The Association of Personal Assistants - Join the Debate

Pourquoi nous - amo le donne - en Belgique

2012-03-02T11:59:00.000Z

Only France, Italy and Belgium have clearly shown support in favour of introducing mandatory quotas in the European Union to increase the number of women on boards of listed European companies during the current debate; held this week between Employment Ministers of the twenty members focused on this issue.

In contrast, the ministers of the United Kingdom, Ireland, Netherlands, Sweden, Slovakia, Hungary, Latvia, Czech Republic, Cyprus and

Malta

have rejected the introduction of a quota system binding in the EU in favour of women.

Germany and Denmark have recognized that they do not yet have a definitive position on this issue; this was confirmed by sources of the EU executive.

APA believes that European businesses fail in their responsibility to foster genuine equality in the Boardroom and sight the fact, published earlier, that the ratio of women directors on the Board of Chinese companies is higher than that of UK and the EU average. The UK has 9% fewer women directors than China. Its time we came up caught up!

APA

A glowing reference

2012-03-01T15:18:00.000Z

It is always nice when people share their experiences with peers and here is the view of Shelley Hulka, PA to MD / FD of Roquette UK Ltd on her participation in the recent APA Diploma in Personal Assistance (DipPA) course held in London last week.

Shelley, in an email later, said: “This course has been carefully structured to equip PA’s with a wealth of tools and knowledge, all highly relevant for dealing with the many situations that you encounter on a daily basis. Particularly excellent are the tools for problem solving and for learning what actually makes the people around you tick and why they behave in different ways when presented with the same problem. A truly excellent course for all PA’s, whatever your background”.

“I would add it actually improves your level of confidence. I really enjoyed the course and would certainly recommend it in a second.”

Gareth Osborne said: “Shelley is a highly capable, degree educated individual with a passion for her PA role, the Company she works for and the people around her. In my opinion she is definitely a role model for professional PAs and her comments are both pleasing and highly relevant to other PAs looking to enhance their skills.”

APA

Have you ever seen a happy jogger?

2012-03-01T15:04:00.000Z

If you are too tired to go to the gym after work, there is an answer. More than two million of us now go for a run during our lunch hour - or a 'runch', as it has been dubbed - instead. And all those lunch time jogs mean we clock up an average of 468 miles per year.

'Hectic lifestyles mean the only real option is to incorporate exercise into the day,' said a spokesman for sportswear brand Helly Hansen, who carried out the survey of 1,500 Britons.

However the downside may be that the survey showed that working out requires a slight addition to the traditional lunch hour - those who regularly pounded the pavement admitted they often took more than the permitted 60 minutes.

Conversely research in the US Journal of Sport & Exercise Psychology shows people who are physically active tend to be more enthusiastic about their jobs than those whose biggest daily exertion is taking the lift down to the office canteen.

Perhaps the new ‘out-of-office’ message should say: “Sorry I’m out jogging but I will be happy to call you on my return.”

Shelley, APA

Sponsorship Absurdity

2012-02-27T20:50:00.000Z

Is it just me or was anybody else’s rugby was ruined on Saturday by the ever present logo of the 6 Nations Championship Sponsor – RBS (the Royal Bank of Scotland) on everything you could see – it wasn’t helped by an exceptionally dull game from England and my own team, Wales.

I sat and watched in amazement as the RBS logo cropped up on the pitch, the side boards the shirts and undoubtedly on the players unmentionables!

Isn’t this the same bank that last week posted massive losses and previously offered its CEO a multi-million bonus, albeit declined after considerable public pressure? I’d personally be happier if they gave it to Sport Relief!

I am a marketeer and fully understand the need to keep your brand in the mind of customers and potential customers but does a loss-making, publicly owned entity like RBS have to flaunt their financial abuses in the face of the public. There are many small businesses beholden to the Banks that would beg for a decimal percentage of the RBS sponsorship pot to promote their own product or service, increase sales, employ staff and reflate the UK economy. Shame on you RBS!

Gareth, APA

Latest PAs of excellence

2012-02-25T13:33:00.001Z

The APA accredited PA Diploma programme is now running somewhere in the UK every week and new people complete the process at a variety of city centre locations around the country.

This week saw the completion of the Diploma for Vicky Fryer and Shelley Hulka after a challenging, yet hopefully enjoyable, series of assignments, the attended training days and the Diploma Test.

Vicky and Shelley, both experienced and clearly outstanding PAs, tackled the course with great enthusiasm and challenged the tools and techniques taught by APA’s Gareth Osborne; the former CEO of numerous large and small businesses, to the maximum to ensure they left with knowledge they could implement for the benefit of their own businesses. They will receive their results in due course and a period of three months mentoring support.

The Diploma is fast becoming the must-have qualification for PAs looking to secure high level (and often high-paid) roles as a PA and over 500 PAs are targeted to complete the course in 2012. To start the process; which can cost as little as £400, PAs should contact training@paprofessional.com or call 0800 103 1070.

APA Pictured (L-R): Vicky Fryer and Shelley Hulka

Motorists face workplace parking charges

2012-02-24T15:07:00.000Z

Under moves being made by a number of Local Councils thousands of drivers could face being charged a pound a day to park at their offices and factories. This comes as a second major city has drawn up plans for a workplace parking levy.

A number of councils across the country have floated the idea of workplace parking levies as a way of easing town centre congestion. Bristol is set to join Nottingham in imposing a pay as you park tax, with councillors ready to consider proposals in the spring.

Bristol has included proposals for the parking levy in its bid for Government backing for a £194 million “rapid bus transit” scheme. While the Government will pick up the majority of the bill, Bristol estimates that it needs to raise £27 million from local businesses on top of the £15 million the council is able to find itself. Businesses have been told this money could either be found by a business rate, which would require a referendum, or the parking levy.

APA has made it clear to Ministers that it believes that working motorists (its Members) would oppose the plans vehemently. “Drivers are already trying to cope with near record fuel prices and employers that pass on any workplace parking charge may find they are helping support the last straw.”

