PA for an entrepreneur – What do they want and expect
Being a PA for an entrepreneur is very different to being a PA in the Corporate world. What do top business owners really want from their Personal Assistants?
When you’ve spent years working as a PA, secretary, or administrator, you start to notice that no two roles are ever the same. But once you step into the world of supporting high-level entrepreneurs, everything changes. The expectations go up, the pace quickens, and the pressure to perform quietly in the background becomes a daily reality. And yet, for the right person, it’s one of the most rewarding experiences you’ll ever have.
Let’s talk honestly about what business owners at the top really expect from their Personal Assistants.
Behind the Glamour: The Real Life of a PA to an Entrepreneur
If you think being a PA to a millionaire is all jet-setting and VIP events, you’re not wrong—but that’s only half the story. The reality is far more grounded. One minute you’re arranging a cross-continent investor call, and the next, you’re sorting out why the office fridge has broken down just before a lunch meeting.
You’re not just running errands or following instructions. You’re thinking ahead, connecting the dots, and anticipating needs before they even land on your to-do list. You see, in the entrepreneurial world, the lines between the big picture and the tiny details blur. Everything matters.
A successful entrepreneur expects their PA to treat the business like it’s their own. When a client comes in and the welcome feels seamless, or when a tight deadline is met without drama, that’s a reflection of your quiet, diligent work behind the scenes. It’s not just about doing a job; it’s about creating an impression that mirrors the values and standards of the person you support.
Business and Personal Lives: There’s No Off Switch
Working with entrepreneurs means understanding that their business is their life. There’s rarely a clear boundary between work and personal time, and a top-tier PA understands how to support both.
You might find yourself organising a family holiday that includes three investor meetings, or booking a dinner that doubles as a celebration and a business pitch. One doesn’t end where the other begins. That’s just the nature of the job.
Imagine this: a last-minute business call comes through on a Sunday evening, just as your boss is about to head out to a family event. Without missing a beat, you rearrange the timing, send the agenda to their tablet, and make sure someone else has the car keys ready so they can jump on the follow-up call straight after. That’s not just admin. That’s strategy, empathy, and initiative rolled into one.
Trust: The Backbone of Every Successful Relationship
If there’s one thing every successful business owner values above all else, it’s trust. And when they find someone who can be completely trusted, they hold on tight.
A PA in this space will be privy to sensitive information, both professional and personal. You’ll know things that could impact reputations, finances, and relationships. Your boss expects you to keep everything confidential, without reminders
But trust doesn’t stop at discretion. It also means your boss trusts you to do what you say you’ll do. That when they ask for something, it will be handled on time, professionally, and without the need for chasing.
Over time, you become more than a PA. You become the person they rely on, their sounding board, and sometimes the only person in the room who’s willing to tell the truth when no one else will. That kind of trust is earned and priceless.
What Skills Really Matter for a PA for an entrepreneur
Of course, technical skills are a must. You need to know how to manage calendars, organise travel, and handle email with military precision. But what is the real value you bring? That comes from your mindset.
You need to think like a business owner. If your boss mentions a new market, you’re already researching competitors and pulling together a plan. If a diary conflict pops up, you’re not just flagging it; you’re proposing three solutions.
Emotional intelligence is just as vital. You’re the one fielding calls from high-profile partners, worried investors, and the headteacher calling about a missed parents’ evening. Being able to switch tone and adapt your approach is what sets you apart.
And above all, being a PA for an entrepreneur requires resilience. Entrepreneurs live in a world of constant change, plans shift, opportunities appear out of nowhere, and some days feel like you’re juggling flaming swords. Your job is to keep the show running without letting anything hit the ground.
It’s a Career Accelerator
Supporting a top business owner can fast-track your career in ways no other job can. You’re in the room where decisions are made. You see how businesses grow. You learn to think strategically, communicate with impact, and build a network that others would envy.
Many PAs go on to start their own businesses or step into leadership roles because they’ve had a front-row seat to how success is built from the ground up. The expectations are high, yes. But so are the rewards.
The Role Is a Partnership
Ultimately, a high-level PA isn’t just an assistant. You’re a partner. You’re someone your boss depends on to make life smoother, smarter, and more productive.
You’re not just booking meetings. You’re protecting their time.
