IN-TRAY
The hotel rooms of the future
New technologies are shaping the hotel rooms of the future – and many of these advances will only help to remove some of the pressure on time-poor PAs. Corporate Traveller has identified five emerging trends for the hotel sector – it’s only a matter of time before you see them on a regular basis. iPads in hotel rooms In the future your boss will be able to make the most of their down time by checking in with the office, picking up emails or even making their own dinner reservations without the need to lug a heavy laptop around. And PAs will be freed from late calls or interrup- tions in the day as the boss can assist themselves thanks to the iPad. Mobile phone room check-in If the boss is running late or is tired after a day’s travelling they’ll have the ability to check in during the taxi journey to the hotel. This technology will work much like mobile check-in at airports and is
currently being trialled. Social media websites The explosion in popularity of social media will mean it’s easier than ever for PAs to find a great hotel for a demanding boss. You’ll be able to go online and access informa- tion on hotels, travel advice and booking restaurants from other users. Pod-style hotel rooms Budget-con-
scious PAs will be able to find more micro-hotel rooms available. This is par- ticularly useful for stop overs where the reason for the stay is purely to sleep. If your boss has no means for all the amenities then why pay for them? Environmentally-friendly hotel part-
ner programmes Eco-friendly will remain the buzz word in the industry and hotels will start to partner with green organisations to ensure guests can be assured of minimal environmental impact. PAs who take into consideration eco credentials will find more choice.
Mid-life crises fuelled by work
Think of a midlife crisis and you think of a 50-year old zooming around in a nifty motor to prove they still have it. But research now suggests that midlife crises are striking peo- ple at a much younger age – often in their mid-30s.
■ People aged between 35-44 were the unhappiest at work.
■ 28% of 35-44 year olds say they have left a job because of a difficult rela- tionship with a boss or a colleague.
■ A third of all those questioned said they wanted to cut their working hours to help boost their mood.
THE VIEW FROM
Laura Clarke, 36, is Executive Assistant to the CTO and CSO of the GSMA and has been in her role for 3 and a half years.
MY DESK
WHAT SKILL DO YOU USE MOST IN YOUR JOB? A PA has to be multi-skilled, I would say that any given day I have to make sure that, while being organised, I pay attention to detail, be patient and occasionally stubborn and make sure I do it all while being good humoured with a smile on my face.
WHAT IS THE BEST AND WORST PART OF YOUR JOB AS A PA? The best are definitely the people I work with and the opportunity to travel. Both fit well together as it helps to get on with your colleagues when you are far away from home. The worst part can be being a long way from home and having to organise a committee of 30 while your body clock is telling you that you should still be asleep.
WHAT IS IN YOUR TOP DRAWER? Emergency stationery supplies, medicines, spare tights and a monster stapler that can handle up to 75 sheets of paper!
WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TODAY? Lots of forward planning –we have a Congress event coming up in Hong Kong so I have been drafting the itin- erary for my boss as well as updating all the arrange- ments for the meetings that I am responsible for.
WHAT DO YOU SEE FOR THE FUTURE OF THE PA? World domination – well we are half way there already!
Want to talk? Contact
Cora@ExecutivePA.com www.executivepa.com » Oct/Nov 2010 » 07
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