Christmas seems to come and go so quickly. We really start hearing about it September each year, decorations and wrappings on display in the shops, advertising material enticing you to buy everything under the sun as a gift for someone, and life seems to go into full speed as everyone tries to complete impossible projects before the brief Christmas break. It's almost like things HAVE to be done before Christmas and then suddenly, it's quiet. The quiet times used to unnerve me - being new in … [Read more...]
Not For Publication…
... my home address that is. I've just had a phone call on my home number (which is separate from my business number these days) with a guy asking for me by name and asking if I had a business here. I told him yes, but I haven't used that number for about 3 years. He then proceeded to ask if he could check my details for a new business directory website being developed. New - but they have been given old information? No, that wasn't the case. Turned out they had only my personal name, my … [Read more...]
What’s on your Screensaver?
I was having a chat with a client yesterday and mentioned I'd recently won an Executive Portrait Package. I'd been planning to get a new photo done for sometime and now something was going to be done about it! But she was concerned it might be one of those promotions that draw you in to spend lots of money and that the photos might not be exactly what I had intended. I was able to assure her all was well but then related a story of photos I'd had taken for my first anniversary (gift of paper) … [Read more...]
Are You A Stationery Junkie?
I am! Just can't help myself. Even as a child, I always loved starting each new year off at school with new exercise books to write in, or for my birthday or Christmas, receiving stationery notepads, with pretty images and fresh clean pages. To start a story in a brand new hardcovered book, writing in my best neat handwriting - there is nothing like it! I've always enjoyed writing and so I guess the freshness of a new book or writing pad, just adds to that enjoyment. Although these days my … [Read more...]
Speaking in Acronyms
Have you noticed how we all speak a different language these days? I don't mean cultural or regional languages but rather a language that relates to what we do on a daily basis? I mean, even VA or Virtual Assistant, is something that's common to those in the industry or those who use VAs, but what about those who don't yet know what that means? And then there's computer geek, smilies, emoticons, SMS language and so on. I sent my husband an SMS today letting him know that I won't be able to … [Read more...]
The Right Client Mix
Around a month ago I gained a new client - she is in a different country to me and working in an area that interested me. I'd been engaged to manage her email lists, monitor her website and eventually set up her shopping cart with a well known shopping cart system online. However, two things worked against us. My daughter's wedding took place shortly after we had connected and I had several days when I was unavailable online - she had been informed but it was very early in our new … [Read more...]
What a Week!
Those who know me well but didn't hear from me in the past week were getting worried - I don't usually not respond to emails and phone calls. But it was all for good reason. A week ago our youngest daughter got married and I had notified my team and all my regular clients that I'd be 'out of action' for a few days. I had family members here from interstate and country areas - not exactly easy to sit down and concentrate on work when you have guests in the house. By Tuesday evening we had our … [Read more...]
Explaining the name
I was asked recently on a VA forum what my business name meant? The person asking didn't want to be rude but she was very curious. Since she is based in a different country to me I can understand that the meaning wouldn't be obvious. So, I thought I'd share my explanation here for others who are curious. Especially because I've been absolutely dying to ask since I first saw the name a few years ago...how did you come up with your company name? I looked on the website (hopefully it's not there … [Read more...]
Assistance in busy times
I've been a tad quiet of late - usually a sign I've been quite busy. Three of my client associations have AGMs coming up and I've had preparations to do for all of them. Add to that our youngest daughter is getting married this weekend, and I've got family members coming to stay and others will also be visiting from interstate and things will get somewhat hectic. I've already notified my regular clients that I'll be slow to answer for a few days and non-contactable for two days but if they … [Read more...]