Scandinavian Diploma

While the UK has been relaxing on a wet bank holiday weekend, APA has been delivering another Diploma (DipPA) programme to a group of exceptional Scandinavian PAs in Gothenburg (Göteborg), Sweden..

Gareth Osborne, who delivered the course, said: “PAs from the Scandinavian countries, especially Sweden and Finland, are hungry for a different approach to the PA role and new knowledge and have a great attitude toward training and qualification. Qualifications seem to be highly valued by their employers.”

Pictured (L:R) are: Ingalill Aaker, Solveig Wastergren, Maja Backlund and Tilda Farstad

APA

Integrity is important to women

Good communication, the ability to motivate, and integrity are seen by UK workers as the most important attributes to lead a successful business, research finds. However, the majority of bosses don’t demonstrate these qualities in the workplace, according to a study of more than 1,000 employees by leadership consultancy Korn/Ferry Whitehead Mann.

Only 21% believes the boss of their business is a good communicator and just 13% think their boss is a good motivator. Having a good moral compass is seen as a crucial ‘factor’, but just 14% think their boss has integrity, a quality that is much more important to female workers, with 13% of them seeing it as the most important attribute compared to just 7% of men. 9% see their organisation’s leader as inspirational, and just 16% think they have long-term vision. Only 17% of UK workers think their boss is decisive, and only 12% think their boss has charisma or personality.

UK workers think bosses that are bad leaders are those that are arrogant, have poor communication skills, and are uncaring. Employees are also critical of the type of boss who is obsessed with targets, places more interest in investors than employees, is indecisive or risk-averse, or focus on cost control rather than growth.

APA Director General, Gareth Osborne, says: Leading a business is like managing a football team; as long as you are winning, everyone is on your side, but readers shouldn’t underestimate the complexity of the task or the level of skill needed to pull it off. Great leaders are born, good leaders can be trained and poor leaders can be replaced by better ones. Sadly the investment in management and leadership training in the UK is desperately low and all too often managers are ill-prepared for the task in hand.

“That is why APA teaches PAs to understand leadership and management on the Diploma programme – PAs have to recognise deficiencies in company management teams and suggest revisions.”

APA

'Challenging and rewarding' - the Diploma in Personal Assistance

More diploma delegates have recently attended the final phase of training in London and are now awaiting their results. The APA Diploma in Personal Assistance (DipPA) has now become the ‘must have’ qualification for PAs in the UK and Europe.

Book now for autumn and winter Diploma programmes and all other APA courses by emailing training@paprofessional.com or clicking on the ‘APA Training’ tab on the navigation bar above.

Pictured (L-R): Claire Brewer, Chrystal Nagle, Pamela Mork, Sarah Weber and Jordana North.

APA

‘We want employees back post maternity leave’

Almost two thirds of employers do not expect female employees to return to work after their maternity leave, research finds. Some 47% of this group chalk their belief up to ‘previous experience’, according to a study of almost 2,000 employers by an online HR consultancy. The study was conducted following Mel Stride, Conservative MP for Central Devon, recently questioning the rules that allow staff from companies employing ten or fewer people to take up to 52 weeks off.

According to the research, the majority, 64% simply don’t expect any female employee to return to work following their allocated maternity leave, regardless of her position or role within the company. The respondents were asked if they had a ‘return to work policy’ in place for mothers returning from maternity leave, to which three fifths, 59%, said ‘No’. Of those with a policy, the majority (76%), offered the employee part time working hours.

When asked, ‘Do you want them to return to work following their allocated time off?’ 84% answered ‘No’. Only 16% said ‘No’, their reasons being: 38 per cent said it was because they believed that the employee would have a ‘reduced level of concentration’ and 23 per cent believed they would ‘lack enthusiasm,’ when compared to a newly hired member of staff.

APA suggests that the underlying lack of understanding amongst employers arises from the absence of a declared policy and a lack of imagination about the value of flexible working, job-sharing and working from home; all great practices to help engage proactively with returning employees.

APA would like to hear member’s own experience of their return to work.

