Making It Worth The While
I used to get tired of hearing “whatever your hands find to do, do it to your very best”. Now that I’ve reached the age of reason, I can now see what that means. Now I can say, as long as time is going to be spent doing something, might as well you make it worth the while.
If you are building your own business, make it worth the while. Utilize every relevant tool, every good method, every valuable opportunity, as long as it will be worth the while. One thing I should warn you about though, is taking for granted the effectiveness of simple tools and methods.
Getting help is a simple tool and it can make a world of difference. As I said, whatever it is, just make it worth the while.
Mb
Five Star Executives
Is Virtual Assisting All That? I Mean Do Small Businesses Really Benefit From It?
Thank you for your question. The thing is while we know that the Internet is THE place for scams, and scams galore, we must be able to sift through the mix and extract the good.
To answer this question we must of course know what a virtual assistant does. Giving assistance to small business owners remotely is basically it. The tasks covers a wide range, from admisistrative to real estate.
The benefits this brings to the small business owner is that no in-house staff is required, time training is eliminated, overhead costs is also eliminated, no paid vacation, sick leave, paternity and maternity leave; all these are costs that are non existant with the use of the virtual assistant. Additionally, the business owner can now concentrate on business expansion.
So should I give a yes or no to that question or should I leave it to you our readers to decide. I think I’ll leave it for you to decide.
Once again, thank you for your valuable question, and keep them coming.
Mb
Five Star Executives
How Safe Is Your Business?
Most of your business is conducted over the Internet, and because of this, the question is asked; how safe is your business?
I would like to believe that every user of the Web is aware of the dangers involved in exchanging or sending information over the Internet and as such, the precautions that are necessary.
Small business owners and virtual assistants are no exception to this, especially since its a business that is being operated which might mean that money has been invested.
I have discovered Avast which is an anti-virus software and is quite effective. The winner of various awards, Avast is a potent solution for the protection of your files and data, and makes it safe for you to conduct your business.
More Haste Less Speed - Does That Apply To VAs Too?
I remember my mom telling me quite often, “more haste, less speed”, and now that I’m an adult, I have fully grasped the meaning of that addage.
But what does this have to do with a virtual assistant? Well I think a lot. You see, the whole idea of effeciency is wrapped up in speed and in accuracy of course. So how could that speed be undermined? When a lot of haste is put into doing a task.
Getting things done fast always wins the approval of those for whom it is being done for, but caution should never be discarded, because it can cause some grave mistakes if it is done hastely and ends up being terribly flawed.
Now this is in no way intended to throw speed out the window, but rather to apply caution when doing things so they will be done properly.
Mb
Five Star Executives
As A Virtual Assistant Is There A Good Time To Bow Out?
First let me thank you for your question, because there are persons who are under an immense amount of pressure simply because they don’t know how to bring closure to a strained work relationship.
As with everything else, there are times when a work relationship that started off good can deteriorate. This can be caused by personality clash, one party operating outside the outlined terms of the contract, or external factors that you do not have any control of. Either way, bowing out is a decision to be made only after efforts are made to improve things.
The thing is that there is no hard and fast rule. As a virtual assistant, you will know what you can work with and what you can’t. If you can’t, then bow out.
Mb
Five Star Executives
Question of the Day - Do I Really Need To Make Changes?
You know the only thing in life that is constant is change. But for some of us, that is a difficult thing especially if the thing we need to change is something that we’ve grown accustomed to and really like. But what if that something is not bringing in the initial results you got when you started it.
You see, as much as we would like to, we cannot control all the variables that affect our businesses, and on account of that, we must be willing to pursue and embrace the changes that will keep us at the competitive edge. Sometimes it means letting go of business relations, business practices or anything that adds no relevance to our success. Or it might mean getting help for your business by hiring a virtual assistant.
Just remember that before you make that move to change you are sure about where you want to go and you have an informed opinion of how to get there.
Is Email Marketing All Its Made Out To Be?
Today’s question hits right at the core of a marketing strategy that is gaining ground in the columns and paragraphs of many pages and articles. Whether email marketing is all its made out to be hinges on its effectiveness in reaching targeted goals. So my straight-forward answer to that question is a resounding yes. Let me explain.
A virtual assistant or small business owner has as their goal client building, which email marketing, as long as it is done right, does.
Sustained relationships is another one of the VA’s objectives. Remember that a single sale does not mean you’ve made a customer. Making customers require multiple contact. With email marketing, our contact can become more personalized, and because its inexpensive, it can be done several times. All it takes is some commitment.
The virtual assistant needs know that their prospective clients develop trust in the product or service offered. Email marketing facilitates this trust since a rapport is established between them.
All of these can result in one thing, greater business exposure which leads to more marketability which translates into bigger and better business.
So there you have it. I hope I’ve answered your question.
As K. C Kasen used to say, “keep your feet on the ground and keep reaching for the stars”.
I Have Only Just Started My Own Business / Would Hiring A Virtual Assistant Work For Me?
Hiring a virtual assistant is a determination that can and should only be made by you the business owner. You see, when starting a business, cash must be closely monitored, and wisely utilized, since you’ve only just started. Maybe it will be more prudent for you to outsource a small bit at a time, giving you the ability to give attention to marketing strategies and client building. While the role of a virtual assistant is quite crucial to business growth, it should be taken one step at a time. Once again, start by outsourcing small tasks at a time or even periodically. Remember a virtual assistant should be one to share your business ideals and goals so their partnership will be an asset.
Once again thanks for your question and best wishes.
Merlene,
Five Star Executives.
I keep coming across this term “Virtual Assistant”, and it now engages my attention, but my question is: why would I need a virtual assistant?
As any small business owner, every single task, income generating or not; like filing documents, which brings in no income but is necessary to keep the business running smoothly, has to be done by you. But do you at times feel bugged down by these repetitive tasks and wish you can delete them from your list? Wouldn’t that extra time allow you to give attention to more competitive strategies and profit generating ideas? Then you need a a virtual assistant.
A virtual assistant allows you to put that extra punch into your business, since these necessary but very often mundane tasks are now being taken care of efficiently, so you can do exactly what you love doing and see your business grow.
It is noteworthy though that not only do you have someone to do administrative tasks, but you have now partnered with someone who also has a vested interest in seeing your business become really viable. Your virtual assistant now becomes an integral part of your business, sharing your goals and aspirations, while simultaneously relieving you of much load.
So why do you need a virtual assistant? In short, great ideas plus time and resources to implement them equals viability, competitiveness and growth. A virtual assistant gives you that.
So thank you for your question, and keep them coming.
Merlene,
Five Star Executives
How can small businesses compete with their larger counterparts
Question: I am a small business owner and quite unwilling to rent an office to hire in-house staff, but needs staff to perform administrative tasks, so becoming more competitive can have my fullest attention. Is there a solution to this?
Dear reader, Your solution is a Virtual Assistant. The competitiveness that you want to capture with your larger counterparts can be achieved with the help of virtual assistants. No longer do you have to be bogged down by these administrative tasks, search for an office or even hire in-house staff. Virtual Assistants are the only solution for small business owners like yourself giving you to opportunity to maximize your business growth while simultaneously getting all administrative tasks done efficiently and with a high level of professionalism.
Thank you for your question, and the very best to you and your business.
Merlene,
Five Star Executive
