January/February 2020

FIND YOUR BALANCE Join us at the PA Life Workplace Wellness & Wellbeing Summit Find out who’s speaking, the topics we’re covering and how to attend PA SHOW GUIDE Everything you need to know about attending this month’s big event at ExCeL, London

BUSINESS TRAVEL Hone your travel management skills and discover new solutions at the Business Travel Show

PA PROFILE Virtual Assistant Terri Leary talks about juggling clients and having the option to work from the beach

PLUS...

How to avoid a ‘Mean Girls’ scenario in the office, and getting the most from your meetings

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WELCOME...

Welcome to the first issue of 2020! And what a start to the year it’s been as we get ready for ‘show season’.

The PA Show (along with sister events International Confex, OMYAGUE and the Event Production Show) kicks things off on February 25th & 26th at ExCeL, London. A heady mix of exhibitors, workshops, conference sessions and networking, the Show will also play host to a major presence by PA Life. Our Stand (D03P) will feature healthy juice shots from Junius, while biophilia (that’s ‘a love of nature’ before you start Googling) specialist Plant Design will be decorating the stand with greenery to demonstrate how, as well as looking beautiful, plants can help our wellbeing.

And speaking of wellbeing, the PA Life Workplace Wellness & Wellbeing Summit will, of course, take place during the PA Show too. Tickets are going fast, so make sure you don’t miss out. Register at www.pashow.com and book your tickets via the portal.

We have a guide to the PA Show on pages 25 to 36 to help you plan your visit. We’re looking forward to seeing you there!

We’re also heading to Olympia on February 26th & 27th for the Business Travel Show.

This long-established event is a great opportunity to discover the latest business travel options and solutions. It’s particularly worth you checking out the Fundamentals Conference Programme. This is a 10-track stream designed specifically for PAs, EAs and

“Our PA Profile star Terri Leary talks about life as a Virtual Assistant - juggling multiple clients and individual requirements” SMEs who manage business travel bookings - but for whom it’s not their full time job.

Find out more about the Show on pages 38 & 39. And we also take a look at other business travel options on pages 40 & 42.

Elsewhere in this issue we speak to our PA Profile star Terri Leary about life as a Virtual Assistant - she tells us about juggling multiple clients and their individual requirements, plus working from beaches in Bali!

Kate Warburton is the Executive Assistant to the CEO at Truphone and she has penned her thoughts on whether administrative personnel are valued enough in the workplace. A very interesting and thought-provoking piece, you can read it on page 20.

We know that managing expenses claims and trawling through piles of crumpled receipts is a major bugbear for most PAs and EAs - so we’ve provided a guide to some of the best apps available to help steamline the process. Find out more on pages 22 & 23.

Earlier this year, the PA Life team travelled to the Port Lympne Hotel and Reserve to find out how this 600-acre wild animal park in Kent can host corporate events, teambuilding and more with a twist. Find out how the venue can help you make your upcoming events a roaring (sorry...) success on pages 46 & 47.

And of course, we have the usual How To guides, Restaurant Review and news from the PA Life Club.

Enjoy! And we look forward to meeting you all at the upcoming shows!

Lisa Carter, Associate Editor

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CONTENTS

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JANUARY/FEBRUARY CONTENTS 08

The Imperfect PA Is striving to be perfect in the workplace more important than being authentic? In her column Amy Gallagher says it’s about fully embracing who we are.

20

Is our value in the workplace being underestimated?

Attitudes to towards office administrators may have changed since the 1950s, but are they still taken for granted? Kate Warburton asks the question.

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20

Tips for a successful career change in 2020 If the New Year has seen you resolve to step up the career ladder, this will provide some useful advice for anyone, no matter what your circumstances.

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Unleash your wild side at Port Lympne The PA Life team travelled down to a corner of the Garden of England to experience a unique corporate events venue that will leave you at one with nature.

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Resturant review: Ormer Mayfair at Flemings Whether you’re looking to book an intimate business lunch or dinner, or private dining for up to 22 guests, the elegant Ormer Mayfair ticks all the boxes.

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Club Interview Lucy Everett is a Virtual PA with Virtually Supported. Here she talks about how she started out, the challenges of her role and the importance of technology.

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Got a news story?

Tweet us @PALifeMag

Plan your 2020 professional and personal development with PA Life Take your career to the next level – and underpin your personal growth – via PA Life’s related live events.

Later this month PA Life will be hosting the Workplace Wellness & Wellbeing Summit at the PA Show. The Summit, which takes place on February 25th & 26th at ExCeL will feature two full days of educational and inspirational seminar sessions, along with activities to help you gain control of your wellbeing and unlock that work/life balance. Topics will include: • Silencing Your Inner Critic • Goal Mapping • Vibrant Energy with Nutrition • How To Balance Your Inner Female and Male Energy • Burnout Is Not The Price

You Have To Pay For Success • Healthy Hacks For A Busy Schedule Tickets are priced at just £30 for each session, with discounts available if you book multiple sessions. Book your place via www. thepashow.com.

The PA Life Summit will return on September 28th at the Leonardo Royal London Tower Bridge.

The Summit is a mustattend event specifically designed for senior and board-level PAs who want to find solution providers and

Rub shoulders with the stars!

If you missed out on the NTAs, not to worry – the next key Awards on your radar should be the TRIC Awards on March 10th at Grosvenor House, Park Lane, London, hosted by TRIC President Lorraine Kelly.

If Strictly, I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out of Here, EastEnders, Emmerdale or the Great British Bake Off have had you hooked over the last 12 months, then make sure you don’t miss this!

There’s an amazing guest performance lined up, a

three-course lunch and, of course, the winners of the awards will be announced.

Treat clients, prospects or colleagues to a unique day, rubbing shoulders with the nation’s favourite celebrities and the very best talent in TV and radio.

For further information on tickets and sponsorship speak to Alison Ball or Alexia Sciplino on 020 3476 7159 awards@ tric.org.uk.

discover innovative opportunities to help respond to daily challenges. It’s free to attend – simply visit www. palife.co.uk/pa-life-summit/ to find out more.

Meanwhile, if you organise events and book venues, add these to your calendar: London Venues Summit – July 6th at the De Vere Grand Connaught Rooms, London Event Organisers Summit – October 19th & 20th October – Leonardo Royal London Tower Bridge www.palife.co.uk

Discover SuperRooms at Travelodge Travelodge is an ideal choice whether you’re a large business or a small company, offering a great way to manage your expenditure and make savings.

With over 570 hotels and 42,000 bedrooms of which more than 1800 are SuperRooms™, designed with the business traveller in mind - you’ll find these hotels in the centre of major cities, in most of Britain’s larger towns, as well as vital roadside stops.

More than 400 of Travelodge’s hotels have on-site parking, 190 have fully licensed Bar Cafés open 24 hours a day and almost all are located close to other restaurants, making Travelodge the ideal base for travel. The chain continues to expand, opening 17 new hotels in 2019, including two further Travelodge PLUS hotels, in Marlow and Edinburgh, which feature new look standard rooms, SuperRooms™ and a new stylish Bar Cafe.

If you book more than 25 rooms a year, the free Travelodge Business membership is a great option, offering five per cent discount on all flexible rate bookings plus dedicated support and an optional business account card which gives up to six weeks of interest free credit. www.travelodge.co.uk

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NEWS

Discover the Heart of England A ‘dream big, everything is possible’ company motto delivers great events at the Heart of England Conference & Events Centre.

This Midlands based privately owned venue is run by an experienced creative team, ready to make your next company event truly memorable.

Easily accessible with 160 acres of space including lakes, woodland and park.

And with modern and adaptable indoor meeting spaces too, they can accommodate most functions.

Although the rural location may feel remote, it is only minutes from main roads and

rail networks.

Whether you’re looking for a different type of meeting venue or space to run a team building activity, they have the answers.

Event managers, catering teams, and event hosts are all on hand to ensure your corporate event exceeds expectation. Health & Wellbeing is one of their top priorities for staff and guests alike, with the venue having recently launched its Open Air Wellness Programme.

The Heart of England Conference & Events Centre is ideal for events, product launches, corporate fun days or team building. www.heartcorporate.co.uk

Elm Grove options The Elm Grove Conference Centre offers guests two floors of meeting space.

The Oak Suite can be split into three separate rooms boasting 98-inch plasma screens for presentations, touch screen controls for sound and floor to ceiling windows.

Positioned either side of the Oak Suite are two boardrooms holding up to 10 delegates - perfect for smaller meetings or breakout spaces. Moving up

to the top floor, the Lime Tree Suite offers guests the chance to look out over SW15 and the City of London – it’s a perfect space for catering, networking or exhibition area. If guests are looking for somewhere to stay overnight the Centre offers 31 bedrooms within the conference centre. All rooms are ensuite and come with the standard hotel amenities. www.roehamptonvenues. co.uk

A right royal group of venues With the spotlight in London moving east and with locations across the City, Whitechapel and Mile End – Queen Mary Venues is in prime position to host your next event in this vibrant and exciting area with its uniquely unusual historic and contemporary spaces.

Venues available include the iconic Victorian Octagon, a former library with triple height book lined shelves (recently named as one of the top Wedding venues in London), featuring a domed ceiling with busts of famous literati. It provides ambience and adaptability with character.

For a larger theatre style venue, there’s the Great Hall for up to 778, within the People’s Palace. Restored to its art-deco glory, it has hosted awards ceremonies, performances, rehearsals, book launches, keynote addresses, comedy nights, cabaret events and fine dining.

