Entries Tagged 'E-Business' ↓

Here’s an interesting article by Derek Sankey on what virtually working looks like in the future. Enjoy! http://www.vancouversun.com/business/Welcome+world+virtual+work/2786923/story.html

A little shameless promotion as we head into a snowy weekend…..I’ve been profiled in a new book recently released by the Women’s Enterprise Centre titled “New Pioneers” Stories of 100 BC Entrepreneurs!!!

I’m very honoured to be included in the book  (although I won’t comment on the Pioneer reference but I’m really not that old) and congratulations to all  the other fabulous female entrepreneurs of BC also profiled in this book.

The stories in this book showcase the successes and challenges which BC women entrepreneurs have faced. The book also highlights the support these women have received from friends, family members, women’s business networks and business service providers. Check it out! 

We also had 15 seconds of fame in the Globe & Mail in an article about how great Virtual Assistants are.

Have a great weekend!

To subscribe to our “Virtually Working” newsletter issued January, April and September, email tana@virtualofficeservices.ca  or click on the newsletter icon at www.virtualofficeservices.ca

Expanding a bit on the topic of my last blog regarding the role of a Virtual Assistant, and what  the difference is between a Virtual Assistant and someone who provides ”virtual assistance”.  There seems to be very strong opinions around this question.  A Virtual Assistant is generally defined as an “online administrative/executive assistant” who is an entrepreneur and who “partners” with their clients to ensure the client’s business is successful. As an entrepreneur, a Virtual Assistant is able to offer helpful suggestions from their own experience to help ensure the client’s success. And, with years of administrative background, a VA can handle a variety of tasks as would an on-site executive assistant, but with cost-saving benefits to the client. 

“Virtual assistance” can be interpreted as being provided either by a Virtual Assistant….or by someone who has chosen to provide a more specialized service such as internet marketing, web design, or bookkeeping, but delivers their services online. It should be noted as well that although Virtual Assistants are usually generalists, there are some more experienced at specific tasks such as shopping carts or writing press releases and it’s this situation where a client may choose to work with several different VA’s for their expertise.

Those providing administrative assistance “virtually” can choose to be personal assistants available all day (or the hours they choose). Or, they can choose to work specifically with projects, i.e. newsletters, large Word projects, PowerPoint presentations, etc. so their working hours can be scheduled at irregular hours that fit deadlines and lifestyle. Or, the business model that we here at Tana Woodward & Associates - Virtual Office Services have adopted, which is to enjoy the best of both worlds.

In closing, I would re-iterate that whether calling oneself a Virtual Assistant, or someone who provides “virtual assistance”, the key is to provide services that meet the clients’ needs and ensures the happiness and success  of the service provider as well.

Great Virtual Tip for today: www.sendthisfile.com - Send large files free via the Internet

*To receive this blog in your inbox, please email tana@virtualofficeservices.ca

Well, here I am again! After writing my last blog about the art of procrastination, I proceeded to do a brilliant job of doing just that…..procrastinating. So now that  I know I have a talent for procrastinating, I shall try to be equally as capable of producing a blog on a regular basis. After all, the virtual world is counting on me to share my wisdom.  In retrospect, I think my hesitancy came from feeling I had to write the “perfect” blog each time and at the end of a busy work week, when the old Outlook reminder popped up to let me know it was time to write my blog, the inspired words just weren’t there.

Now, this is not to say this is how I handle client work. Completely the opposite, I become consumed with completing a project on time and prefer to actually finish well ahead of schedule to suitably impress the client.

I’ve recently re-directed my business to focus on projects, as well as personal assistance. I’m loving this new direction as I’m able to schedule my time so much better and I’m so not tied to my desk all day. I can work in the evenings, the mornings, weekends, whatever works best for that week.

On this note, I’d like to recommend flexibility as key to providing Virtual Assistant services.  No matter how well thought out one’s business plan is, often fate sends you a client with a request for a service you hadn’t even contemplated offering, but it sounds so interesting, you can’t resist. More on that next time!

Great Virtual Tip for today:  A free PDF creation tool -  www.pdf995.com

*To receive this blog in your inbox, please email tana@virtualofficeservices.ca

Everyone suffers from procrastination to a degree but it’s especially a stumbling block for entrepreneurs working in a home office. There’s no one looking over your shoulder. To be sure, a client’s deadlines are first and foremost, and a tangible milestone to reach. However, focusing on tasks that involve one’s own business, such as expansion plans or marketing initiatives are easy to put off until the next day.  There’s always  ”busy-work” to be found that’s more appealing or phone interruptions to delay taking the time to attack these tasks in-depth. It brings back memories of leaving homework to the last minute at school.

One of the best ways to approach this problem is to break each task into chunks and each chunk into bite-size pieces. For instance, if you have three major projects you want to complete, don’t work on just one project for hours. Instead, schedule one hour for each project. This way you’re making a dent in each project, feeling a sense of accomplishment for having tackled all the projects and enjoying some variety as well.

Here’s a link to a podcast from Career Joy with Dr. Tim Pychl, an expert on procrastination, with more great ideas. http://www.careerjoy.com/index.php?q=node/340

Great Virtual Tip for today:  A very useful screen print tool -  www.snagit.com

*To receive this blog in your inbox, please email tana@virtualofficeservices.ca

As a Virtual Assistant, my posts will tend to lean towards my experience gained from providingVirtual Assistance. However, I hope that I will also provide useful information and tips for any e-business utilizing the Internet to conduct business.

First things first,  everyone knows that as with any business, there’s lots of work involved in starting an e-business and of course the first step is creating a business plan. There’s a tremendous amount of research, analyzing, chatting with competitors and daydreaming to define your unique service or product. But…..I can’t emphasize enough….the most important criteria is a passion and enthusiasm for the business you’ve chosen to create.  If you thinking about an area of business for any number of reasons, i.e. it’s the “trend” of the moment, it seems like a big money-maker or you have a bit of knowledge in the subject area, BUT it seems to be mostly drudgery to create that business plan and it’s just not flowing out of your fingers, this may not be the ideal business for you.

Great Virtual Tip for today:  Free online software training with the HP Learning Centre - http://h30187.www3.hp.com/

*To receive this blog in your inbox, please email tana@virtualofficeservices.ca