Personal Development

How a Virtual Assistant Can Help You

You may be wondering what a Virtual Assistant is and how one can help you. Well, a VA is essentially a PA/Administrator/Secretary who works from a different geographical location.

There are more and more small businesses who would like some assistance with various office duties but in the current economic climate would prefer not to employ someone. This is where a virtual assistant can help.

Services which a VA can offer include:

* Helping you with your to-do list
* Deal with all your admin and paperwork
* Secretarial services
* Take orders, bookings & enquiries
* General office duties

Benefits

Virtual Assistants are cost effective because they are not an employee which means as a business owner you are not responsible for their NI Contributions, Tax or other costs.

Virtual Assistants work from their own office with their own equipment.

Virtual Assistants are totally flexible, if you don't need them one week then just let them know. No cost is incurred as you pay them usually on an hourly basis.

Many VA's specialise in one particular area. This may be admin work, sales, database cleansing, personal assistance, etc. So take the time to find one which suits your needs and you won't be disappointed. You will soon wonder how you ever managed without one!

So it might be that you just want a couple of hours help a week while you catch up on other things. It might be that you are finding all the paperwork too much to fit in. If you would like to spend less time on boring paperwork, free up some time to develop your business or have extra support around the office then a Virtual Assistant may just be the answer your looking for.

Clare Axon-Saunders is an an experienced, versatile and friendly Virtual Assistant based in St. Albans, Hertfordshire. If you are a small business in need of an extra pair of hands, then contact Clare at clare@onlineva.co.uk to see how she can help.

Clare is particularly interested in assisting small businesses within the local area. She is also keen to work with people involved with animals, holistic & alternative therapies, yoga & Pilates.

http://onlineva.co.uk

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Top 7 Tips For a Thought Workout

Messy thoughts lead to poor results. You want well ordered, useful and clear thoughts to help you with your tasks at work. Here are 7 tips to give your thoughts a great workout and get them fit for the work you want to do.

1. Consider the thoughts you have as suggestions rather than instructions. The path of least resistance is just to follow what your thoughts tell you to do. You will get better results if you look at your thoughts as suggestions and actively decide whether you want to accept the suggestion or not.
2. Use someone else's thoughts to take on some of your load. Other people have different thoughts to you as they experience the world in a different way to you. Make use of their thoughts and add them to yours and you will seem smarter and sharper to all around you.
3. Learn to watch your thoughts. Focussing on breathing through your nose and keeping all your attention on the air coming in and going out. Keep focussed on the point of contact. As thoughts come in to view just watch them come and let them go. You will become much better at knowing which ones to get attached to and which to just let go.
4. Rev up your thoughts. Easier than you would think and more powerful than you would believe. It is as easy as asking yourself 'what else?' in any situation you are in. Your mind left to its own devices will fix on its answer but asking 'what else?' sets a new challenge and will rev up your thoughts.
5. Think the opposite thought. After crafting the best solution you have now work out what it would take for your solution to fail. Create a perfect argument that is reasonable and workable and explains how your best idea would fail. This will give you fascinating new insights and solutions and prepare you for a much wider range of possibilities than you first thought of.
6. Catch your thoughts with a pen. When your mind is whirling with confusion and conflicting themes take out your pen and summarise what is going on. Just write down what you are thinking and keep writing until you run dry. Look at what you are writing and you will start to make more sense of what you want. Confusion and conflict will be resolved.
7. Get help from a friend. Ask them to ask you what you are thinking at unexpected moments and then tell you what they heard. This will always take your thoughts somewhere else and give you new ideas. It will also lead to some great conversations with your friend if you are honest in telling them what you are thinking at the moment they ask.

A thought is just a thought made up of nothing by you and yet is everything there is. Get the best out of them and only use the best ones for you.

Len is walking 1000 miles in 2010 to raise £100,000 for research in to a treatment for Multiple Sclerosis. If you want to read about his progress and see pictures of the places walked and the amazing range of people met please visit the 1000miles4hope blog at http://1000miles4hopeblog.blogspot.com/ and if you want to know more about the charity visit the web site at http://1000miles4hope.com/

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How to Write a Reference

How to write a reference is a question many managers, experienced and novice constantly find themselves asking.

The problem is usually this

Someone who works for you requests a letter of reference for another job. They have been successful in an interview and their entire new career depends on what you say.

