Young talent abounds

It’s always good to work with new and aspiring PAs but this week’s London group of ‘PA Apprentices’ has been especially pleasing and bodes well for the future of the profession. Everyone attending was hungry for knowledge, tips and best practice and Liz Clayton FAPA DipPA joined the group to share her experiences and tips to maximise the potential of their respective bosses. Uniquely APA introduced a short 1-2-1 session for each attendee with Liz to enable them to share problems.

Pictured (L-R) are: Laura Wainright, Jenni Arnold, Amy Johnson and Deb Kerr were amongst the 12 junior PAs on the course.

Perhaps one of the most powerful tools taught on the programme is the APA 1-2-3 system for email management and all agreed that it would allow them to focus on the mail that matters. Amy Johnson AAPA said: “We a e inundated with unsolicited emails and it takes a lot of time to weed out the rubbish. Gareth gave us a series of easy to remember tips to reduce the volume and increase the importance of the ones that matter most. I think the course will help make my life easier and give me more time to look after my boss.”  Jenni Arnold added “It was brilliant, the best training I have ever had.”

Gareth Osborne said: “This was one of the liveliest groups ever; full of passion, enthusiasm and a will to get it right for their boss, or bosses to be. I would employ every one of them!”

APA

Technology Stinks

Technical problems including email and internet failures have been voted the most stressful office issue for workers.

Some 31% of office staff find internet and emails breaking down the most annoying occurrence, according to a new survey. An unrealistic workload came in second with almost 18% finding that there aren't enough hours in the day to get through their tasks. 14% said that a bad commute is the most stressful part of their working day, coming third in the poll.

A spokesperson said: 'Many of us don’t realise how stressful the office environment can be as it just melts into the fabric of everyday life. It’s no surprise that internet malfunctions came top of the list. In today’s technology-driven age so much of what we do is totally reliant on being online we often feel lost and frustrated without it.'

Other items on the list included compiling end-of-period reports (11%) and people being late for meetings (9 per cent). Eight % went out on a limb to identify their boss as the most annoying thing about going to work, with 6% citing demanding clients as the main reason behind their working frustrations.

APA

New CEO @ CIPD

CIPD has today announced the appointment of Peter Cheese as its new chief executive.

He will take over at the helm of the institute from July 2nd, is best known for his long career with Accenture, where he was Global Managing Partner, responsible for the Talent and Organisation Performance Consulting Practice. Since leaving Accenture in 2009, he has pursued a portfolio of board level business interests, academic work, public policy engagement, consulting and platform speaking work.

Peter takes over from Jackie Orme, who announced in January that she was to stand aside for health reasons. APA wishes Jackie well and applauds an outstanding track record of achievement for CIPD under her stewardship.

Peter said: “I am excited at the opportunity to lead the CIPD in these pivotal times for business and employment. Now, more than ever, we need an HR profession that can help people and organisations to be the best that they can be.”

APA wishes Peter Cheese well and hope to have an ongoing relationship with CIPD and all HR practitioners.

APA

New Research Fund

Science Minister David Willetts is poised to announce a new £100 million investment fund to support the establishment of research partnerships between universities, businesses, charities and philanthropic donors. The Research Partnership Investment Fund will be open to universities in he UK looking for investment in long term capital projects which leverage in significant private funding.

Institutions will be given the opportunity to bid for between £10 million and £35 million per project, and should be able to demonstrate that that they can attract at least double the amount given in private investment. Each application will be judged on whether it represents good value for money, and how much it will build on existing research capabilities.

The Minister said: “Collaboration between universities, charities and industry is vital for our economy, and attracts significant private investment in our world leading research base. The new Fund will bring together leading institutions and organisations. It will support excellent projects, which could include the purchase of high cost equipment through to stimulating the development of a new research campus and encourage innovation, drive growth and job creation.”

 
APA supports the government’s ongoing commitment to innovation, technology, research and the universities.

APA

K9 stunts

I’m not usually a lover of talent shows but I have to say this evening’s final of Britain’s Got Talent not only proved that fact but also knocked the typical Royal Variety Performance into a cocked hat.

It’s great to know we can still muster a show with such diversity, ability and charm. Every act performed wonderfully and made me wonder what talent we have in the ranks of our membership. Could there be a case for ‘PAs have talent’ – why not write in and let us hear about your performance skills. I know for sure that Dalya Bernstein FAPA can knock out a good tune as she proved at the recent ExecSec Summit to entertain her peers.

Ashleigh and Pudsey were outstanding and worthy winners but frankly it was a tough call and everyone deserves a chance at stardom – perhaps they all need a good celebrity PA.

Gareth, APA

APA on the Queen's Speech

Gareth Osborne, Director General of APA gave the following thoughts on the Queen’s Speech. He said, ‘The proposed review of funding for business could offer some hope that there may be more financial support available on the horizon. The Speech did reveal a new Banking Reform Bill, to be published in June, which will possibly see a loosening of red tape for customers; hopefully individual and business alike.”

“Employment legislation is still applied too tightly in the UK and offers employers little room to manoeuvre. This constrains rather than encourages employment; which desperately needs to be stimulated. Some relaxation is possible without encroaching unreasonably on employee rights.”

