by Gewleigh | J Jan 2019 | Virtual PA in Bournemouth
I am not one for setting New Year’s Resolution. I have only ever set one before today. That was last year. To be honest, I find them a bit tedious, and most of them are very mundane and a bit boring. Not only that, my friends that have set New Year’s Resolutions have on the second or third broken them or have just forgotten that they had a resolution in the first place. Evidence has just published states that most New Year’s Resolution are broken by day 15Nevertheless, people are still trying to make changes for themselves. Instead of concentrating on making more significant changes for a year, they are now looking at making changes for a single month only. Dry January or Veganuary are prime examples.
Last Years New Year’s Resolution
Last year, I made a very lose New Year’s Resolution to improve my communications skills with my family, friends and clients. As I run a Micro business, excellent communication is one of the critical skills clients expect from me. I feel that I achieved this goal and am satisfied that the year was more rewarding because of it. However, I cannot quantify that with anything. I kept no note of what I did, how I improved my communication and what those around me felt. For the most part, I just ‘have a feeling it went well’.
Being Proactive about numbers
I have decided that I need to be more proactive in my
undertaking. This year it’s all about
numbers. My
business life and personal life are almost the same things. Therefore the numbers
I need to know are for both areas of my life. Identifying
these numbers will become paramount for this year. For example, the amounts in my bank account, the financial life cycle
of my client’s, know that magic number on the bottom of my balance sheet and
Profit and Loss. Knowing the numbers on the scales. I am really excited about this New Year’s Resolution.
To me, it is all about information. The more information I have, the more I can help myself, my business and my
clients, in that order.
My New Year’s Resolution is depressing! NOT.
To my utter surprise, most of the people I have spoken to
think that this is a very depressing New Year’s
Resolution and I should change it to something more exciting. A few suggestions have been:
- Getting more clients
- Giving up coffee or chocolate
- To lose weight
- Increase my profit
- Double my savings
- Planning holidays to a far-flung destination
These are all excellent suggestions, but surely that is what I have just said my New Year’s Resolution is all about. For instance, knowking your numbers is about understanding all of those things. Knowing how much money your business has, is just as important as the number of client’s you have and want to increase by. I could, for example, get 40 new clients, but if they all bring a profit of £100 each per year and take all of my time to look after, that won’t do much on the bottom line. An increase of £4000 at the end of the year. Wouldn’t it be better to understand the life cycle of the client before embarking on a working partnership? To lose weight is just the same. How many pounds do I want to lose?
My New Year’s Resolution is all about those numbers. However, most people seem to be afraid of them. Of knowing what they are, what they mean, and they need to be. For example setting a budget for my business on marketing, on expenses. Setting a budget for my household shop, all numbers.
I am genuinely excited about my New Year’s Resolution because I understand it. Likewise, I can see that if I accept that this year is all about numbers, then at the end of the year I would have had the most profitable, beneficial and rewarding year.
I will be honest with you, last year I was frivolous where numbers were concerned. If I wanted something, I went out and bought it. Additionally, if I wanted to take time off work, I did. My thought process was more about what do I need to get done to survive and not what can I do to be spectacular. My communications with my clients improved, for example, I stayed longer with clients, just for a chat, gave my time away for free or didn’t charge clients for the work I had done.
What was the result? To begin with, I got by and I am not ashamed to admit it. For instance, the company survived, could it have done better. Yes absolutely. In addition, did I lose weight? Yes, I joined Slimming World and lost some weight. However, could I have done better, absolutely.
This year I don’t want to get by. To begin with, I want this year to be fantastic, I want to experience everything and do more and go to more places. As a result, I have to start to know my numbers. Knowing what it is I want to achieve and therefore, I need to know how to get there.
Just putting it out there – Here are my numbers
- This year I want to lose 30 pounds in weight
- This year I want to increase my net profit by
25%
- This year I want to double my savings
- This year I want to pay off all debt
All of the above is about numbers and how I see them. Therefore, I don’t or can’t see that this is depressing, daunting or a waste of time. Surely if I know what my current numbers are then, I can set goals to achieve those numbers. They may look like big numbers to you, but to me, broken down each month they are tiny. As a result, I am not setting myself up to fail. However, I am setting myself up to succeed. To make sure that this year will be twice or three times better than last year. Consequently, this year it’s all about my the numbers.
by Gewleigh | J Jan 2018 | Business Skill, Published Books
When we think of a Travel Consultant we think of big shiny offices or shops on the high street. The traditional Travel Consultant is changing and there are more opportunities to work from home. It truly is the age of the computer and internet.
What can a travel consultant do?
In essence, they make clients life easy by organising all their travel arrangements. This can be either for business or personal and both. Booking holidays, booking flights and hotels all takes time. A travel consultant takes this hassle away from the client. It will also mean that you will have to do some research into making the correct judgement and getting the right hotel booking and a good price.