The trouble is that the person concerned isn't a very productive member of staff and you really would prefer to see them working somewhere else (or not see them at all!)

But how to phrase a reference?

Most large employers have a standard form which will ask you trigger questions (often based on facts), such as "how many days have they had off sick in the last year?"

These are easy - the facts don't lie (just make sure you don't make any mistakes - 6 days sick in a year is acceptable but 66 (just a typo away) is not)

But if it is a small employer or they don't provide a form - how do you write a reference then?

Well, the trick is to tell the truth - but weave in some "code" and hope the other person can "read" it

Examples

"Fred took time getting to grips with the machines we use here but once he did, he proved reliable and dependable" means "he is slow"

"Although Debbie had problems with co-workers, she provided valuable input to the team" means "she is awkward and tricky to deal with"

"Paul helped specify the standards for a lot of the procedures for the team" means "he moans and complains a lot"

Is there another way?

Obviously, you would rather not something in writing which you can't defend or prefer for the individual concerned not to see. So why not phone the party requesting a reference? Quite often, you can still speak "in code" but you will get feedback from the other party and make sure they "get it"

Other tips

Keep a (confidential) copy of everything you send. Make sure it is locked away from prying eyes.

It's probably best not to discuss the reference with anyone else. Even asking admin assistants for sickness stats can raise the "gossip-ometer" stakes

This short article was brought to you by Sharp End Training. A Sheffield based online training & assessment company. We can be contacted via www.sharp-end-training.co.uk

The author, Jonathan Senior is a Chartered Manager and member of the Chartered Institute. He has extensive experience of training & management in all types of business.

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How to Get the Job of Your Dreams in 30 Days Or Less

It's a reflex. You ask someone "How are you" and they will always say "fine". It doesn't matter if they are in the middle of a car accident, or in the hospital. "Fine" is how they answer.

When you ask a business owner if they are hiring, you sound just like every other person asking for a job. And here is why the answer is "No". You are not giving any reason at all to say "Yes".

Here is how I got the job of my dreams years ago from a business owner I wanted to work for, and learn from. This would work today if you came into my business.

This happened years ago, but it will work in any economy, in any area, in any business. Why? Because you are going to make an offer the business owner cannot refuse.

I walked into the business and asked for the owner by name.

He walked out and I said "Mr. Toth, I want to learn this business. I want to learn it from you, because I've heard you know what you are doing. I want to learn to run a business like this, so I can start my own business. Pay me whatever you think is fair, or pay me nothing at all. I want the experience and the training I know I'll get here. At the end of six months or a year, I'll open a business like this out of your area."

He said "I have six salespeople. They would kill me if I hired another one".

I said "I understand. I won't take any sales away from them. You pay them salary plus commission. Just pay me on the sales I bring in. I want to be your apprentice, and I want you to be my mentor."

It took him by surprise. In a few minutes we worked out a deal where he was paying me a very generous commission, and I cold work the hours I wanted. Within six weeks, I was the highest paid person in the business, aside from Mr. Toth.

Here is why this worked. The offer I made appealed to him in many ways. I wasn't talking about what he would give me, I was talking about what I would give him. There is a huge difference.

I didn't talk about what I needed (a job) but what I could do for him, and his business.

Nobody ever talked to him like that before. And nobody has ever talked to me like that in the years I've owned my own business.

I have no openings for any help in my business. I own a successful retail store. But if someone came into my business and said "Mr. Whitacre, I want to learn from you. Pay me whatever you like, I want to learn your business. You're the one that can teach me. I've heard you really know this business. What can I do to help your business?", I would adopt that person. I would pay them whatever I thought it took to keep them. Why? Because they would absolutely stick out, in a favorable way, from everyone else that comes in asking for a job.

Any business owner with a desire to increase their business would hire you in an instant.

Now you know.

Claude Whitacre is the author of the book The Unfair Advantage Small Business Advertising Manual. Claude speaks on small business advertising and retail marketing. You can buy a copy of his book at http://www.claudewhitacre.com or you can download a free copy of Claude's book at http://www.Local-Small-Business-Advertising-Marketing-Book.com

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3 Reasons to Hire a Virtual Assistant

Outsourcing to a Virtual Assistant is a growing trend in small and online businesses. But, what exactly is a virtual assistant, and why should you consider hiring one? According to the International Virtual Assistants Association (IVAA), "A Virtual Assistant (VA) is an independent entrepreneur providing administrative, creative and/or technical services. Utilizing advanced technological modes of communication and data delivery, a professional VA assists clients in his/her area of expertise from his/her own office on a contractual basis." There are many reasons that a VA may be the right choice for you, but we will look at just three of them today: the ability to hire an expert, cost effectiveness, and ease to work with.