He added: “Parental leave measures, which give parents more flexibility makes great sense and will allow them to determine how they use their allowances. However, the government should be careful not to use this as an opportunity to increase levels of leave. Sharing the allowance is fine, but putting heavier burdens on business in these tough times would cause severe difficulty.’

Overall, Osborne believes the government is right to place deficit reduction and economic stability at the forefront of their programme, but he adds, ‘We need to see measures pursued enthusiastically in practice, not just in principle to restore business (and employment) confidence.”

 
APA

Degree Taster

Today saw the realisation of the long-trailed Middlesex University and APA PA Degree Taster Day at the Meliã White House hotel in London’s West End.

Attendees where able to meet the degree course leader, Dr. Paul Griseri, and APA DG, Gareth Osborne as they talked about the development, content and delivery of this highly flexible and achievable degree programmes. It was explained that each programme is discussed with and tailored for each individual participant to ensure it accurately meets their precise need.

Paul gave a practical demonstration of the University’s extremely user-friendly online learning resource; the tool that enables this degree to be studied by PAs working from their office or at home, and he went on to deliver a section of one Module on Corporate Governance. The presentation sparked considerable discussion amongst PA attendees on a wide range of strategic topics and allowed Paul to tackle some challenging questions posed.

Place are currently available for enrolment in September 2012; which gives PAs plenty of time to attend the APA Diploma in Personal Assistance (DipPA) programme and gain exemption from one third of the BA degree course.

PA interested in learning more about the degree should contact APA on 0800 107 1030 or the University at pa@mdx.ac.uk.

APA (with Middlesex University Business School – working together for the professionalization of PAs)

Pictured (L–R) are: Joanne O’Rourke, Jackie Deveney, Leanne Homewood, Dr. Paul Griseri, Sukhi Kaur, Sam Herridge.

Singapore summation

APA Director Laura Richardson FAPA of Elexon Ltd recently flew out to Singapore to take part in the UNI Strategic World of Executive PA 2012 Conference (18-20 April 2012), and was part of a speaker line up that also included two very well-respected and award winning PAs - Victoria Darragh FAPA of Hays and Karin van Peursen from the Netherlands.

Victoria presented on the importance of networking; she gave an insight into how she set up the award-winning Hays PA Network and Karin spoke about the PA profession in the Netherlands. Laura shared her own views on the different roles top PAs perform and, from her own experience in marketing roles, the similarities between a brand manager and executive personal assistant.

The conference attracted some of the very best PAs from all over South East Asia and Australia who have reported gaining great value from their association with their European peers.

APA Members can see Laura’s full report in the forthcoming members’ e-newsletter.

APA

A taste of the future

Recruiters tell us that more and more employers ask for PAs with a suitable degree.

Next week, 10th May, APA will be hosting a Middlesex University Taster day for PAs to get a flavour of the Bachelors Degree in Business Administration for PAs, developed jointly with APA, and what PAs can expect and how, using the latest technologies, MU is delivering the programme for maximum effectiveness.

Attendance is free and the event, to be held at the outstanding Meliã White House hotel in London; opposite Great Portland Street tube, will run from 10.00 am to 2.00 pm and will include a sample lecture by course leader, Dr. Paul Griseri and present a fabulous opportunity for PAs to find out how to enhance their life and career potential through academic achievement.

All those interested should immediately contact shelley.young@paprofessional.com to reserve one of the strictly limited places available.

 
APA

Bad management prevails

New research from CIPD has found that three quarters of employers report a lack of leadership and management skills and too many managers have an inflated opinion of their ability to manage people. In response, the CIPD is urging Government and employers to recognise that just a small increase in capability amongst the UK's eight million people managers would make a significant contribution to productivity and growth.

According to it’s research, 72% of employers report a deficit of leadership and management skills*. However, CIPD's quarterly Employee Outlook survey of 2,000 employees, released today, also suggests that one problem in tackling this skills deficit is that many managers don't know how bad they are at managing people.

APA recognised this deficiency years ago and incorporated both leadership and management training in its Diploma programme; not just for up-skilling PAs but also to give them the tools to better support and encourage their bosses. Members can see more on this subject in the next APA e-newsletter.

APA

A sticky situation

Now call me Mr. Angry and I don’t often use this space to gripe but chewing gum is starting to take over my life. Within the last two weeks I have had it ‘thoughtfully’ left on the seat I used on a train into London; causing me to attend meetings all day with it stuck to my rear. I escaped the tube recently in Leicester Square to find a myriad of Council workers with high pressure hoses trying to clean thousands of chewed and ejected globules from the pavement in the rain (it becomes a very slippery substance to walk on when it has impacted) and yesterday I ended the day with it stuck to my shoe.

Now, am I just unlucky or are the latex masticators targeting me for some earlier crime against Wrigleys?

For me the best way to control irresponsible chewers is to tax gum; the Chancellor needs the money and the cleaning must cost a fortune, or do as they have done in Singapore, legislate against its import or sale (since 1992). If members have strong views (either way) please let us know.

PS. Does anyone know a way to get it off my suit!

