Video Testimonial:
“Nellie attended my 2 day workshop in Singapore in 2014 and here is what she said about it:” – Click on link to play!
Testimonials:
“I just wanted to thank you for your support, guidance and friendship. I came into work on Wednesday and it was a new day, new me as I had found new confidence. My boss asked me to write down the 20 things I got from the conference so I could remember how and why I felt the way I did on Wednesday, a lot of those things came from your seminar and the time spent talking to you. I have your book with me for reference so I have your great advice at hand every day if I need it. I would love to keep in touch. I am very happy for you to use my words as a testimonial as it came from the heart. Thank you once again”.
Love Linda McGivern 2014 x
“Sue gave a very inspiring, practical and interesting talk at the recent ExecSec Summit. Coming from a background as a PA, Sue understands and appreciates the every day stress of the role of the PA and gave useful advice on managing stress and balancing priorities. Sue’s style is fun and engaging.
Top Qualities: Great Results, Personable, Expert”
Eleanor Clark FinstAm 2014
‘Sue’s seminars are always fantastic and each year she receives exceptional feedback. Her training sessions at office* are always booked to capacity and delegates leave feeling empowered, inspired and motivated. A highlight of office* 2013 was Sue’s interview with Laura Schwartz, Bill Clinton’s former special assistant. The keynote theatre was ‘standing room only’ and Sue delivered an in-depth interview with a perfectly placed professionalism and poise that was brilliant to watch. We look forward to working with Sue at office* 2014 and beyond.’ Best Regards David Maguire, Event Manager, The Office PA Conference and Exhibition
“One of my favourite people I look forward to working with every year is Sue France. Her training program is a remarkably complete package. Her training content is solid in substance and her instructional delivery is powerful, faultless and inspirational to everyone.
If you are looking for substantial and effective PA training that is fluff free and backed by real solid experience – Sue France is the first person you should look up.”
Michael Tow (June 2014), Managing Director, The Global Business Exchange
“What a pleasure it was to meet and work alongside Sue when we were both speakers for the distinguished PA Summit in Australia. We spanned three cities over the course of a few weeks and I never got tired of peaking in her session to listen to her or to watch the favorable reactions from those in the audience. The participants always approached Sue to continue the conversation well after she was done with her presentation and I appreciated how Sue always took the time to speak to each participants offering continued advice within their career and professional journey – each participant walking away feeling ready to take on the office and the world! Sue’s professional talent combined with her personable approach makes her the ideal speaker to educate and inspire an audience. She is an icon in the industry of Management Assistants, Executive Secretaries and relevant in all industries across the board and continents. Her book “The Definitive Personal Assistant & Secretarial Handbook” is something I often recommend in my presentations as a great tool and solid advice. And I hear there are more books to come! I continue to be inspired by Sue and her incredible journey that she shares with others through her professional speaking series“.
Laura Schwartz
Professional Speaker, Television Commentator and Author of Eat, Drink & Succeed! Past Special Assistant & Director of White House Events to President Clinton
“Sue is a fantastic trainer!!! She delivered Secretarial Training to the ladies in our office and she kept it interesting and fun whilst also informative and extremely helpful. Her tips and skills were passed on from her extensive experience and her enthusiasm rubbed off on us all. I would highly recommend her.”
Louise Aldrich, Executive Assistant at The Coca-Cola Company, Dubai March 2013
“I have worked with Sue during Office Management Conference in Poland in July 2013. Her speech was informative and thought-provoking. She connected with the audience and was highly rated in our evaluation forms. We enjoyed and valued her presentation”
Paulina Krakowska
Nowoczesna Firma S.A. | Knowledge Village | Warsaw, Poland
“Sue was an INCREDIBLE asset at Behind Every Leader conference in Los Angeles in February 2013 for administrative professionals.
“Sue is a multi talented, dynamic and compelling individual. Her breadth of knowledge and abundant skill set has been utilized by a global audience of CEO’s and Admin professionals.”
“I invited Sue to share her expertise at our annual Behind Every Leader event, and needless to say, we hope she will be a part of our stellar line-up for years to come. Her books sold out!”
BEL Feedback:
“One of my favourite speakers. I learned a whole new language during her NLP topic. Priceless”
“GREAT tips!”
