The events of 2020 have undoubtedly challenged pre-existing concepts about the way we work and prompted many businesses to reflect on their remote working policy.

According to a recent survey from the British Council for Offices (BCO), most office workers don’t want to return to the office five days a week when the pandemic is over, with the majority planning on splitting their time between the workplace and home.

With a mixture of in-office and remote working, this hybrid working model is expected to become the norm for many businesses.

With this in mind, we have outlined some of the …

The March edition of DEDICATED - The Legal Secretary Journal has been published and is now available to read online. 

In this month's edition of our journal, ILSPA is focusing on professional development. Our lead article 'Developing Skills for Success' looks at the key skills you can develop to ensure success in your career. This is helpful to both new Legal Secretaries and those who have been working in the profession for some time.
 
Prodigy Learning has provided some information regarding their Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) courses. These courses are perfect for those of you looking to develop your Microsoft skills and gain a …

In June 2020, Executive Secretary took their world-renowned ExecSecLIVE event virtual for the first time. A whole new global audience gained access to 2 days of workshops, elite speakers, training and networking unlike any other. And they’re back for 2021! 

This year's virtual event will be held on 17th and 18th March, and you can be a part of it! 

Across the two days, attendees can watch 52 industry experts speak about their careers, offer their guidance and provide insight and training.

Executive Secretary says:    

"We are keen to ensure that you continue to get the training and inspiration that you have …

The new year is a great time to think about starting a new work habit. Keeping track of your accomplishments now can help you with future performance reviews, CVs, promotions and much more. Read Julie Perrine's advice about why you should track your accomplishments...  

As an admin, you perform many tasks on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis. From simple, routine things like prioritising your executive’s email each morning to big, complicated undertakings like planning the annual board meeting, you move from one accomplishment to the next seamlessly.

But are you keeping track of those accomplishments? If a promotion becomes available or …

The February edition of DEDICATED - The Legal Secretary Journal has been published and is now available to read online. 

January was an exciting month for ILSPA, with the start of our first live online classes for 2021. Our tutor, Seamus Ryan, was very impressed by the engagement of the new class, and we are really pleased to hear that a WhatsApp study group has been formed by the Students. If you are attending the course, please do not hesitate to contact your tutor or Course Assessor if you need any help outside of class. 

ILSPA is looking to the future and thinking about what the …

How has life changed for PAs, EAs and other business support professionals in the past year? Take part in SecsintheCity’s annual audience survey to have your say.

2020 was more turbulent and volatile of a year than many others in recent memory, impacting every individual and organisation in unique and often negative ways.

SecsintheCity – the UK’s only specialist business support job board and a trusted partner of the ILSPA – is interested in learning and sharing more about how the events of the past year impacted the lives and livelihoods of PAs, EAs and other business support professionals.

To …

Our partner, Simply Law Jobs, has released its Year in Review for 2020.

The review provides a comprehensive overview of the impact of Covid-19 on the industry, specifically how it affected employment within the sector.

The legal industry faced one of its biggest challenges when a global pandemic forced the UK into a national lockdown in March 2020. The unprecedented amount of disruption shook up a seemingly calm legal recruitment marketplace.

The monthly average number of jobs posted to Simply Law Jobs in 2020 was 5,328, a 60% decrease from 2019.

Key findings reveal how 65% of professionals were …

Happy New Year! Our team is excited to be back at work today and publish the first edition of our journal for 2021. We are looking forward to making this year a successful one for the ILSPA community. Please read our article on how we are here to support you with your career.

In this month's lead article, SecsintheCity talks to Legal PA of the Year 2020, Tanya Jennings. Tanya, PA to a partner at global law firm Freshfields, took the time to answer a few questions about her work, and what it was like to be named the Legal PA of the Year at the recent awards ceremony.

January …

December is normally a time for Christmas parties and office get togethers. Festive gatherings may not be possible this year, but you can still celebrate with your team and toast the end of 2020 in style.

Here are our top tips for a fantastic virtual Christmas party!

1. Don't be afraid to keep the numbers small

Don't be afraid to organise smaller parties for each department or team. We all know what it is like being on a Zoom meeting with a large number of attendees. It's hard to interact or feel included. Keeping numbers smaller ensures a comfortable and inclusive atmosphere.    

2. Make …

December has arrived, and with that comes our last publication of 2020. This year has been challenging for us all but we hope that the new year will bring brighter days. We would like to take this opportunity to thank you for being part of ILSPA. Our work is both enjoyable and rewarding, and we look forward to continuing to help you with your career in 2021.

The celebrations started early for SecsintheCity when they hosted the PA of the Year Awards 2020 last month. The virtual event was a huge success, which recognised the hard work and contributions …