Gareth, APA

Large v. small

Small businesses are still struggling to win public sector contracts despite the government's efforts to make it easier, research finds. The latest figures from a survey of 2,700 companies by the FSB reveal that 40% of small operators believe the tendering process for public sector contracts is too complex, while 37% think they are sidelined by public officials who believe bigger must be better. The findings come despite the government's launch of its Contracts Finder website designed to make it easier for small firms to find and bid for public sector work.

Although one in seven companies had bid for a public sector contract in the last year, 41% failed to secure any business from any of the bids they had submitted. Of those that had won contracts, only a quarter say they had found the Contracts Finder website useful, with twice that number relying on personal contacts and referrals. Two fifths of small businesses still want a simplified tendering process, with 38 per cent believing that public sector bosses should evaluate tenders based on experience and ability rather than on the size and turnover of bidding firms.

APA is calling for all parts of the public sector to agree to the range of measures to support small firms detailed in the Procurement Pledge published by the government last week. APA Director General Gareth Osborne says, “There is some evidence that government is trying to break the large business strong-hold on public sector contracts but clearly more must be done. Without a true culture change across the public sector the initiatives will have little impact.”

APA

Weekend Workout

This weekend saw another in the new ‘APA Weekend Workout' training sessions for PAs from across the UK.

Delegates, with partners, checked in at the Country House Hotel for a full days training on Saturday followed by a joint evening meal and a free day on Sunday for a relaxing late breakfast (served until 2pm) or free access to enjoy the leisure facilities and sporting activities before departure that afternoon.

All enjoyed the event; marking it a massive average score of 9.25 out of ten, and Lara Endicott said: “This was the perfect combination of business and pleasure. The company paid for the training and accommodation but our partners had the opportunity to be nearby, enjoy the social element and relax while we worked. Everyone got on wonderfully together. It was an inspirational way to learn and the training was outstanding.”

Sue Browne added: “I’ve been a PA for over twenty years and have never been made to feel so special before. I will return to the office with a new lease of life

Pictured (L-R) are: Helen Gibson, Sam Grimes, Lara Endicott, Jenny Shipman, Joanne Al Desima, Susan Browne and Anni Helmond.

APA

In love?

APA wants to find out if you love being a Personal Assistant. When you get up and out of bed is it with a spring in your step?  Or do you come across that Sunday night feeling one too many times?

It’s hard not to come across inspirational speakers and anecdotes that tell us ‘if you love what you do then it’s no longer work’ etc. Steve Jobs gave a speech and some advice to the graduates at Stanford College: 

“You've got to find what you love. And that is as true for your work as it is for your lovers. Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven't found it yet, keep looking. Don't settle. As with all matters of the heart, you'll know when you find it.”

And as we progress through our working life we are always reminded to check if we’re on track, or do we need to make a change to ensure we’re doing a job that gives us satisfaction, fulfilment and reward.  The School of Life, based near Euston even offers a ‘How to find the job you love class’ to try and help establish what you want from your working life.

Then there is also the fear, am I in the wrong place and just too afraid to make the leap?  Throw in some news headlines telling us about rising unemployment rates and this can increase the fear factor or even leave no option.  If you feel you need an extra push, books like ‘who moved my cheese’ tell us we should avoid getting stuck with ‘old cheese’. This is handed out on the APA diploma course.

So, tell us, do you love being a Personal Assistant?

Katie Manning FAPA

Jubilee is no holiday

Nearly two thirds of small businesses are refusing to give staff an extra day’s holiday to honour the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee this summer. Some 62 per cent of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) plan to either open as usual or force staff to take the extra day off out of their holiday entitlement, according to a poll by business support specialist.

Around three quarters say they are against the government using additional bank holidays as a way of celebrating national events such as the Jubilee and last year’s Royal Wedding. The government has moved the Whit bank holiday back a week to June 4 and declared a special bank holiday on June 5 to create a four-day weekend marking the Jubilee.

Most people don’t begrudge the celebration of 60 years as Monarch but these are companies that are already hard-pressed to make ends meet and simply cannot afford another day’s lost business.

While most businesses still aim to close or operate on reduced staff for the day of the bank holiday itself, many employers are not bound to give staff the day as paid leave.

APA

Leeds 1 : London 1

As APA heads to Leeds for the Annual Conference and Hospitality Show 2012 to be held on 26th April at the Leeds United, Elland Road Stadium and formerly Leeds-based PA is heading to London to take up her new post as PA to the General Manager of the Hilton Hotel in Trafalgar Square.

Emily Woodcock MAPA DipPA,  (Pictured left receiving her Diploma) who was PA to the 'Apprentice' star-performer, entrepreneur Claire Young, has moved jobs to build her skills in a more corporate environment. Emily and Claire remain great friends and Claire supports her move South.

APA says: “Emily is a uniquely talented young PA who is keen to build her skills base and explore opportunities and gain new experiences. There is no better place than London and she has already settled in to achieve great things.”

Gareth Osborne said: “APA’s attendance at this weeks show in Leeds simply goes to underwrite our commitment to all PAs across the UK. We have Roadshows in Chester and Liverpool in May and other locations to announce next month.”

APA

The 'Illustrious Eleven'

Alliteration rules and the notorious nine has increased to become the illustrious eleven with the addition of two more PA Diploma holders achieving the ultimate accolade of a ‘Pass with Distinction’ as a result of their outstanding final test marks.

