have been poor but reality appears to have bene much worse. It has been suggested that special 'one off factors' – like the Royal Wedding and the outstanding weather in May - may be to blame but I think this may be ONS grasping at straws.”

APA believes the UK economy will struggle to raise output and create enough jobs to cut unemployment and prevent a further deterioration in the fiscal deficit for some considerable time ahead. It feels the Government has been overly optimistic and needs to revise projections immediately if it is to prevent a further deterioration of its credibility; which UKG fears will result if it does. “This is obviously a political ‘Catch 22’ but action is required now if we are to avoid a slip back into recession.

APA

New Diploma entrants

This month has seen even more PAs entering Diploma training and the addition of a new northern venue in the great City of Newcastle. PAs are encouraged to book early if they want to enter autumn training programme as demand is high.

Left (L:R) are: Audrey Stewart, Carol Rockley and Helen Wingfield in London

Right (L:R): Gaynor Butterwic, Emily Gray, Emma Henry, Karen Wright and Tara Chase in Newcastle.

APA

New Diploma awards

Above is Aimie Stephens FAPA DipPA of TRACKER Networks (UK) Ltd having received her Diploma in the presence of her boss, MD Stephen Doran and members of the Tracker team who turned out to celebrate her success. Aimie is seen also holding her 'Star' award for being the 'The Most Inquisitive PA' for her detective work in the work-based assignments of the Diploma programme.

Left is Sam Herridge MAPA DipPA of ELEXON Ltd and Centre: Sam is supported by her immediate bosses, Enese Lieb-Doczy and Mark Bygraves following the award of her Diploma at a meeting of the ELEXON Senior Management Team.

Right is Victoria Darragh FAPA DipPA of Hays plc. Vic is well known for her PA network within Hays and her work across the PA profession and is a proactive APA member.

Gareth Osborne, who made both presentations said: “It is always exciting to reward hard work but especially pleasing when colleagues turn out to acknowledge the important role a PAs plays in the business. At Tracker the MD delayed a meeting to be present at the award to Aimie and at Elexon, Sam received her Diploma at a Senior Management Team meeting. Both CEOs praised the essential role of their PA and the value of the support they bring them.

Gareth Osborne, APA

Large late payers to be named & shamed

Large companies that fail to pay their small business suppliers promptly will be named and shamed online by the government, a cabinet office minister says.

The Rt Hon Francis Maude MP is urging small businesses to act as whistleblowers with examples of instances where payment times are slipping, with results to be published on the Cabinet Office website.

The Minister says, ‘Prompt payment is crucial to small business. When work has been done, especially by an SME, it is just inexcusable not to pay up quickly for that service. We will be keeping a close eye on how the big suppliers choose to pay their sub-contractors and we won’t shy away from naming and shaming those that we find have failed to pay promptly.’

The Crown Representatives team, which coordinates the government’s approach to the management of key suppliers across all departments, will strongly encourage prime contractors to pay more quickly than 30 days.

Gareth Osborn, a former member of the Small Business Council advising Government on SME issues and co-writer a paper for Cabinet on how to ensure better credit management practices apply when large businesses engage with smaller suppliers, said: SMEs are the real engine for growth in the UK economy. Squeezed margins and a lack of cashflow mean that many small businesses have halted their growth plans. These businesses need to be paid on time to help them overcome working capital difficulties before they can actively pursue growth and add momentum to the wider economic recovery.

APA

UK small businesses to create 470,000 new jobs

Some 38 per cent of businesses surveyed for GE Capital’s ‘SME Employment & Optimism Pulse’ say they plan to increase the number of full-time employees in the next 12 months, compared to 7 per cent who were planning to reduce in number.

Overall, 46 per cent of businesses surveyed in the UK are optimistic about the growth prospects of the sector in which they operate, although there is a much more marked difference in responses depending on the size of the business. Medium-sized businesses are much more likely to be positive (56 per cent) than negative (18 per cent), whereas micro businesses are more likely to be negative (47 per cent) than positive (39 per cent) about their prospects. Despite the fact that UK SMEs are positive on employment, they still lag behind Germany and France in employment stakes.