Hire an Expert

Possibly the most exciting reason to hire a virtual assistant is the leverage that it provides. It is now easier than ever to hire an expert in either a specific industry, or with a specific skill set! Most VA's quickly develop some type of niche. Some VA's concentrate their efforts on working with a particular client type for example, insurance agents or realtors. Others may focus on a specific service such as website design and marketing.

Cost Effectiveness

Don't let your heart start racing the moment you get an estimate from your potential VA. A VA's rate can sometimes be deceiving. Rates can vary and may sometimes be hourly, monthly, or per project. A virtual assistant is probably more cost effective than you would think. Here are a few things to consider:

• A Virtual Assistant is not like a traditional "employee". You are not responsible for any of the benefits, or payroll taxes that you would have with an in house staff.
• There is also no need for you to provide any type of office space or supplies. Normally, any standard office supplies and equipment such as paper, phones, computers, fax machines, paper clips, etc. are all included.
• There is little or no downtime. When your business suffers from a lull, you can simply cut the hours that your VA works. Although in some cases, there may be an exception if you have entered into a contract.

It's So Darned Easy

Even though your VA doesn't reside in your office, at times it just might feel like it. Because of the nature of what a virtual assistant does, there are several ways for you to reach them or work with them. Technology has made it very easy. Most VAs will use some combination of the following: a website, social networking sites, telephone, video chat, instant messaging, or even third party software (such as Basecamp) in order to stay closely connected to you.

If you would like to use this article please retain the attribution at the end.

Jennifer Muench is a virtual assistant and the founder of Everyday Business. She has been providing office support to small businesses and online entrepreneurs since 2008. Find out more about Jennifer at http://www.EverydayBusinessServices.com.

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Is Behavioral Advertising Right For Your Site?

"With great power comes great responsibility."

The power of the internet especially when advertising is immense. The amazing things publishers know and can learn about their users cannot be matched by any channel. This opens the door to granular targeting which is a very powerful form of marketing.

Now, for those of you who aren't sure what behavioral advertising is, don't worry, you're not alone. Here is an example that should make it clearer:

• Step 1: A user logs onto AirCanada.com to check flight prices but doesn't end up buying anything.
• Step 2: A temporary cookie is put onto the user's computer notifying that the user has been on AirCanada.com.
• Step 3: The user logs onto your site.
• Step 4: Your ad software finds the AirCanada cookie and displays an AirCanada ad attempting to get the user to finish their purchase cycle.

As you can see these type of ads have potential to be very targeted which results in more money for you, the publisher. What ad serves if the user doesn't have any of these cookies? Whatever ad is chosen to serve behind it. Therefore, publishers wouldn't lose out if they served behavioral targeted ads. So what's all the hoopla against it?

Many users are scared about the whole "Big Brother" aspect of the internet. Publishers and ad networks are able to know "too much about users". Ad networks have reacted to this in two ways:

• Re-branding behavioral advertising by calling it "retargeting". It does sound much nicer doesn't it?
• Having a link on their ads with an opt-out option.

So, it really comes down to your users. Would they generally be comfortable with a form of advertising that reads their browsing history and displays relevant ads? Keep in mind, Google AdSense and most ad networks do practice behavioral advertising but you can opt-out of those programs.

If you do end up allowing behavioral advertising on your site, remember to include that you do so on your privacy policy. Like I said:

"With great power comes great responsibility"

By Kean Graham, Owner of eSellSolutions

Learn how to Monetize your Website: http://www.eSellSolutions.net

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What Makes a Successful Small Business?

While many businesses fail within its first year, there are plenty of businesses that succeed far beyond the owner's expectations. What differentiates the winners from the losers when it comes to business? Well let's take a look at 3 key factors:

• Being Small but thinking big. While you may just be starting off with your online business in cyber space where there are millions of businesses in operation, the only way you can actually pose as a real threat and stand a chance of succeeding is asking yourself "How can you compete with your competitors?" Having a small business gives you the advantage of having flexibility, responding quickly and providing a more personalized service. Make sure to take full advantage of these key strengths.