The new additions to the PA Elite list are Vicky Fryer (left) and Shelley Hulka (right) and both found the course equally challenging but rewarding and relevant.

Shelley Hulka from the manufacturing sector said: “I found the course excellent. It 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 PA’s 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 outstanding course for all PA’s, whatever your background”.

“I have to say I really enjoyed the course, it improves levels of confidence and would certainly recommend it in a second.”

Gareth Osborne, DG of APA said: “The list may be growing but at eleven distinctions still only represents 2% of diploma passes and makes the grade a very special award. So far we have only drawn new APA directors from the distinction holders and hope to make another appointment in the coming months. These are rare and extremely talented PAs.

APA

APA conquers northern Europe

As in the UK, APA’s Scandinavian training is building momentum for the spring and autumn busy periods with courses now running in Sweden, Norway, Finland and Denmark on a regular basis.

APA programme manager, Anders Magnusson, said: “We have just delivered a highly successful programme for new aspiring PAs in Oslo (the ‘PA Apprentice’ course) and the response was wonderful. It is the second we have hosted in the Norwegian capital and a number of delegates from the first course have already found PA positions.”

“APA training is especially relevant and required very little modification to be perfectly matched with the need of Scandinavian PAs. Their role here is very similar to that of UK PAs and we hope to host a group of PAs from London later in the year. We are also making provision for our first course in St. Petersburg, Russia; possibly at the prestigious Corinthia Hotel, and in Amsterdam, Holland.”

Gareth Osborne, Director General of APA said: “We are thrilled by the work Anders is doing in northern Europe and PAs are giving us excellent feedback on the content and quality of our courses; as they do in the UK. We have just finalised discussions with a colleague in southern Europe to replicate our strategies there. It looks like an exciting year ahead for APA.”

Pictured (L-R) are: Gianna Stene, Nia Engebretsen, Dana Thorkson and Kaley Meas.

 APA

PA training in Birmingham

APA is now at its busiest time for training and new PAs join courses each week at a UK or European location.

DG, Gareth Osborne, said: “We try hard to service as much of the UK as we can by delivering courses; especially the Diploma, in all regions but it’s hard to accommodate everyone and we do try, wherever possible, to support the major UK and European centres. For more remote areas or less frequent centres we will always tweak costs to allow for low rate travel expenses to more central locations; like London, Birmingham, Leeds and Glasgow.”

If you are considering PA training then contact APA at training@paprofessional.com or call 0800 107 1030 for details of dates, locations and prices. For groups of five delegates or more we will even provide training in-house at your company or organisation.

More PAs started APA’s Diploma programme in Birmingham this week by undertaking the ‘PA Professional’ programme. Pictured (L-R) are: Sam McElhill, Charlotte Leach, Emma Denslow, Amanda Reid and Sam Brooks.

APA

PA education and luxury combined

This morning Gareth Osborne was pleased to open the 2012 ExecSec Summit (a PAlife event) at the outstanding Heythrop Park Hotel and Conference Centre in Oxfordshire. A select audience of PAs, invited by organisers, met suppliers in a professional, relaxed environment and networked with their peers in the hotel's luxurious surroundings.

Gareth spoke about the results of the recent APA PA Salary and Attitudes Survey and his theory about why PAs are still paid too little for the work they do. Gareth faced a number of questions and attendees made a beeline for him after the presentation to share personal experiences, thoughts and ideas. Non-members of APA expressed an interest in joining the organisation and everyone reported enjoying the event (so far), the hotel and Gareth’s presentation; which was described as ‘passionate’, ‘thought-provoking’ and ‘timely’.

Gareth said: “I always enjoy meeting PAs but it is especially gratifying when you can influence people’s thoughts and inspire them to take something different back to their business to discuss improvements or better-practice with their Boss. This was the third year I has been privileged to give the opening address at this high quality event and, as always, it was excellently organised and totally relevant to the audience, suppliers and speakers – well done PAlife.”

“For those who were offered the opportunity to attend (which includes all APA Members), you missed a real treat.”

APA

Business bondage

The independent body set up to scrutinise new government regulations needs ‘sharper teeth’ to defend small businesses against 'red tape', APA has warned.

This comes following a report published by the FSB (Federation of Small Business) argues that the Regulatory Policy Committee (RPC) needs more powers to scrutinise performance, advocate regulatory reform and act as an ombudsman. The report also calls on the government to look at models from the USA, Australia and the Netherlands to see what structural changes could be put in place to improve the UK's regulatory system.

APA Director General, Gareth Osborne said: ‘It's good that government has finally recognised that companies should spend more time doing business and less time complying with bad regulation. We need to see more change, applied more quickly and more understanding of SME issues. For this the RPC needs real powers if it is to drive change and challenge Whitehall culture. We will keep lobbying hard to ensure they get this point.’

Despite numerous RPC initiatives, only one in three impact assessments for new regulations show they are fully fit for purpose. Further, the UK ranks 83 out of 142 for the compliance burden it places on businesses.

APA

If you or your business has any issues about Government legislation please contact us.

Flying in to qualify

As the number of APA training centres expand around Europe so does the number of international delegates flying into the UK to attend APA training courses in London.

As the venue of choice, many British PAs; working for international businesses abroad or local PAs working for British bosses abroad, choose London as a location for training timed to coincide with a spring or summer break in the UK.