Additionally, a range of 100 lecture theatre and seminar rooms, including the naturally lit Peston Lecture Theatre for 200 and 1000 bedrooms mean residential conferences are ideally suited to the Queen Mary Venues campus. www.qmhospitality.co.uk

The smart hotel alternative® Your Space Apartments offers luxury serviced, self-catering apartments in Cambridge’s city centre to visiting business and leisure travellers.

These apartments offer you more space than a hotel room, giving you total freedom to work, entertain, cook, sleep and relax as you like.

There’s a choice of eight different locations in

Cambridge, which are spread around the city so that you can select the most ideal location. www.yourspaceapartments. com

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WELLNESS

“I had a limiting belief that I wouldn’t be accepted or respected if I was anything other than strong and unbreakable. I was playing out a persona”

The Imperfect PA – A celebration of being authentic in the workplace Is striving to be perfect in the workplace more important than being authentic?

Amy Gallagher from Amy Gallagher Coaching says it’s about fully embracing who we are Let’s face it, most of us think we are authentic, right? If we’re not authentic then we are fake, shallow, imperfect… or are we?

The truth is authenticity is a daily practice of learning to accept every part of us – it’s about embracing who we are and letting go of who we think we should be. Let’s look at the qualities of an authentic person in the workplace: • Leads from the heart • Open and transparent • Empathic and compassionate • Acts on their words • Has the courage to be vulnerable • Motivates and inspires • Has a strong sense of self • Shares their stories and vision • Initiates honest and frank conversations • Is consistent When I was a senior leader in the corporate world, I believed I was authentic. Yes, I could tick off quite a few of the traits listed above. However, there was a glaring chink in my armour (well, it’s glaring to me now) - I struggled to be vulnerable. I felt the need to always show up as the strong warrior woman.

Being vulnerable just wasn’t in my repertoire. I didn’t know when to ask for help and didn’t want to ask. I soldiered on. I had a limiting belief that I wouldn’t

be accepted or respected if I was anything other than strong and unbreakable. I was playing out a persona.

The word ‘persona’ is the Greek term for ‘stage mask’. We all wear masks to protect ourselves, to hide what we perceive as our flaws. My persona was protecting me from showing all of me.

The harsh truth is I didn’t believe that all of me was enough.

As Brene Brown, leading researcher and expert on authenticity, says: “Believing you’re enough is what gives you the courage to be authentic.”

I’ve learnt that being authentic is showing and owning our imperfections.

It’s about being brave enough to let ourselves be fully seen.

Our reluctance to show our true selves can show up in the following ways: • We people-please – we say yes when we really mean no. We would rather focus on everyone else and make sure they are okay. We’re seen as the ‘nice’ one because deep down we have a strong need to be externally validated.

• We dim our light to fit in – we play small or don’t speak up because we believe our views or opinions are not worthy. We would rather fit in with the crowd.

• We hide, manipulate or alter parts of our personality to seek approval from

others or avoid disapproval.

• We mask our true feelings and don’t speak our truth.

All of these behaviours are rooted in feelings of inadequacy and low selfworth. Our quest to be perfect affects us emotionally, physically and mentally. If we continually people-please, dim our light and shy away from speaking our truth, we can become depleted, anxious, resentful, stressed and angry.

The irony is when we are faced with someone who is wearing a mask or not being themselves, we feel disconnected from them. When we meet someone who is vulnerable and showing up as their real self, we respect them, trust them and connect with them.

The next time you find yourself hiding your true, beautiful self – stop and enquire why. One of the steps to authenticity is having awareness of the behaviours that do and don’t serve you.

It’s wanting to change those behaviours that limit you.

It’s time to celebrate ALL of you and let people see the true you. The imperfect you is enough.

Amy Gallagher is an executive coach and healer. She works with executives to transform the way they lead and the way they live. www.amy-gallagher.com

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PA PROFILE

Terri Leary Having started as a PA 15 years ago, Terri Leary transitioned into a Virtual Assistant after a travelling break in South East Asia. This new role has given her the freedom to work from home or a beach in Bali. PA Life asks about her career and her top tips for PAs, EAs and VAs...

Photography: Dave Willis

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PA PROFILE

The joy of being a Virtual Assistant is that I can help people so they can concentrate on what they do best – without having to worry about the day-to-day mundane tasks.

Tell us how you became an Assistant and why you chose this career path.

I have been a PA for over 15 years. The opportunity came about to be a PA/Office Manager for a mobile games company back in 2005 and it was the best decision I have ever made.

Utilising the administration skills I had learnt in my first two roles made this path accessible to me and I haven’t looked back since.

Give us an outline of your career as an Assistant until now.

I started working at 18 as a Training Administrator in one of the big accountancy firms and from there I moved on to become HR Administrator at Universal Music. Then I moved on to be the PA/Office Manager for the mobile game company and five years later PA/Operations Manager for a Digital Marketing Training Company. Fast forward seven years and I set up my own Virtual Assistant business. I also run a networking event called Centurions Connected in my spare time.

Was becoming an Assistant something you had always wanted to do?

I always knew that I would work in an office in an administrative position, but not specifically as a PA/EA. While doing my A Levels I completed an NVQ in business administration as I knew I wanted to get out in the big wide world of work and not go to University. That’s something that I have never regretted.

What advice would you give to someone looking to forge a career as an Assistant?

You need to be a great organiser to be a successful PA. You become someone that your boss relies on 24/7 and if you can’t plan and prioritise, you’re not going to be a very successful PA. You also need to be proactive rather than reactive to be a really successful PA. If you can anticipate your bosses’ needs before they can, then you become invaluable.

Why did you choose to become a Virtual Assistant? What led to make that decision?

I decided to become a Virtual Assistant after coming back from a six-month break travelling South East Asia after leaving a company I was with for seven years. While I was away, I was deciding what my next path was. I wanted to still be in the PA world as I love the connection that you get with working so closely to someone - but also wanted a bit of my own freedom.

I came up with the idea of seeing if I could be a Virtual Assistant while away and when back got in touch with old contacts to see if anyone needed any assistance. The ultimate goal of setting up as a Virtual Assistant is to be able to take my

business anywhere in the world. The benefit of being virtual and not in someone’s office means that I can work in the comfort of my own home or on a beach in Bali. What’s not to love?

Who are the clients you work for? And how does the work for each differ?

I work for a range of companies - two training companies (one based in London the other in New York), one restaurant chain, as well as the mobile games studio Reality Gaming Group. So quite a varied mix.

I have a different relationship with each client. One just needs a few hours a week to help with invoicing and booking travel, while another is three days a week in an Operations Manager capacity. The joy of being a Virtual Assistant is that I can help people so they can concentrate on what they do best without having to worry about the day-to-day mundane tasks.

Describe a typical day for you.

I don’t think I have a typical day and that’s the best part of this job. Not one day is ever the same. One day I can be creating a budget for the next five years and the next building office furniture.

What are the most challenging aspects of your job?

Having lots of clients who want everything now. This can sometimes be challenging if everyone wants everything at the same time. The best way to get around this is to plan and prioritise and be clear on when you can deliver the work expected.

And what are the most enjoyable aspects?

One of the most enjoyable aspects of being a PA is becoming your boss’s right-hand person. You become their confidante and I love the trust and respect that you gain from this.

What are the key areas of stress for PAs and EAs, in your opinion?

Being someone’s right hand person can lead to their stress rubbing off on you. You can often spend your time trying to alleviate their stress and miss your own stress. Taking manageable projects off your boss’s hands can help them which in turn will help you.

What would be your three top tips for busy and stressed PAs and EAs? 1. Be agile. While we all love to plan, plan, and plan, a good PA will know that there are often unexpected items hittin your inbox. Be prepared to drop those plans when something more pressing comes your way.

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PA PROFILE

2. Write everything down. I find it so useful to write everything down so that I can refer back to it later. I also go back over my notes at the end of each day to make sure I haven’t forgotten to do anything. It’s also a good way to cover yourself if something doesn’t go to plan.

3. Prioritise. Learning how to prioritise is one of the key skills you need as a PA, especially if you’re working for more than one person. Sometimes turning off email so that you can concentrate on the most important task, and stop other requests distracting you, is invaluable.

If you weren’t an Assistant, what would you be doing now?

I think it would be something in either event organising, utilising my organisation skills; or in the travel industry, doing something that would allow me to travel the world.

What do you think the PA community needs to do as a collective?

Share your knowledge. If we all shared our highs and lows, wins and defeats, we can all grow and become better PAs. How do you relax after a busy day in the office?

Depends on where the office is that day. If I am at home, then I can spend some more time cooking a nice dinner and catching up on that week’s TV while curled up on the sofa. If I am at a client’s office, then a few drinks after work to unwind is usually how the day ends. Or if I am on that beach in Bali, then it’s a swim in the sea and watching the sunset with a cocktail or two.

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Do you have any tips on sustainability in events? Tweet us @PALifeMag

HOW TO...

How to make your events more sustainable in 2020 From finding greener ways to travel to reducing waste, Managing Director of Unique Venues of London Lisa Hatswell offers seven ways to make your event more sustainable..

Sustainability is a hot topic across the world as a whole, and one particularly relevant to the events and hospitality industries.

Many unique venues and suppliers across London cater to eco-friendly gatherings, and organisers can also take steps to ensure their events are kind to the environment.