“I thoroughly enjoyed Sue France’s classes and panel contribution. I have made so many changes/improvements to my resume”
Victoria Louise Rabin, CEO and Founder of ‘Behind Every Leader’ – USA
“I was recently fortunate enough to attend one of Sue France’s workshops at the Behind Every Leader Conference in California, and was thrilled at what I was able to take away from it. Sue teaches individuals how to understand their own style of communication, and how to use that effectively in the workplace. Sue is a great teacher, and has a lot to offer career-minded people as far as intangible keys to success in the office. I would highly recommend any chance you can get to attend a workshop or read her books, which I consider to be my Bible of Executive Administrator handbooks, “The Definitive Personal Assistant & Secretarial Handbook,” and “The Definitive Executive Assistant & Managerial Handbook.”
Renée Viens
EA to President & CEO
Atlantic Power Corporation, Boston, USA
“Sue is a true expert in her field. I hired her to coach and deliver a secretarial development programme to my PA. Sue skillfully diagnosed clear objectives for the programme and effectively tailored her delivery methods to suit the employee’s learning style. Sue is a successful business woman, committed to her own professional development and that of others. She is an absolute pleasure to work with.”
Gail Howarth, HR, Trafford College, Manchester
“I would like to take this opportunity to say a Huge Thank You for the past 2 days. It was awesome to learn from some of the best in our Profession. I am a very motivated and passionate individual and now this has been taken to the extreme, and I really appreciate that.”
Lynnette Watson, Vodacom, South Africa, February 2013
“Sue France is simply one of the warmest and most efficient people I know.
Quite how she manages to juggle her huge workload, her chairmanship of EUMA and still always have time to personally answer anything I ever throw at her in a timely fashion is beyond me. Nothing is ever too much trouble.
Her wealth of knowledge has been invaluable in relaunching Executive Secretary magazine and the PAs that have been on her training course unanimously feedback that it’s one of the best courses they have ever been on. I’m sure that it is her down-to-earth warmth combined with the undoubted quality of her training that make it so. Sue’s book was offered as a free gift when we launched the magazine and I know for many of my subscribers it tipped the balance between subscribing or not.
I feel honoured to have Sue on my editorial board and would have no hesitation in recommending her to you wholeheartedly.”
Lucy Brazier, Editor & Publisher of the Executive Secretary Magazine, 27 October 2011
“I found the course content to be very informative, productive and interesting. It was great to hear other people’s experiences and advice. I also found that to be a great opportunity to meet other PAs. I feel more empowered after attending the course and believe that it will make great difference in my future performance, career path and enhance my leadership, great opportunity and great workshop.“
Best regards,
Fathi Odah | President & VP Assistant, Jeddah
“Sue brings a lot of energy to her trainings. Her in-depth content is also combined with great enthusiasm in delivering it. Apart from making the course very interactive, her knowledge on the job scope and the current trends of Personal Assistants & Secretaries was exceptional. As an observer of the 2 days, I have seen passion, energy and knowledge all put together in one person.”
Josh George, Marketing Manager, Comfori International.
Dear Sue,
Thank you for the training in Dubai, it was pleasure meeting you I learned so much from the training it was encouraging, innovative. Hope to see you soon.
Regards
Nahid Shabbiruddin Shaikh
Sr. Administrator, Human Resources Division, Riyadh Bank
“Sue France has delivered a range of workshops in career guidance and team building, all of which were of the highest quality. Participants reported very positively on every workshop and were able to put into practice the skills she had helped us develop. I would have absolutely no hesitation in recommending Sue to any organization requiring an expert to support capacity building in her fields of expertise.
I would like to thank Sue for what she has done for me to develop my career and business communications.” June 2011
Dalia Diab, Doha
“Dear Sue, I would like to express my sincere appreciation and gratitude to you for giving us great training during the Executive PA Master Class in Dubai (1-2 June 2011). Beside your vast knowledge and experiences, your genuine dedication to the learning process has helped me and all other participants to grasp the subject covered. It will make great difference in my future performance, career path, and life in general. I wish to attend further training with you.