Recent months have seen bookings increase for professional qualification courses held by APA in London from South Africa, UAE, Russia, the Far East and Canada to add to the existing list of international delegates.

APA itself is increasingly recognised as the global professional body for PA membership, career development and training.

APA

Spring qualification programmes

The latest attendees for the London running of the ‘PA Professional’ programme had a good day at the 5* Melia White House Hotel experiencing APA’s unique blend of learning in a high-quality, professional environment with good food, excellent networking and inspirational content.

They learnt current management tools and techniques specifically tailored for PAs to maximise the support they offer their Boss. All APA programmes have been developed jointly by PAs and the Directors that employ them to ensure a relevant blend of demand versus delivery.

The ‘PA Professional’ programme (PAP), which forms part of the training towards the much prized Diploma in Personal Assistance (DipPA) qualification, remains APA’s most popular course and is now regularly running at centres across the UK, in Scandinavia, Germany and beyond.

Gareth Osborne, DG of APA and a trainer on the PAP programme said, “Yesterday’s group were particularly engaging and we made time available for them to share experiences and learn from each other. During the day they were joined by Sam Herridge MAPA DipPA of Elexon (and the Mayfair ‘PA of the Year’) and Ana Wu FAPA from the Hotel who shared their thoughts.”

Pictured are (L-R): Alexandra Pretti, Monica Collinson and Nasreen Burke.

APA

Half a million home working fund launched

A £500,000 fund has been secured to help businesses looking to take on new home-based employees in the North East. The Home Working Fund, managed by Entrust, http://www.entrust.co.uk/ , will contribute up to £3,000 towards the costs of training and equipment for each new home-worker.

During the initial phase of the project, Entrust, has helped 12 companies to successfully access the fund and create over 220 jobs.

Bob Travers, managing director of Vir2all, a home-based virtual call centre, comments: “With modern technology, our call handlers can operate anywhere irrespective of geography. The Home Working Fund provides the assistance we required to keep up with the unprecedented demand we are experiencing.”

Chief executive of Entrust, Dan Brophy encouraged businesses large and small to think about the benefits from increased productivity from home workers, and reduced overheads

Gareth Osborne of APA said: “Anyone working or redundant in the NE could use this facility to establish themselves as a home worker for the plethora of businesses in the South East looking for a northern presence.”

APA

Bend zee Neez

From April 6, employers will no longer have to report injuries which keep workers off normal duties for seven or fewer days.

The change to the rules on reporting workplace injuries will save British companies time completing official paperwork, says the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), the independent watchdog for work-related health.

The change to the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR) 1995 is expected to see a fall of around 30 per cent in the number of incidents that must be reported by law – an average of around 30,000 fewer reports a year.

Employers will also be given a longer period in which to report, increasing from ten to15 days from the time of the incident. Employers must still keep a record of all over three day injuries, for example through an accident book.

Gareth Osborne said: “This is another step forward in the governments pledge to cut paperwork and red-tape.”

APA

Egg Tax

Millions of small businesses face chaos as HMRC has chosen to enact a computer upgrade over the Easter weekend – the busiest time of the financial year. The shut down, which lasts until Wednesday (11 April), threatens to throw into chaos plans for the self-employed, business owners and accountants.

Many would have been hoping to file end-of-year tax and payroll returns at the last minute but find themselves locked out and unable to access tax files online. The decision could have also hit millions of small businesses desperate to pay VAT bills by the April 7 deadline.

With fines for late payment of VAT being levied by HMRC’s automated system, many could face fines and repeat offenders could see fines as high as £5,000. The IT shutdown is the latest in a series of bad decisions by HMRC. When it activated a new computer system in 2009 it led to millions of incorrect tax codes being sent out.

Gareth Osborne said: “Many firms will be exasperated by HMRC’s decision to do a major upgrade to its computer systems at such an important time – but then Government always seems to do road repairs when the roads are at their busiest.”

“Our advice, if this shutdown has caused filling problems, is that companies should email and write to HMRC stressing their attempt to comply and immediately complete the action when normal services are resumed. We can only hope HMRC predicted the ensuing assault by angry users.”

“It should be stressed that HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) often shuts down its computer systems over the long Easter weekend; unnoticed by most people, but this year, it has happened to fall at the end of the tax year.”.

A spokesman for HMRC has called its upgrade ‘routine’ and said it was necessary in order to upgrade all the new tax codes and systems. Gareth said: "I must remember to quote that back at them if we are ever late filling."

APA

Big Sister or Nanny State?

The government will be able to monitor the calls, emails, texts and website visits of everyone in the UK under new legislation set to be announced soon.

Internet firms will be required to give intelligence agency GCHQ access to communications on demand, in real time. The Home Office says the move is key to tackling crime and terrorism, but civil liberties groups have criticised it.

The new proposed law - likely to be announced in Queen's Speech in May - would not allow GCHQ to access the content of emails, calls or messages without a warrant but it would enable intelligence officers to identify who an individual or group is in contact with, how often and for how long. They would also be able to see which websites someone had visited.

In a statement, the Home Office said action was needed to "maintain the continued availability of communications data as technology changes".