Plastic isn’t so fantastic Plastic is steadily being eliminated not only from the events scene, but from daily life. Reusable cutlery is becoming the norm, and guests can be encouraged to bring their own reusable water bottles. If the event is a product launch or conference and you want to go further, branded reusable bottles could be handed out on the day.

Tech over traditional We live in an increasingly digital world, and our love for our computers and phones can be valuable at events as well as in our daily lives. Using projectors and tablets, instead of flipcharts and notepads, is a great way to both help protect the environment and keep your guests engaged through networking on social media.

A breath of fresh air In the summer, outdoor events are the perfect way to avoid using air conditioning and other forms of energy consumption such as electricity. Also, if the venue already has a seating area or garden, guests will have the chance to (quite literally) stop and smell the roses, which is great for both their physical and mental wellbeing.

Team transportation Greener travel is a big element of sustainability. Getting to and from an event as a group is the best way to reduce CO2 emissions, particularly when

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waste initiatives, whereby only locallysourced produce is offered. Additionally, food portions are becoming smaller so that there are less leftovers; when there are leftovers, they are used either for garnishes (when safe) or are recycled back into the earth.

Given a second chance Providing receptacles for recycling at the venue is a great way to reduce the number of items that are unnecessarily thrown away. This is particularly useful for bigger conferences, where large amounts of paper, plastic and other waste is often discarded.

Plastic is steadily being eliminated from the events scene. Reusable cutlery is becoming the norm, and guests can be encouraged to bring their own reusable water bottles.

the guest list is large. Also, choosing electric cars over vehicles that require petrol, or cycling or walking when possible, is not only beneficial to the environment but your health as well.

Locally-sourced sustenance There are many caterers on the market that are now implementing minimal-

Plan ahead To achieve all of the above, it’s important to plan ahead for your event. Liaising with eco-friendly suppliers and informing your guests of commuting options, as well as anything they should bring with them that will make for a more environmentally-friendly gathering, is essential to the process.

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Got any tips for getting the most out of meetings? Tweet us @PALifeMag

HOW TO...

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Arrive early and set your intention for the meeting before you enter. What do you want to get out of it? What points are you keen to raise with your peers?

How to achieve mindful meetings Unproductive meetings can waste time - so can they be managed more effectively? The Grand Brighton’s General Manager Andrew Mosley has some ideas on how to do just that...

Planning meetings is undoubtedly a timeconsuming task. And, with our working weeks becoming busier than ever, it’s time to get smart about how we dedicate our precious time. In fact, last year a European survey of 2,000 employees in the UK, France and Germany unveiled that the average employee wastes nearly 13 working days every year in ‘unproductive meetings’. So what can we do to ensure that our meetings are managed in the most effective way?

The Grand Brighton, one of only 31 AIM gold accredited venues in the UK, helps organise and facilitate hundreds of meetings for businesses every year, so we have some suggestions...

BE STRICT WITH YOUR TIME Before you even attend your next meeting, remember to be strict with your time. If you’ve been invited to a meeting which doesn’t require your area of expertise, or you don’t feel that you’d be best at contributing to the set agenda,

then delegate the meeting or suggest re-focusing the itinerary in line with your business priorities.

ARRIVE EARLY AND BE PRESENT For those important meet-ups, arrive early and set your intention for the meeting before you enter. What do you want to get out of it? What points are you keen to raise with your peers?

Having a clear vision of how you want to spend your allotted meeting time will ensure that you’ve done your part in staying on topic.

SET THE GROUND RULES As a team, set your ground rules for acceptable meeting behaviour. Often, this is as simple as reminding the team that everyone should have the opportunity to speak, but only one person should talk at a time whilst the rest of the group listens mindfully. I also find that implementing a ban on electronic devices is really helpful, as it can be tempting to have your attention focused on your email inbox rather than being present in the room.

START WITH A CLEAR AGENDA - AND STICK TO IT Remind everyone of what needs to be accomplished in the allotted time. This will give you the chance to go in-depth on each point raised, and ensure that everyone at the table is heard. It’s normal for conversations to wander, but remind the group that any points outside of the agenda can go in the ‘parking lot’ list of discussion for the end of the meeting or your next catch up. At the end of the meeting, re-cap over key actions raised during the session and agree a reasonable timeframe to have these complete.

ASSIGN ONE NOTE TAKER Hopefully your team will be brimming with ideas as a result of your meeting. To keep everyone on the same page, assign one note taker to keep minutes and circulate notes after the meeting has ended. This will help to keep everyone else focused on generating ideas and contributing to the conversation, and ensure that the whole team will work from the same set of actions.

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HOW TO...

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Employers and HR execs should look at the film’s representation of ‘clique culture’ and think about what’s going on in their workplaces.

How to avoid ‘Mean Girls’ in the office Everybody thinks that when they leave school, they’ll leave behind the cliques that are part of school life. But unfortunately, this isn’t always the case because tight social circles also exist in the working world.

For some people, work can closely resemble the movie Mean Girls, the cult film about exclusionary social groups in an American High School - which surprisingly has a few lessons to offer the business world.

Employers and HR execs should look at the film’s representation of ‘clique culture’ and think about what’s going on in their workplaces - and how they can manage their office cliques.

It can be relatively easy for cliques to form in a working environment. After all, employees who work closely with each other daily are all the more likely to become friends and enjoy each other’s company. On paper, a clique is not necessarily a bad thing. Having a group of employees who work well together can be good news for a company,

‘You can’t sit with us’… Why cliques in the office can be bad for business – and how to avoid them.

Alan Price, CEO and HR Expert at BrightHR explains

potentially encouraging higher levels of productivity.

However, there is a danger that if an office clique is left unmanaged, it may cause more issues down the line. The problem here is that employees within a clique are at risk of becoming too familiar, potentially reacting negatively if asked to work with others outside of it.

Additionally, if several cliques are formed, it could lead to an ‘us vs them’ mentality that could prove detrimental to overall workplace morale.

Continually allowing the same individuals to work closely together could even cause issues with individual development. Some people may get too comfortable hiding in the clique instead of thinking independently and coming up with their ideas. If not encouraged to be more self-reliant in their role, this could lead to employees missing out on future opportunities for progression.

Employees who are not part of the clique can quickly feel left out and unfairly treated, especially if the clique involves management. Eventually, staff in this position may become disillusioned in

their role, something that can affect their performance and potentially lead to them seeking work elsewhere.

There is also the issue of workplace bullying to consider. Employers should always remember that deliberate exclusion is a form of bullying and should be discouraged through company policy. Other forms of misconduct can also arise as a direct result of a clique, such as workplace gossiping or rumour spreading, which again should be deemed unacceptable.

It is important to remember that, if this type of bullying is proven to be down to an individual’s protected characteristic, it could lead to more severe claims of harassment. This could end up being very costly for a company if such a claim was allowed to proceed to an employment tribunal.

To this end, businesses must carefully monitor cliques and, where possible, employees are encouraged to work with a broader group of people than just their social circle. If any issues of bullying do arise, employers need to deal with it swiftly and in line with company policy.

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OPINION

Is our value in the workplace being underestimated?

Attitudes to towards office administrators may have changed since the 1950s, but are they still taken for granted? Kate Warburton, EA to the CEO at Truphone asks the question...

I have worked in the administration field now for eight years, and have been lucky enough in that time to work alongside a number of fantastic colleagues and mentors who appreciated my work. I have however, also been witness to - and as a manager, listened to - grievances from colleagues surrounding their treatment as administrative professionals.

My friend recently complained about how fellow colleagues simply ‘assumed’ that she had the time to immediately attend to their requests, such as: run out to pick up their lunch if they were running late for a meeting; ‘help them out’ with their expenses; even clean up messes in the kitchen when the cleaner was on his break.

An interesting recent survey conducted by Zyllem, found that 64 per cent of office workers in Singapore confessed to taking their office administrators for granted. According to the report: ‘The most common out of job scope role that Admin Professionals

are asked to perform is that of ‘A Shoulder to Cry On’.

To name just a few further statistics, 30 per cent of those surveyed also admitted to expecting their admin counterparts to perform duties such as official photographer at office functions, and 42 per cent rely on them to resolve IT issues with computers, the internet and printers.

Administration roles have changed

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Without me, I’d like to think that Max would find it extremely difficult to organise everything.’

These professionals, whether it be Receptionists, Office Assistants or PAs are well organised, dependable, trusted with confidential information, able to work across all elements of the organisation, and are often ambassadors for the businesses that they work for.

But regardless of all the things that

Admin roles have changed greatly since the 1950s when secretaries were encourged to ‘wear deodorant, learn to make good tea and coffee and always look beautiful’

greatly since the 1950s and 1960s when for example, secretaries were encouraged to ‘wear deodorant; learn how to make good tea and coffee; and always look beautiful.’

Sarah Morgan, Personal Assistant to the late publicity guru Max Clifford once said ‘A PA nowadays is far more involved, almost the centre of a business …

administrators do, do we too often expect these generally overlooked office heroes to go the extra mile?

Of course, with any topic relating to the workplace and/or employee attitudes, there are going to be the ‘good’ and the ‘bad’. What do you think?

Do people underestimate the value that administrators add to office operations?

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Got an expense claim gripe? Tweet us @PALifeMag

TECHNOLOGY

Expense claims driving you mad?

There’s an app for that Are you tired of having screwed up paper receipts dumped on your desk every month?

You’re not alone. We asked some PAs to recommend software that can help…

One of the most important assets for PAs to have on their side is time. We all need more of it. But too often time gets sucked up by painful admin tasks, which mean you’re not spending it on the things that really matter.