All the best,
Omar Ballal, Executive Secretary, Office of the CEO, Sunbulah Group, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia”
“Sue France gave a great presentation on 21 September 2010 at The Office* Show, Earls Court, London. She’s an excellent speaker with a friendly manner, and held the attention of well over 150 PAs. The session, “The Definitive PA Masterclass” was motivational, full of tips, and, in my eyes, VITAL for PAs to learn from. I recommend Sue and her book “The Definitive Personal Assistant & Secretarial Handbook” to everyone working in a senior admin role. I’ve recently joined EUMA as Regional Chair for the East Midlands, under Sue’s National Chairmanship, and I look very much to working with her for years to come.”
Angela Garry, Regional Chair East Midlands UK, EUMA, European Management Assistants
“Well organised and competent, Sue is an excellent role model for PAs. With her polite and friendly approach, and excellent communication skills, Sue is able to build and maintain relationships, and resolve issues calmly with diplomacy and discretion. A first-rate leader, I have no doubt that Sue would flourish in any position.” January 11, 2010
Sue was so positive and down to earth with lots of experience to share –
it was a treat to hear her. I’m heading for your website now to order the book.
Caroline Brudell, Personal Assistant to CEO
Institute of Public Administration Australia (IPAA) Queensland
I really enjoyed meeting you at the Corporate PA Summit in Brisbane. I found your advice very helpful and I have taken a lot of your suggestions on board and I have noticed a significant improvement in many of my working relationships. Thank you for your advice.
Amanda Fraser, PA to GM – HSE & Sustainability, Brisbane, Australia
“I had the pleasure of seeing your presentation at the ThinkTank Media Corporate PA Summit at the Brisbane Marriott on 22 June 2010. I would like to order a copy of “The Definitive Personal Assistant & Secretarial Handbook”. Thank you again for delivering such an entertaining, inspiring and thought provoking presentation and I look forward to reading your book.”
Peri Sims, ERM Power, Brisbane, Australia
“Sue France is an absolute delight to work with, her training sessions at The Times Crème Events have proved to be extremely popular, and the PA & Secretarial visitors appreciate hearing from someone with considerable experience and understanding of the role. Her personable and bubbly character brings the sessions to life.”
Simon Mayle, Marketing & PR Manager, Touchstone Exhibitions & Conferences,
I have attended many workshops with different trainers, but, honestly, no workshop is like your workshop on “Becoming World Class Executive Assistant” held in Doha 11-13th May 2010. I was really impressed by the interesting way you delivered the presentations. We felt that we were ready to listen to you for hours for it was so rich with quality information and skills, which proved how efficient you are. From day one I started applying some of the skills you gave us to work with and my God IT WORKS. Also, I would like to refer to your book which I consider a valuable reference to any Executive Assistant, and I am sure it will change any one’s life once he/she reads it. I am so eager to attend more of your workshops, and looking forward to reading your new books…
Madame Sue France, simply, YOU ARE THE BEST.
-Louay Kawas, Qatar“ Office Manager
I have recently attended a ‘How to Become a World Class Executive Assistant’ Workshop, run by Sue France. I had a fantastic time, it was refreshing to meet someone who is so passionate about the role that a PA / Exec Assistant plays. Her enthusiasm and professionalism is truly inspiring and I couldn’t wait to get back to work and put my newly learnt skills to good use. Sue is full of interesting life experiences that she shares with her audience, she is friendly and approachable and an inspiration to all us PA’s and Executive Assistants. I am glad I enrolled on this workshop and would certainly recommend Sue France to all my colleagues.
Kind regards
Val
Val Hall (May 2010, Qatar)
BECOMING A WORLD-CLASS EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT
Grand Hyatt Hotel, DOHA, Qatar | May 11-13, 2010
MS. ALLEN R. EBORA – CONFERENCE AND TRAINING PRODUCER TESTIMONIAL:
“Ms. France is very easy to work with. Our Event Managers say that she is genuinely a nice person. Definitely an asset to our events. Her professionalism in dealing with us and our clients is something that we treasure”
DELEGATES’ COMMENTS:
– “She is great!” S-Super U-Unique E-Energetic!
– “Sue France was engaging and the sessions were interesting.”
– “Sue France is very personable, bubbly, helpful, and totally approachable!”
– “Thanks to Ms. Sue France for the rich amount of information she shared.”
– “She’s excellent.”