APA

The PAs of the future

2012-02-23T12:03:00.000Z

APA has today joined CIPD in warning that recent headlines, which associate voluntary unpaid work experience with slave labour, are in danger of discouraging employers from offering placements and denying young people a route into permanent employment.

APA asserts that good quality work experience provides an invaluable way for young people to build key skills and gain a foothold in the labour market. It is also a way for young people to develop and display the right attitude and work ethic that will help them to secure permanent employment.

However, employers also have a responsibility to offer high quality work experience schemes that provide real opportunities for young people to increase their employability. To this ends, CIPD with Jobcentre Plus published guidance in 2011, Work Experience Placements that Work, to help employers develop effective work experience schemes for 18 to 24 year olds that benefit both the young person and the employer.

Gareth Osborne said: “With ful time jobs for young people at a premium it is even more important than ever before that we enable good work experience opportunities to fuel their ambition, passion and understanding of what employers want when they go head-to-head with others for vacancies.”

APA encourages all of its Members to challenge their employer’s policies and practices and make sure they offer great experiences to young people.

APA

Weekend courses all the rage

2012-02-19T19:46:00.000Z

Recent research from a UK Think Tank has revealed a considerable appetite amongst yadults (young adults) for weekend training and networking sessions.

Never slow to react to changing circumstances, APA has launched, for a trial period initially, an option whereby its Diploma (DipPA) Module 2 programme is spread over a working weekend from Friday pm to Sunday pm.

Delegates arrive for a late Friday afternoon training session followed by a course dinner and scenario-based exercise. On Saturday they can take a swim or gentle spa relation before getting stuck into the main course of PA psychology, leadership skills, time and project management before completing the Diploma Test on Sunday morning.

Not for the faint hearted, this action-packed weekend almost certainly has to be squeezed in by busy PAs between two working weeks but, in its usual style, APA strive to make it fun, relaxed and professionally challenging.

For more details about PA training weekends contact training@paprofessional.com

APA

Pictured: Helen Goodman, Lauren Anderson, Tas Holt, Emma Wright-Thomas and Beverley Bonerton. Missing are: Jane Wilson and April McMaster.

The Living Dead of the UK economy

2012-02-18T07:18:00.000Z

Zombie companies’ making little or no profit could be the reason for the prolonged economic stagnation, says an insolvency specialist.

As government insolvency statistics for the fourth quarter of 2011 revealed liquidations and administrations are up by 7.2% on the same period in 2010, one solicitor has voiced a belief that these negative figures are masking the real problem, the ‘zombie company’, which he says is threatening to drag the UK’s weak growth back down into recession. ‘Rather than pull the plug on these businesses, the banks artificially prolong the life of these companies that would otherwise have failed, by varying the terms of their banking facilities. ‘They limp on using capital and skills that would arguably be better placed in a growing business.’

The same solicitor adds that the zombie company remain in a perpetual ‘closing down’ state, dropping prices to attract customers, and potentially harming other more profitable competitors.

Gareth Osborne of APA says: “I don’t normally listen to the advice of lawyers, when it comes to business strategy, entrepreneurialism or innovation but this one seems to make a good point about not hanging-on too long. Sometimes it’s better to admit reality (usually to yourself), speak to your creditors and do the ‘right thing’.

“I desperately disagree with his assertion that this could be masking the double dip recession. I think he should start looking at the over-priced burdens suffered by business; funded through business rates, corporation tax and national insurance – cut some of those and you really could make a difference.”

APA

APA PA Training Booms

2012-02-16T13:52:00.001Z

APA has started the year with an extensive range of its PA training and qualification courses running across the UK and Northern Europe.

Gareth Osborne, APA DG, said: “We are already well booked throughout Spring; with some courses nearing saturation, but we try hard to accommodate everyone with extra days (mainly in London) added where necessary. We are expanding our range of UK locations this year and will be looking to create a permanent London training venue over the next few months. We have just added the excellent facilities of the Melia White House Hotel in Euston to our list of existing London hotels.”

The most popular course remains the ‘PA Professional’ programme for PA rising-stars looking for career enhancing tools and techniques or more experienced PAs looking to refresh or update their skill set. This course can lead to the award of the designatory letters CertPA after your name or act as Module 1 or the two taught Modules of the highly acclaimed Diploma in Personal Assistance; leading to DipPA.

All APA courses are accredited and are recognised by employers and recruitment agencies alike.

For more details go to: http://www.paprofessional.com/apa-training-and-qualifications-open-access.html/ or contact training@paprofessional.com

APA

Sat Nav Rage (anagram: a vast anger)

2012-02-16T11:19:00.003Z

Confusing Sat Navs have caused more than £200 million worth of damage to cars in the past 12 months, it was revealed today. As many as 83% of Sat Nav users have been misled by their system, a survey, appropriately, by Confused.com found.

Of those led astray, 52% ended up screaming at their devices, while 68% have ended up doing longer journeys and clocking up unnecessary miles.

The poll of 2,000 drivers also revealed that women were more likely than men to get angry with their Sat Nav.Drivers in the East Midlands exhibit the most rage whilst those happiest with their Sat Navs were from Northern Ireland. Scots appeared to be the people most misled by their devices. The worst spot for Sat Nav anger was the Welsh city of Aberystwyth, where 75% of drivers admitted to regularly losing their temper with their device.

Confused.com, said: 'Our research has shown that the Sat Nav is not always the blessing it was once hailed to be and, increasingly, motorists appear to be citing the device as a source of frustration and danger.'

Gareth said: “Well at least it gives us someone else in the car to blame!”

Shelley, APA

Unemployment rises again

2012-02-16T10:58:00.000Z

UK unemployment rose by 48,000 to 2.67 million in the three months to December, official figures have shown, the smallest rise in almost a year.

More alarmingly for the PA profession is that women made up two-thirds of that increase and there was a new record in the number of people working part-time who want full-time jobs.

