PA Career Insight | PA Prive

Aug 1, 2013

How to Become a Virtual Assistant

Are you tired of working under the supervision of others and want to be your own boss now? Well, if you have already given up working for others and have plans to start your own business then it is best to read this article with some of the best tips on how to become a VA. What is a Virtual Assistant? A Virtual Assistant provides a range of administrative support services remotely over the Internet, to a range of clients, from a fully equipped home-office. Many work entirely from home, which others travel frequently and even occasionally work in their clients’ ...

Aug 1, 2013 | 2 Comments

Jul 29, 2013

13 Steps for Effective Problem Solving in the Workplace

So, what is conflict, what causes it and how do we best deal with it? What is workplace conflict? Is a sharp disagreement or opposition of interests or ideas. When people work together, conflict is a part of ‘doing business’. Conflict usually leads to lowered morale, an increase in absenteeism and decreased productivity. It has been estimated that managers spend almost 25 percent of their time resolving workplace conflicts – resulting in a decrease in focus and thus lowered work performance. What creates conflict in the workplace? Some of the primary causes are: Poor Communication: different ...

Jul 29, 2013 | 1 Comment

Jul 25, 2013

12 Simple Ways to Improve Your Relationship With Your Boss

Having the support of your boss is important to your job and your career, so it’s worth it to try and improve or develop a relationship with your supervisor. Keep reading for some simple strategies to improve your relationship with your boss! Go the extra mile. The next time you’re on the job performing your job tasks, why not go the extra mile? Remember that your job description outlines the basic tasks and duties required to maintain employment. Occasionally going above and beyond the call of duty can really help others out and help you stand out in a positive ...

Jul 25, 2013 | 2 Comments

10 Questions To Ask Before Buying a Business

There are no stupid questions. This is what you should consider when doing your research before buying a business. The more questions you ask, the less risk you will have. But just in case you have no idea where to begin, here is a list of ten questions as a starting point of a thorough investigation. 1 – What are your biggest challenges right now? You want to be aware of potential issues. For instance, if you’re buying a company that will need improvements, you need to know that before deciding to acquire the business. 2 – ...

Jul 15, 2013 | Comments Off

Jul 8, 2013

Great Apps for Executives

There are lots of lists out there and they are all different because new apps show up everyday. Here are some top apps for executives that we have hand picked for you. Docs-To-Go This is essentially a mobile version of Word, Excel and Powerpoint. It will not be a replacement for the desktop version but it is great for a quick edit or to jot notes or review information in transit or before a meeting. Very stable app with a strong history Scanner Pro Paper meets the iPhone in Scanner Pro, which turns the iPhone’s camera into a simple scanner for ...

Jul 8, 2013 | Comments Off

Jul 5, 2013

How to Boost Team Creativity

Being creative is more than just coming up with new ideas for products, or cost reductions. It’s a tool that can be used in many ways and situations. Creative people are better problem solvers and tend to overcome obstacles to reaching goals better than plodders. Research shows that people are much more creative and productive when they feel happy says Daniel Gilbert, a psychology professor at Harvard University. Having a hard time coming up with new ideas with your team? A few practical tips to build a more creative team. Learn each team members’ distinctive talents The areas ...

Jul 5, 2013 | Comments Off

Jul 2, 2013

Five Time Management Ideas for Executive Assistants

It is frustrating to constantly feel overloaded with work. Have you ever thought, “I’m sure there’s an easier way of doing this”? Chances are there are, and with the following tips you’ll be able to save time in most of your activities and be happier at work. 1 – Get organized Getting organized is the first thing you should do in the day so all the other activities don’t get jeopardized. Organisation leads to accomplishment while disruption leads to loss of focus, delay of work getting done and ultimately frustration. 2 – Create templates In order to ...

Jul 2, 2013 | Comments Off

Jul 1, 2013

Diary Management Tips for PAs

Managing a busy diary is no simple task – as every PA will know. Some boss’ diaries are so complex, they employ two PAs, one to work on the diary – the ‘diary PA’ – and one to do everything else. In some industries, such as banking, the diary can be as much as 80% of the PA’s work. A good diary manager needs to decisive yet flexible. Flexibility in the diary is something that a number of PAs are afraid of – they live by the ‘once it’s fixed, it’s fixed’ approach and woe betide anyone who asks them to ...

Jul 1, 2013 | 1 Comment

Tips for Having More Productive Days

Are You Busy or Are You Productive? There is a big difference between being busy and being productive, yet many of us use the two terms interchangeably. Stop confusing busyness for productivity, and you’ll get more done. Are you making progress on mission-critical tasks and projects? Then, you are productive. We believe having a productive day is all down to planning, prioritising and focusing. Check out our tips below: Get enough sleep every night. Wake up early, probably just after sunrise. Many studies reveal that morning birds are more creative, energetic and motivated than night owls ...

Jun 28, 2013 | Comments Off

Top Networking Tips to Get You Started

Before you attend networking events, think about the true purpose of them. There is a reason it’s called networking – it is not a social event. So if there is alcohol available, make sure you limit your intake, or it might be best to avoid it altogether. Also consider your industry and target customers before deciding to attend an event – is it right for your business. Why attend the event? – Write down what you want to achieve from the event. Is it to meet someone specific? New job opportunity? Improve your communications skills Increase personal confidence? Whatever it ...

Jun 25, 2013 | 2 Comments