APA

The Magnificent Seven

Shown above are the only current holders of the Diploma in Personal Assistance (DipPA) at the grade of 'PAss with Distinction' - they are all outstanding PAs and worthy holders of this prestigious award. They are: (L-R), Carly Beales, Laura Richardson, Emma Kernan-Staines, Kate Richardson, Lisa Fawcett, Tara Chase and Emma Henry.

APA

More PAs of Distinction

As the volume of Diploma courses increases then it is inevitable that the number of people achieving passes at distinction grade will also rise. But APA was thrilled to see two delegates attain the ultimate success in the first ever Newcastle diploma group.

Tara Chase of RPMI and Emma Henry of Newcastle University headed an impressive group of PAs completing their Diploma programme and taking the test in Newcastle in July. The Panel of Members who judged their results said: "This was a particualarly strong group of diploma delegates, it was obvious from their marked group exercise that they worked well together and they all achieved great results. Both Tara and Emma achieved the 'PAss with Distinction' grade making them only the sixth and seventh PAs reach this; the highest level of award.

Gareth Osborne who tutored this group said: "I have always held a strong belief that 'great PAs' possess a passion that is definable and recognisable and they usually have a close professional relationship with their boss; who plays a major part in ensuring they achieve their potential - they allow them to excel. The Diploma, as an accredited qualification, adds recognition and status to the holder, with the letters DipPA after your name you can quietly affirm, I am a great PA."

Pictured (L-R) Emma Henry MAPA DipPA and Tara Chase FAPA DipPA

APA

UK jobs market takes a turn for the worse

Job figures released yesterday were disappointing but not unexpected. After a few surprisingly upbeat quarters the UK jobs market has finally caught up with the reality of weaker demand in the private sector and the impact of mounting public sector job cuts.

The figures are a mix of ups and downs – but most of them downs. The headline figure for unemployment is up (by 38,000 to 2.494 million on the quarterly Labour Force Survey measure and by 37,100 to 1.56 million for the month to June; as shown by the number of people claiming Jobseeker's Allowance. Jobs up for men (49,000) but down (24,000) for women, a clear signal of the impact of public sector jobs cuts. Youth unemployment is up (15,000). Redundancies are up (32,000) but vacancies are down (22,000). The number of people working part-time because they can't find a full-time job is up (83,000 to 1.264 million). The rate of pay rises is up (2.6% including bonuses) but only by around half the rate of price inflation.

Gareth Osborne of APA said: "The jobs market has clearly taken a turn for the worse since the start of the year with unemployment and the claimant measure now increasing. Given what we know about the economic outlook for the UK economy this year and next year it looks like jobs will remain tough to come by for the general workforce. PAs are not immune, especially where larger business and the public sector are still making cuts, but we are seeing an increasing demand for PAs in the small business sector as Directors are being stretched to be more productive.”

APA

Labour Market Outlook

The employment recovery is set to slow sharply, according to this summer's Labour Market Outlook survey of over 1,000 employers from CIPD and KPMG. On average, growth in hiring intentions have been reported throughout the past year, but a more sombre outlook is now being driven by a fall in confidence among private sector employers, particularly in manufacturing.

Figures for the next 3-months show that the private sector will grow (+23), but at a less solid pace than the previous quarter (+32). The fall in confidence is particularly marked in the manufacturing sector, which has decreased to +11 from +32 three months ago. Confidence in the public sector remains at the same negative level as last quarter (-51 compared to -52). The voluntary sector remains just in the black (+7 compared to +6).

Regional differences are just as stark as those between the employment sectors, with survey findings pointing to a further widening of the north-south divide. The three-month net employment balance for the south of England is +10 across all sectors, while the balance for the north is -6.

Gareth Osborne of APA said: "Increasing uncertainty about prospects in both the UK and global economies is now severely affecting hiring intentions; particularly in those industries such as manufacturing that stand to lose most in the event of a global slowdown. This will concern the government as it attempts to rebalance the economy towards exports and investment.

APA

House prices show first annual fall since 2009

Prices for residential property in England and Wales showed their first year-on-year fall since September 2009 according to property marketing company Rightmove.

House prices advertised via its website -- which covers about 90 percent of homes sold via estate agents -- are 0.3 percent lower this month than in August 2010, at an average UK price of £231,543. Compared to last month prices are 2.1 percent lower, in part reflecting a seasonal lull. Rightmove said that average asking prices were just 4.1 percent lower than the peak before the start of the financial crisis in 2007.

