I am probably from the last generation of managers that worked with a personal assistant (PA). As I was promoted in my last few years, I found my successors did not get the privilege. Automation and cost cutting meant that PA’s were seen as a thing of the past, like smoking at work, or executive dining rooms.
This week I have been organising a visit to India in February. It is just for a vacation but when I was working this would have always been a job for my PA. And this week I realised quite how hard it is. Getting flights, hotels and meetings all to fit is no easy thing. I think I have managed it but I do wish I had a PA.
You can see how old I am from the fact that I have printed off my confirmations. I can give you the excuse of experience of India airports where you can’t enter the terminal without a printed ticket, but in truth I needed the paperwork to give me confidence that I had everything booked. I think I did OK but I do know that when something goes wrong while I am travelling (which it will) I will want to call my PA and will miss them.
So I want to say thank-you to all my PAs over the years. You were awesome and made me successful.
Can robotics really ever replace a great PA? What do you think?
Pete's Blog 
Allow me to suggest a great app. You simply forward each email confirmation and it organises all your details in order, in one 0lace, with all confirmation details.
We’re doing some extensive traveling over the next few months with hotels, hire cars all over the place, flights, multiple airlines, cruise ships, etc etc. Couldn’t have managed without it.
Google or Apple app.
https://www.tripit.com/web
Thanks – it looks great