Taking a New Direction
I think it’s fair to say most of us have started this New Year with the usual resolution-based outlook on what we can change, what we can achieve and what we would like this year to bring. But just how many of you have set achievable goals? How many people actually tick off all the boxes? And just how long do the resolutions stay in your mind?
Goals are the best way to set your mood and motivation – whether it’s personal or career orientated… resolutions give you a great sense of passion and help to keep your mood in...
True to his word, Sir Isaac Pitman spent his ‘well-arranged’ life working to improve the efficiency and productivity of the office workforce. Leading by example, his robust career history is testament to this: astronomy lecturer, temperance worker, preacher, president of the vegetarian society, and most notably the creator of Pitman Shorthand – which he developed further with the introduction of Pitman secretarial colleges.
This month we’ve been examining the multi-tasking role of office PA’s. Far from the stereotypical, ‘60’s bimbo, often portrayed in the past, many of today’s PA’s keep the foundation and day-to-day running of businesses running.
We’ve done a lot of research over the years, honing our training programmes and agree there are some key areas that must be covered in order to work in this role. Skills including financial planning, advanced office administration, enhanced communication, problem solv
'Earth's mightiest heroes', The Avengers, have recently hit the cinema again with the likes of the Hulk, Black Widow, Captain America, Iron Man and Thor joining forces to fight the biggest foe they’ve ever faced. They've changed slightly from their 1960's make-up, adapting and evolving to suit the modern world and there’s been much hype around how the characters have been refined. However, what still remains are their key skills, very clear identities and very clear roles to play within their te
As I’ve been working with Pitman over the last few months and travelled to various locations around the country, I’ve got chatting to people about their jobs. As they spoke of pressures at work, the common theme that came up again and again was stress. The stress caused by taking on a colleague’s workload who has been made redundant; the stress caused by trying to constantly impress to secure your own job; the stress of constantly trying to be the best.
When the pressure’s on and you’re under
Being efficient in the workplace is at the heart of regular board discussions… How can we maximize the potential of our staff? How can we transform productivity into profit?
It’s not new news that we’re in tough times economically – everyday another financial institution crumbles or, as we’ve seen in recent events, a nation (taking Greece as a recent example) threatens to collapse under financial strain.
But it’s not all about money… or at least it shouldn’t be.
Somewhere underneath the
“They are the gatekeepers. Frequently shrewder than those they serve and always more knowledgeable, office secretaries are back in vogue…”
If we think about just how far typing technology alone has come in the last 40 years, from manual to electronic typewriters to computer keyboards to touch screen, it does make us wonder just where things will go next – and will it be for the better? We’d love to know your thoughts.
Even with Stacie’s amazing 10 distinctions, 100% on her Microsoft PowerPoint Specialist exam and a final typing speed of 95 words per minute, she was thankful for that extra support to push her over the finish line...
During January most of us feel pressure to set targets and goals that require a year’s worth of work and effort. (Much like a crash diet!) Stacie (Student of the Year 2011) proved that being realistic with your ambitions can start a chain of events; a series of small changes that will keep you moving towards your goal...
Paul was sat in the JobCentre offices with hundreds others, as an unemployed Bricklayer’s Labourer when he expressed an interest in a career change; “I have always been interested in Finance/Accounts and working with numbers…” He was immediately referred to the Essential Book Keeping Diploma at his local Pitman Training Centre, and for him, the ‘penny’ dropped...
I’m not really a super mummy, but I strive to be and hey, I hope my two little ones and their Daddy think I am…my life is a daily balancing act between the career ladder, the naughty step and the ever growing laundry pile….and I wouldn’t have it any other way...
Recruiters often talk about ‘soft skills’ being vital to achieving job success, but we feel it necessary to remind ourselves that it is important to achieve a balance between technical ability – in whatever field you’re venturing into – and having the professional, social, personable skills that make you easy to work with.
You might feel a little bit silly to begin with, working in junior roles below those much younger than you, but what’s the alternative? That you don’t push yourself, that you don’t follow your dream, that you stay in the rut?
There's something about the change of seasons that makes us think differently – not just about buying new work wardrobes and shiny new pencil cases; though that’s always a bonus...
For some people, it is only ever a dream, but for those of you who really do want to work abroad, the opportunities can be amazing.
Have you had some unreasonable demands made of you by a former (or even current) boss and where/how do we draw the line so that we can enjoy the place that many of us spend most of our waking hours?
Our recent competition was all about tapping into this thought and we were thrilled to have so many responses. Many of them made us smile – sometimes in a wistful way – Find out if your answer earned you a trip to Paris...
In a world where ’60 is the new 40’ – or even younger in many cases – we’d like to think that our attitudes towards career changes, retraining and new directions in working lives are much more open. Would you agree?
Self-help books: Amazing, life-transforming manuals or load of old money-spinning guff? Discuss.
OK, we’re not really setting you an essay or exam question here, but we would love to know your thoughts on this – so please comment away! Can a book really change your life? Has one already changed yours? Have you got one in your bag right now? One of the first was ‘How to Win Friends and Influence People’ by Dale Carnegie, which was published in 1937 and has sold over 15 million copies sold worldwide. Have you got one?...
A couple of things have hit the headlines in the last month or so that prove training in office and PA skills really can change your career direction – and your life!
Stella English bagged her dream job with Lord Sugar in The Apprentice – she left school with no qualifications, but then decided to retrain as a PA and carved out a career with a Japanese bank, progressing to a management position. Her quick-thinking and exceptional organisational skills didn’t go unnoticed and the rest, as they say...
If, like us, you took the opportunity to pay a return visit to...
The radio’s blaring, it’s dark and cold outside, you’ve a feeling of dread inside. Then something clicks – it’s Saturday, hooray! Yes, the holidays might seem like a dim and distant memory already, and 'Blue Monday' might have hit you hard yesterday.
Maybe the Christmas and New Year break left you refreshed and raring to get back to work and that feeling hasn’t worn off, or maybe not...?! You might have decided that 2011 is THE year you’ll get that job, or make a change and follow your heart into a dream career and bright new future?
Either...