– “We really enjoyed the session with Ms. Sue France. We enjoyed it a lot!”
– “Very good.”
– “She is perfect. Professional.”
– “The trainer is very knowledgeable, maybe because of vast experience. It is really true that you can share if you have experienced it yourself. She’s done the training very well.”
– “She is very good and clear.”
– “The trainer was excellent.”
– “Ms. Sue France is a perfect trainer. She can provide information in a very clear way. She shared her great ideas with us, which can help us be more confident about ourselves.”
– “She’s ready to answer any kind of questions.”
– “Ms. Sue France was very patient on listening to us for the past three days.”
Sue, I attended your seminar. Thank you for a very much for a wonderful start to the day, I found your seminar the most interesting and found your passion for the job has inspired me to find a better way of working for my boss. I am putting information up on a board near my desk as a constant reminder to always try the best you can. Thank you.
Carol Cooke
Dear Sue, On behalf of AMC International, South Africa, I would like to extend our sincere thanks to you for presenting at the Global Congress for Executive Assistants & Office Professionals 2010 which took place from the 24th to the 26th of February 2010 in Johannesburg, South Africa and 23rd to 27th August 2010 in Nairobi, Kenya.
Thank you for your input into these events. We appreciate the time and invaluable effort you put in to make the event a success, with your assistance and expertise, the congress was informative for the attendees and a successful event for AMC International.
The evaluations by the delegates are given below:
Exploring the Evolution of the Profession – Lessons from The Past
Content – 92%
Presentation – 95%
Success Stories from Business Executives and the Executive Secretary – Rising To the Challenge of Management:
Content – 89%
Presentation – 90%
Daily Strategies for a Successful Working Relationship:
Content – 95%
Presentation – 93%
Comments:
“Sue was excellent in all aspects; she was interacting with the audience throughout her presentation…”
“Vibrant and interesting to listen to…”
“Sue France was very interesting, clear and precise…”
“Sue’s presentations were easy to follow and were exciting…”
I would just like to say that having attended the Times Crème PA event in Manchester and participated in one of your seminars there, how fantastic your training and advice was on the day.
Being relatively new to the world of management support (I have only been a PA for 3 years since graduating) it was so helpful to get that support and knowledge from someone who has been a real success in the industry. I recently (5 months ago) took up a new position and had previously been less than confident in my ability to perform the job to the high standard required and tackle any issues. Your seminar helped me greatly to feel better about my working life, and gave me new ideas to approach my work with. Once again I just thought I’d offer my thanks and say keep up the fantastic work as I’m sure it inspires many others like myself. Kind Regards Gemma Walton, PA to Directors
Dear Sue, Congratulations on the best and most interesting seminar I attended at the show. Thank you for an hour (and money) well spent. Kind regards, Anne-Marie Mittleman
Sue France personally provided an excellent training, coaching and development plan for a newly appointed Personal Assistant within RentSmart. Sue facilitated the development over a 6 week period and the benefits were immediate in terms of the PA’s motivation, confidence, organisational skills and overall performance. I would not hesitate to recommend the services of Sue France for Secretarial Coaching, training and development.
Jill Hodgkinson, HR Director
Hi Sue, I attended your seminar yesterday at the Crème Exhibition and I thoroughly enjoyed it, in fact it was the best seminar I went to out of the three I booked. You gave me some good hints and tips which I look forward to putting into practice. Thank you for your time yesterday. Kind regards Louise Dunton
Sue is full of enthusiasm and energy and has lots of superb and humorous anecdotes. She obviously thrives in her role and is a great role model to other PAs. I know she still has ambitions in her career which I have no doubt she will succeed.
Heather Dallas, Managing Director, Dallas Development Ltd.
“You were eagerly awaited for and I was not disappointed. You made some very valuable points and I will not be going anywhere without my notebook!”
Lynn Edwards, PA to Executive Director/Office Administrator, Manchester Law Society
It was a great pleasure for me to have Sue as a speaker at our conference for International Management Assistants. Sue held a great presentation and all our participants profited from her experience and the excellent tips she gave them. Everybody loved listening to her.Sabine Hofsaess, FORUM Institut für Management GmbH
I would just like to say that having attended the Times Crème PA event in Manchester at the end of 2008, and participated in one of your seminars there, how fantastic your training and advice was on the day.