When talking to PAs about the tasks they dread having to complete, ‘filing and reconciling expenses’ comes up constantly. Whether it’s staff members providing you with receipts late, not at all, or in a shoebox with hundreds of them inside, it’s an essential process within any business - but also one that can steal hours of your working life.

But there’s help available. We spoke to a few PAs and EAs to compile a very unscientific list of the top five expense apps and software solutions that might be worth checking out…

CONCUR This one was mentioned more than most by our impromptu panel, probably due to the huge amounts of advertising the platform has carried out over the last couple of years.

It’s aimed at larger companies and is actually much more than just a receipt tracker – it can be used for invoicing and other accounting tasks too. For expenses specifically, it has a companion app that employees can use to file their expenses.

Once in the system you can then sort through the line items, reconcile and send off to management for approval and payment, all from a single dashboard.

Concur is robust and comes with good levels of support, though it was pointed out to us by the panel that it might be a little too involved for smaller business to bother with. www.concur.com QUICKBOOKS Another solution that a) spends a lot of money on advertising (it’s part of the Intuit ecosystem), and b) is more than just an expenses management tool. But it’s cheaper than Concur and there’s a good chance your company may already be using it for invoicing and general accounting, particularly if you’re an SME. We were told that the app is extremely nifty when it comes to tracking expenses, with full integration with company bank accounts for easier reconciliation once everything has been submitted by employees.

We think Quickbooks is definitely worth a look if your accounts department is already a subscriber – but there are other more specialist expenses solutions out there if not. www.quickbooks.intuit.com EXPENSIFY Several of our panel members loved Expensify which, as the name suggests, is focused solely on making your life easier

when it comes to pesky receipts.

The solution lives in the Cloud and can be set up to match your company’s specific policies and procedures when it comes to expense claims. After that it’s pretty simple – receipts gets scanned and sucked into the system, then reconciled by you via a handy dashboard, before generating a report which can be sent off for management approval on individual claims.

What’s handy is that not only does Expensify connect to your company’s bank account, it also store the details of your employee bank accounts, so money can be paid to them automatically as soon as a claim is approved. www.expensify.com HURDLR Another ‘just do one thing really well’ solution, Hurdlr is US-centric (our PA works for a US corporation) and is optimised for employees in the field, such as drivers and couriers, with a focus on mileage.

That said, it handles all types of expense just as well and will plug into your existing accounting software for easy reconciliation and payment. It’ll even calculate tax liabilities where applicable, and generate reports for your accounting department.

Hurdlr probably isn’t for you if you don’t work in a US-based corporate environment, but if you do it’s worth a look - the app in particular came in for heavy praise by the PA on our panel who is a regular user. www.hurdlr.com ZOHO EXPENSE If you’re working within an SME-sized organisation there’s a good chance you already have Zoho services deployed for CRM, IT or HR – in which case you definitely need to check out Zoho Expense (which also works with Quickbooks).

Like the solutions mentioned above, receipts can be digitally scanned and pulled into the system automatically. But what’s really cool is that Zoho Expense enables you to drill down into minute detail concerning an individual’s claims – to the point where you can set up limits to an employee’s monthly expenditure or get alerts when expense policies have been broken. Our panel agreed that this feature alone was great for preventing problem claims before they occur.

If there’s a downside it was suggested that the dashboard and general navigation can be a little hard on the eyes, with a lot of text and not much in the way of graphical representation of your expenses landscape. We think it’s still worth a go though. www.zoho.com

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ExCel at wellbeing The PA Show rolls in to London’s ExCel on February 25th & 26th. Plan your visit with our guide to what’s on, including the lowdown on the PA Life Workplace Wellness & Wellbeing Summit...

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PA Show and tell...

Mike Sherrard is the exhibition director for the PA Show, amongst other events, at Mash Media. PA Life spoke to him about what PAs and EAs can look forward to later this month...

Tell us about the PA Show 2020 The PA Show is the largest show of its kind within the UK, targeting the secretarial profession with a focus on personal development, training and an extensive array of exhibiting partners who all tie into what it means to be a PA in the modern age.

Talk us through the various conference streams.

We have seven streams at this year’s event. The Wellness theatre is a brandnew initiative, programmed and sponsored by PA Life! There are theatres for Key Skills, Personal Development, Evolution and Event Management, plus a full day programmed by PA Assist dedicated to the VA community. Finally, we have our Keynote Theatre - and we some big names speaking here; Vanessa Vallely OBE, Corrine Hoisington, Andrea Macarie and Kerrie Ellis as examples, covering motivation, inspiration and image topics. We also have two panels embracing celebrity and corporate PAs. Our audience will be able to learn from those who look after Rachel Weisz, Julian Clary and the personal affairs for

Mark and Howard from Take That. There are also contributions from the Odeon, Microsoft, the MoD and the House of Commons.

What would you say are the biggest issues facing PAs and EAs in 2020?

Speed of change in the working environment, which involves an increase in responsibilities in both volume and variety.

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expect, along with many they wouldn’t.

Tell us about Omyague.

This is a special feature area of the event offering 20 top quality British, French and international brands showcasing their unique and stylish business and bespoke gifts. The offer is gift ideas at B2B prices that could not be secured anywhere else.

We have over 100 exhibitors to date and the show is still growing. Exhibitors are drawn from the services PAs would expect, along with many they wouldn’t.

How many PAs and EAs are you expecting to attend?

Last year we attracted over 4600 visitors.

This year our registrations are currently running at a 48 per cent increase.

What exhibitors should we expect?

We have over 100 exhibitors to date and the show is still growing. Exhibitors are drawn from the services PAs would

How much will it cost to attend the conference sessions?

The sessions in the Keynote theatre are free of charge. For all other sessions, there is a charge which is on a sliding scale dependent on how many sessions are booked. So, should you book 10 sessions over the two days, costs would be £17 per session. The full programme, along with costings, can be found at the show website: www.thepashow.com.

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Discover a healthier you Whether it’s emotional self-care or nutrition, creating a healthy work environment is vital. The PA Life Workplace Wellness and Wellbeing Summit can help - Register at thepashow.com...

SILENCING YOUR INNER CRITIC Speaker: Amy Gallagher We all have an inner critic. For some, it’s louder than others.

For all, it’s that constant whisper in your ear telling you you’re not good enough. Our inner critic stops us from taking risks, stifles our creativity, prevents us from trying new things and feeds self-doubt. Come and find out who your inner critic is, how to silence them and how to make them your friend rather than your foe.

CELEBRATE YOURSELF TODAY & CREATE THE YOU OF TOMORROW Speakers: Lorna Dunning & Sarah Powell Join personal development leader and mindset coach Lorna Dunning and the founder of Celebrate Yourself, Sarah Powell, for a discussion about wellbeing, what it means and how we can implement it day-to-day when we feel overstretched, overwhelmed and overbusy.

------------------------------------------------------------

-----------------------------------------------------------UNLEASH YOUR TRUE POTENTIAL WITH GOAL MAPPING Speaker: Brian Mayne Learning how to set and achieve goals is a priority life-skill that helps us to be at our best in whatever task, activity, or area of life we choose to focus on. Progressing your career, managing your time effectively, or gaining greater life balance; all require the art of effective goal setting.

• Learn the simple science of positive thinking and wholebrain activation • Understand how to programme your subconscious autopilot for success • Discover the 7 Steps for creating your Goal Map in words and pictures -----------------------------------------------------------VIBRANT ENERGY WITH NUTRITION Speaker: Kate Cook Kate sorts through the confusion around food, and where this confusion comes from: From marketing to corrupted science - no wonder we are confused!

• Getting clarity about the rules of food • Understanding the mechanism of energy • First steps to changing the diet outlined • Getting maximum energy from food and nutrition • Zinc Taste test with discussion ------------------------------------------------------------

SPEAKERS

AMY GALLAGHER Amy Gallagher is an executive coach and healer. She works with female executives to transform their lives and realise that life doesn’t have to be a compromise.

She navigates them back home to the woman they came here to be, encouraging them to break their silence on their untold stories.

HOW TO BALANCE YOUR INNER F EMININE & MASCULINE ENERGIES Speaker: Amy Gallagher We all have feminine energy and masculine energy within us, regardless of gender. We need a balance of feminine and masculine energies in order for us to be whole. In this interactive session we will look at how balanced/imbalanced you are in these energies and the reasons why we suppress or ignore certain aspects of ourselves.

-----------------------------------------------------------HEALTH HACKS FOR A BUSY SCHEDULE Speaker: Chris Pinner 75% of people skip meals and avoid the gym because they are ‘too busy’. How can you weave healthy living into your lifestyle and working day? In this session, with Innerfit founder and Personal Trainer Chris Pinner, you will learn 10 health hacks to help you get more movement into your day, eat healthily at work and at home, manage your mindset and motivation.

BIOPHILIA IN THE WORKPLACE: HOW A GREENER OFFICE CAN IMPACT STAFF WELLBEING Speaker: William Braid An introduction to the core principles of biophilia and how the current cultural interest in ‘the wellness movement’ demonstrates a growing opportunity for biophilic design in office spaces.

BRIAN MAYNE Brian Mayne is a global speaker, author of four published books and was voted UK Speaker of the Year 2010. Brian is also the creator of Goal Mapping which has reached more than four million people. His teachings are employed by schools, coaches and businesses such as: Microsoft, Disney and Coca-Cola.

