I’ve been a busy VA!
November 7, 2008 by Kylie Short · Leave a Comment
I have to confess I’ve been really busy with both client work and some exciting new projects for Tilda Virtual Services. I’m in the midst of creating my first info product as a joint venture with Angela den Hollander at communic8 design and I have been working hard at rebranding my e-newsletter.
The newsletter is now called Techno Update - and it will be a monthly cheat sheet on the latest technology for online businesses trying to market their services or products. Topics will include VoIP, Content Management Systems, Customer Relationship Management Software, Setting up and promoting Teleseminars and much more.
Techno Update will give you all the information you’ll need to decide if using particular software or technology is going to help you to achieve your goals.
I kind of can’t help myself and read a LOT of ’stuff’ on the Internet and I thought what better way to market my business and my services than to share this knowledge with the rest of the world.
To subscribe you can click on the home page and subscribe in the form there on the right or you can send a blank email to kylie-349256@autocontactor.com
Why not drop me a line and tell me what it is you are looking for, but don’t know what you need?
Fancy a day off?
October 16, 2008 by Kylie Short · Leave a Comment
I know what it’s like – your intray is overflowing, email inbox is full of issues to be dealt with and then there’s all your paying work, how are you going to take a day off?
Well at communic8 design, one of the key promises we make to our clients is more time. In fact if you follow our advice, I guarantee you too can take a day off each week, here’s three simple strategies that will set you free:
1. Short cuts.
I’m sure that for many, if not most of the projects you have on the go, someone has walked the same path before you. Many of these people sell the knowledge they have acquired in the form of information products, or consulting services. In instances where you might be facing weeks if not months of research and writing, an expert can provide you with a step-by-step guide or do it for you in half the time.
Yes it costs money, but if you put an accurate value on your own time I’m sure you’ll find that 9 times out of 10 it actually costs a lot less to use an expert than it would if you did it yourself.
2. Get help.
There is simply no way I could run communic8 design without the support of my virtual assistant, Kylie Short. Virtual Assistants or V.A.s are a great way for small business owners to explore hiring without all the hassles.
I’m launching the first of my new ShortCuts information products soon in which Kylie will reveal the secrets to working with a VA – what tasks are ideal to outsource, how to keep track of your projects and what to expect from your VA. I’m going to give away 3 trial copies in order to get feedback and testimonials so email me straight away if you’d like to be one of the lucky 3.
3. Let go.
Perfectionism is your enemy. While we all want to do our best, I believe that we often have unrealistic expectations of ourselves. It’s not always possible to land a major new project, deal with your email instantly, always be available to take calls and get a gourmet meal on the table each night. Something’s gotta give!
Clumping tasks is a much more efficient way of dealing with them, make a time for each of your regular activities such as email, phone calls, quoting and meetings. Why not draw up a simple timetable for your week and keep it visible so it serves as a constant reminder and guide for your day? At least until your new routine becomes a habit. For example, I don’t take phone calls or look at my email in the morning as this is my most productive working time.
Have faith in your helpers, be that in-house staff members or a VA. Train and empower them to make decisions without having to run everything by you first. Sure they’ll make mistakes, but that’s how we all learn. The short leash you tie your team up with is also a noose around your own neck.
Now that you’ve got the strategies, as Nike says, just do it. Block out one day a week in your diary, take a deep breath and take the day off. Your business will be better for it.
Angela den Hollander
© 2008 communic8 design
Angela den Hollander, head honcho of communic8 design publishes ‘more, more, more’ a fortnightly e-zine full of advice and ideas for business owners. If you’re ready for more profits, more clients and would like more time in each day visit www.communic8design.com.au
Tilda Virtual Services is moving - again :)
September 24, 2008 by Kylie Short · 2 Comments
Well it’s been 5 months, nearly 6 since our first move out of the home office into some office space downtown and while it didn’t make me any less of a Virtual Assistant, it did help me to set strict boundaries between home and work. Working into the wee hours just didn’t happen any more and the boundaries for my family were great too.
Here’s the thing. I missed being at home. This is our dream house that took us 6 months to build. We picked out each colour, tile and brick to pull it all together and turn it into our dream home. My husband demanded that we have a dedicated home office for me that is fully networked to the rest of the house and I miss it all.
I also miss having a little bit more flexibility. I’m not the sort of person that copes well when I am dictated to and when you have an external office, you are dictated to by social norms. People expect that if you have office space, that they can drop by any time between 9am and 5pm. This just didn’t work for me.
Beckie has moved on and so for me, there is no real reason why I should keep the space. I have a team of 7 subcontractors supporting my clients one of which is my fabulous Project Manager Deirdre Shockley, so I don’t need to replace my employee.
So… I’m going home.
And I’m happy! If I didn’t, I would have wondered if moving out was the right thing to do and I wouldn’t have developed my good habits so I don’t regret it at all. Life is a series of learning experiences and this was another one of those.
How do you deal with change?
September 22, 2008 by Kylie Short · Leave a Comment
Last week I was thrown a bit of a curve ball that had me questioning all sorts of things about myself as a small business owner trying to find out why the ball was thrown my way. Stupid questions really because things change. People change. Expectations change. Nothing stays the same.
To me, how you deal with change shows exactly what type of person you are. How you react shows the rest of the world just what you are made of.
I decided to take a positive look at what happened last week and turn it around and take something constructive from the event.
How do you deal with change? Does life force it upon you kicking and screaming or do you embrace it? I’m interested in finding out.
Personal Development
August 29, 2008 by Kylie Short · 2 Comments
As you all know by now, one of my objectives in business is to continually undergo training and personal development. Well, this is just a quick note to say that I’ll be unavailable Monday and Tuesday 1-2 September as I have AAPB coming here to assess my skills in bookkeeping. This is particularly important for me as under the new regulations about to be passed by the Australian Government, if I wish to continue to provide bookkeeping services, I’ll need to pass a minimum level of competency in order to gain my BAS (Business Activity Statement) Service Provider accreditation and number.
Wish me luck!