Being relatively new to the world of management support (I have only been a PA for 3 years since graduating) it was so helpful to get that support and knowledge from someone who has been a real success in the industry. I recently (5 months ago) took up a new position and had previously been less than confident in my ability to perform the job to the high standard required and tackle any issues. Your seminar helped me greatly to feel better about my working life, and gave me new ideas to approach my work with.
Once again I just thought I’d offer my thanks and say keep up the fantastic work as I’m sure it inspires many others like myself.
Kind Regards
Gemma Walton, P.A. to Directors
Sue France is an absolute delight to work with, her training sessions at The Times Crème Events have proved to be extremely popular, and the PA & Secretarial visitors appreciate hearing from someone with considerable experience and understanding of the role. Her personable and bubbly character brings the sessions to life.
Simon Mayle, Marketing & PR Manager, Touchstone Exhibitions & Conferences
Sue, I attended your Times Crème seminar. Thank you for a very much for a wonderful start to the day, I found your seminar the most interesting and found your passion for the job has inspired me to find a better way of working for my boss.
I was wondering if I could take you up on your offer to send your presentation out, I would find it useful as I was thinking of printing out a couple of the pages to put up on a board near my desk as a constant reminder to always try the best you can. Thank you.
Carol Cooke
Sue France personally provided an excellent training, coaching and development plan for a newly appointed Personal Assistant within RentSmart. Sue facilitated the development over a 6 week period and the benefits were immediate in terms of the PA’s motivation, confidence, organisational skills and overall performance.
I would not hesitate to recommend the services of Sue France for Secretarial Coaching, training and development.
Jill Hodgkinson, HR Director, Rentsmart
Hi Sue, I attended your seminar yesterday at the Crème Exhibition and I thoroughly enjoyed it, in fact it was the best seminar I went to out of the three I booked. You gave me some good hints and tips which I look forward to putting into practice.
Please would you forward me the slides from the seminar, I know they will come in very useful. Thank you for your time yesterday. Kind regards
Louise Dunton
Sue is full of enthusiasm and energy and has lots of superb and humorous anecdotes. She obviously thrives in her role and is a great role model to other PAs. I know she still has ambitions in her career which I have no doubt she will succeed.
Heather Dallas, Managing Director, Dallas Development Ltd.
Dear Sue,
Congratulations on the best and most interesting seminar I attended at the show. Thank you for an hour (and money) well spent.
Kind regards
Anne-Marie Mittleman, Sonata Software Limited
Dear Sue
How are you? I hope you are well?
Enclosed you will find the official written evaluation of our conference. From my point of view I really enjoyed your wonderful opening speech. It was great and very interesting and I think all the participants also really enjoyed it as you can see on the evaluation forms. The only thing I would chance the next time is to give you more time for your presentation because at the end I had the feeling that you have to hurry up because the time was too short. But that was my fault because I didn’t know what a great speaker you are. So I really have to change this for the next time. :-)
I want to thank you very much for this great opening speech. And I would be very happy to work with you again.
Kind regards
Sabine Hofsäß
FORUM Institut für Management GmbH, Germany
Testimonials for The Definitive Personal Assistant and Secretarial Handbook
The Definitive Personal Assistant and Secretarial Handbook is the ultimate guide for all management assistants, PAs, secretaries and executive assistants. Written by a former Times Crème PA of the Year UK, it deals with every aspect of these vital administrative roles and the necessary skills.
The Definitive Personal Assistant and Secretarial Handbook is becoming a ‘bible’ for all assistants worldwide. Comprehensive and accessible, it will help you to maintain a professional image and achieve resounding success.
The book helps you to be and look more confident increasing your self-awareness and your self esteem. It will help you to avoid stress and to be able to cope with pressure at work, how to deal with difficult people and manage conflict, how to create, nurture and manage excellent working relationships and how to use communication skills and body language to your advantage. It will help you to be organised, effective and efficient especially when organising small or large meetings and events. You will learn how to give effective, at ease, presentations whether it’s to 2 or 2000 people. Your time management will be improved, learning how to prioritise, set goals, deal with time thieves, manage deadlines and improve on your email management. It will help you with setting up an ergonomic workstation and includes necessary work station exercises for your posture and healthy body to help prevent, aches, pains and repetitive strain injury. It explains the benefits and the reasons for networking and the secrets of good networking.