The number of sellers is 30 percent lower, as low interest rates and relatively stable employment have meant few sellers have been compelled to cut prices to levels affordable to buyers, who have much less access to mortgage finance than before the crisis. Other surveys of property selling prices similarly show average prices a few percent lower than a year ago.

APA would like to know if Members are experiencing particular difficulty buying or selling property; especially in and around major employment zones, for its discussions with the Housing Minister.

APA

There are still jobs out there

Job opportunities have seen a steady increase of 9 per cent year on year, research finds.

Some 15 of the 21 industry sectors monitored by the Monster Employment Index UK show positive annual growth on 2010 in July.

Transport, post and logistics (up 36 percent), remains the strongest performer of all industry sectors and has held its position for the past six months. While Production, manufacturing, maintenance, repair (up 35 percent) stays flat on last month’s figure while engineering (up 33 percent) maintains its position amongst the top three annual growth industries.

Michael Gentle of Monster says, ‘The Index shows recruitment trends steadily improving across the UK. Trends continue to remain more favourable than a year ago.’

Legal (down 12 percent) and banking, finance, insurance (down six percent) are among the larger declining sectors over the year but both registered milder reductions in July than in June. Not surprisingly the public, defence and community sectors (down 15 percent) continue to exhibit a steep annual decline, placing it bottom of the Index by measure of growth.

Admin jobs are generally down (6 percent), Gareth Osborne of APA says: “But we are still seeing a steady demand for PAs for both existing and new positions, mostly amongst small and medium-sized businesses. As the profession becomes more recognised for requiring a specific skill-set and personality profile, employers are increasingly looking for training and qualifications.”

APA

New Diploma Holders

August has been a great month so far for Diploma awards. Ten highly talented and successful PAs received news that they had passed and are now eligible to use the designatory letters DipPA after their name.

Shown are (L:R) Cherri Henderson, Carol Rockley, Helen Wingfield, Karen Wright, Gaynor Butterwick, Emily Gray, Karen Miller, Tracy McDougall, Emma Henry and Tara Chase

APA

SMEs still suffering

More than a quarter of small and medium-sized businesses are ‘only just surviving’ or being forced to make cuts and rationalise operations, finds research. 24% say trading conditions are worse than a year ago, while 35% do not expect the UK economy to recover for at least three years, according to the latest quarterly Bibby Financial Services Business Factors Index.

Ed Rimmer, Bibby’s UK CEO says, “With murmurs of an impending second ‘credit crunch’ rife, UK businesses are still in for a bumpy ride.”

The Index, finds that nearly two thirds (59 per cent) of companies are planning on cutting costs, while half intend to manage suppliers more carefully to prepare for further economic challenges. Nearly a quarter of firms believe a loosening of lending criteria would most help to stimulate economic recovery, and more than three quarters (79 per cent) of businesses have not applied for any external funding in the past 12 months.

However, despite the perceived doom and gloom, the Q2 research shows 39 per cent of businesses across the UK are hopeful for the future, with a regional breakdown showing levels of optimism rising as high as 70 per cent in East Anglia and around the 50 per cent point for many areas.

APA recognises the pressure on small and medium enterprises and recommends that they continue to exercise extreme caution over spending and ensure that their cash flow management is better than ever before and, if possible, retain reserves as a war chest to flight their way out of trouble or spring board forward as pressures ease.

APA

Not the place for serious investment

OK, I ranted last week but I still gave Dragon's Den another chance last night and it was dreadful. Again the selection process had failed and the desperately poor business opportunities exposed would lead you to believe the UK is devoid of investable talent; which it certainly isn’t. The Dragoons fooled around extending their celebrity egos while the world-be entrepreneurs withered.

Dragon’s Den, which offered so much hope to the entrepreneurially challenged, has sunk in its own bathwater and so, with regret, I have to say, I’m out.

But on a relevant note, any PA who works for an entrepreneurial business or start up company, please remember the key lesson to be learned from the Den, be prepared and ensure your Boss always has a strong grasp on the financial state of the business. If they know nothing else … ensure they know the state of current creditor (people you owe), debtors (people who owe you) and the bank balance.  With those three numbers they can pretty much run the business.