The unemployment rate edged up to 8.4%, said the Office for National Statistics, which the highest for 16 years. There was also a new record for the number of jobless young people with an increase of number 22,000 to 1.04m 16 to 24-year-olds without a job. This figure includes young people in full-time education who are also looking for work.

With the number of job vacancies rising to 476,000 in the three months to January, economists suggested the worsening employment outlook had eased. Amidst hopes that the economy will return to modest growth in the first quarter and avoid recession..

Gareth Osborne of APA said: "The labour market remains bad and whilst it isn't signalling a return to recession it has a long way to go to support some of the more optimistic pundits.”

The figures came as the Bank of England published its quarterly report on inflation. It said the UK economy would "zigzag" this year, dipping in and out of growth, but avoid going back into recession.

APA

The vicious circle remains

2012-02-14T22:05:00.000Z

Inflation fell modestly in January as the artificial impact of last year's VAT rise was no longer shown in the figures.

The Consumer Prices Index (CPI) measure of inflation fell to 3.6% in January, down from 4.2% in December, according to the Office for National Statistics. Retail Prices Index (RPI) inflation - including mortgage interest payments - fell to 3.9% from 4.8%.

The drop brings CPI inflation to a 14-month low. However, the rate remains well above the Bank of England's 2% target. The prime minister welcomed the drop in the rate.

Gareth Osborne of APA said: “Inflation remains too far ahead of pay increases; with over 60% of our members reporting no increase in their salary over the past 12 months. With interest rates near rock-bottom savings are not yielding an adequate return and this is seen in the amount people have available to spend on nothing other than necessities. This is a vicious circle that will not be broken for sometime.”

APA encourages the Government to stimulate the economy by ensuring the Banks invest in small businesses; the only sector with the ability to create jobs, wealth and spending, or do it with hard cask themselves.

APA

Small businesses still fail to plan

2012-02-12T10:31:00.000Z

One in five small business loan applications were rejected last year, according to services and software provider Sage

, research finds. APA believes it is much higher and suggests it might be closer to three in five.

The findings, which draw on more than 1,000 responses, also reveal that seven in ten small firms make use of their business plans to measure the performance of their company, but that only one in ten use their business plans to secure finance or funding.

Unsurprisingly, the research also identifies that under half of all firms (42 per cent) do not have a business plan at all.

Gareth Osborne of APA says: “Access to finance remains one of the greatest challenges facing small businesses today. However, there are a number of vital things owners can do to help themselves, such as ensuring they have a fully robust and up-to-date business plan in place. Their PAs can be a great asset in this area, we can train them to develop and assemble a great business plan from your ambitions and desires. Business planning is included in our Diploma programme and in other courses.”

APA

Technology nightmare

2012-02-09T16:23:00.000Z

British small businesses place less of an emphasis on technology than their European counterparts, research finds. Only 51% of UK SMEs say that IT is an integral part of their drive for business growth, increased innovation and productivity, according to new research, making it one of the poorest technology performers in the 27 Member States of the EU.

In France and Germany, 76% consider IT integral to growth, with 73% in Spain and 68% in Italy agreeing.

However, the very smallest UK businesses like to use the latest technology, with the average age of most of the technology in use being around 2.2 years, compared to an average of 2.5 across European countries. Some 70% of British SMEs say that they replace IT equipment every two years, recognising the importance of staying up to date.

More hopefully, over half (57%) of British businesses say modern IT is vital for staff productivity, with 27% believing it helps attract and retain staff, and only 2% thinking it is an unnecessary expense.

APA

Winter chill hits training

2012-02-08T14:20:00.003Z

APA got a cold reception in Helsinki when the latest batch of diploma candidates met for their final training and test. The weather had plummeted to -18ºC but it was bright and bracing and, so they told us, typically Finnish..

Finland and its neighbouring Scandinavian countries are proving to be a valuable training ground for APA and PAs are keen to attend accredited courses with the potential to move on afterwards to degree level qualifications. The latest course, again delivered in Espoo, attracted an experienced group of PAs who scored the course content as; excellent (75%) and very good (25%) and the joint delivery by Gareth Osborne and Anders Magnusson as excellent.

Diploma course are already running in the UK with others to follow imminently in other northern European locations. Gareth said: “We hope to anchor our operation with the launch of APA Scandinavia in the coming months and from there, address some of the other northern EU countries. We currently have interest from Spain, France and Italy and hope to become more engaged there too.”

APA courses will be running in Sweden, Norway, Finland and Denmark throughout the year and can be booked by contacting training@paprofessional.com .

Pictured (L-R) are: Aamu Nurmi, Henna Rothovius, Naema Ikola, Maija Eneberg, Kaisa Lundback and Roosa Javinen.

APA

FREE PA Degree taster day - 10th May 2012

2012-02-07T20:02:00.005Z

Middlesex University has generously offered to host a free one day taster for all Members (and PA friends) who have expressed an interest in enrolling for the PA Degree – either the BA or MA programmes for PAs.

Course Leader, Dr. Paul Griseri, (pictured right) will outline elements from the course to help explain how flexible a distance and work-based programme is and how it can seamlessly fit into you working life. Paul will be teaching a key element of the course; against which you will accrue CPD points and potential credits towards your future degree registration.

This is one day that could shape your careerpath; can you afford to miss this valuable opportunity? Please book early. To register interest and receive more information contact APA 080 107 1030 or email knowledge@paprofessional.com

APA

Remember, completion of APA’s Diploma programme supported by your work experience already counts towards your PA Degree (120 points towards a 360-point BA in Business Administration for PAs). A PA Degree could be easier than you think.

Its UK Duvet Day

2012-02-05T19:56:00.000Z

‘National Sickie Day’ will cost UK businesses more than £34 million, ELAS the employment law expert predicts. The combination of wintry weather, commuting to and from work in the dark, Christmas credit card bills and a long wait until the next holiday makes Monday, 6 February the day Britons are most likely to call in sick.

