I recently read an article about the 5 challenges of a business hiring a VA. What it assumed was that when people are seeking offshore VAs, they want full time VAs from the Philippines. Not so, I'm in Australia, but if I'm working for a client in the UK, USA or another country, then I would be considered an offshore VA. And what was outlined in that article seems to really only relate to VAs in a particular region. VAs in the Philippines, and often other Asian countries, are mostly employed … [Read more...]
Australian VA Conference is on again!
Well, it's going to be on again. The Australian VA Conference (AVAC) will take place in Melbourne on 4-5 May 2012. We decided on the date change to allow time for bookings to come in and hopefully some delegates from other countries as well. It's certainly open to all VAs to attend in person so if you're in New Zealand, Asia or other countries nearby, or perhaps in the northern hemisphere and you'd like to come and experience a Melbourne Autumn at the same time! The weather is usually lovely … [Read more...]
Australian VA Conference one week away
Well, the second annual Australian VA Conference is just a week away. Although the numbers still aren't as high as I would like them (well into the triple figures) they are still higher than they were last year, and we're thrilled about that. We're delighted that IVAA is our major sponsor and that they are sending a delegate to the event this year. In fact, that person will be staying with me and I can't wait to show them a little bit of the Australian countryside I get to enjoy every … [Read more...]
Planning to attend a conference, or …
Still coming back down to earth after our fantastic event, the Australian VA Conference (AVAC) a couple of days ago. It was great to meet face-to-face the names I've come to know so well over the internet for some years. And to meet new names, people I hadn't met online before but who are venturing into the Virtual Assistant world. However, there were many who did not come, for several reasons, and a couple who didn't turn up, although they had booked to come. I received emails of apologies … [Read more...]
AVAC – until next year
Well, by the verbal and written feeback I've heard/seen so far, it would seem that the AustralianVAConference (AVAC) has been a success and is definitely something the VA Community would like on the calendar as an annual event. There was a lot of buzz at the end of each day and it was great to see virtual friendships strengthed by face-to-face meetings and new friendships forged. A mix of brand new VAs (or those who haven't yet begun) right through to those who have many, many years of … [Read more...]
Australian VA Conference this week!
Well, it's almost here. Can't believe all the months of planning is now going to come to a halt with the event taking place on Friday and Saturday this week. If you are planning to come but haven't yet booked, it's not too late but the cut-off is Wednesday. So get your bookings in now. If you can't attend both days, you can elect to come for just one day. I'm hoping to see a lot more Melburnians attending - it's in your home state and you don't need to worry about airfares and accommodation … [Read more...]
AVAC – Only two weeks away
I feel the excitement beginning to mount as VAs around Australia anticipate meeting one another face-to-face - many for the first time. Our colleagues in the US, Canada and elsewhere I know want to join us and hopefully they can for the next one. I believe we might even have a visitor from Turkey - a lady who contacted me some weeks ago about attending and she needed to organise a Visa. You can find out who's coming by going to that page at the AustralianVAConference website. Many of the … [Read more...]
The Importance of Self-Education
Recent posts at a VA forum has made me wonder just how much do Virtual Assistants (and other self-employed) value the importance of their own self education. It is oh-so-easy just to quit and give up and move on to something else if it doesn't work out. When in reality, if people were just prepared to take the time to learn and listen from others who are more experienced, they may well succeed. To quote one long-term VA from the forum: A lot of VAs have started and quit early because they … [Read more...]
Update on Australian VA Conference
Update on AVAC - VA Conference As you know the inaugural Australian VA Conference (AVAC) will be held in Melbourne, Australia on Friday 12 and Saturday 13 March 2010. This conference is open to all VAs in any location. We hope you're planning to join us and meet your fellow VAs face-to-face at this great event. Have you visited our sponsors yet? They are listed on the website but let me introduce some of them to you here: Major sponsors: Anyone who's been in the VA industry for a period … [Read more...]