APA accepts the need to detect crime and prevent terrorism but will ask government to ensure it builds in as many safety measures into the act as can be achieved. Gareth Osborne said: “The growth in the principles of ‘Freedom of Information’ has already created a society in which peoples private details can be assessed or purchased commercially and it isn’t always healthy to make the details of the innocent many so freely available to the unscrupulous few.”

Member’s views are welcomed.

APA

Taxing times get tighter

Air passenger duty (APD) has risen by 8% from today, as announced by the government in the Autumn Statement last year. For short-haul flights, the tax has increased from £12 to £13. For long-haul flights of more than 4,000 miles, it has gone up from £85 to £92.

In light of the increase, airlines called on the Treasury to review the impact on "hard working families".

A Treasury Minister said the majority of passengers will only pay an extra £1 as a result of the rise. APA advises PAs to be aware of the increases as they book travel in the coming weeks.

Also as of 1 April, corporation tax in the UK falls by 1% to 24%.

APA

A millionaire in the making

An innovative new product, destined to make its inventor; currently a PA, a millionaire, will be unwrapped today at an APA press conference in London around lunchtime.

Supported by the APA technology advisor Hon. Roger Beast, the young inventor has developed a product specifically to retain and circulate body heat in very cold or arctic conditions; creating a warm micro climate around the individual’s body that is impermeable to falling temperature. It works on the same principle as if you were wearing multiple layers of cloths but comes in a unique thin metalized form that can be tailored into all forms of garment.

The product, to be called ‘Polar Foil’ will be marketed through a new company owned and operated by PA (and APA member) Anna Gramme MAPA.

APA wishes Anna and her invention great success.

APA

International activity grows

“PAs in the Scandinavian countries are rushing to take an APA PA qualification course at one of our five locations across the region,” says Anders Magnusson, the local APA Trainer. He reports high take up in Finland and Sweden with Norway and Denmark catching up fast.

“There has been a lack of any substantial training in the region and APA has brought its superbly professional programmes at just the right time. PAs in this region have many similar, but some quite different, issues but the training is so flexible eit allows us to embrace all of their needs. Having had great PAs myself I know what CEOs want from their assistant and can help the attendees recognise how best to support their leaders,” says Anders.

“We are already targeting a course per week in each of the countries and expect demand to grow even more in 2012. Naturally APA membership in the region is growing at the same time.”

Pictured (L-R) from the latest ‘PA Apprentice’ programme are: Emma Wu, Maja Jonsson, Clara Moller, Mathilde Madsen, Aino Heinonen, Venia Salo, Sahra Hagen, Emma Knudsen and Alice Pettersson.
APA

The Last Post

Businesses will be particularly badly hit by significant increases in the cost of postal services after an Ofcom announcement has allows Royal Mail bosses to set stamp prices themselves.

APA fears that increases, effective from 30 April 2012, could be the death knell for business post forcing more use of online, and often less securable, methods of communication. APA believes this will almost inevitably lead to first class charges becoming unaffordable for many small companies, forcing reliance instead on the far slower second class system.

For individuals it will be even harder as it is the older generation; not known for great online use or understanding, will be left to suffer the higher costs.

APA Director General, Gareth Osborne, said: ‘We think these increases are bad for business, and will ultimately leave smaller firms and personal users – the bread and butter users of the postal service – disadvantaged. The increase in the basic first class rate from 46p to 60p (30% increase) is out of step with all current economic escalators and is totally unreasonable. The knock on effect to businesses that are post-dependent will be horrendous.”

APA asks PAs, who have a routine interaction with postal services, to monitor the effect of the increase closely and report concerns.

APA

Spring blooms

This week saw a new group of PAs start their Diploma training in London and according to APA DG, Gareth Osborne, it was a lively and enthusiastic session that left him tired but smiling from ear to ear.

Gareth said: “We designed the Diploma programme to be challenging but fun. It brings the best out of PAs whatever their background. This group had different learning needs but, in common, all came from larger businesses. They bonded immediately and interacted wonderfully through the day In fact anyone using an adjoining room would have been more inclined to think we were having a party than a training course. I believe a little levity and camaraderie brings out the best from the group and aids the learning experience. It was a great day and I personally love delivering it. I generally do but this was an especially humorous set of PAs.”

For anyone wanting to enrol for this fun but exceptionally beneficial training programme create for and delivered by the people who know what they want from a PA should contact training@paprofessional.com or call 0800 107 1030.

APA

Pictured (L – R) are: Jackie Deveney, Beth Roberts and Tiffany Smith.

Frozen Planet

A small number of our members were invited to attend a unique event ‘Frozen Planet: the inside story’ on the evening of Tuesday 27th March at the Royal Society of Arts in London. Here is an account by Claire Howard of the evening:

‘I was greeted with a glass of champagne upon arrival at the RSA at John Adam Street in London, a great venue for holding private events. The evening was hosted by bespoke travel planners Brown & Hudson for PA’s of their elite clients.

I got to meet and hear Alastair Fothergill, the Executive Producer of ‘Frozen Planet’ speaking about his experiences, life, work and ‘The inside story’. I am a great fan of Alastair’s work and I felt really proud and privileged to be an APA member when he asked about my career as a PA. Alastair’s PA has been working for him for 8 years and he is very aware of how important our roles are, although unfortunately she is not an APA member…we'll work on that!