KATE COOK Kate Cook gives talks and workshops to business clients, empowering their staff to adopt healthier lifestyles. With over 20 years’ experience, fresh, creative and practical information is delivered in an interactive style that encourages involvement and engagement. She has personally worked with more than 7,500 patients.

AIMEE BROWNE Aimee Browne works for the CEO and Operational Board of UK high street retailer The Works and is founder of online community The Mindful Assistant. After experiencing mental health struggles herself, Aimee has transformed her mindset and now coaches assistants to take control of their lives.

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• What is biophilia?

• How does it tie in with the wellness movement? i.e. why are plants beneficial to our wellbeing?

• What are some ways to bring biophilic design to the workplace?

-----------------------------------------------------------BURNOUT IS NOT THE PRICE YOU HAVE TO PAY FOR SUCCESS Speaker(s): Aimee Browne, The Mindful Assistant Aimee talks from her experience of seemingly having it ‘all together’ on the surface to having a severe burnout. How she walked away from control, perfectionism and glorifying ‘busy’ to create a healthier mindset, habits and boundaries and created amazing success for herself in just 10 months. Aimee shares her story, her strategies and hopes to inspire you to go from surviving to thriving.

TUESDAY 25 FEBRUARY TIME 10.00 – 11.00

SESSION TITLE Silencing Your Inner Critic Speaker(s): Amy Gallagher

11.15 – 12.15

Unleash Your True Potential with Goal Mapping Speaker(s): Brian Mayne

12.30 – 13.30

Vibrant Energy with Nutrition Speaker(s): Kate Cook

13.45 – 14.45

Celebrate Yourself Today & Create The You of Tomorrow Speaker(s): Lorna Dunning & Sarah Powell

15.00 – 16.00

How To Balance Your Inner Female and Male Energy Speaker(s): Amy Gallagher

-----------------------------------------------------------THE IMPERFECT PA: A CELEBRATION OF BEING AUTHENTIC IN THE WORKPLACE Speaker(s): Amy Gallagher Do you worry too much about what others think of you? Have you noticed you hide/alter/manipulate parts of your personality to fit in, to seek approval or to avoid disapproval? Being authentic is no easy feat and most of us struggle with embracing our true selves, including our imperfections. This session will give you an insight in to some of the reasons why we struggle to be authentic and give you the license to celebrate being imperfectly perfect.

-----------------------------------------------------------HOW COLOUR CAN AFFECT YOUR WELLBEING & SUCCESS Speaker(s): Helen Venables Whether we like it or not, our appearance has a powerful effect on how the world sees us. But colour itself also affects not only how we look, but also our confidence and mood. If you are wearing the right colours in business and in your personal life, you will be more memorable, look brighter and healthier, be more visible and will feel more confident. Wearing colours where you look your best is key to developing your personal brand and making you feel like you.

HELEN VENABLES Having suffered from post-natal depression, a friend recommended to Helen she ‘get her colours done’.

She was so inspired she became a stylist and then joined John Lewis’ training team. Two years later she became Franchisee Director and in 2012 became Managing Director of the business.

LORNA DUNNING Lorna is a personal development leader, mindset and success coach. She works to help individuals and teams to achieve transformational results by teaching them how to understand the mental programme that drives our thinking. Her aim is to help people figure out the life they are excited to get out of bed for.

WENDESDAY 26 FEBRUARY TIME 10.00 – 11.00

SESSION TITLE Healthy Hacks for a Busy Schedule Speaker(s): Chris Pinner

11.15 – 12.15

Biophilia in the Workplace: How a Greener Office Can Impact Staff Wellbeing Speaker(s): William Braid

12.30 – 13.30

Burnout Is Not The Price You Have to Pay for Success Speaker(s): Aimee Browne – The Mindful Assistant

13.45 – 14.45

The Imperfect PA: A Celebration of Being Authentic In The Workplace Speaker(s): Amy Gallagher

15.00 – 16.00

How Colour Can Affect Your Wellness & Success Speaker(s): Helen Venables

SARAH POWELL Sarah Powell is a speaker, celebrant and the founder of Celebrate Yourself, a framework which encourages people to celebrate who they are.

Sarah is a columnist for Red and she co hosts two podcasts, Jules and Sarah (with Jules Von Hep) and also Wobble, a podcast about body confidence and happiness.

CHRIS PINNER Chris is the founder of Innerfit.

He kickedoff his career at a US investment bank and then strategy consultancy, where projects regularly demanded working weekends, 12+ hour days and the odd 36-hour shift. As a Level 3 Personal Trainer, he specialises in sharing tips to help people feel and work well.

WILLIAM BRAID William Braid, managing director of Plant Designs, has worked in the interior landscape industry for 41 years William is passionate about biophilia and its innate benefits for our society.

Leveraging his 41 years in the industry, he is working tirelessly to spread the word about the impact of plants

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Pedal power from Absolutely Absolutely will be using the PA Show to promote its core courier services, such as Sameday, Overnight, International and Temperature Controlled. There will be an added focus on emphasising the Sameday service due to the firm’s expanding electric cargo bike fleet - Absolutely has one of the largest and fastest growing fleet of electric cargo bikes in London.

As Absolutely mainly operates within central London, its electric cargo bikes are ULEZ compliant which mean they are exempt from paying the daily ULEZ charge.

With zero emissions, the electric cargo bike fleet offers the greenest solution of collecting and delivering items across London. In addition, these bikes can carry the same load as a small van while offering a faster service due to their size and efficiency.

Absolutely will be giving out free ELEMIS products to those visiting its stand, as well as running a prize draw to win prizes. www.absolutelycourier.com

Work smarter with TAG

Marriott makes meetings When there’s a meeting to plan, there’s no one better to turn to than you. You’ve got the skills, panache, and all-round amazingness to make every event incredible. And Marriott is here to help make your next one the best yet.

It’s more than a meeting space, sandwich platter, or nicely laid out set of place mats. Of course, Marriott is all of that too – but are so much more besides. The team does everything in its power to help make your meetings as hassle-free, fuss-free, and stress-free as possible. Take MarriottMeetingRooms.co.uk for example. Search, view, book and pay instantly online for meetings up to 30 people, up to 90 days in advance at 40 Marriott hotels across the UK. Simple! www.marriottmeetingrooms.co.uk

In an increasingly busy world, finding ways to work smarter, not harder is on everyone’s agenda. You only need to scan social media to find hundreds of ‘life hacks’. So, what about the day-to-day world of work? How can you take the stress and time out of tasks like travel booking, whilst still getting the job done to the same standard?

Later this month at the PA Show, TAG will be unveiling its enhanced suite of tools for business travel – all conveniently located in the company’s brand-new portal, TAGdash.

With TAGdash everything is in one location, meaning you no longer need to remember to check out several different websites or fill up your desktop with apps.

TAGdash gives you access to management information, company updates and risk management whenever you need it.

And best of all, the system is bespoke to you, so you only see what you need.

This increased personalisation means that when it comes to things like reporting, you can find and analyse data within minutes.

With a real time feed and dynamic content, you can find out your annual spend to date, biggest savings and most frequent travellers, as well as much more, in a couple of clicks.

To experience TAGdash in action, visit TAG on stand F25P at the PA Show. www.tag-group.com

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An oasis of calm on the showfloor Visit the PA Life stand at the PA Show and you’ll have the opportunity to recharge your batteries and enjoy some much-needed calm and tranquillity.

The stand structure is fully sustainable and was created

by the Creative Output. It will feature healthy juice shots from Junius. The company’s range is designed around the active phytonutrients and superfoods that support a particular pillar of health. The Junius team will be on the PA

Life stand to discuss the juices’ health-giving properties.

Meanwhile, Plant Designs will be showcasing its living plants range. As well as looking beautiful, they provide fresh air and a wealth of other

Challenge Ryman Business Claim a free personalised Parker Pen for challenging Ryman Business before the PA Show. The company is returning as the headline sponsor of the event and will be offering free coffee, cakes and the chance to win great prizes.

“We’re excited to be the headline sponsor again this year,” said Matt Floyd, Head of Enterprise at Ryman Business. “I’ll be there with my experienced team, pop over to our stand for a free coffee, cake, and chat.”

Ryman has been equipping businesses for over 125 years. For the chance to claim the prize, book an appointment

before February 15th. Call 08000 288 445 or email b2b@ryman.co.uk. www.ryman.co.uk/ business

benefits. Find out about how they can improve people’s wellbeing at the show.

PA Life is looking forward to meeting you to discuss the magazine, related events and the PA Life Club.

Find us on Stand D03P.

Flexible travelling Corporate Traveller’s unique blend of expert service and technology, available across its 20 UK locations and global Flight Centre Travel Group, means the company claims it not only guarantees exclusive rates, but does it with a personal and seamless touch.

Your business travel will be managed by your local team, allowing Corporate Traveller to offer a dedicated, flexible service. www.corptraveller.co.uk

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PA SHOW/CONFEX

CONFEX AND THE CITY Running alongside the PA Show is International Confex – a must attend event for anyone involved in event management. Here’s what you can expect With the topics of Speak, Meet, Debate, Network, Enjoy and Learn, there are opportunities for every event professional to immerse themselves in the myriad of activities on the showfloor, in the theatres and on the social hubs.

Confex is so much more than buyers meeting sellers. Throughout the years of its tenure, the show has moved on from the purely transactional and developed into an innovative, social and creative event, reflecting the very characteristics that define our industry.