Finally there is a chapter for bosses and their assistants to share encouraging ongoing communication including what bosses should know to work effectively with their assistants and how to motivate an assistant in order to create a rewarding and effective working relationship and therefore improving on the ‘bottom line’ of any organisation.
Book testimonials:
Hi Sue, After reading your book I am inspired to become a better, more efficient PA. I am in the process of doing my diploma in PA. I would like to connect with you on LinkedIn so that I can follow you and continue being inspired! – Maebh McGuinness
I bought your Book “The Definitive Personal Assistant & Secretarial Handbook” I think it is brilliant – a great book. I have worked in event management and Admin for over 4 years, and I found your book was really useful and regularly refer to it for various projects.
Many thanks for your help. Sarah Smith
As a newly appointed Office Manager / Personal Assistant I have found this book extremely useful and would recommend it to anyone in this field of work.
R. Boal “Career Focussed” (UK)
Can’t go wrong with this one in terms of price and content.
The best on the market. Buy it.
Can’t go wrong with this one in terms of price and content.
The best on the market. Buy it.
R. Sagoo (Middlesex, UK)
This Amazon review is from: Bev
the best choice, 23 Jan 2011
I purchased this book as I wanted to improve in my new job as secretary to Directors, nurses and performance managers. I am half way through this book and it has given me a lot of great advice. It has a section about PDP and minute taking. It has everything that I need to know. I am also taking notes in my note pad while reading so I can have a reminder whilst sitting at my desk. Would recommend this as a first choice for anyone in this field.
Subject: Thank you
Hi Sue
I bought your book the other week in preparation for a job I start tomorrow with a new company after 6 years of being with the same company, and I just want to thank you for an amazing, insightful read. There is so much we need to be aware. I hope I meet his expectations. Thanks again Teresa
You’re book is awesome!!! I’m a Work & Life Coach and I always recommend to my clients to read your book, in order to improve their skill as Administrative Professionals
Kordi Valentina
“I have just read your book and wanted to say how motivated I feel having done so. I actually carry it around so I can refer to it and I have even started looking at how to do things differently. I have adopted the Work Matrix, which is working extremely well and you know, I think I even feel more confident than I have in a long while.” Michelle Connolly
I’ve read your book a half year ago as I wanted to develop my skills and I haven’t had any support at the time to go on a course. The book is really enjoyable and I could find a lot of useful tips in it. I’ve recommended it to one of my colleagues so it’s with her at the moment – she says that it’s very helpful as she is just completing her Level III NVQ in Business & Administration and there are a few chapters that she can use (to be honest I can’t wait to get the book back as it is good to read as a refresher too). Basically, I just wanted to say thank you for the book & your help. I have my ‘dream job’ for a couple of months now and I feel like the book helped a lot to secure this job and also to be able to shine every day.
With Best Wishes, Judit Gorog (21 July 2010)
A Must Read for All – I am already half way through it – my edition came yesterday It’s fab – lots of brilliant tips and I love the quotes. I am giving this book to my boss when he goes on leave – never mind just reading chapter 10 he can read the lot! An excellent, well written ‘bible’ for all PAs/Secretaries. I have recommended all the PAs in our building to read and also have mentioned it to others.
I am off to log onto the website: www.suefrance.com …!
In late 2007, Sue France, now European Management Assistants (EUMA) UK Chairman, contacted me to seek input to a book she was writing entitled The Definitive Personal Assistant and Secretarial Handbook. This is a guide to the skills necessary to be a successful secretary or professional assistant. In response to Sue’s request, her questionnaire was circulated to AIOP members Australia-wide seeking information which could be incorporated into this book. Considerable input was provided by AIOP members around Australia in response to this request and assisted Sue in finalising her publication.