Thank you APA for a great evening!

Claire Howard FAPA for APA

HMRC announces £120 million drive on tax records

HMRC has announced that it will check the mileage records of thousands of small fleets as part of a drive to boost revenue collection by £120 million over the next three years.

The plan was outlined in an HMRC review document published in February.

“The move underlines the pressing need for businesses to keep detailed and accurate logs of business journeys,” says APA Director General, Gareth Osborne..

HMRC plans to carry out Business Record Checks (BRCs) at 60,000 SMEs between now and 2015. BRCs are designed to identify companies where statutory record-keeping is unsatisfactory. The idea is that the firms can put their house in order instead of submitting inaccurate tax returns.

A pilot study run by HMRC last year found that 40% of firms’ records weren’t up to scratch and 11% were so bad they would be referred to the tax authorities for further investigation. In many cases, such probes lead to large bills for unpaid tax, plus fines and interest penalties.

Osborne believes that mileage is one of the weakest areas of a business’s statutory reporting, especially where the operator has a large grey fleet (people who claim for using their private vehicle for business use). Here many mileage claims were found to be overstated or clearly fraudulent and would result in fines of up to £18,000.

“You need to be able to show that your business collects sufficient detail on business journeys. That means recording the date and purpose of trip, the start and finish points and accurate mileage, he said. The Revenue will also check whether you audit your drivers’ expense claims regularly and correct them if necessary to prevent overpayments. Overpaying is tantamount to providing private fuel and carries a big liability for tax and National Insurance.”

APA will be addressing this issue and finding solutions for PAs who claim mileage but also for their bosses and the fleet they control.

APA

We're happiest at 33!

Forget the old adage that your schooldays are the happiest of your life - a study has found that 33 is the age at which people are most content.

A survey by Friends Reunited of people over 40 years of age, concluded, that the year they turned 33 was their happiest. More than half of those surveyed – 53% - said life was more fun and 42% said they felt more optimistic about the future. One in five said happiness came from success at work.

Life seemed relatively stress-free for 38% while 31% thought that was the time their family was closest together. Only 6% said they were happiest at university and just 16% in childhood.

Psychologist Donna Dawson said: 'The age of 33 is enough time to have shaken off childhood naivety and the wild scheming of teenaged years without losing the energy and enthusiasm of youth. By this age innocence as been lost but our sense of reality is mixed with a strong sense of hope, a can do’ spirit and a healthy belief in our own talents and abilities. 'We have yet to develop the cynicism and world-weariness that comes with later years.'

Shelley, APA

How are you feeling?

Suicide still remains a taboo subject but according to statistics from Samaritans, “every 2 minutes someone attempts suicide and every 79 minutes someone succeeds in taking their own life”.  With figures like these, Samaritans provide a vital service available 24/7 to those in the UK and Ireland so that people can talk openly about their feelings without fear of being judged. 

Katie Manning, ex-volunteer says;

“In today’s society not everyone feels able to talk to friends, family or partners about feelings of despair and depression, so I cannot talk highly enough of the valuable service that Samaritans provide. To have someone at the end of a phone anytime of the day or night to listen in total confidence can be a real source of comfort and support to many people.”

In the largest and oldest branch of Samaritans, based in Soho London, they answered the phone 95,693 times in 2011 alone.  APA encourages people to share their feelings and if you are ever feeling low or need a friendly ear, remember Samaritans are always there to ‘just listen’.

If you are interested in becoming a volunteer please check the Samaritans website and look for volunteer opportunities in your local area. 

http://www.samaritans.org/


Katie Manning FAPA



UK Banks still vulnerable

The Bank of England's Financial Policy Committee says that the UK's big banks do not have enough capital "to ensure resilience in the face of the prospective risks". So it is advising them to raise external capital as protection against possible future losses "as early as feasible".

The Bank of England wants banks to reinforce their protection against shocks because it fears the Eurozone crisis has only been temporarily abated by the trillion euros of emergency three-year loans provided to European banks by the European Central Bank. The Bank of England says that "questions remained about the indebtedness and competitiveness of some European countries".

It warned banks with large exposures to the likes of Italy, Spain, Portugal and Ireland - where risks of "persistent low growth and potential credit defaults remained high" - to be "particularly alert to the need to build capital".

Barclays has the biggest retail banking exposure to Spain and Italy of the UK's banks. So there is likely to be considerable debate between Barclays and its regulators about whether it has sufficient capital as a protection against what might go wrong in those economies or not.

APA sees Q3/2012 as a critical period in the financial stability of the UK. More later.

APA

Takeaway Tax

The Chancellor has decided that VAT at 20% should be added to all hot takeaway food bought from bakeries and supermarkets, not just products sold by fast food chains.

This means that at Greggs 18p will be added to a 90p hot sausage roll and 30p to a £1.49 pasty. A hot rotisserie chicken costing £5 at a supermarket will increase by £1.

Mr G. Osborne (The Chancellor, not our own!) said the extension was among a number that were necessary to end anomalies, and will raise an extra £125million this year and £350million a year by 2016. However ours was quite annoyed.