Speak & Debate – There are a whole host of panel discussions going on in every corner of the show tackling subjects such as personalisation, CSR, sustainability and wellness to name but a few. Join the debate and if you have an opinion you’d like to share – jump on board the panel!

Meet – A whole host of inspirational new suppliers, venues and destinations right across the showfloor. If you’re in a hurry and want to fill up your little black ideas book quickly, join us for one of the speed networking sessions. As a thank

you for taking part, you’ll receive a beautiful Khyva gift box filled with luxury goodies.

Network – International Confex has always been known as the hub where the events industry in its glorious entirety gathers. Catch up with old friends and forge relationships with new ones in the main bar, delivered in partnership with

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Luster’s event mosaic technology; join JW Marriott Cancun Resort & Spa for a taste of Mexico and a reinvigorating drop of tequila; find your ‘happy place’ with a spot of meditation and yoga in the Association Events Forum; or enjoy watching the hopefuls pitching in the EventTech Dragons Den. And, after all that, when you need a break, chill out

Throughout the years of its tenure, the show has moved on from the purely transactional and developed into an innovative, social and creative event.

GES; on the Association Village Green in partnership with ABPCO and the AAE; or on the Mash Media central hub where there will be a plethora of events taking place - including the CN 30/30 meet up, the Confex Alumni gathering and the EN/CN Awards finalists drinks parties.

Enjoy - The huge range of exhibitors and speakers have so many experiences for you to enjoy. Have a play in Leisure King’s Mobile Escape Room; marvel at

and recharge in the VIP lounge delivered in partnership with Freeman.

Learn – With over 60 sessions taking place over two days, whether it’s ideas for sustainability, CSR or WOW Factor, you’re guaranteed to leave International Confex with a load of inspiration for better events.

To register and start planning your experience visit www.internationalconfex.com.

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PA SHOW/CONFEX

THE INTERNATIONAL CONFEX SEMINAR PROGRAMME

PLANNING YOUR VISIT VISIT CONFEX PASSPORT The Visit Confex Passport is a fun and exciting way to add a little gamification to your Confex experience. Simply pick up your Confex passport on entry to the show and follow the map to meet stand partners offering amazing prize draws.

ACADEMIC VENUE PAVILION Academic venues have continually evolved to offer the quintessential environment for learning, networking and knowledge transfer. Discover why an academic venue could be the perfect solution for your event.

DELEGATE WRANGLERS PAVILION Delegate Wranglers will be hosting a pavilion with some of their supplier and venue partners.

BEYOND LONDON PAVILION For those looking for diverse venues within an hour of London, these stand partners are a range of exciting, classic and grand venues.

SPEED NETWORKING Speed networking sessions are an opportunity to meet a wide range of venues in just one hour, designed to thicken up your black book of contacts.

BONGO’S BINGO This new exhibitor for 2020 will be popping up to do some fun, immersive, engaging sessions for visitors to get a taste of this global bingo phenomenon.

It takes place at 2pm each day on the speed networking pavilion.

EVENTTECH ZONE A showcase of the latest technology to service the events industry. Discover technology providers ranging from AR and VR, event management software, registration providers, apps, audience engagement and holograms.

NORTHERN VENUE PAVILION This is an opportunity to meet some of the North of England’s most diverse and interesting venues for your next event.

HOTEL PAVILION Independent and boutique hotel groups are showcased here.

EXCLUSIVELY LONDON PAVILION Meet the exciting and diverse range of venues and event spaces that London has to offer. Takes place each day at 11.30am and 4pm.

EXHIBITION ZONE The exhibition zone features suppliers and venues specifically for exhibition organisers, from stand builders, to tech and temporary structures.

KEYNOTE THEATRE The main stage at Confex will play host to a series of live debates, educating and inspiring visitors on what the future of the events industry holds and how to successfully tackle key challenges such as sustainability, crisis management and CSR. The 2020 Keynote programme will also be looking at creating experiences that immerse your attendees.

EVENTTECH The hugely popular technology stream offers two full days discussing latest trends, emerging technologies as well as the practical application of technologies for events of all types. Augmented reality, virtual reality, blockchain, facial recognition, AI and IoT are just some of the topics that will be explored in the eventTech theatre.

ASSOCIATION EVENTS FORUM Supported by ABPCO and The Association of Association Executives this one-day programme offers compelling content specifically designed for Association Event Professionals – Event Planners, Managers, Executives and PCOs. SALES ACADEMY In association with the AEO, the sales academy returns with a plethora of takeaways to improve your sales performance, whatever your level and experience, with new and innovative tools to build powerful networks and generate sales leads.

MARCOMMS THEATRE This one-day programme will capture imaginations with the knowledge needed to maximise event awareness across all types of events. The Marcomms Theatre will cover the full spectrum of event marketing, including the future of event registration, brand experience, PPC, SEO and social media.

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BUSINESS TRAVEL

Your journey starts here Business Travel Show was launched in 1994 and brings together thousands of travel buyers and bookers across two days at Olympia London. It provides them with the knowledge and contacts to help create and develop successful travel programmes. Here’s what’s in store

2020 show features include:

Kick-starting both days of the show eight disruptors will present to a select audience of 150 buyers. After seven minutes of uninterrupted airtime, they each face a four-minute Q&A from the judges, and then the mics are handed over to the audience for a no holds barred grilling. Two winners will be announced - one selected by the judges and one by buyers – at the show on Thursday 27 February.

• NEW LAUNCH: The Wellness Retreat The Wellness Retreat will be a haven of serenity on the show floor where visitors can take time out and relax while getting hands on with innovative wellness products and services designed to help them to look after their travellers better.

• Launchpad and Start-Up Pavilion The Business Travel Launchpad celebrates its fifth anniversary and welcomes 10 new business travel and meetings start-ups, hoping to follow in the footsteps of industry success stories Taptrip and Troop Travel.

• NEW LAUNCH: The Business Travel Innovation Face-off

• Future Forum The Future Forum theatre returns bigger

Conscious Travel in the spotlight Business Travel Show 2020 is shining a spotlight on conscious travel, with a new wellness activation and conference content focused around traveller health, as well as ethically and socially responsible travel sourcing and management.

and better for the 2020 Business Travel Show, providing the backdrop to the show’s keynotes and supplier sessions focusing on the future of corporate travel, plus first day networking drinks sponsored by Sabre.

Europe’s top business travel conference The Business Travel Show hosts Europe’s largest conference programme and features over 80 sessions for everyone, from those starting their careers to the most experienced travel buyers.

Networking Mingle with 9,000 peers from across Europe and beyond. From peer-to-peer and supplier networking sessions, to informal social events, buyers will build new relationships at the show and be given a chance to share knowledge and best practice.

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FUNDAMENTALS CONFERENCE PROGRAMME The Fundamentals Conference Programme is a 10-track stream with content designed specifically for PAs, EAs and SMEs who manage business travel bookings, but for whom it’s not their full time job.

The content is designed to help them understand how to create a travel policy, choose suppliers, work with a TMC, manage data and expenses, choose and use an online booking tool and more...

WEDNESDAY 26 FEBRUARY 1000-1100: Ten quick wins to get you started in travel management Getting a travel programme off the ground or reinventing the current one? Join this session for a quick-start guide to the key facets of managed travel: from safety, policy, performance, risk, and more, and discover what you can do to ensure your programme is in tip-top condition.

1300-1400: Take the first step to managing your meetings spend Companies often spend as much, or even more on meetings as they do on regular business travel, yet they find it much harder to get their arms around this often, well-hidden, major cost. Learn what you can do to start bringing this elusive category under control – from data to policy to supplier negotiations and much more.

1430-1530: Online booking and expense management – how to choose it, how to implement it, how to maximise adoption There are many online booking and expense management tools to choose from. Which one is right for you? And once you’ve chosen the best technology for your company, what then?

We walk you through the steps that will boost compliance and generate news savings for your business.

1600-1700: Fundamentals Safety and security – a best practice guide for beginners If your employees travel for business of any kind, you need to ensure their safety and communicate what to do in an emergency. However, duty of care is not just about crises and major world events – it could be someone losing their passport or simply missing a flight. Our experts will walk you through why a comprehensive risk management plan is crucial and the technology options for maximising traveller protection.

Hosted buyer programme In 2019, 425 hosted buyers from all over Europe attended the show.

Hosted buyers enjoy a three-day conference programme, personal online diary system, up to two nights’ complimentary accommodation and an invitation to the buyer-only masterclass sessions. Apply at businesstravelshow.com/register

1600-1700: Fundamentals Using data for improved savings and control Management information is central to every aspect of travel management, from identifying supplier negotiation opportunities to monitoring traveller compliance and tracking employees in the event of an emergency. But where do you source your data and how do you analyse and act on it? We explain the basics that will give you maximum savings and control.

SPECIALIST AREAS The International Hotel Village returns this year and includes leading global and local hotel providers. Elsewhere, the Airline Pavilion hosts a comprehensive line up of global airlines while the BTA Pavilion brings many of its members to the Business Travel Show, including TMCs, airlines, car rental suppliers and travel and expense management suppliers.

1130-1230: Travel policy – your key to balancing maximum compliance with traveller experience A well-crafted policy is at the heart of any successful corporate travel programme. But what goes into that policy can vary massively depending on your company’s goals, supplier network and culture. Learn from our expert some practical advice to help you, whatever the size of your business, create effective rules designed to fit your needs.

TWO SHOWS IN ONE A visitor pass includes access to Travel Technology Europe, Europe’s largest event dedicated to providing innovative and integral technology solutions to buyers in the travel industry.