However, the number of days workers award themselves for a bout of fake illness is falling as the economy falters, with most staff now only daring to spend one day away from the office.

ELAS says, ’We have been keeping a close eye on absenteeism for years, and there has always been a sizeable number of skivers who, having phoned in sick once, award themselves a second day to make their illness look more believable. 'But in the past 12 months, a combination of the stuttering economy and managers finally grasping the nettle over absenteeism has seen that particular trend end.'

While the number of people suspected of throwing ‘sickies’ continues to grow steadily, the length of time they’re off work is falling fast. Based on its monitoring of absenteeism nationwide, the company estimates that as many as 400,000 UK workers will ‘throw a sickie' on Monday.

APA

Threat from new Virus

2012-02-02T11:12:00.000Z

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

2012-02-02T10:18:00.003Z

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

2012-02-01T11:17:00.003Z

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

2012-01-30T08:13:00.000Z

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

2012-01-29T07:55:00.001Z

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 ....

2012-01-28T11:47:00.000Z

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

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

APA

New Leeds PA Professionals

2012-01-28T11:03:00.001Z

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

2012-01-27T14:19:00.000Z

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

2012-01-23T14:09:00.000Z

In June 2009 (30 months ago) serial entrepreneur and Dragons’ Den investor Peter Jones suggested that

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

2012-01-22T11:57:00.000Z

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

2012-01-18T16:53:00.000Z

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

2012-01-18T09:40:00.001Z

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

2012-01-14T22:45:00.000Z

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

2012-01-13T15:35:00.001Z

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

2012-01-13T14:33:00.000Z

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

2012-01-05T10:00:00.000Z

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

2012-01-05T09:27:00.000Z

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

2012-01-04T15:43:00.000Z

“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

2012-01-01T17:22:00.000Z

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

2011-12-22T12:09:00.000Z

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

Final results are in

2011-12-20T22:12:00.000Z

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

2011-12-18T08:22:00.000Z

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

2011-12-17T11:30:00.000Z

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

2011-12-12T09:01:00.003Z

“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

2011-12-12T08:45:00.000Z

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

2011-12-11T11:34:00.000Z

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

2011-12-02T11:06:00.000Z

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 ...

2011-12-02T10:37:00.000Z

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 ...

2011-11-29T15:41:00.000Z

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

2011-11-27T13:00:00.001Z

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

2011-11-27T12:24:00.001Z

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

2011-11-27T12:07:00.001Z

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

2011-11-23T15:57:00.000Z

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

2011-11-23T15:19:00.000Z

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

2011-11-23T14:51:00.001Z

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

2011-11-22T16:44:00.000Z

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

2011-11-19T14:24:00.000Z

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

2011-11-14T11:03:00.001Z

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

2011-11-13T18:45:00.001Z

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

2011-11-13T16:04:00.001Z

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

2011-11-13T12:38:00.000Z

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

2011-11-07T15:33:00.000Z

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?

2011-11-05T15:01:00.000Z

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'

2011-11-04T10:54:00.002Z

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

2011-10-30T17:48:00.000Z

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

2011-10-30T16:12:00.001Z

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

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

2011-10-24T12:20:00.000+01:00

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

The Diplomas keep on coming

2011-10-24T07:43:00.000+01:00

Another group of exceptional PAs have successfully passed their APA Diploma examinations this week and joined the elite group of over 400 PAs with the professional designation DipPA after their name.

Places remain available for Diploma programmes starting in November and December and APA has recently announced (see below) its 2012 series of dates around the country.

Achieving success were (L-R): Tania Saunders, Natalie Thomas, Stacey Grant, Susan Ahmed, Heather Senu, Catherine Dernulc and Maria Marsh and Mary Brannigan.

APA

London and Midland PA courses

2011-10-17T12:16:00.000+01:00

Concurrent ‘PA Professional’ programmes where running in the UK last week with delegates from the south coming together in London and from the north in Birmingham.

APA Director General said: October is always a busy month for training, qualifications and other APA activities. Last week it was a combination of training and a one day conference in Taunton, Somerset and this week it is international training in Finland and Germany with a members’ meeting in London.”

APA training and qualification programmes run through October. November and December and some places are still available. For larger businesses and organisations APA can offer tailored programmes and in-house training; as it has for the NHS recently.

Shown left are (L-R): Brit Norman, Helen Goland, Debbie Ansett and Marsha Thomas-Witt.

Shown right are: (L-R): Josephine Kirby, Denise Cassie and Melanie Lawrence.

APA

APA announces 2012 qualification dates

2011-10-17T10:55:00.001+01:00

APA has today announced the dates for its PA qualification courses in 2012; there are over 120 dates available to members and non-members alike across the UK, with more than 40 being at training venues in Birmingham, Leeds, Manchester, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Belfast.

The programme includes the PA Apprentice programme. PA Professional to CertPA and the Diploma in Personal Assistance (DipPA) and PA as a Manager programme. All courses are accredited and count as credits towards the APA and Middlesex University BA and MA Degree programme.

APA members receive a highly advantageous saving on all courses, with as much as a £500 + VAT saving (ten times the average membership fee) on the Diploma programme alone

Some dates across the UK are still available for 2011 and booking can be made by calling 07817 776134 or emailing training@paprofessional.com.

For more details go to: http://www.paprofessional.com/index.php?id=984

APA

The equality we didn't want

2011-10-16T07:49:00.000+01:00

As the Government's new Pensions Bill get closer to its final reading in Parliament, here’s a quick guide to what's been said, and what these changes could mean for you.

An increase in the State Pension Age - The first key reform in this Bill is the increase in the State Pension Age; this is different from, and not linked to the Default Retirement Age, it is the age at which eligible people begin to receive their state pensions.

How the changes will be brought through - Under the current rules, the State Pension Age for women is in the process of rising from 60 to 65 to equalise with men; and then state pension age for both men and women was due to increase from 65 to 66 between 2024 and 2026. The Pensions Bill is bringing forward the timing of equalisation and the rise in the State Pension Age from 65 to 66 for both men and women.

