What is a SWOT Analysis?

What is a SWOT Analysis?

Why would a PA need to know?

Decisions-made-by-PA-Support

SWOT Analysis for PA Support decisions

Whether you are starting a business, expand an existing business or looking for a new PA Job, a SWOT analysis could help you to make the right choices for your business or career.  SWOT is an acronym to remind you of subject headings you should think of when making those decisions.

What does SWOT Analysis mean?

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Listening Skills for a Secretary and PA

Listening Skills for a Secretary and PA

Listening Skills for a Secretary, PA or Minute Taker are essential. When we talk to our work colleagues, we are there to obtain information and to understand their needs.  We need to learn and know what tasks they would like us to undertake quickly and efficiently.  Interestingly, on average we hear about 30-50% of what a person speaks in a conversation, we then we faze out.  This is where your skill as a Secretary, PA or Minute Taker needs to come into play.  You need to become an active listener.

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What is CPD?

What is CPD?

Have you heard of the term CPD? Do you know what it means and more importantly, do you know what it involves?

CPD stands for Continued Personal/Professional Development. In short, it means that you continue to study after you finish school, college or graduate from university. There are a number of professions that once you achieve a pass mark in the basic qualifications will be the start of a lifetime of study, for example, a solicitor, a doctor or a planner. What about your profession? Do you need to embark on CPD?

What is CPD

If your profession does not demand Continued Professional Development, have you made the decision to discontinue studying? To have a successful career, we advocate a continued approach to education/studies. Continued Professional Development is there to help you excel in your chosen field. CPD will also keep you abreast of the latest trends, legal changes and current business relationships which ultimately could give you an advantage over your colleagues.

Education never stops

Making a personal decision to continue your education/studies and improve your knowledge in your chosen field may become a prerequisite for your employment. An example of this is the IT Industry. Information Technology is changing all the time and good developers, support staff and programmers need to keep abreast of current technology, languages and innovations. If you decided to terminate your studies, this could have a detrimental effect on your career.

Once you have made the decision to continue with your education, what should you do? There are a number of organisations that can facilitate your education. The only decision you need to make will be, which route suits your personal circumstances:

  1. Online training courses
  2. Studies in a classroom setting – often given by trade bodies
  3. Correspondence courses
  4. Seminars and Open days
  5. Trade Federations
  6. Professional Magazines in a chosen field

What is CPD for your occupaation?

You could be in an occupation where CPD is not required. Nevertheless, this does not mean that further study is not for you. It could be advantageous for you to engage in a study course with a local college or night class in one of the hobbies you enjoy for example cooking or sewing. Furthermore, you could learn a new skill, for example, car maintenance.

Further, more studying has a number of wonderful side effects. You could meet new people, gain skills and more importantly keep your brain active. Indeed, the Alzheimer’s community have suggested that keeping your brain active could help prevent many mind degenerative disease.

All studying requires is your dedication to the course, that you will be receptive to new concepts, your time and the drive to become successful

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