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Specialization in SOP & Client Development
A remarkable specialization has naturally evolved in our business services. A common thread in my work with clients this past year has been developing Standard Operating Procedures (SOP). This skill began while I was working with the federal government. There was a need to have all the specific procedures and processes in writing.
Why is it so important to have a developed SOP? What if the time came for me to move on to another opportunity and into another position? All the other secretaries, executive assistants, and I working with the federal government understood the importance of coverage and supporting each other. What if one of us had a medical or family emergency? How would we know how to fill in and properly provide the assistance to the staff they supported? Of course, in general, we answer the telephones, arrange conference calls, set up travel, serve as timekeepers, provide the necessary assistance with training, sort mail, and other administrative duties. However, what is often misunderstood is the fact that each office has a different personality and set of preferences.
While a generic SOP of contacts and general procedures can be copied, it must be properly detailed and tailored to the needs of each specific office environment and supported staff. What are the ...<< MORE >>
Craigslist Type Sites
Craigslist has been in the news recently in a negative and adverse way due to a recent slaying (http://tinyurl.com/craigslistoncnn). As a result, the advertising site has become very controversial. It’s a very diverse classified listing site, and just like most anything can be misused for wrongful purposes. I am glad they are restructuring and monitoring the ads more closely. I have found it to be a very responsive tool for marketing. The diversity generates a tremendous amount of traffic and users benefit in numerous ways – both in business and personal capacities.
There are a few other minor down sides to posting ads. I am encountering a limited amount of spam, scam mail, and phishing off sites like Craigslist. I have reduced it by "disguising" my email through an anonymous and appointed email address through Craigslist. That way they can monitor and help fight the spamming. My Web site is listed on my ad, so potential clients can view my Web site and email me directly that way. With ...<< MORE >>
From Me to We
Business is booming!!! Praise God! The time has come for me to turn the "m" upside down to "w" - from me to we. Can you relate? I have partnered with a number of other other qualified virtual professionals with additional skill sets and availability. Together we can harvest a greater crop! I am excited about what this business development can mean for all involved.
For more information on how we can assist you, please click here. You'll also find a tool you may be able to utilize to contact me via instant messaging. If my skills and availability do not directly match yours, perhaps one of my partnered associates will match your project needs. After gathering more information, I can send you the applicable resume and Web site for your review.
PRWeb Webinar
https://admin.connectpro.acrobat.com/_a754148897/p63466681/
This past week I listened to a great Webinar that discusses a number of tools in a jammed packed one hour session. The session is very concise and informative for the small business budget. You can listen too by clicking on the above link. Three gentlemen (Ryan Hinricher, Steve Mullen, and Greg Smith) speak on search engine optimization (SEO) for your business Website, to writing press releases, to researching and getting to know your customers.
You learn the importance of link gathering and unique content creation. A huge emphasis is on blog writing. They explain how to get started and offer “The Blogging Formula”. There’s a discussion on writing press releases and how it can build your business. Furthermore, they highlight the importance of getting to know your customer through proper research.
I found the connections in the instruction on social media very enlightening. The connection was made for podcasting through audio files like iTunes. You can create these files simply through http://www.talkshoe.com. Likewise, video files are like YouTube loads that can be developed using a basic camcorder. Podcasting and video casting are on the rise and it is important technology in relating to your niche client base.
June 2008 Colorado VA of the Month
Approaching Two Years
I have expanded and now offer services that involve:
- Microsoft Access data entry
- Microsoft Publisher document development
- FrontPage Web site content development
- Outbound calling
Please contact me if your project needs include these programs. Upon request, I can also send you an information packet that includes my resume. For more details on my other services and how I may be able to assist you, please see my article on: "Why Hire a Virtual Assistant versus an In-House Secretary?"
I am also building a team that can assist me in these services as needed. Please remember that I am connected to organizations that offer an even wider range of specializations. I would be happy to extend or find referrals for you.
Plus... I am excited to announce that I have open and flexible business hours both day and evenings out of the Eastern Time Zone.
Keeping Up With Technology - Part 5 - Speeding Up Your Computer
As technology advances, so do our expectations for our computer performance. The average life a computer is only three to four years. What can we do to maximize the speed of our computer as it ages with the speed of these advances? The following is a troubleshooting checklist:
¨ Run disk cleanup and defragment the drive. The disk defragmenter is located on PC's under the Control Panel. Click on Administrative Tools then Computer Management. The disk defragmenter is under the Storage option. Disk cleanup can be added as a Scheduled Task. Scheduled Tasks are located also under the Control Panel.