You’re not just proofreading documents. You’re safeguarding their reputation.
You’re not just making plans. You’re making life easier.
And when they succeed, you know you’ve played a part in that. That’s the real reward.
If you’re serious about stepping into this level of work, then proper training is essential. Supporting a high-net-worth entrepreneur is a specialised role, and our courses at myPA Business are designed to help you build the skills, confidence, and mindset needed to thrive truly.
So whether you’re already in the role or aspiring to reach this level, know this: the expectations may be high, but the opportunity is even greater. And with the proper support, you’ll be ready for every challenge that comes your way.
You may also be interested in the following articles
Even the most experienced PA or secretary can have a bad day. You sent the wrong email. The meeting link doesn’t work. Your boss’s presentation pointer dies even though you checked it before they left the office, and packed spare batteries, and somehow, it’s still your fault. Then that quiet voice that lives at the back of your head rears its ugly head, and starts to speak, “You’re rubbish at this job”, “That was such a stupid mistake to make”. Silently, you chastise yourself. These moments don’t define you. But they can rattle your confidence, and over time, those knocks can leave you doubting yourself.
The truth is that administrative professionals, like you, are the backbone of the workplace. You juggle logistics, conflicting personalities, last-minute changes, and a sea of expectations. When it all goes smoothly, nobody notices. But when something goes wrong, the spotlight lands firmly on you.
Let me say this clearly: confidence at work isn’t about being perfect. It’s about recognising your value, learning from the rough days, and remembering that one mistake doesn’t undo a career’s worth of good work.
Let me tell you a story. It’s a true story of a young lady who attended one of my training courses. Her boss had decided she was useless at her job and needed training to become a better PA. She broke my heart because, despite being fantastic at her job with checks and counterchecks in place, she doubted her skills. (Names have been changed for confidentiality.
When a Bad Boss Knocks Your Confidence at Work
Laura had worked as a senior PA for over ten years when she joined our PA and Secretary training course. Her boss, a senior executive with a temper, relied on her to manage high-level board meetings, prepare presentations, and handle the tech, despite having minimal IT skills himself. He would panic when he couldn’t find his mouse on the screen.
For one major presentation, she had prepared everything in the minutest details. She even checked the clicker in advance and popped in a fresh set of batteries for good measure. She packed a second set of batteries and put them in his Information pack along with his itinerary. The itinerary included details such as the pickup time from his house to the train station, the platform he needed to catch a train to London. He had step-by-step instructions on what he needed to do when he arrived in London. She even had the name of the driver who would collect him at Euston Train Station when he arrived. She had prepared everything.
Then it went wrong
Midway through the presentation, the clicker failed. He was furious. When he got back to the office and in front of everyone, he snapped, “Can you try doing your job properly for once?” Laura was devastated. She had done everything right. She was humiliated, then yelled at again in private. That night, she went home feeling like a failure. This left her feeling devastated and convinced that she couldn’t do her job correctly.
As with everything, there is often a knock-on effect of incidents like this. She had lost her confidence at work and started to make more mistakes. In the end, her boss insisted that she attend a training course to pick up the skills she needed to be a ‘decent PA’. This is where I met Laura. Laura came onto my course not because she lacked skills but because that one moment, that one man, had made her doubt herself. She didn’t need fixing; she needed reminding that she was brilliant.
Weeks later, I was told that she had found the courage to report the incident. HR investigated, and her boss received a written warning. He later left the department.
How Do You Rebuild Confidence at Work?
If you’ve had your own “Laura moment,” please know you are not alone. Confidence isn’t a constant. It rises and falls, especially when your work is so visible and often, so undervalued. Here are ten gentle but powerful ways to rebuild your confidence, based on real experiences and practical strategies.
1. Keep a Success Journal
Each day, write down a minimum of three things you did well that day. They don’t have to be monumental achievements. Maybe you juggled a busy diary successfully. Maybe you calmed a colleague under pressure. Perhaps you just kept it all together.
When doubt creeps in, and it will, your journal becomes a quiet but powerful reminder of how capable you really are. Never underestimate the power of a gentle reminder of how brilliant you are.
2. Own It… Then Let It Go
Mistakes happen. Own them. Apologise if needed. Then move on. There is no rule that says one slip-up wipes out ten years of good work. You are allowed to make mistakes; everyone does. You and your career are not a mistake.