Under the new legislation, women’s state pension age will reach 65 by November 2018.

The rise from 65 to 66 for both men and women will happen more slowly than the Government had originally planned and will be complete by October 2020.

The Government's change will lead to an earlier state pension age for just under half a million people. It particularly affects women born in 1953 and 1954 many of whom previously faced a delay of up to 2 years before they could claim their state pension.

APA is appalled that UK Government can equalise pensions; disadvantaging women, while they still struggle to address the lifelong wage imbalances between men and women (but then the Minister for Women [Home Secretary, Theresa May], is still focused on cats!).

APA

You're my favourite!

2011-10-14T15:25:00.000+01:00

According to a study of more than 1,000 employers by an HR consultancy, almost a third of respondents admit that they ‘favour’ certain members of their staff more than others; due mostly to these employees having a ‘stronger work ethic’.

Of the 31% cent, around18% cent say that their ‘loyalty to the company’ was why they favoured them and a further 11% say they favour them because of their ‘sense of humour in the work place’. 25% said they ‘just liked their personality.’

All respondents were asked if they felt that they had ‘personal friendships’ with any members of their team, to which just under two thirds, 61 per cent, said ‘Yes’. While in contrast, only 27% stated that they were not friends with any of their employees.

Gareth Osborne of APA said: “There are very few reasons to go out to work and I always list money, money, fun and money as the first four. People do make friends and definitely have favourites. It’s the reason that some people work more closely than others and justifies why the PA and Boss relationship, in many cases, is so strong. It is much more complex than the HR survey suggests and should be embraced and not avoided at all cost as the report concludes.

APA

Stress-related absences

2011-10-07T09:21:00.000+01:00

Stress is, for the first time, the most common cause of long-term sickness absence for employees, according to this year's CIPD/Simplyhealth Absence Management survey.
A link between job security and mental health problems is also revealed in the survey. Employers planning to make redundancies in the next six months are significantly more likely to report an increase in mental health problems among their staff (51% compared with 32% who are not planning redundancies).

There is a particular increase in stress-related absence among public sector organisations, with 50% of these respondents reporting an increase. They identify the amount of organisational change and restructuring as the number one cause of stress at work, highlighting the impact of public sector cuts to jobs, pension benefits and pay freezes. Job insecurity is also reported as a more common cause of work-related stress in the public sector this year (24%) compared with last year (10%) and is higher than in the private (14%) and non-profit sectors (14%).

Overall employee absence levels have remained static at 7.7 days per employee per year. Public sector absence has decreased from 9.6 days per employee per year last year to 9.1 days this year and private sector absence has increased from 6.6 days in 2010 to 7.1 days in this year's survey. The trends in absence levels appear to reflect the relative fortunes of these sectors. Although overall absence levels show little change, the proportion of absence that is stress-related has increased. Nearly four in ten (39%) employers report an increase in stress-related absence, compared to just 12% reporting a decrease.

APA

More PAs in Training

2011-10-05T22:30:00.000+01:00

Another group of ambitious PAs entered Module 2 of the APA Diploma programme today and made the first step towards to this prestigious award. This will result in them taking the Diploma test tomorrow and awaiting the result of the Panel of Members convened to judge their entry and commitment during their work towards the Diploma. Results are expected in October.

Show (L-R) are: Tania Saunders, Natalie Thomas, Stacey Grant, Susan Ahmed, Heather Senu and Catherine Dernulc.

APA

Doubling the period for unfair dismissal

2011-10-04T13:53:00.000+01:00

British business could save £6 million a year from changes to unfair dismissal laws that will come into effect next year, the government claims. Under reforms announced by Business Secretary Vince Cable and Chancellor George Osborne, the qualification period for the right to claim unfair dismissal will be doubled so that an employee must have worked for a company at least two years rather than one.

These changes follow the ‘Resolving Workplace Disputes’ consultation, which was published in January this year and proposed measures to encourage early resolution of disputes, and are part of the government’s workplace reforms. The reforms aim to increase business confidence to take on more staff and it is felt that the new proposals will see the number of unfair dismissal claims drop by around 2,000 a year.

Cable remarks, ‘Businesses tell us that unfair dismissal rules are a major barrier to taking on more people.’ ‘We have one of the most flexible labour markets in the world, but there is more we can do to give British business the confidence it needs to create more jobs and support the wider economy to grow.’

Over the past 18 months the government has started the Employment Law Review, a review of all aspects of employment law, and these particular changes to unfair dismissal laws will come into force on 6 April, 2012. APA supports the review and any future amendments that make implementation easier and less bureaucratic.

APA

Eurozone sinks further in September

2011-10-03T16:37:00.000+01:00

Manufacturing in the Euro-one shrank at its fastest pace in two years in September, a Markit’s business survey has shown. This is the second consecutive month that eurozone manufacturing has shrunk.

Greece, the focal point of the eurozone's debt crisis, saw its output contract for the 25th consecutive month. "Manufacturers are reporting the worst business conditions for over two years, facing a combination of lacklustre domestic demand and falling export sales," said Chris Williamson, Markit's chief economist.

The region has been weighed down as leaders struggle to prove that heavily indebted countries, led by Greece, will be able to avoid defaulting on their debts. This has led to bailouts for Greece, the Irish Republic and Portugal - but the crisis has continued and has weighed on bonds and stocks globally.

Even in

Germany

, the engine of European economic growth, Markit's survey showed factory activity has come to a standstill.

APA

And finally - Belfast

2011-10-02T12:07:00.000+01:00

After two years of trying APA has now populated the UK with training locations and has finally delivered its first course in Northern Ireland.

Flying in from Luton to deliver the course, APA DG, Gareth Osborne said: "I am thrilled to be in Belfast and delivering a Diploma programme to a small but highly committed and professional group of PAs. I hope this is the first of many journeys I will be making to Northern Ireland. I have always loved the region and, as a Welshman, am happy that we have finally provided training across the UK."