 
Gareth, APA

Diploma courses reach new heights

Another group of great PAs started the challenging and rewarding journey towards their Diploma in Personal Assistance in London this week.

Following quickly in the footsteps of colleagues in Manchester, Newcastle and Edinburgh, this makes July and August the busiest period so far for APA qualifications. All August courses are fully booked and September courses, in London and Birmingham, are filling quickly. September also see the launch of a Diploma programme in Belfast for the first time this year.

Pictured left are London delegates (L:R) Katie Manning, Julia Steer, Sukhi Kaur, Jenni Newman, Joanne O’Rourke, Maria Marsh and Natalie Thomas.

APA

Are chocolates really a bribe?

Despite its introduction one month ago, almost three quarters of businesses do not understand what the new Bribery Act is or how it affects the way they do business, research finds.

According to a study by Sage UK of 1,050 small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs), while a third of businesses (33 per cent) knew the Act was coming into force, most werere uncertain how they should adapt to it, with 50 per cent indicating that they will simply operate as usual.

The UK Bribery Act has been described as ‘the toughest anti-corruption legislation in the world’. The penalties for committing a crime under the Act are a maximum of ten years' imprisonment, along with an unlimited fine for individuals successfully prosecuted under the Act. Organisations can receive an unlimited fine and there is also the potential for the confiscation of property.

“This is a particularly important Act for every PAs to understand,” said Gareth Osborne, “It is important they know how to protect their bosses, co-workers and themselves. The key thing is to be in a position where you can show you have taken adequate steps to prevent even the most minor act of bribery from taking place. They should be particularly aware of the rules governing the receipt of gifts; like flowers, chocolates and tickets to events – all common place in the PA world.”

APA members can visit the Knowledge Zone within the ‘Members Area’ of the website and find a draft ‘Anti-Bribery and Corruption Policy’ document in the ‘PA’ Guides section.

APA

Employers look for the intangibles when hiring

Employers rate strong interpersonal skills, confidence and enthusiasm in a potential employee more highly than business acumen or an academic degree, finds research. According to a survey of 500 business leaders by accounting network RSM International, 81 per cent say the most important characteristics are confidence, enthusiasm and an entrepreneurial spirit. In comparison, only 20 per cent of respondents cite a good academic degree and business acumen amongst their most important.

Some 60 per cent of the survey respondents rate creativity and the ability to diversify as key traits in an entrepreneur whilst willingness to take risks scored less highly.

CEO of RSM International Jean Stephens says, ‘Academic qualifications are obviously important but people skills and entrepreneurialism are assets increasingly sought by employers. ‘In tough economic times these skills help employees and businesses stand out in crowded and competitive marketplace.

Gareth Osborne of APA said: “I have always encouraged entrepreneurial spirit in my employees, especially my PAs. No-one has a monopoly on creative thought and it is important that you inspire imagination and the need to generate new, profitable opportunities amongst your most valuable assets – your staff. At APA we also strongly support the need for professional and academic achievement but people who have these and an entrepreneurial flair are the real stars.”

APA will be launching a course focusing on creativity in the autumn.

APA

No wonder the dragons were slain

What an appalling first episode of ‘the Den’ last night. I’m well known for being highly critical of the format; the ‘Simon Cowell’ style (fill the show with ten acts; one great, two average and seven capable of severe ridicule) because, having worked with innovators for many years, I know there are tens of thousands of better ideas in the UK just waiting to be funded.

Any half-decent business advisor would have prepared their potential fundees better, for the mild drubbing the ‘Dragons’ dispense, than the meat thrown to them last night. To add insult to injury, Duncan Bannatine’s petulant outburst, when he had been ‘offended’ by the innovator  who he had just played like my cat plays with mice, was disgraceful reaction from a professional investor in the middle of a negotiation. Still it makes good television; at least it does for all those who will never have an idea of their own or will have to face the impossible task of raising money in the UK. Dragons, you have crossed the line for me from serious business investors to puppets of your burgeoning egos and celebrity status – shame on you.

On the positive side, at least James Caan has gone.

Gareth, APA