3. Flip That Inner Critic
You wouldn’t tell a colleague or your best friend, “You’re rubbish” because a Zoom link failed, so why say it to yourself? You are just as crucial as your colleague or best friend. Instead, say, “I’m learning. I’m resilient. I handled that as best I could.”
Confidence is built one kind word at a time, especially when it’s from you to you. Whether you say it silently to yourself, out loud or have it written on a post-it note attached to your computer screen. Be kind to yourself and set expectations for yourself.
4. Don’t Swallow Toxic Feedback
Constructive feedback is valuable. Toxic comments are not. If your boss humiliates you, that’s not criticism, it’s bullying. Like Laura, you have options. Talk to HR. Speak to someone you trust. You deserve respect at work. Set your boundaries and don’t let anyone step over them. You are a valuable member of the workforce, and your job is just as important as your boss’s. Remember, without you, they couldn’t do half the work they do.
5. Surround Yourself with Support
Confidence thrives in a community. Join professional networks. Seek out positive colleagues. Join our myPA Business membership, where support, stories, and solidarity flow freely.
You are not alone. You never were.
6. Learn Something New
Sometimes, a drop in confidence is your brain’s way of nudging you to grow. Take a short course. Explore new software. Refresh your knowledge. Try our Confidence & Awareness course; it was built for people just like you. A small win can reignite your belief in what you bring to the table. You are more powerful than you realise.
7. Practice Saying No
It’s tempting to take on everything. But confidence grows when you set clear boundaries. Know what your boundaries are and be clear about them. You don’t want your boss to call you when you are on holiday or on a Sunday. If you are asked to do a task that will take hours to complete and you’re already stacked, try saying, “I’m fully booked this morning. Can we review this this afternoon?”
Be Polite, professional, empowering and use your big girl voice. Practice saying NO, practice saying I will but…
8. Focus on What You Can Control
You can’t stop the internet from crashing or your boss being in a mood. But you can manage how you respond. Your boss doesn’t live in your head; they don’t pay rent, so don’t let them in. Their bad mood, their mistakes are not yours.
Breathe. Stay calm. You’ve handled worse.
9. Ask for Real Feedback
Don’t wait for your annual appraisal. Ask someone you trust: “What do you think I did well in that meeting? Is there anything I could improve?” The right feedback builds confidence and is a fantastic learning tool. Feedback is not to be feared. It’s the starting point of you becoming better than you are right now.
10. Be Kind to Yourself
If your best friend came to you in tears over a mistake, you wouldn’t tear them down. You’d listen and remind them of their worth, of how good they are. You deserve the same compassion from yourself. Speak kindly. Treat yourself gently. Celebrate your wins, even if it is getting through a tough day. You deserve it.
Final Thoughts: Confidence at Work isn’t a trait, it’s a Practice
The world of administration isn’t easy. You’re often expected to be invisible until something goes wrong. But here’s the truth: your role matters. You matter. Confidence at work isn’t something you’re either born with or without. It’s something you build, one moment at a time.
If you’ve had a knock, take the next step. Explore our Confidence & Awareness Course. It’s here for you, just like we are.
More importantly, remember that you are not broken, you are not failing, and you are brilliant. You are just getting started.
Why Focusing Beats Multitasking Every Time: Productivity Tips for Busy Admin Professionals
Do you ever feel like you’re spinning too many plates? Your inbox is overflowing, your boss keeps changing priorities, you’re halfway through writing minutes when a calendar clash explodes… and oh, your Teams chat is on fire.
Welcome to the world of the modern-day PA.
It’s no wonder so many admin professionals feel overwhelmed. The secret? Stop juggling. Start focusing.
It’s simple. But it’s not always easy.
At myPAbusiness.com, we believe productivity doesn’t come from doing more, but from doing the right things at the right time, without losing your marbles. Let’s explore why single-tasking is more potent than multitasking and how you can actually make it work, even on your busiest days.
Why Multitasking is a Trap
You’ve probably been praised for multitasking at some point in your career. Maybe you pride yourself on it. After all, who else can rearrange a meeting, write an email, order a working lunch, and prepare a PowerPoint all in the same 20 minutes?