Attendees were (L-R): Andrea Stewart, Brian Forsythe and Julie Maitland.

APA

New Diploma Awards and Entrants

2011-10-02T11:56:00.002+01:00

Recently announced are Diploma awards; for Left: Audrey Stwart, Centre (L:R):Sukhi Kaur, Katie Manning and Jenni Newman.

New to the Diploma programme are : Right (L:R): Mary Brannigan, Jo Hawes, Heather Senu and Catherine Dernulc.

APA

Diplomas for the North and North East

2011-10-02T11:46:00.000+01:00

With a busy Leeds City Centre in the background, Gareth Osborne, Director General of APA, presented Diplomas to successful northern candidates from Leeds and Newcastle recently.

Among the group are Distinction awardees Tara Chase and Emma Henry.

See (L-R) are: Karen Wright, Gaynor Butterwick, Gareth Osborne, Tara Chase and Emma Henry.

APA

National Minimum Wage Increase

2011-10-01T18:26:00.000+01:00

The National Minimum Wage is the minimum amount that workers in the UK are entitled to be paid per hour.

On 1 October, this will increase by the following amounts:

· The rate for workers aged 21 and over will increase from £5.93 to £6.08

· The rate for workers aged 18 – 20 will increase from £4.92 to £4.98

· The rate for workers aged 16 – 17 who are above school leaving age but under 18 will increase from £3.64 to £3.68

· The rate for apprentices who are under 19 or 19 or over in their first year of apprenticeship will increase to from £2.50 to £2.60

APA

New retirement regulations from 1st October

2011-10-01T18:13:00.000+01:00

The last day employees can be compulsorily retired using the DRA has passed and, from 1 October, employers will not be able to use the DRA to compulsorily retire employees.

In limited circumstances, employers will still be able to operate an employer-justified retirement age but such compulsory retirement ages are, in practice, very difficult to justify.

After 1 October 2011 and in the absence of an employer-justified retirement age, employers will only be able to dismiss an older employee by following a fair dismissal procedure and relying on one of the fair reasons for dismissal set out in section 98 of the Employment Rights Act 1996 (such as conduct, capability or redundancy). Employers risk age discrimination and unfair dismissal claims if they do not follow a fair dismissal procedure.

APA

Agency Workers - new regulations apply

2011-10-01T09:16:00.000+01:00

Saturday 1st October sees the introduction of the Agency Workers Regulations (AWR). These new regulations will see flexible workers becoming entitled to the same pay and treatment as the permanent staff they are working alongside, once they have been in the same role for 12 weeks.

The purpose of the Directive is to provide temporary agency workers with equal treatment in terms of basic working and employment conditions as if they had been employed directly to do the same job. Equal treatment under the Directive as reflected in the Regulations relates to basic working and employment conditions, those being: pay; working hours; overtime; breaks; rest periods; holidays; and access to training and collective facilities, such as childcare.

Today is a significant day for employers who use temporary workers and the recruitment industry that places them. For after years of tireless campaigning in Brussels and Westminster the Agency Worker Regulations (AWR) finally go live.

In the view of REC (the recruitment industry professional body) and APA, the Regulations are a sledgehammer to crack a nut and may cost

employers over £2 billion a year in additional employment costs.

Gareth Osborne of APA said: “The implementation of the Directive will have major implications on the costs and use of agency workers and could severely damage available opportunities for workers already facing redundancy. Temporary work has historically been seen as a way back into work – alas, no more.”

“APA members should be aware that from today all agency workers (temps) must be paid at the same rate as the person they are replacing or covering for after 12 weeks of engagement.”

APA

Starting a business abroad

2011-10-01T07:33:00.000+01:00

Seven in ten expat entrepreneurs believe they have achieved more by starting up a business abroad, research finds.

Singapore, Hong Kong and the USA are rated as the top three countries for nurturing enterprise, while Spain, UAE and China are the worst, according to NatWest International’s Personal Banking Quality of Life Index.

The study, in conjunction with The Centre of Future Studies, highlights the extent to which countries promote entrepreneurialism by making it easy for expats to do business. More than three quarters (78 per cent) of expat entrepreneurs believe faster growth is one of the major advantages of running their business abroad. A further 74 per cent believe access to cheaper resources is a real advantage and for 65 per cent it is the tax incentives that are the big draw.

When it comes to disadvantages, seven in ten (71 per cent) believe foreign regulations and standards are a hindrance.

Dave Isley, head of NatWest International Personal Banking says, ‘Setting up your own business can be difficult and you would imagine doing so abroad would be a task for the brave. A new breed of entrepreneurs is emerging and it is encouraging to see that the ‘21st pioneers’ are thriving in foreign climes. It is interesting the see that Singapore, Hong Kong and the USA are fruitful entrepreneurial countries according to the index yet China and UAE rank so low. Given the current economical climate, it is no surprise that expat entrepreneurs in Portugal, Spain and France do not feel they have a positive business outlook.’

When thinking about their business in the next three years, 22 per cent of expats consider the prospects for their business in the next three years to be excellent or very good and over half (55.8 per cent) rate their prospects as good.

APA

Esther steals the show

2011-09-18T13:47:00.000+01:00

APA would like to extend a special vote of thanks to Esther Burke FAPA DipPA for her support on the stand at Office*. Esther took two days out of her busy life to help APA promote membership and training opportunities and make contact with a new network of her PA peers. Her friendly and professional manner combined with a generous sprinkle of Irish charm helped convince many to look seriously at joining APA..

Gareth Osborne said: “Esther is a great PA and a passionate member – it is people like her who make APA the one big family of professional people that it has become. She was fun to work with and a great ambassador for the profession. She is a shining example of a true APA member.”

APA

MU joins APA at Office*

2011-09-18T13:33:00.004+01:00

Dr Paul Griseri and Olivia Cooper talking to APA Member Sarah Tarry

Staff and friends from APA’s academic partner, Middlesex University Business School, were present on the stand throughout office* 2011 to promote the new PA Degrees (Bachelors in Business Administration for PAs and the Masters in Business Management for PAs). The degrees attracted considerable interest with attendees registering requests for more information after the show.