Having received an advance copy of this very useful book, I can categorically recommend it as essential reading for all office professionals Don’t be put off by the title – the reference material included covers issues as diverse as relationship management; communication skills; confidence, self belief and goal setting; dealing with difficult people and managing conflict; time, organising and stress management; organising meetings and events; presentations; ergonomics: your health and safety; networking and a chapter to share with your boss. In addition to all the hints and tips, Sue has provided, there are also proformas which can be downloaded and used by the reader. The book is peppered with direct quotes from people who contributed to the publication. This is a true best-practice guide for all secretaries, PAs, office managers and executive assistants. I would also recommend it as a text book or reference source for business administration courses offered throughout Australia. Jenni Lumsden, AOP FAIOP, President, AIOP WA Division (Australia)
Not just good, an absolute must-read
I run training courses for secretaries and PAs and read this book to see if it would be suitable to give to our students as a gift. Suitable? It is essential. I’m going to buy a box-load. We are a Pitman training centre (in Preston, UK) and our reputation has been built on turning out the best, most professional businesspeople in the business. So that’s why I highly recommend this book. It is about giving people the edge, turning them from “just a secretary”, “just a PA”, into a career person, a polished professional proud of their work.
However, the book is suitable not just for secretaries and PAs, but all business people. It provides well-written guidance on how to conduct yourself, prioritise your workload, network and increase your earning potential – things that are relevant to business people of all specialities.
I particularly enjoyed the section on networking – and despite having done quite a bit of networking myself, picked up new tips. The body language and presentation skills sections are also praiseworthy, but then the whole book is.
Those who are looking for a book on how to type may be disappointed; this is much bigger than a single skill. It is about turning yourself into something more than a “just a …”, aiming higher, succeeding and growing personally and professionally. I think those who followed its guidance would massively increase their promotion prospects.
Michelle Scott, Centre Manager, Pitman Training, Preston, UK
Buy it or add it to your Christmas wish list
I bought this book because I was looking for ways of doing things differently. I found just what I was looking for in this book! It is well written and easy to read.
Ann Errington (Preston, Lancashire, UK) – November 09
Just wanted to let you know that I really enjoyed the book it was very informational. Put it this way, I borrowed of the library (normal practice for me) and found it totally worth buying so I put an order for it at the book shop.
Divisha J Joe
I found your book extremely straightforward to follow and very useful as a go-to guide while on the job. I downloaded the appendices. I have used the personal strengths assessment and goal setting during mentoring sessions for a junior administrator I work with as well as for myself.
I thought it was very useful to include sections looking at gossip at work and more difficult situations. Being a PA can get quite emotionally strained at times! It’s great to have some extra help and sensible ideas, particularly when it is not appropriate to confide in or consult colleagues (because of the nature of the PA role within the organisation).
I have also purchased a copy of the book for the learners of Landmark (a charity) who are interested in this career route as it is realistic and ‘human’ – it’s great to have some good resources like your guide on hand to accompany their learning sessions.
Warm wishes and thank you for all your help!
Heather Watkins, Landmark Training in Stratford
Claudine-Marie Herbert has sent you a message.
Date: 1/06/2011
Subject: Thank you
Dear Ms France,
To introduce myself, my name is Claudine, I am 40 years old and I am employed as a full-time PA to a Chief Executive in the charity sector.
I wanted to send a personal note to say thank you so much for writing “The Definitive Guide Personal Assistant and Secretarial Handbook”. I bought the book after attending one of your seminars at Office*2010 and I would not be without the book now! I often refer to your wise advice when I have a dilemma. I would recommend the Guide as an essential reference book for anyone entering the PA or senior secretarial field or are already qualified and have work experience.
For myself, I entered the commerical workplace as a junior secretary in 1988, having passed my London Chamber of Commerce Secretarial Studies Certificate and RSA exams. I learnt to type on an old battleship of a manual typewriter. My first PC was an Golfball typewriter rigged up to a monitor! Certainly so much has changed in the workplace environment in the last 23 years in terms of technology and office culture. However with your book as my ‘bible’, I will continue to enjoy learning, updating my IT skills and widening my professional network.
With my best wishes for a happy and successful 2011.
Claudine-Marie Herbert
Debby Marcy said I am sure it will be worth the wait for the second book by Sue France if “The Definitive Personal Assistant & Secretarial Handbook” is anything to go by!
I am a member of various ‘Executive Secretary/PA/Administrative’ groups on LinkedIn, and many of the questions that come up regularly are answered in Sue France’s book. Also, as I am currently job seeking I personally have found the section on “Confidence, self-belief and goal setting” particularly useful.
Social Connections!