VoIP article
September 24, 2007 by Kylie Short · Leave a Comment
A member of one of my forums brought this article to our attention. Not only does it explain what VoIP is but it goes on to explain how you can implement it in your home or corporate office.
Have a read and let me know what you think. Personally I feel VoIP is a great business asset for any small business, particularly a home based business.
What does your office look like?
September 20, 2007 by Kylie Short · 2 Comments
Erin over at BSETC got me thinking about what other home offices look like. Are they tidy or messy like mine? Do they have kids toys scattered underneath the desk or is it a baby free zone. Although I didn’t have my business when we decided to build our home, somehow we designed it with a home office in mind. We actually have over 300 metres of network cable in our walls. But in hindsight, yes code monkey you were right. We did need all that cable.
Here is a picture of my office and yes I tidied up before taking the photo. I couldn’t help it, not when I knew people would actually be looking at it.
As you can see we have his and her matching desks. Please note how tidy my side is and the lovely view of the fence we have between us and the neighbours.
Ooh and you can see my lovely new MacBook Pro Laptop and the monitor code monkey gave me. All 24 inches of it!
So what does your home office look like? Do you work from the kitchen table like I do from time to time? Or perhaps you have a hidey spot tucked away somewhere in the house.
Are you guilty like I am of hiding in the closet to make phone calls? (Closets muffle the sounds a LOT by the way!)
VoIP and the small home office
September 16, 2007 by Kylie Short · Leave a Comment
Last month I answered a question over at VANA about using VoIP in a small home office and here is what I said….
VoIP = Voice over Internet Protocol. Basically it means that your voice is converted to data packets and sent via the Internet to an exchange where it is then converted back to voice and sent over the telephone line. There are many benefits and disadvantages as with anything else.
Benefits
- cheap as chips phone calls
- If you have the software installed you can answer your calls via the computer (an example is Skype) which means you can be anywhere and not just in your home office to answer calls
- can be used in webinars/online conferences to save call costs
Disadvantages
- some providers WON’T let you call emergency services
- you will need an alternative for when the power is out or your internet is down
- some people complain of bad reception although VoIP technology has improved by leaps and bounds the last few years so this really does depend on your broadband speed and the quality of your VoIP device
To use VoIP you will need one of the following:
- Softphone installed on your computer with a headset and mic (eg, Skype)
- VoIP enabled router and telephone (eg, bullion router and I’m using a snom phone)
- VoIP ‘box’ plugged into your phone socket which will let you use a normal handset
- Ermm, I’m sure there are other options…. just insert them here
I personally have a Snom 320 phone which allows for multiple VoIP lines to be connected and an account with Engin Australia. The savings you get in using VoIP just cannot be compared.
So if you are looking for cost effective ways to remain in communication with your customers and suppliers, look at VoIP and start taking advantage of this great technology today.
Personal Development
September 15, 2007 by Kylie Short · 2 Comments
I’ve already mentioned my attendance at the recent Business Mums Convention in Melbourne last week but it got me thinking about other networks that I’ve joined who have more than helped me along my path to entrepreneurial freedom.
The VA Networking Association (VANA) would have to be one of my all time favourites. (Again, note the Australian spelling people) With over 7000 members and quite a few hundred active members, I see this network as an invaluable resource to grow my Virtual Assistant business to the best it can be. Many times I’ve wanted to ask a question, gone to the FREE forum and found that someone had already asked and had it answered. If not, the motto “Remember, no question is ever stupid, stupidity comes from not asking when you have the opportunity (VANA) to do so” more than sums up how I feel about the invaluable information contained within and the fact that questions are encouraged by newbies and seasoned VAs alike.
Chatting in real time and attending seminars was one of the primary means of personal development I had. Being based in country NSW Australia, my opportunities for networking never mind meeting other Virtual Assistants is always going to be very limited so VANA allows me to network and learn at the same time. I have also had the pleasure of working collaboratively with a few members of VANA on a couple of client projects which again, I wouldn’t have had the opportunity had I not of joined VANA in the first place.
So where do you go for your personal development and what type of development is it? Do you concentrate on learning about yourself as an entrepreneur or do you try to learn new skills to implement in your business? Share with me your journey and how you have grown as a person because of your entrepreneurial spirit.
Business Mums Network Annual Convention
September 12, 2007 by Kylie Short · 3 Comments
Last weekend I attended the inaugural Business Mums Network Convention held in Melbourne. And let me tell you, it was a blast!!
I met some amazing women who were more than happy to share their pearls of wisdom, other women who had also traveled a great distance to be there and women who were great fun to be around.
This convention came a great time for me and has renewed my focus and enthusiasm for my own business. Too often I seem to get caught up in the fun and excitement of my client’s businesses and I forget all about my own. Its not very often I get to network in person and so to meet these women.. well I just about wet myself with excitement and nervousness all at once. (Well I didn’t wet myself for those of you who need to know LOL)
I hope to share with you all some of the topics that really resonated with me. Topics I feel we could all benefit from.
Have you attended a seminar for your own personal development lately? If so, what was it and how did it effect the way you do business?