Some 55 per cent of SMEs in Germany say that they will increase headcounts, creating 971,779 new jobs over the next twelve months. In France, 47 per cent plan to increase headcounts, creating 630,686 new jobs. Overall, businesses in France and Germany are slightly more likely to feel positive about growth in their sector in the next twelve months, with half of SMEs in each country claiming to be optimistic.

Gareth Osborne, DG of APA says, ‘Although the picture for UK job creation is positive, there are noticeable variations depending on the size of businesses and the region and sector in which they operate, highlighting the kaleidoscopic conditions experienced by the UK SMEs. It’s clear that the smallest businesses, which after all make up the backbone of the UK economy, may need further support to boost business confidence and realise their potential.

APA

Helen beats the odds but sadly not her rival

She beat Susie, which was a surprise to me, but what a blow for Helen to lose to Mr. Nice Guy, Tom, who’s only winning quality proved to be his recognition that Lord Sugar has a passion for products. Having said that, I have to say I think Helen's business idea was exceptionally poor and the advisers should have pointed out that concierge has already been done to death – APA sees concierge services regularly and they play to a very niche market.

Helen now jumps to the head of the list of PA role models and will be much prized on the speaker circuit. I for one will be attempting to get her to an APA event. I have already written to Helen a couple of times asking for a quote about her transition from PA to hot new property but as yet no reply. She has her own website at http://www.helenmilligan.co.uk and you can connect with her on Linked In.

I am sure all members of APA will join me in wishing her well and take a keen interest as her career progresses. She did the PA profession proud and proved beyond any reasonable doubt that PAs possess skills far more advanced and sophisticated than some of the most senior managers; she was a great leader, consummate business and financial planner and first class presenter. She endorsed the belief that there is a definite place for PAs in the Boardroom. Well done Helen, you are a star.

Gareth. APA

The latest on the final day

Here are the odds this morning on each of the 'diverse four' winning the £250K and gaining Lord S as their business partner (and rather them than me).

Tom is the favourite at 9/4, Susan follows at 5/2, then Helen at 7/2 and thank goodness Jim is the least well favoured at 5/1 and I think that paints a pretty accurate picture of who will best suit himself.

Gareth, APA

Another stellar performance ...

Wow, what another great performance by ‘our Helen’ and definitely one to get the bookies revising their odds. Jedi Jim was the favourite to win before the show last night but demonstrated extremely crass skills throughout. Meanwhile Helen’s business planning, profit awareness and unquestionable quality shone through.

Here are a few facts you may not know about the lady:

She was born in Stockport, Cheshire on October 11, 1980, which makes her 30 years old, and one of the older candidates. Helen studied Law at De Montfort University where she graduated in 2002, gaining a 2:1 degree.

She began her career with coffee chain BB's Coffee and Muffins, where she worked for nearly five years as a business development support manager before joining bakery retailer Greggs in 2008 as retail operations manager. She was quickly promoted to Executive Assistant to Greggs' CEO. She is a keen swimmer, enjoys reading, eating out and travelling around the country seeing family and friends. She is also currently renovating a house, and lives in Northumberland.

Helen's biggest mistake she admits is: “Being too loyal to her managers and staying in jobs for too long." Her greatest strength is: “My unquestionable drive, energy and passion for any task I set my mind to and have the ability to stay extremely focused and follow it through to a successful conclusion. And of her weaknesses she says: “I can be quite bossy, impatient and get frustrated when things aren’t moving quickly enough.”

Is she going to win?

APA

A PA of distinct quality

Transport for London (TfL) PA Lisa Fawcett has this week joined the PA Elite by becoming only the fifth PA to achieve a ‘Pass with Distinction’ grade in the prestigious Diploma in Personal Assistance (DipPA) - joining Lara Richardson, Carly Beales, Emma Kernan-Staines and Kate Richardson in the vanguard of PA-ship.

Lisa was joined by her Mum and Dad (Maureen and Colin), her bosses and work colleagues for the recent presentation of her Diploma in London.

