If your business is sucking your happiness dry, it’s time to make some changes to alleviate your stress. One way to free up some of your time is to hire a virtual assistant to take over some of the daily or weekly administrative tasks needed to run your business. Hiring a VA can certainly be stressful, especially if you’re a first timer who has never been through the hiring process before. However, set up an interview process complete with interview questions and decide what skills you need … [Read more...]
The day I stop learning
I've shared on this topic before, particularly back in July 2017 and sharing on it again. It's so important when we're in business to make sure we make time for us - for our own professional development and personal learnings. We get busy with client things, we get busy inside our businesses managing it daily and also busy with family and external activities. BUT, do we make time for improving on our knowledge and keep learning, or do we only do it when a client asks us about something and … [Read more...]
My first website
I created my very first website in April 1996 with MicroSoft Publisher. The Internet in the business world was very new and I was keen to be a part of it. It was a single page, with some MS Clipart and my contact details and list of services. But later that year I began adding more pages, listing my background, providing a newsletter for whomever might read it, list of services and my contact details. Already I was exploring what else I could do with the site. Are you familiar with the … [Read more...]
VA Certified – or Certificate?
There's a discussion going on amongst the 'senior' VA members of our industry currently. We're concerned about the number of new VA courses popping up claiming to be 'certified'. It's important for you all to know that there is no industry standard (as yet) and therefore there is no industry certification. Some of the VA Associations in different countries have talked about it from time to time, and I believe the time is coming when these associations will do something about 'industry … [Read more...]
Speed track your VA business!
Are you thinking about setting up a Virtual Assistant business and don't know where to start? So much to look at, learn, read and do. I know the feeling of being overwhelmed at the beginning, not sure what to do first or who to ask, or where to find clients. It seems almost endless but you know that lots of others are doing it, you have the skills to be a Virtual Assistant and you want to make it work... the first time! Well, I'm here to help you and the way I plan to do it is this: For the … [Read more...]
Will you be attending office show this week in Sydney?
You may, or may not, be aware that I will be presenting at the OfficeShow this coming week in Sydney at the exhibition centre. Below is a post from the AVAA website with the details. If you would like to attend the morning tea please email me as soon as possible so I can add your name to the RSVP list. There is also a VA Meetup over dinner on Wednesday 16th October @ 6.30pm at Cyren. Again, we need to know numbers so if you could please RSVP for that also, that would be appreciated. Hope to … [Read more...]
Small Business Vic is here again… soon
Each August Victoria's Small Business Festival is put on throughout the whole month. Some councils are very actively involved and I've recently received notification from the City of Knox about events they have on. Of course, you'll be able to look up events happening in your area if you live elsewhere in Victoria. And for those, interstate or overseas, do you have a month that is focused on small business? If so, why not share it below in the comments for others to see? To view and book … [Read more...]
Competition winners
I haven't forgotten! Just had a busy few weeks. With the Australian VA Conference almost upon us, plus a regular workload, not to mention other things happening in my life (I have a daughter getting married in a few weeks) life has been extremely busy. However, here are the winners from the competition posts during March. Congratulations to the winners. Please get in touch with me via the contact form on this site with your contact details so I can ensure you get your prize. Thank you. Week … [Read more...]
National Secretaries Day dates
I noticed that many people have been researching the dates for National Secretaries Day - which is in fact, "Administrative Professionals Day" these days. The official dates in the US for the next few years are: April 25, 2012; April 24, 2013; April 23, 2014; April 22, 2015 The International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP) is the professional organisation in the US. Here in Australia the date is the first Friday in May, however breakfast dates celebrating this event … [Read more...]