But here’s the catch: our brains aren’t wired for multitasking. What we’re doing is task-switching, jumping from one activity to another. And every time we switch, we lose time and focus. Research consistently shows that task-switching can reduce productivity by up to 40%. It increases errors, heightens stress, and leaves you mentally drained.
So, if you feel like you’ve been busy all day but achieved very little, the problem might not be your workload—it might be your working style. Multitasking gives the illusion of progress but often results in a scattering of half-finished jobs, forgotten details, and avoidable mistakes. It’s exhausting, and in truth, it’s unsustainable.
The Power of Single-Tasking
Imagine this instead: sitting down, choosing one task, and staying with it until it’s done. Sounds luxurious, doesn’t it? That’s the power of single-tasking. It’s not about working slower; it’s about working smarter.
Focusing on one task at a time allows you to dive deeper, think more clearly, and produce higher-quality work. You’re less likely to miss details, more likely to complete things efficiently, and surprisingly, you may even finish earlier for admin professionals, where accuracy and professionalism matter. This can make a significant difference to your confidence and your reputation.
And let’s not forget the psychological win, ticking something off your to-do list is incredibly satisfying. A day structured around focused tasks rather than chaotic multitasking feels calmer, more in control, and ultimately more productive.
How to Stay Focused in a Busy Environment
Of course, all this is easier said than done. Interruptions, urgent emails, and impromptu meetings, your day as a PA or admin professional rarely goes to plan. But with a few innovative techniques, you can build better habits that support focused working.
Start by being specific. A vague task like “Catch up on admin” invites distraction. Instead, try listing functions that start with a clear action word: Send, Update, Prepare, Finalise. For example, “Prepare agenda for Friday’s team meeting” is much easier to focus on than “Meeting stuff.” Specificity helps your brain to lock in and see a clear endpoint.
Once you have your task list, take a moment to prioritise. A straightforward method is to apply the 3Ds: Do it now, Defer it, or Delegate it. Ask yourself: which tasks can I do in under five minutes? Which ones need dedicated time? And which ones could be passed to someone else? This quick triage gives structure to your day and ensures your energy goes into the right tasks at the right time.
Another powerful strategy is time-blocking.
Your calendar shouldn’t just be a list of meetings; it can be a tool for productivity. Try scheduling short bursts of focused time for specific tasks. For example, block 30 minutes in the morning to clear emails, then 45 minutes to write up meeting notes. Protect these blocks as if they were client meetings, and you’ll notice fewer interruptions and more clarity.
And yes, it’s time to talk about notifications. We all know the pain of trying to concentrate while email alerts pop up, Teams pings in the corner, and your phone vibrates with social updates. Turn them off. Or at least mute them during your most focused work. Better yet, put your phone out of reach. The fewer distractions you have, the easier it is to build flow.
If you find it challenging to stay focused for long periods, the Pomodoro Technique might help. This simple method involves working for 25 minutes, taking a 5-minute break, and repeating. After four cycles, take a more extended break. It’s ideal for breaking big tasks into manageable pieces and prevents burnout by encouraging regular pauses. There are plenty of free apps that can guide you. Focus Keeper and TomatoTimer are popular options.
While working more intentionally, you might also find that random thoughts or distractions pop into your head, “I must call IT,” or “I’ve got to update that spreadsheet.” Instead of dropping everything to act on it, write it down. Keep a notepad beside you or use a digital notes app to create a “Distraction Parking Lot.” This way, you capture the thought without losing focus on your current task.
And finally, end your day with intention. Take ten minutes to review what you’ve achieved, tidy your desk, and write tomorrow’s to-do list. This small daily habit creates closure, reduces the mental clutter we carry home, and gives you a head start the next morning.
Final Thought: You Deserve to Work Calmly and Confidently
You are a professional. You thrive on details, support others with poise, and keep things running smoothly even when chaos reigns. So why not give yourself the same level of support?
Choosing to single-task isn’t about being slow or inflexible. It’s about owning your time and energy and about taking back control from a workday that pulls you in a hundred directions. It’s about protecting the quality of your work and your well-being.
And the best part? It’s something you can start today. Pick one task. Focus. Finish. Then move on.