PA Course Leader, Dr. Paul Griseri, Course Coordinator, Olivia Cooper, and Nerissa Bryden (of the marketing team) spoke with a host of PAs who were interested to learn more about the new new modular approach to the degree; where PA s can take modules in isolation and accrue credits towards an eventual award. This approach demonstrates the unique understanding MUBS possesses for the busy life of a PA.

For more information contact: Olivia Cooper at MU pa@mdx.ac.uk

APA

Office* 2011 - the results are in

2011-09-18T13:24:00.000+01:00

Office was a great success for APA, with hundreds of members flocking to meet Gareth Osborne, Director General, and a group of passionate members who volunteered their time to support the association by helping staff the stand. Everyone seemed to have a good time.

It was great to renew old acquaintances; especially APA Member Number 1 (Inta Batsman), and many of our recently appointed new members like Kelly McGill; who also helped out while she was there.

The show was generally thought to be good and Thursday was definitely more buoyant than last year but Friday was disappointing with significantly fewer attendees; some might suggest it was due, in part, to the excessively bouncy Planet Hollywood party on the first evening (and second morning for many).

APA would especially like to thank members - Ash O’Meara, Claire Howard, Joan May, Sam Herridge, Kelly McGill and Esther Burke for their time, god humour and outstanding enthusiasm in helping us promote APA.

Gareth Osborne said: “Despite launching our own PA Conference and Exhibition next year we will continue to support office*. We believe that Diversified, the organiser’s, took a brave step and invested heavily in the PA profession when they took on the challenge to hold a national show last year. I have great admiration for their innovative approach and APA will continue to support them; next year at its new location - Olympia.”

APA

We're ready for Office* 2011

2011-09-14T11:43:00.001+01:00

Come and see APA on Stand 6001 at Office* 2011 opening at Earls Court at 09:30 tomorrow (Thursday 15th September) and running until Friday at 17:00. The show promises to be the best yet

1. Keep your skill sets up-to-date with the office* conference - If you haven’t already, remember to plan which of the 32 seminars you want to attend - online booking for these will be closing shortly. If you don't get chance to book in advance you can still book your place on the day!

2. Network with new & existing business suppliers - Check your inventory before your arrive and have your shopping list at the ready, there are over 160 leading exhibitors waiting to offer you some incredible ‘show only’ savings on your essential business purchases.

3. Meet Middlesex University and learn about the PA Degree - Come and meet the MU team on the APA stand (6001) and talk through the possibility of you enrolling for a BA or MA created specifically for the PA.

And above all, visit APA and enjoy the show.

APA

The battle of the sexes still rages over pay

2011-09-07T16:13:00.001+01:00

Female executives are currently being paid more at junior executive level than their male counterparts but achieving equal pay across all seniority levels will take another 98 years, research reveals.

UK female junior executives are earning an average salary of £21,969, some £602 more than male executives at the junior level, whose average salary is £21,367. However, men continue to be paid more on average than women doing the same jobs, earning £42,441 compared with £31,895, and revealing a gender pay gap of £10,546, according to figures released by the Chartered Management Institute (CMI).

The 2011 National Management Salary Survey, which sampled 34,158 UK executives, shows that salaries for female executives increased 2.4 per cent in the 12 months from February 2010 to February 2011, a 0.3 per cent higher rate of increase than for male salaries. The CMI warns that if male and female wages continue to rise at current rates, it will be 2109, or another 98 years, before the average salary for female executives catches up with that of their male peers.

The survey also reveals that this year’s pay gap is slightly bigger than the £10,031 gap in the 2010 Salary Survey. Salary increases have also fallen since last year’s survey, when male salaries were rising at a rate of 2.3 per cent and women’s by 2.8 per cent.

Gareth Osborne of APA said: “I can see no evidence of Government addressing the disparity and suggest there is no impetus to see things change even by 2109. For this to be achieved we are going to have to see a radical change of strategic direction.”

APA

A crashing sensation

2011-09-05T16:33:00.000+01:00

For three days last week APA’s access to the Internet ceased to be; apparently (and according to our service supplier) because the evaporation nanoosphere had interlocked with the endosphincter (or something like that). Three days with no link to the outside world and worse none for them to contact us, except for the telephone of course, which isn't quite the same is it, and we were climbing the walls.

However, the big shock to my system came with the realisation that for a period of time during those days I was at a loss for things to do. It was fine while I was working, but between jobs I didn’t have the Internet or emails to distract me. I contracted a type of cyber-withdrawal.

Since the 'arrival' of the phenomenon of the Internet, we have become obsessed with the speed at which it lets us live our lives. We rarely expect to get letters anymore - email is there, ready, waiting and fast. We can visit any virtual shop in the world, buy more than we could physically carry and arrange to have it delivered to our door, and all this in just minutes without even getting out of our chair.

I began to wonder about the vast number of companies whose day-to-day business is conducted online, and what would happen if for some reason the whole Internet suddenly ceased to work. The effects would be mind blowing.

We all have a ‘disaster recovery plan’ (?) to enable our systems to be quickly recovered; as luckily ours was last week. But has anybody actually considered the physical stress it places on our staff and colleagues without web access. If a fast method of stopping an addictive habit is called ‘going cold turkey’ then what we experienced last week was definitely ‘going cold chips’. Something to think about.

Gareth, APA

The view of a returning Mum

2011-09-05T11:12:00.001+01:00

I have to put aside my total shock at 84% saying that they did not want their employees to return to work following their allocated time off (see post date 20.08.11). And my disappointment for a reasonable proportion, 38%, suggesting these employees would “lack enthusiasm”. In my opinion the apathy felt by someone returning to the workplace is often created by the employer’s attitude in the first place.

Don’t tarnish all staff with the same brush. Many new mums really want to come back to work!!