• Plan for success. Any business owner who plans on having longevity with their business understands the power of planning. A great plan increases your chances of succeeding and helps define your business. It gives you an idea of where you're going and how to get there.

• Work Smarter, not harder. As a business owner, you may find yourself taking on a lot of tasks that you may not know how to do or just isn't worth your time but maybe someone else's. Use what you have. Ask those around you with a specific skill to do small tedious task while focus on major task. Take advantage of your social networks and reach out for services and even potential clients. It has never been about working harder, just how well you work with what you have.

These three factors are what differentiate the businesses that fail from those that succeed. Regardless if you're a small business or large business, these rules apply to everyone.

How do you become your own boss in this economy? Linda Barcelona has the number one technique for establishing and growing your financial independence. Linda has been featured in print, radio and TV as an expert in building a online home based business in tough times. She is a contributing editor to mysaveologist.blogspot.com

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Presentation Skills Training Gets You Ahead in Your Workplace

In today's economy, most professionals are aware of the need to perform well on the job. It's a tough market and in times of trouble you want to be noticed for your ability, not only to do your job, but to shine in all situations.

What can you do to improve your retainability? How about setting a bold new direction?

Participating in Presentation Skills Training is a surefire strategy to improve your impact at work. Here are three reasons why it pays to invest in your ability to present to groups - both large and small:

1. Increase Your Confidence

Presentation Skills Training takes you through a learning process which includes videotaping your performance and reviewing specific feedback on how to improve. Look for a program that allows you to get taped several times so that you can see your progress over time. By giving presentations to a small audience and being taped, you gain the experience of "just doing it" which automatically increases your confidence. And we all know that a confident presenter speaks volumes over someone who is tentative or uncomfortable at the podium.

2. Increase Your Impact

Once you're comfortable in front of a group you can work on your impact by playing with several dynamics including vocals, visuals, and verbal content. A polished presenter knows the importance of using their voice to engage the audience. They do this by varying their pitch, their volume and even their pace. Moreover, a seasoned presenter knows how to use visual aids and structure their remarks in a way that maximizes audience involvement. Ultimately, these skills show up in formal presentations as well as day to day discussions and meetings. Making the investment in presentations skills training enhances your ability to make an impact in the boardroom, the client meeting, and in everyday discussions.

3. Stand Out from the Pack

When it comes right down to it, management notices those who stand out from the pack. In today's hectic environment, the professional who is comfortable giving an impromtpu presentation distinguishes him or herself from others. Increased comfort and confidence in presentation skills allows one to display leadership in meetings....without worrying about words, gestures, or nervousness. Stand out from your peers by demonstrating that you are an accomplished presenter who is comfortable in front of a crowd. You'll be glad you did when you get that next promotion!

Suzanne Guthrie is co-founder of Bold New Directions, a transformational learning company that works with companies to transform people and performance through training solutions including seminars, webinars, coaching and keynote events. Bold New Directions specializes in training solutions that build leadership skills, communication skills and resilience at work. You can learn more about Suzanne Guthrie and her work at Bold New Directions by visiting the company web site at http://www.boldnewdirections.com

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7 Effective Tips to Help You Accomplish Your Goals

In order to succeed in accomplishing your goals, it is vital to have short term as well as long term goals. You should also have your weekly and daily to-do list well planned out so that you can feel a sense of accomplishment once you have successfully completed each task. This is to ensure that you do not give halfway along your path to attaining your dreams. Besides all these, when you are setting your goals, you must also keep the following pointers in mind.

1. Your attitude
Whether a person is successful in attaining his dreams or not depends largely on his attitude. Are you totally convinced that you are capable of succeeding in life? Otherwise you will be only be sabotaging your own success. If you know that you are not totally convinced, the first thing you need to do is to control your emotions and to convince yourself of your capabilities. You can do so by reading self help books or even speaking to a psychiatrist might help as you need to build on your self confidence.

2. Time management skills
To be successful at achieving your goals, you need to have time management skills. If you are unable to complete your tasks on time, regardless of whether you are running your own business or working for someone, your success will be affected. Thus, you should start by having a detail plan on what you want to accomplish, set a time frame to each task and make sure you stick to them.