Because at myPAbusiness.com, we believe that when admin professionals feel focused and empowered, the whole business benefits. If you’re ready to take your skills and your confidence to the next level, explore our training courses designed specifically for PAs, secretaries, and administrative professionals. Visit www.mypabusiness.com to find out more
In the bustling world of Personal Assistants (PAs), secretaries and administrators, success often hinges on more than just technical know-how. The subtle, people-focused skills set exceptional professionals apart from those who turn up. There are many skills, but the chief one is “active Listening”. A skill that is often misunderstood, undervalued and certainly underestimated. As a professional businesswoman or man, it is invaluable for you to build trust, improve your communication, and boost your efficiency. This is where Active Listening comes into its own.
Whether managing schedules, taking the minutes of a meeting, or handling sensitive communications, mastering active listening can transform how you work and how others perceive you. In this post, we’ll explore what active listening is, why it matters, and how to practice it effectively. After all, you are the go-to person in your organisation—the person who knows what is happening and how to make your boss, department, and company fly.
What is Active Listening?
Active listening is more than just hearing the words someone says. It’s about being fully present, understanding the message, and responding thoughtfully. It involves paying attention to what’s being said and how it’s being said, recognising tone, body language, and emotions. Suppose you think about this if a friend comes to you for advice. They have something very important to discuss with you. Typically, you pay attention to what they are saying. You listen to every word, every facial expression and body movement. They could be breaking up with their partner or making a life decision, but you are there for them. In the blink of an eye, you look at your watch, and three hours have passed. That is active listening. Paying total attention to what is being discussed.
Why is Active Listening Important for PAs and Secretaries?
In a working environment, active listening is just as critical. This is where your work colleagues see your professionalism and efficiency and how exceptional you are. Active listening will:
Strengthening Relationships: Active listening builds trust. People in your life want to be heard. Your boss, colleagues or associates want to feel important in the workplace. They want to feel heard and understood. They’re more likely to rely on you and value your input if you can demonstrate you listen to them, understand their concerns, and provide solutions. This trust fosters stronger professional relationships and enhances your credibility.
Minimising Errors: Miscommunication can lead to costly mistakes. By actively listening, you ensure you capture all details accurately, whether it’s a meeting agenda, an important deadline, or a complex project brief. This also lends itself to Reflective Listening, a skill just as important as active listening.
Enhancing Productivity – Effective listening helps you prioritise tasks and address critical issues without constant clarification. This leads to smoother workflows and saves valuable time for everyone.
Improving Conflict Resolution – In moments of disagreement or tension, active listening helps de-escalate emotions and find common ground. Understanding all perspectives makes it easier to propose solutions that satisfy everyone.
How to Practice Active Listening
Becoming an active listener takes intentional effort and practice. Here’s how you can develop this skill:
Be Present – Put distractions aside. Close unnecessary tabs, silence your phone and focus solely on the person speaking. Eye contact and open body language signal that you’re fully engaged.
Listen Without Interrupting – Let the speaker finish before responding. Interrupting can make them feel undervalued and may lead to missing critical information.
Taking Notes – Note-taking is a cornerstone of PA, secretary, and administrator roles. Jot down key points, deadlines, and follow-up actions as you listen. This reinforces your understanding and ensures nothing slips through the cracks.
Ask Clarifying Questions – If something isn’t clear, ask. For example, “Can you elaborate on the timeline for this project?” or “Did I understand correctly that the deadline is Friday?”
Paraphrase and Summarize—Reflect on what you’ve heard to confirm your understanding. For instance, “So, you’re saying we need to prioritise the client’s report over the team meeting prep, correct?”
Pay Attention to Non-Verbal Cues – Notice tone, pace, and body language. These often reveal as much, if not more, than words themselves.
Practice Empathy – Active listening isn’t just about understanding information; it’s about connecting with people. Acknowledge their emotions with phrases like, “I can see why that’s challenging,” to show you’re attuned to their perspective.
Common Barriers to Active Listening (And How to Overcome Them)
Even with the best intentions, barriers to active listening can arise. Here’s how to tackle them:
Distractions: Distractions are everywhere, from ringing phones to incoming emails. Prioritise the conversation by setting boundaries, such as a “do not disturb” policy during essential discussions.
Prejudgments: Having a discussion with preconceived outcomes or conclusions can cloud your listening ability. Approach every discussion with an open mind, ready to learn.