¨ Run a full anti-virus and anti-spyware scan. The computer picks up changing types of viruses through the Internet. It is vital to the computer's performance to maintain an updated anti-virus and anti-spyware scan software on the computer that serves as it's immune system. Just like human viruses, computer viruses mutate and change to penetrate computer systems. These viruses can cause a range of damages from simply clogging up the computer to causing a complete crash of the computer's hard drive. For this reason, it is encouraged to backup the computer frequently for easy restoration and to minimize the loss of data.
¨ Delete old network connections. To find out if the computer is attempting to connect to shared hard drives that may no longer exist, go to the Windows Explorer. Click and delete on any network shares that are no longer actively used. Also check under System Tools under Accessories in the Start menu by clicking on "Disconnect Network Drive." This will certainly not apply if the computer has never been connected to a shared network.
¨ Stop auto-starting programs. New computers or newly loaded programs may attempt to start up when the computer starts up. Adobe Reader is notorious for starting up when the computer starts. To stop these auto-start programs, click on the Start menu then Run and type "msconfig" at the prompt. Click on the Startup tab and turn off any unnecessary programs that show will load when the PC starts. It is important to be careful not to disable Windows system components.
¨ Reinstall Windows. It is sometimes helpful to refresh the computer by starting over. Be sure to backup the computer prior to starting the process of reinstallation. It is time consuming, but easy with the recovery software that should have come with the computer. This process can help remove unnecessary and hard to find files that are taking up room.
¨ Remove temporary Internet files. Go to Internet Options either under the Tools button on your Internet tool bar or under the Control Panel. Select "Delete Browsing History" and determine what can be removed. This action will help optimize the speed of the Internet.
¨ Upgrade with additional RAM and/or a larger hard drive. If all else fails as the computer ages, it may be necessary to load more memory and a larger hard drive onto your computer as the size of files increases. This is a costly solution, but perhaps not as costly as a new computer.
It is helpful to schedule these maintenance tasks frequently to optimize the computer's life and performance. Have you found other tasks helpful?
Just a Couple Other Recent and Related Articles:
~ Help for a Slow PC by Christopher Null
~ Why is My Computer Running So Slow? by AskNerd.net
Happy Holidays! :)
I have also relocated to Georgia. One of the greatest advantages of a virtual business is that you can operate from anywhere. The following is my new contact information:
PO Box 1562
Blue Ridge, GA 30513
303-330-1104
Virtual Harvest Turns One!
The past year has been a wonderful learning experience setting up and getting Virtual Harvest started as a virtual assistant business. As the business owner, it's been a great experience so far and I am only looking forward to growing more with Virtual Harvest. I am restructuring temporarily and only accepting short term job opportunities.
Please feel free to contact me and check my availability. If I am unable to help you, I can refer you to someone that can meet your needs. ...<< MORE >>
Keeping Up With Technology - Part 4 - Networking Online
As small business owners and independent professionals, sometimes we get so focused on meeting the needs of our clients that our business marketing and networking needs fall to the back burner. It is very difficult to figure out the right formula of time between the needs of clients and business development. With an online business, it is important to stay consistent with blog entries and networking with others online. I am learning just how easier said than done that is!
I continue to build my online networking avenues. It can be overwhelming to learn them all and stay active in them all. It is taking some time to figure out which ones are the most effective and worth my time. You can explore them with me and see which ones may help your business the best.
The first few are very similiar in their setup and what they have to offer. They offer free classifieds along with a networking community. You can set up a profile and chat in online forums. You may get bombarded with emails to connect with others in the community. You also have to be careful as some may want to sell you their product or service, but that is why is it called networking.
- AdlandPro
- DirectMATCHES - the Business Space version of My Space.
- BizPreneur
Other networking sites:
- LinkedIn - free site to set up a profile and search for contacts.
- Elance - create a courtesy service provider profile or upgrade your membership to bid on services and other benefits for varying fees.
- HotGigs - create a profile and post your resume or upgrade your membership for greater visibility.
- WhyDoWork - a work at home forum site.
- Virtual Assistant Networking Association (VANA) - this is a wonderful place to dialogue in forums with other VAs and find a VA in their directory.
Online classifieds:
- USFreeads
- Classified Ads
- AdPost
- Craigslist - one of the most popular.