The detailed guidance says that 20% VAT will have to be added to all hot food, including rotisserie chicken, pies, pasties, toasted sandwiches and other products which are ‘above the ambient air temperature at the time they are provided to the customer’.

This means anything that is hotter than the surrounding air temperature when it is handed over at the till should carry VAT. Gareth muttered something about politicians, hot air and sausages!

Shelley, APA

New Shooooes ...

Experts are calling for women drivers to put a brake on the hazardous habit of wearing 'unsuitable' shoes with heels at the wheel. Road safety charity Brake is appealing for high heel lovers not to drive whilst wearing stilettos, steep wedges or inappropriate platform shoes. It says the current footwear fashion for the highest of heels could lead to tragedy and advised all drivers to avoid unsuitable shoes.

Brake’s deputy chief executive Julie Townsend said “it is deeply worrying that many drivers have such little regard for their own and others' safety that they wear unsuitable footwear driving is a responsibility that needs to be taken seriously.'

Her comments coincide with a survey that found 40 per cent of women drive in high heels.

The survey commissioned by price comparison website Confused.com also found that 39 per cent of women wear flip flops whilst driving and 24 per cent take to the road in bare feet. Sixteen per cent also confess to driving in slippers and just 34 per cent claim to always wear sensible shoes.

Men are also taking chances with 27 per cent wearing flip flops and 22 per cent going barefoot. Eleven per cent also use slippers but 57 per cent claim they never wear unsuitable
shoes.

The survey also found that one in ten women apply make-up at the wheel and 15 per cent of men shave whilst driving.

APA strongly supports all road safety campaigns and believes wearing high heels (and all other inappropriate footwear) is irresponsible and potentially life threatening and should be avoided.

Shelley, APA

Budget Review 2012: Conclusion - Much as expected

APA has made a detailed review of the 2012 Budget and its potential effect on PAs, their families and their businesses. The following highlights were identified from a fairly unimaginative and lack lustre budget.

Twenty-three million workers to be £346 a year better off as income tax threshold rises to £9,200.  Personal allowance to rise to £9,205 from April 2013 and £10,000 in 2014. The biggest losers appear to be current and future pensioners who will see there tax benefit brought inline with workers and there gain less advantage.

In total, from April next year the average worker earning under £100,000 will save £179 a year. By 2014 they will save £250 a year.

There is some child benefit advantage for families, especially where both partners work, with the removal of the reported cliff-edge in favour of a staggered reduction in allowance. This will disadvantage higher earning single parents and may hurt London-based PAs.

The Budget did contain some incentives for developers of low-cost housing which could hep young first time house purchasing PAs. Investment in the infrastructure, especially in London may also help.

The tax reductions have been brought in a year earlier than planned after pressure from the Liberal Democrats keen to show that they are helping low and middle income earners.

 
Raising the personal allowance will cost the Treasury around £3bn a year. But Mr Osborne said today that the savings would be made elsewhere.

APA recognises that there is very little room for the coalition to move in its efforts to reflate the economy but the moves proposed were thought to be as creative as they could be; given the lack of resources and the need to generate more.

APA will be responding to the Chancellor’s call for comments and reinforcie its call for additional actions for families, home working and equality of pay.

Members can read more and see APAs comments by going to the Knowledge Zone, News Section of the APA Website.

APA

Will today's Budget give us any help?

Here’s what we want from the Budget

Xavier Rolet, Chief Executive, The Stock Exchange says: "We would like to see strong policies to support the UK's innovative small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). They will be the growth engines of our economy. There should be a greater choice of financing for SMEs, including strong access to equity and non-bank debt.”

Andy Clarke, Chief Executive, Asda says: [Our customers] are telling us loud and clear that the single most important thing they want from the Chancellor is a cut in the price of fuel. Most want to see the planned fuel duty increase scrapped. In fact over half want duty cut, not frozen. They know that would mean more money in their pockets to spend on their families."

Jerry Bulhmann, CEO, Aegis says: "Anything that stimulates growth and enterprise in the private sector has to be good for the economy. "Growth is only going to come from the private sector."

Gareth Osborne, DG, APA says: “We agree with all of the above and feel there is a need to support all initiatives that support the working family through tax incentives, family and child-based credits and nursery care and maternity and paternity leave. There should be tax incentives for flexible working and especially for home working and, above all others, the Government should, after 40 years, look to equalise the pay rates between men and women working in comparable jobs.”

Let’s see what happens later today.

APA

PA professionals

Almost every week APA is now running its acclaimed PA Professional programme (which also serves as Module 1 to its Diploma programme) at one of its many locations around the UK, Scandinavia and Germany.

The PA Professional course is tailored to give PAs from all sectors and styles of organisation a set of new or updated tools and techniques to help maximise the effectiveness of their support for their Boss. It serves to update or refresh more experienced PAs, up-skill more experienced office staff entering a PA role or equip the newer PA rising stars for the challenges ahead.

For more details about APA’s professional and accredited training programmes please go to www.paprofessional.com and select ‘APA Training’ from the navigation bar.

APA

Pictured (L-R) from the London course, held at the Melia White House Hotel, this week are:

Karen Lovatt, Sam Herridge MAPA DipPA (Mayfair 'PA of the Year', who joined the group to share her experience), Alison McMurtrie, Susan Boyle and Abigail Ginn.