3. Appropriate education
After you have set your goals, check to see if you have the necessary education needed to succeed. If you are lacking in certain skills, find out how you can get the appropriate education to help you develop your skills. Only then will you be able to do well in your field.

4. Family support
Do not forget to include your family when you are planning your goals. When you have gained the support of your family members, you will be able to focus on attaining success.

5. Financial planning
When you are setting your goals, it is important to set realistic goals so that you know you can attain them in the time frame you have set for yourself. Include how much you really want to earn and break it down into how much you have to start making now so that you can achieve that figure in the long run. Do not expect to reach that figure overnight; that is being unrealistic and you might give up on the whole idea easily because of that.

6. Acknowledge your physical abilities
Depending on the goals you have set, you might need to be physical fit in order to attain those goals. You will also have to be fit each day in order to batter whatever challenges you might face when you are on your path to accomplishing your goals. If you realize that this is one of your weaknesses, then make sure you train up or get healthy so as to move on.

7. Acknowledge your achievements
If you only allow yourself to celebrate your success at the end of the whole journey, you might get burned out easily. Thus, it is vital that you give yourself small rewards to acknowledge each achievement you have made.

The above are some tips to help you when you are setting your goals. Everybody has the ability to achieve whatever goals they want to attain. It is all a matter of how much they believe in themselves, how much effort they put in as well as how much perseverance and patience they have. There will definitely be obstacles along the way but in order to be successful in attaining your dreams, you must never give up.

Stella Mak has been writing articles for many years. Come visit her latest websites at achieving your goals to grab your free report "Quick Start Guide To Achieving Your Goals!" and also to learn about teenager car insurance before you make a commitment if you are a teenager who has just bought a new car.

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10 Ways to Avoid Procrastination

Do you find it difficult overcoming what many believe to be the scourge of any worthwhile success? The ability to overcome and avoid procrastination might seem on the face of it a simple thing to do, but it always seems to unwittingly rear its ugly head and become a stumbling block to any future accomplishments that we might possibly strive for. To help in providing a solution to this major problem, you must always remember there is always a way and here are 10 ways to avoid procrastination.

1. To first recognise that you are procrastinating in the first place and putting the important tasks in your life to one side will not make them go away.
2. Make a list of all the tasks you know you need to complete to move things forward. Put the most important item at the top of your list and set about completing it. Do not move onto the next task, no matter how hard it seems and even if it takes longer than expected. No matter how long it takes, stick with it until it is completed.
3. Make a list of all the tasks that are either unimportant or inconsequential to achieving or improving your life in any way. If they are totally unimportant, try to discard them and if on the other hand they will neither improve or have any significant detriment to your life, then come back to them when you have completed your most important tasks.
4. Try to set a time allowance for the daily tasks that are important to you in achieving your goals. You will be amazed if you devote this time, without any distractions, how much you will get accomplished. Also set time aside for relaxation and precious time with your family.
5. Use the time that is usually wasted, i.e. driving to work or travelling on public transport, by reading that important manual, listening to that life changing seminar or writing material for your next income producing project. This is time you will never get back and by doing this, you are using your time productively.
6. Do not be worried or disheartened if you slip up and start to procrastinate instead of achieving. This is normal, as all habits cannot be broken indefinitely and we all slip up from time to time. The important thing to do is start achieving again the very next day.
7. When you have completed an important single or series of tasks, then give yourself a treat. This will keep you on track to achieving even more significant tasks and as they become greater, then the greater the treat should be.
8. Eat a balanced and healthy diet, take regular exercise and get the proper rest. This will create an abundance of energy that leans to the side of a productive lifestyle. When you are overweight, unhealthy and feeling tired, it seems easier to procrastinate, as it takes a small degree of energy to achieve.
9. As part of your understanding in how to avoid procrastination, get help from the experts and search for advice. You do not have to do this on your own, there is a ton of information on the subject and the majority of it is without cost.
10. Lastly, it is important to remember that there is also good procrastination and this is the time you relax knowing that the important tasks have been taken good care of. There is nothing wrong in kicking off our shoes from time to time and basically chilling out....and do not forget, take the weekend off.

If you enjoyed this article from Stephen Zaba and would like to receive more information on how to achieve a successful mindset and learn time management principles that really work, then please visit: http://www.mindsetinmotion.com and receive a 5 day e-course and a complementary set of classic audios.

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