Lisa’s director, Ian Henderson said: “Lisa manages the PA duties of three senior people (Andrew, Jim and me) and she deals with this workload very efficiently and always maintains a sense of balance and good humour.”

APA Director General Gareth Osborne also praised Lisa’s great sense of fun and said: “While it didn’t directly impact on her result it certainly added to the camaraderie that built amongst the group of PAs she studied with. Lisa has an outstanding ability to see solutions for problems and is certainly not shy when it comes to sharing them. She is blessed with great common sense; essential in a top flight PA.”

Her Boss Andrew McGill said: “The course has definitely helped Lisa. She has always been good at diary management but it seems that she now understands the impact of stressful meetings and balances the days to ensure I get some relief from back-to-back meetings and the continuous pressure of my role.”

Lisa has promised to become a champion for APA training and promote the value of career planning for PAs in both the public and private sectors.

APA

Lisa with Mum, Maureen, Dad, Colin, and Ian, Andrew and Prince from TfL

It occurs to me ...

If I was Greggs, I would be fighting to keep Helen Milligan in the organisation. Knowing what I now know about her, I would find a subsidiary business and make her the MD or do exactly what Lord S is doing and fund her into a ‘bakery-related’ or peripherally relevant start-up and give her a route to share ownership. Why on earth would you willingly lose such a talent to Baron Barrow Boy of Clapton (motto: you’ve gotta smell what’ll sell!).

As the CEO of a business you establish the closest working relationship with your PA; based on trust, mutual understanding and co-operation. As a PA you build a unique relationship with your boss and few understand the way they do business better than you. So, who would you trust more to lead a project or new venture than your PA. Perhaps more PAs should be looking for internal opportunities to expand their role and long term financial security?

Gareth Osborne, APA

Helen back again

I am a great supporter of flexible working but was amazed when ‘our Helen’ introduced the concept of ‘flexible leadership’ to The Apprentice last night; offering to take over from  Melody half way through the task as project manager.

Helen has done well so far; being part of 10 winning teams, but her latest performance did start to show character traits more attributable to a corporate lawyer than a thrusting entrepreneur (and Lord S definitely doesn’t want the former). Helen needs to quickly re-establish her credentials at the cut-and-thrust of the business (which she has as an EPA) rather than painting herself into the corner where the process-drivers remain stranded.

Helen was perfectly right in her assertion that the team needed a strategy, which Melody as a natural young entrepreneur would resist, preferring to shoot from the hip, but it doesn’t need to result in a 50-page document.

Stockport born Helen (30) describes herself as ‘calm, loyal and tenacious’ and enjoys reading in her free time. A keen swimmer, she studied law at university (De Montfort) and climbed the ranks from part time work as a waitress to managing a restaurant before landing her role as Executive Assistant to the CEO of Greggs bakery.

Good luck Helen, APA and its members are all behind you and with Melody out-of-the-way the competition is looking mighty thin.

Gareth Osborne, APA

Business Rates - a change of direction

The government’s plan to allow councils to retain business rates shouldn’t be used as an opportunity to increase them, says APA.

Commenting on the announcement made by Nick Clegg at the LGA Conference on localising business rates, APA Director General Gareth Osborne said, ‘The plans to allow councils to retain business rates are a step in the right direction, and will enable communities to benefit from their own success. Giving councils the freedom to lower rates will help them attract thriving businesses to their areas, which in turn will boost enterprise, innovation and growth.

‘However, this definitely must not be used as an opportunity to increase rates, which could see us return to the days of councils using rates to subsidise lower council taxes.’

Gareth added that a national cap must be implemented to prevent the system from being misused, and that firms must be reassured that business rates will not be set above the current uniform rate. He continued, ‘Retaining business rate revenues will promote a pro-growth and pro-business attitude among councils. Together, with new powers to borrow against those revenues to finance infrastructure projects, these plans have the potential to really drive economic development at a crucial time for the UK economy.

‘But we have heard similar rhetoric from the government on these issues before. Now is the time to act and create the right conditions for the UK economy to start its convalescence.

APA