Information Overload: PAs and secretaries handle a lot of information. If you’re overwhelmed, focus on the important points and clarify details later.
Multitasking – Tackling multiple tasks simultaneously is tempting, but authentic active listening requires your full attention. Dedicate time to conversations, and you’ll see the benefits in accuracy and rapport.
How Active Listening Elevates Your Career
For PAs, secretaries, and administrators, active listening isn’t just a soft skill—it’s a career catalyst. By becoming a reliable communicator, you show leadership and problem-solving abilities, making you indispensable in your role. Colleagues and executives will notice your ability to understand their needs, anticipate challenges, and deliver results. Over time, this reputation can lead to promotions, increased responsibilities, and recognition as a vital team member.
Quick Tips for Everyday Practice
Before a meeting, take a few moments to clear your mind and focus
During conversations, resist the urge to jump to solutions immediately, listen first
After interactions, review your notes and follow up to reinforce your understanding.
In Conclusion
Active listening is more than just a skill; it’s a mindset. For PAs, secretaries, and administrators, mastering this art can unlock additional levels of efficiency, trust, and career growth. By practising active listening daily, you’ll excel in your role and inspire those around you to communicate and collaborate better.
Bookmark this guide, and let it be your go-to resource for building more robust, meaningful connections in the workplace. Remember, the best communicators are often the best listeners. Will you take the first step today?
Small Claims for Personal Assistants: What Every PA Should Know
As a PA or EA, you’re often the one expected to deal with the messy jobs no one else wants. Chasing late payments is one of them. A director might casually tell you, “Can you sort this out? They owe us £2,000.” Suddenly, you’re the one left untangling contracts, sending reminders, and figuring out whether the company should take legal action.
This is where understanding the small claims process becomes another tool in your professional toolkit. You may never need to issue a claim yourself, but knowing how it works shows you can protect your organisation’s interests and your boss’s time.
Why PAs and EAs Need This Knowledge
Part of supporting senior executives is being resourceful. It’s not just about diary management and travel booking—it’s about being the person who can say, “Yes, I know how that works, leave it with me.”
Small claims knowledge is particularly valuable when you’re:
Following up on unpaid invoices for your executive’s consultancy or side business
Supporting the finance team with administration
Helping to recover deposits, payments, or contracts gone wrong
Demonstrating that you understand the commercial risks your company faces
It’s one more way you can show initiative, problem-solving ability, and commercial awareness—all skills that make a PA indispensable.
Costs to Be Aware Of
Here’s the updated fee structure (July 2025) that you need to know if you ever have to brief your boss or prepare paperwork:
Issue fees for starting a claim:
Up to £300: £35
£300.01 to £500: £50
£500.01 to £1,000: £70
£1,000.01 to £1,500: £80
£1,500.01 to £3,000: £115
£3,000.01 to £5,000: £205
£5,000.01 to £10,000: £455
£10,000.01 to £200,000: 5% of the claim
Over £200,000: £10,000
Hearing fees if it goes to court:
Up to £300: £27
£300.01 to £500: £59
£500.01 to £1,000: £85
£1,000.01 to £1,500: £123
£1,500.01 to £3,000: £181
Over £3,000: £346
As a PA, being able to explain these numbers quickly and clearly to your boss is precisely the kind of detail that sets you apart.
Interest and Compensation
Another question your executive may ask is: “Can we add interest?”
The answer is yes. If there isn’t already a contract clause, statutory interest applies at 8% plus the Bank of England base rate. For business debts, you can also add compensation:
Under £1,000: £40
£1,000–£10,000: £70
Over £10,000: £100
Knowing these details means you’re not just passing the problem along—you’re providing solutions.
The Small Claims Process in Eight Steps (For PAs Who Need the Summary)
Send a final reminder, usually referred to as a Letter Before Action.
Collect the evidence – contracts, invoices, emails.
Choose how to claim – online through Money Claim Online or by using the N1 form.
Pay the court fee.
Wait 14 days for a response.
If no response, apply for judgment.
If defended, prepare for a hearing.
If they still don’t pay, enforce it through bailiffs or other methods.
This step-by-step guide is precisely the sort of “ready to brief” content that makes you invaluable when your boss asks, “Where do we stand with that unpaid invoice?”