THURSDAY 27 FEBRUARY 1000-1100: Negotiating the best savings and value with travel suppliers Buyers can achieve substantial discounts and other benefits through negotiating deals with airlines, hotels, car rental companies and ground transportation providers. But you’ll only land a good agreement if you prepare the right way, know what to ask for and can deliver what suppliers are looking for. Learn exactly what it takes to nail the ideal agreement for your company.

Format: Fundamentals

1300-1400: Choosing a travel management company and other partners TMCs and hotel booking agencies streamline the booking process and help you gain control and visibility of your entire travel spend. But with hundreds of service providers to choose from, how do you find the one that’s right for you, and how do you structure the relationship to get the very best results?

1430-1530: Communication – how to engage travellers and other stakeholders in your travel programme Corporate travel programmes get the best results when their travellers behave right because they want to, not because they have to. It all starts with a solid communications strategy. Come and find out how best to engage your internal stakeholders.

Format: Fundamentals 1430-1530: Corporate payments – achieve more savings, more data, more process efficiencies How can you provide an easy way for your travellers to pay for their trip while maintaining allimportant control and generating the best possible data? With more options than ever to choose from today, our expert walks through the solutions that might work best for you.

Format: Fundamentals

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BUSINESS TRAVEL

Why service remains key in business travel While technology can help with customer service, there’s no substitute for personalisation, says Arbitrip’s founder and CEO Benny Yonovich...

Recently I was talking with my friend, a fellow entrepreneur, about the service industry adage ‘they may not remember what you did or what you said, but they will remember how you made them feel’. The truth is that modern customers have a dizzying array of businesses to choose from and memorable customer service is all the more important to stand out.

There are many options in the business travel sector, most of which have swapped face-to-face conversations with a travel agent, for instance, for the cold yet

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is and aims to achieve. It also gives your business and employees a direction as the bar for quality has been set.

The key is also to not over-invest, as more money into customer service does not always result in even more coming out of it. You need to stay aware of what your customers actually use.

My advice to newcomers in business travel is this: the right focus and service technology will keep your costs down. You can save your budget as well as those of the PAs/EAs, companies and travellers that use your service. Above all else, being personable and compassionate costs absolutely nothing.

My experience as a customer led to me wanting to help travel managers and PAs book accommodation as quickly and cheaply as possible without compromising service.

convenient online processes of today. But when you need to ask questions or something goes wrong, a webpage with FAQs, generic apology email or helpline chat bot doesn’t quite cut it.

The personalised experience was my thinking behind customer service at Arbitrip. My experience as a customer led to me wanting to help travel managers and PAs book accommodation as quickly and cheaply as possible without compromising on quality service.

We developed a two-pronged approach: our AI learns the individual preferences of our bookers, speeding up their experience online, whilst our customer service team answers the questions that chat bots can’t.

Personalised service is the approach that we swear by Businesses need to be clearer about what their customer service

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BUSINESS TRAVEL

PRIAVO Priavo Security offers global security risk management services to suit your travellers, including executive protection, secure ground transportation, chaperones, translators, medics and event security services.

Event security services include technical and physical security, together with operational and logistical planning.

The company works closely with Event Organisers, PAs and venues to ensure tasks are executed with discretion.

Priavo Security manages everything from risk assessments, venue security, close protection, media access, emergency planning and crisis management training.

To find out more or to discuss your next event, please get in touch enquiries@priavosecurity.com

The company is investing in sophisticated technology and a worldwide network of suppliers to transform your travel from a cost of doing business to your business advantage.

By putting the traveller at the heart of the experience, American Express Global Business Travel has created a personalised end-to-end travel and expense solution packed full of products

<<<

>>> AMERICAN EXPRESS GLOBAL BUSINESS TRAVEL Business travel paves the path to business success, whether your business sends 10 or 10,000 people on the road every year. American Express Global Business Travel’s management solutions and best-class services let your travelling employees hit the ground running, and realise meaningful returns across your whole travel programme.

and services that make business travel simple. Search and book a broad range of hotel, air, and ground transport choices all in one place. Through the online booking tool your travellers will have access to a best-in-class experience, delivered by integrated technology, whether online, by phone, or via our mobile app. www.amexglobalbusinesstravel.com/ uk/gbtready

CITY FLEET For over 45 years CityFleet has been synonymous with delivering safe, reliable ground transport service to its corporate customers, whether that is the iconic London Black Taxi, an Executive, MPV, Electric, or Standard Private Hire Vehicle or the company’s fleet of executive coaches.

City Fleet is there to meet all your local, national and global ground transportation needs supported by its UK based 24/7, 365 days a year call centre. CityFleet understands the needs and demands placed on personal assistants today and works closely with you to tailor your needs and provide assurance and reliability in ground transportation, no matter how demanding the requirements. The company’s online booking platform and App gives you flexibility on vehicle type, multiple booking option, international solutions, time management and a support network that will guide you at every stage of your booking from pick up to drop off. www.cityfleetnetworks.com

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CAREERS

Tips for a successful career change in 2020 If the New Year has seen you resolve to step up the career ladder – or even consider something completely different, read on for some useful advice for anyone, no matter what your circumstance...

According to the latest YouGov data, over a fifth (22 per cent) of Brits said they were likely to be on the hunt for a new job in the next 12 months. However, the circumstances that can lead someone to seek out a new job can be varied, so it’s essential that those who are on the job hunt seek tailored advice to help them land the perfect job in 2020.

Experts at job search engine Adzuna have provided five tips to help those looking to make a job change in 2020...

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2. WHEN YOU’VE BEEN IN LONG-TERM UNEMPLOYMENT The trouble for those who have been out of work for a long period of time can come with getting back into the routine.

Look at volunteering while you are searching for a permanent position. This will show commitment and help you get back into the swing of things. If you’re looking to return to a field you previously worked in, refresher courses can help bring you up to speed with skills.

If you’re making a u-turn in your career, it’s essential to take stock of transferable skills and look at how these can be applied to your desired role.

1. FOR THE MATURE JOB SEEKER Possibly the single most important tip for older career changers is to ensure your skills are up to date. If you’ve been in the same job for a long period of time, you may have missed out on technological developments in other aspects of the job market that may make it difficult to find a new role.

Fully research your desired position and the skills needed, and then take training courses to bolster your skillset.

3. WHEN YOU’RE LOOKING FOR A CAREER U-TURN If you’re making a u-turn in your career, it’s essential to take stock of transferable skills and look at how these can be applied to your desired role. Most jobs require some level of crossover skills that you can emphasise in the application.

4. WHEN YOU’RE AN INTROVERT Nearly half of Brits (47 per cent) describe themselves as introverted, and this can

bring a few challenges when changing careers. Take some time to analyse your strengths and weaknesses. By knowing your traits inside out, interviews will feel easier as you will know areas you excel at and areas for improvement.

5. WHEN YOU’VE HAD A LOT OF JOBS IN A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME Being a so-called ‘job hopper’ can be looked upon negatively by some employers. Be sure to highlight your achievements in each position on your CV and/or application. Highlighting these successes shows that even though you have had a high volume of jobs, you have succeeded and made an impact in each one, and will likely succeed in your desired role.

LEARN NEW SKILLS WITH PA LIFE! PA Life has a popular bundle of online courses available to readers.

Priced at just £225 (standard price would be £890), there are 100 courses in the bundle which will be available to you for a full 12 months, meaning you can dip in and out of your learning plan. And if you’re a PA Life Club member, these courses will cost you just £99! Find out more at www.palife.co.uk/course-bundle/

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CHECKING IN

Unleash your wild side at Port Lympne The PA Life team travelled down to a corner of the Garden of England to experience a unique corporate events venue that will leave you a one with nature by the end of your stay How cool would it be to hold your next business event surrounded by a 600acre wild animal park? Well, the answer is very cool, especially if you team up with Port Lympne Hotel and Reserve.

Nestled between Ashford and Folkestone and easily accessible just off the M20 in Kent, the Reserve is home to over 900 rare and endangered animals, including the largest herd of black rhino in the UK, western lowland gorillas, the only giraffes in Kent, tigers, lions, leopards and bears.

And as we discovered on our recent overnight stay, corporate events held at Port Lympne can take advantage of a variety of beautiful locations around the Reserve, which we think is ideal for motivating, inspiring and rewarding your colleagues.

For starters, your group can experience incredible safaris, stunning landscaped gardens and unrivalled 30-mile views, all with bang up to date conference facilities to act as your ‘working’ base. You also get the opportunity to book additional experiences as part of your event, including animal encounters and private safaris, plus the chance (diary permitting) to stay overnight on a short break while you’re there.

The accommodation is varied, ranging from the height of luxury to more of a ‘glamping’ experience. For the former, there’s the four-star Port Lympne Hotel where you can relax in sophisticated style or enjoy the height of luxury with an overnight stay at the award-winning

Treehouse Hotel (which is where we spent our stay). If your team is more of the glamping kind you can enjoy a taste of Africa in Kent at Giraffe Lodge and watch giraffe and rhino amble past your veranda, put the fun back into camping and sleep within a whisker of tigers at Pinewood, or enjoy views of the Reserve’s spectacled bears, Oberon and Rina at Bear Lodge.

The events team at Port Lympne will also be able to organise team building activities for your group. Budding animal keepers can find out what it takes to care

“

A ranger will guide you on a safari across the 100 acres of Kentish savannah, called The African Experience, before a behind the scenes tour to visit some of the Reserve’s big cats.

