Being Proactive for a PA and Secretary

Being Proactive for a PA and Secretary

Proactive PAs and Secretaries are organised and efficient

Planning your day to be proactive

When you think of a PA or a Secretary, you immediately think of someone organised, who is ultra-efficient and has their hand on the heartbeat of the department or their Boss’s Day. In effect, being proactive. Being Proactive is management speech stating that ‘a person is creating or controlling a situation rather than just responding to it after it has happened’. (more…)

Preparation for the Appraisal Process

Preparation for the Appraisal Process

Getting ready for the Appraisal Process

The Appraisal Process

Depending on your company internal calendar of events and procedures the appraisal process isn’t that far away.  Most appraisals start in March/April in preparation for the new financial year.  For a PA,

EA and Secretary this is the time when the task of organising appraisals or preparing for appraisals starts. It is, however, worth noting that the business year begins April (often referred to as the New Financial Year), so the business year has another three months to run, (the last quarter).  It is, therefore, time to start thinking about what you want to achieve in the final quarter of the financial year and what you want to achieve in the coming year.

(more…)

What Are the Major Concerns during an Appraisal?

What Are the Major Concerns during an Appraisal?

PA-Secretary-conducing-an-appraisal
Preparation for an Appraisal

As a PA (Personal Assistant), an EA (Executive Assistant) or secretary you may be asked to undertake an appraisal, this could be for junior members of staff. An Appraisal, Performance Review or Staff Review happens once a year.  The appraisal gives the employee and the employer an opportunity to openly discuss the previous years working structure.

Some General Guidelines

Conducting-an-appraisal-if-you-are-a-Secretary
Conducting an appraisal if you are a PA

Appraisals are on an individual employee’s job description. If you are conducting the appraisal you need to ensure that you are aware of the employee’s job description and not undertake a comparison with other employees.  You also have to be aware that the appraisal is on their past performance and not on what you would like them to do. That is the value of job analysis and detailed job descriptions.

A rating system may form part of the appraisal process.  The rating system could be a numerical, alphabetical system or a combination. All PAs or secretaries conducting an appraisal should be trained on the rating system used.  A good rating could result in a pay rise or promotion.  It is important that the rating system is robust, understood and utilised.

(more…)
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?

(more…)

Performance Review for a PA or Secretary

Performance Review for a PA or Secretary

A Performance review or appraisal is one of the tasks managers hate to do, and employees hate to receive. The entire process can cause sleepless nights for both concerned and create lots of anguish. However, I would like to suggest that you may be looking at a performance review in a rather negative way.

 

A performance review should be a process that you look forward to and not something to be feared or dreaded. An Appraisal is an opportunity for you to talk to your employer about you. Within the conversation, you will discuss your current role as a PA or Secretary within the organisation and your Job Description. You could also discuss any potential career development or progression that you would like to achieve in the company.

(more…)

Enjoy this blog? Please spread the word :)