Risks and Reality
It’s worth reminding your executive that winning a claim doesn’t always mean getting paid—if the debtor has no assets, enforcement can be difficult. But even starting the process can be enough to push people into settling. As a PA, part of your role is to flag these risks so decisions are informed, not just reactive.
How to take Court Action
The government has made an effort to simplify the process as much as possible. The easiest way to claim it is by completing the form online.
https://www.gov.uk/make-money-claim-online
Why This Matters for Your PA Career
Understanding processes like small claims gives you a reputation for being commercially aware. Senior executives want PAs who don’t just manage logistics but also understand the business landscape.
When you can say, “I know the costs, the timelines, and the options,” you prove that you’re not just an organiser—you’re a business partner. That’s precisely the shift from “assistant” to trusted right hand.
Next Steps for PAs Who Want to Stand Out
This fact sheet gives you the basics, but it’s just one example of the wider skills every PA and EA needs to thrive. From minute taking to negotiation, presentation skills to commercial awareness, the more confident you are, the more valuable you become.
I am a great believer in having an email signature on all my emails. I am also a great believer in keeping up with modern work techniques and changes that take place. Which is why I started this blog giving PA Tips and Secretarial Support.
When I started school things changed every decade, then the age of computing arrived, and things changed every 18 months, and now, with the aid of social media, they seem to change every minute. As a consequence; I attended a training course myself to find out what changes may be occurring over the next few months in our industry.
What is an email signature for?
To my utter amazement, it seems to be with emails and email signatures. It is one of the strangest changes and I would never have thought about 12 months ago. To be fair, even last week. The standard convention has always been that when you send a business email, you add a signature. The signature tells the recipient your name, your job title, and contact details. Quite often there is a legal disclaimer. The disclaimer will state that the information provided is for the recipient only and if misdirected, please delete the email. Then, of course, there is the small advertisement about the company or a testimonial telling prospective customers or clients how good your business is. As I said, this is the standard, but each company may be different and offer different guidelines. My company abides by the above, and I have been pleased with this style of format.
Never the less, it has come to my attention that large organisations have started to remove surnames from people’s email signatures to have a generic email address. When I have called organisations and the person on the other end of the phone has given me an email address that is generic I am told that they will receive the email or that their first name is sufficient, and the message will reach them. It is not something I have given much thought to in the past.
However, it has been brought to my attention that the reason for this is that many staff (especially ladies) have found that during their working day they have given out their name, their email, and works telephone number. All useful forms of communication for a client or customer to contact them. This is where it gets interesting. Some of those people have then been stalked out of the office by the clients or customers. The client or customer has been able to locate them from the minimal amount of detail they obtained from the regular communication they had during a working relationship and then taken it one step further.
Facebook is an excellent tool for communication, as is Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest etc. However, we know there are risks associated with our personal data on these sites. For example, I have never put my birthday on social media or any reference to the day or month. I don’t put my address or house number, including photos of my home that could identify where I live. I have even found that I moderate my Facebook posts and opinions when using the various social media platforms. A form of self-restriction.
It only takes a few minutes for someone to find out those details, and you could have lost your identity or find that you are the proud owner of a new credit card that owes circa £10,000 worth of debt. It has never really occurred to me to extend some of that security to the emails I send, and the details people can glean from that.
In Conclusion, what will my email signature look like
As I said at the beginning, I had never thought about an email signature in this contex. It is fascinating when you spend a few minutes thinking about how vulnerable we have, and are becoming, digitally. So, the big question. Will I change? My email address only uses my first name, so there is no change there. What about my signature? You know, I think I may get the ladies in my office to change there’s. As the owner of a business and advising about PA Tips and Secretarial Support, I have put myself forward as the face of my company. I don’t feel I can then hide behind a title. I will, however, take a little more care about what I put in my emails and the amount of details people could glean from them.
You may also be interested in the following posts about PA Tips and Secretarial Support
Welcome to our online magazine from Julie and the team. If you have been on one of Julie’s training courses, you know she is passionate about PA, EAs and Secretaries being the best they can be. She also has very strong opinions about what a PA, EA and Secretary should and shouldn’t do. If you have a question, or would like to add an article, please get in touch. We would love to hear from you.