But that’s enough of all the fun – what’s the working environment like?

Well, the conferencing facilities have everything you’d expect from a modern venue, including unique locations and private function spaces (Moroccan courtyard backdrop for that strategy presentation, perhaps?), lots of wi-fi and ample free parking.

Experience incredible safaris, stunning landscaped gardens and unrivalled 30-mile views, all with bang up-to-date conference facilities to act as your ‘working’ base.

for some of the world’s most endangered animals on a keeper experience, or come face to face with some of the animals on a 30 minute animal encounter. Or if it’s outdoor exercise you’re after, capture that elusive ‘wild’ shot with the Reserve’s resident professional photographer, have your team try their hand at archery or fishing, or strap them in for a thrilling Zorbing experience.

The main event though has to be the AAA Safari, comprising a ‘behind the scenes’ three-hour VIP tour during which you can get up close and personal with one of Africa’s ‘Big Five’ - the black rhino.

Importantly, despite having the feel of a natural wilderness, Port Lympne is accessible by road, rail, air and sea – by car it’s just five minutes from junction 11 off the M20 motorway, or by rail is 80 minutes from London’s Charing Cross or Victoria stations (with a short cab ride from Ashford International. There’s even a helipad for those VIPs and if anyone is arriving by sea, Dover and Folkstone are right on the Reserve’s doorstep.

If you’re looking for something a little different for your next corporate event or away-day, get in touch with your wilder side down in the Garden of England. It’s sure to be a roaring success…

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ENTERTAINING

Ormer Mayfair at Flemings Whether you’re looking to book an intimate business lunch or dinner, or private dining for up to 22 guests, the elegant Ormer Mayfair ticks all the boxes

Flemings is one of the few remaining family-owned hotels in London and also one of the oldest, having opened in 1851.

Part of Small Luxury Hotels of the World, the award-winning hotel offers unrivalled luxury accommodation in Mayfair, one of London’s most prestigious neighbourhoods; moments from Green Park, Piccadilly and a short walk from Buckingham Palace.

Fully refurbished in 2016, the hotel’s sumptuous new interiors are a chic blend of contemporary style and Georgian elegance with an intimacy that belies the 129 deluxe rooms, luxury suites and ten apartments.

Flemings is also home to highlyacclaimed restaurant Ormer Mayfair by TV personality and Michelin-awarded chef Shaun Rankin, as well as the intimate Manetta’s Bar that offers an ambiance redolent of the glamorous 1930s.

We visited for a business lunch on a cold and wet afternoon in January – and what a way to beat the January blues our experience turned out to be. On arrival we were guided to the Ormer restaurant by an amazingly courteous concierge.

This was an early indication of the high quality and attentive service we would receive for the duration of our meal.

Once in the restaurant area we relaxed into the period ambiance with champagne from the extensive selection on offer, before taking our seats at a table located in prime position in the middle of the room. Immediately we noticed the pleasantly buzzing atmosphere, which was being created by our mostly corporate fellow diners.

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mandarin flavoured centre and an ‘off the menu’ chocolate rose.

There are also three private dining room options available at Ormer. The spacious Clarges Suite can accommodate up to 22 guests and features natural daylight. With a 65” flat screen TV and state-of-the-art AV equipment, it is the ideal venue for a board meeting or a private dinner.

Sitting up to 12 people, the beautifully designed Half Moon Suite also features

We were guided to the Ormer restaurant by an amazingly courteous concierge. This was an early indication of the high quality and attentive service we would receive during our meal.

Our orders were taken by the friendly and knowledgeable waiting staff, who provided us with specific details about dishes on the menu. For appetisers we enjoyed a lobster ravioli bisque from the Chef’s Specials and yellow tailed ceviche, followed by Dover sole and halibut for main course – both of which are highly recommended should you visit. To finish, we enjoyed the Souffle of the Day with a

comprehensive AV equipment The beautiful Tyburn Suite has a seating capacity of six. Located on the ground floor at Flemings Mayfair, it features natural daylight and can be used for intimate meetings or private dinners.

To conclude, for a corporate lunch or dinner venue, Ormer Mayfair at Flemings ticks every available box. www.flemings-mayfair.co.uk

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Set yourself up for an amazing 2020 by attending the PA Life Workplace Wellness & Wellbeing Summit at the PA Show â&#x20AC;&#x201C; it will help you gain control of your health and unlock that work/life balance.

Proudly sponsored by

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PA LIFE CLUB

PA Life Club members started 2020 with a bang, with no fewer than three Meet Up networking events taking place around the country in January.

It all started with a networking event at the Covent Garden Hotel on January 23rd, in association with Uniglobe Gemini Travel and KLM/Air France.

Meet Up attendees enjoyed a short presentation by Meet Up co-sponsor KLM / Air France, with PA Life Club member Shirley Rice (pictured) of the UK Chamber

of Shipping winning two flight tickets courtesy of the airline.

All that excitement was followed by a comprehensive tour of the hotel facilities, plus networking and drinks.

WHAT YOU MISSED… We headed to Manchester on January 30th for an evening of wellness and wellbeing with American Express Global Business Travel, sponsored by Virgin Atlantic.

This event took place at the brand-new Stock Exchange Hotel in the heart of Manchester, with two speaker sessions hosted by industry-leading wellbeing experts Chris Pinner from Innerfit and Lorna Harper.

In addition, guests were given a tour of the Stock Exchange Hotel’s venue spaces, as well as enjoying canapes, wine and prosecco. Plus, Virgin Atlantic massage therapists and a make-up artist were on hand, alongside health and life coaching workshops and goody bags for all.

On January 24th we held an exclusive Meet Up event for 10 PA Life Club Members at the Milton Hill House, in association with Lime Venue Portfolio.

The FAM Trip gave PA Life Club members an opportunity to experience the wonderful venue for themselves. Overnight accommodation was provided, together with breakfast on the Saturday.

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PA LIFE CLUB

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PA Life Wellness & Wellbeing Summit

Join us at the Workplace Wellness and Wellbeing Summit this month at the PA Show. PA Life will be hosting two full days of seminar sessions that will help you gain control of your wellbeing and unlock that work/life balance. PLUS, PA Life Club Members will receive 30% off all seminar sessions! www.palife.co.uk

FIVE THINGS TO DO

Networking, learning and things to keep in mind

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Meet Up at Unique Venues Birmingham Come along to our Meet Up networking event at Venues of Excellence onstage with Unique Venues Birmingham on Thursday 12th March. www.palife.co.uk/events

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Meet Up at One Canada Square We’re delighted to announce an exclusive Meet Up networking event for PA Life readers at One Canada Square on March 18th, in association with The Office Group. TOG designs beautiful, flexible workspaces. www.palife.co.uk/events

Meet Up at Academic Venues Solutions Showcase

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Register for our Meet Up networking event at the Academic Venue Solutions Showcase on Thursday 26th March. Join us at Senate House to network with the UK’s best academic venues. Speakers include happiness expert Danny Bent. www.palife.co.uk/events

Take the IMEX ‘NATURE’ sustainability survey

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IMEX’s fourth Talking Point will address the power and importance of ‘NATURE’ and will include the group’s largest ever research study. The Talking Point will also last for two years instead of one to underscore the topic’s urgency. www.imex-frankfurt.com

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PA LIFE CLUB

“The way the world of work is changing is having D KXJH LPSDFW 7KH IXWXUH RI ZRUN OLHV LQ ÁH[LEOH working patterns and this is great for the VA World”

Work & life Lucy Everett is a Virtual PA with Virtually Supported. Here she talks about how she started out, the challenges of her role and the importance of technology…

What inspired you to start a career as a Virtual Assistant?

It was something I had thought I may do when my son was a little older, but after being offered redundancy due to a restructure of the business, I took the opportunity to make the leap and go freelance. My son was just nine months old and I didn’t have a clue where to start, but I was excited to get going.

How did you get your current job?

It took me a while to build my business up and get my first clients, I did this mostly through networking on LinkedIn and had some referrals from ex colleagues and friends. A few months in I started gaining momentum and my business grew rapidly.

What’s the best thing about your job?

It’s hard to pick just one thing as there are so many amazing things about what I do. The freedom, autonomy and balance

are really important to me and I get to reap the rewards of all the work I put in.

Plus choosing who I want to work with and the kind of work I want to do. My clients are fantastic, and I have brilliant relationships with them all. I know I’m making a difference in their lives which is one of the reasons I do this job.

And the most challenging?

It can be a bit solitary at times working at home and not having regular face-toface interaction with a wider team, so I make sure I do things to feel motivated and productive. The good things easily outweigh the bad!

What does the PA/EA community need to change, in your opinion?

More networking and collaboration. The VA industry is the most collaborative industry I’ve ever worked in, but I didn’t find the same environment when I was an EA previously. Learning from each

other is invaluable and networking is a great way to do this.

What is having the biggest impact on your job or on PAs/EAs in general?

The way the world of work is changing is having a huge impact. I believe the future of work lies in flexible working patterns and this is great for the VA world – businesses are seeing the value in employing a virtual PA more than ever before. Businesses need to recognise the need for flexibility for employees too.

What websites/apps are invaluable to your job?

My most used sites are LinkedIn, Asana and Canva. LinkedIn is an amazing platform for networking and even more so as a freelancer. Asana for keeping on top of my tasks and managing projects for clients too. Canva for creating branded eye-catching graphics for my clients’ social media.

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