After I returned from maternity leave in 2008 I had three of my most professionally fulfilling years: attained a distinction in the APA Diploma, spoke at numerous events as an ambassador of the PA profession, helped steer my department through re-structure and relocation, achieved runner-up Hays and The Times UK PA of the Year Award 2010 and became a non-exec Director at the APA.

Having a baby can actually be the time when you realise just how much you can achieve when you set your mind to it. In that time off you network massively and speak to lots of mums who’ve all got different careers and done different things. Ideas are spawned with the time you have to look more objectively at your own path and the world is once again your oyster. Employers should actually tune into this enthusiasm!

I’m just about to return to work from having my second child and whilst I have had to jump through a few ‘firey HR hoops’, with huge support from my boss I have secured my flexible work programme which will allow me a decent work/life balance whilst still doing a fulltime job.

It really is the employer’s responsibility to enthuse the returning mother, ensuring their policies are clear from the outset and are more than just words on a page. When you go back to work you want to feel that your employer wants you, your knowledge, experience and personality back in the business. They need to encouraging ‘keep in touch’ (KIT) days which are a great way to keep the lines of communication open. As well as using accrued holiday to settle back in e.g. work 3 or 4 days a week for a couple of months while you build back up to full time. Justifying your flexible working proposal should be a positive process, not one that makes you feel like you have to prove your innocence!

Emma Kernan-Staines FAPA DipPA, Director , APA

Workers choose a shorter working week

2011-09-03T12:51:00.000+01:00

The majority of UK workers would be prepared to lose a day’s pay to enjoy a three-day weekend, research finds. According to a study conducted by HR consultant www.Reabur.com of more than 1,200 Britons in full time employment, 51% say they would welcome the opportunity for an extra day off at the expense of remuneration.

A further 14% of respondents would willingly sacrifice ‘half a day’s wages’ in order to finish work at ‘lunch time on a Friday’, while 4% state that they would prefer the half day to be taken on a ‘Monday morning’. Some 6% of respondents say that they would be prepared to ‘permanently lose two paid working days’ in order to receive a ‘four day’ weekend and therefore just attend work three days a week.

Just 9% state that they feel ‘happy’ with working a five day week with the standard two days for a weekend and ‘wouldn’t want it to change’; while 2% of the respondents admitted that they felt ‘impartial’.

Sharon Rowe HR Advisor to APA said: ‘Many companies do offer flexible working but this research could add to the weight of evidence supporting the need for even greater flexibility in the workplace and the case for introducting job sharing schemes. In the current economy, with high levels of unemployment, job sharing can be an effective way of engage more people; each doing fewer hours, whilst retaining a viable and trained workforce in anticipation of better days ahead.”

APA

Life without web access

2011-09-02T11:37:00.001+01:00

I would like to apologise to all those who are trying to contact APA or access the website. Our service supplier took a major hit from an external source yesterday that corrupted one of its core servers; sadly the one APA is lodged with, and we have been without service since 10:00 am yesterday. Opnes has worked on the problem all day yesterday and overnight. It is rebuilt now and is being recreated within the Cloud but it will still take some time until it is re-established and available to access. In the meantime we have no incoming or outgoing emails. Please bear with us and forgive technology all its sins!

It really is amazing how lost we are without it and thank goodness for 'disaster recovery planning'.

As at Saturday (3rd) noon: The website is still down but emails are working.
Gareth, APA

Clean sweep for Diploma course 68

2011-09-01T08:52:00.000+01:00

The latest London-based Diploma course (number 68) made a clean sweep in their test and work assignments and every member achieved a passing grade. They are all now able to use the designatory letters DipPA after their names; indicating a level of knowledge and understanding that will add real and measurable value to their boss in the achievement of his or her strategic goals.

About the Diploma course Pamela Mork of Thames Valley Housing said: “Thank you so much for the support and time that you provided me in completing the Diploma. I am so excited to have achieved a Pass with Credit grade and Jack (my boss) is very pleased for me too. The APA is a great organisation and the support that you and your team provide to PA’s is very much appreciated.”

To find out more about the Diploma go to http://www/paprofessional.com and click ‘APA Training’ on the navigation bar.

APA

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

Effective leadership is important to long term business success

2011-09-01T07:26:00.000+01:00

New research from talent management consultancy, DDI, and CIPD reveals that only a third (36%) of UK leaders and one in five (18%) UK HR professionals rate the quality of leadership as 'high' in their organisations.

Despite findings pointing to an overall lack of leadership in UK organisations, only four in 10 (38%) of both

leaders and HR professionals rate their organisations' leadership development programmes as highly effective. Twenty per cent of leaders and 24% of HR professionals rate the programmes as ineffective.

Steve Newhall, Managing Director, DDI, says: "The findings of the survey must be read in the context of a severe recession. Organisations in the UK suffered greatly and their leaders have been under intense pressure. So the poor picture of UK leadership is perhaps not surprising. But the report tells us that leadership really does matter and good leadership makes an immense difference to the success of the organisation. Leaders themselves are telling us the skills they need and what development and talent management processes are most effective."

Gareth Osborne of APA said: “The research is new but the message isn’t,

businesses and the HR profession has been under-funding training for many years; right across the board, and it bites deeper in a recession when fewer average-ability staff have to work harder. There has never been a better time to invest in training and PAs should be prime recipients. From our own research we know that a great PA will increase his or her boss’s productivity by as much as 45% and that represents a massive return on investment (ROI). Training; especially APA professional training, is one of the keys to an increase in business productivity and should be considered by all CEOs.”

APA

Scandinavian Diploma

2011-08-28T09:42:00.001+01:00

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

2011-08-25T15:58:00.002+01:00

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

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

2011-08-21T08:05:00.000+01:00

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’

2011-08-20T13:22:00.001+01:00

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

2011-08-20T12:41:00.000+01:00

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

2011-08-20T10:55:00.000+01:00

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

2011-08-18T09:12:00.000+01:00

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

2011-08-15T10:27:00.000+01:00

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