It will also mean that you will have to do some research into making the correct judgement and getting the right hotel booking and a good price. Therefore understanding your client’s budget and personal requirements will be of vital importance. You could possibly have your client’s credit card details, so confidentiality and trustworthiness are essential. Discretion will also need to be undertaken.
It would be an advantage to have a list of local hotels and conference centres available in your area or create an approved suppliers list for your client’s.
There are some insurances that you will need to undertake with this type of job and training. However, there are franchises that you can purchase that will guide you through the process. This is an excellent way to get the backing of a larger organisation while still working for yourself at home.
Suggested Skill Requirements
- A good understanding of clients’ needs. Knowing your client’s likes and dislikes would be an advantage, but through careful questions and open and honest discussions, you will be able to find out their exact requirements. You will need to be thorough and precise in what they want and what you can deliver.
- Thinking on the spot
- Organised. You need to know what is going on in your market. Knowing what offers are on in particular hotels and holiday resorts. Having a preferred list of hotels and taxi that you rely on will also be an advantage. Keeping records and a plan will be a must.
- Flexibility. You will have to understand and know that business clients will change their minds and plans at the drop of a hat. You need to stay flexible at all times and work towards their time frames requirements.
- Excellent IT skills. Keeping records and understanding how IT systems work will be a must. There are some websites for Travel Agents that may be useful for you to use.
- Ability to work under pressure. Travel can be very stressful for some people, and they will rely on you to walk them through the process. If you are booking holidays, then remember that this is their only time off work and they have a dream that they are expecting you to provide.
- Ability to work to tight deadlines. Knowing all deadlines will be of vital importance, and you will need to work to those deadlines and ensure that all subcontractors understand the time limits.
- Research, digest, analyse and present material clearly. You will need to know your market inside out, make suggestions and help your clients make the right decisions for them. There will be some clients who know exactly what they want, but others will be relying on you to contribute to making those choices.
- Excellent interpersonal skills. Understanding customer services is vital and speaking to them in a language that they understand and feel comfortable with is be an advantage.
In addition to the above you will also need to:
- Honesty and reliability
- Attention to detail
- Discretion, understanding and confidentiality
- Use of Word to create forms etc.
Further Reading if you want to work from home
In conclusion, you may like to find out what jobs you could do working from home from our book entitled ‘Jobs to do Working from Home‘ by Julie C Farmer.
by Gewleigh | J Jan 2018 | Published Books, Small Business
Are you good with computers and Basic Websites?
Have you created basic websites for yourself that you are so proud of? If so, you could offer this service to other people who are looking for a basic website. This includes purchasing a domain name, web space, and the collecting information to include on the website.
You will also need to know if your client is prepared to pay for the website content and/or professional design. It will also be useful to know if your client is going to add content to their website themselves or ask you to update the website.
Creating simple or complex websites are perfect for home workers.
Suggested Skill Requirements
- Computer literate. You will need to know how to use a computer and some online packages, for example, WordPress, 1and1, Go Daddy or any other website provider or host.
- Basic knowledge of website setup and design processes will be vital.
- Have an understanding of HTML, javascript, can be an advantage but will depend on the detail your client requires of their website.
- Know which websites are free to set up and which are not and deciding which website will suit your client. It could be that you buy in a template and help to populate the website. This would be very useful if they have an e-commerce site and uploading products can be very time-consuming and costly.
- Listening skills to understand your client’s requirements and how much the website means to the business. If the website is going to be selling their products, then it needs to represent their branding, their ethics and ease of use.
- Project Management. Creating a website can be a lengthy process so knowing the time scales. Understand and explain the iterations and content timelines to your client.
- Analytical and logical thinking. There are times when your knowledge on the design and function of a website will be greater than your clients, so you will need to suggest options, plugins or design features. You will also need to understand that a website is a logical piece of equipment that follows a strict set of rules. Taking your client through this process will be important and getting them to understand the limitations of a website will be useful.
- The ability to envision business situations. You will need to look at a business as it is today and see where the business will be in 3, 4, or 5 years. Then ensure the website is able to grow with the business. Remember most websites have a 3-year life span. After three years, the website may need to be redesigned, rebuilt or modernised. Keeping your client happy will be vital to this process.
- Intellectual Creativity. Creating a website means that you are using your creative skills. The ownership and updating of the website will be something that will need to be discussed quite quickly with your client. Remember if you make it difficult for your client to work on their website or with you, they will walk.
Further Reading if you want to work from home
In conclusion, you may like to find out what jobs you could do working from home from our book entitled ‘Jobs to do Working from Home‘ by Julie C Farmer.
You may also like to read the following post:
Jobs to do Woking from home
Working from home as a Wedding Planner
Being Self-Employed, what are the advantages or disadvantages
Working from home as a Travel Consultant
Working from home as a Credit Controller
by Gewleigh | J Jan 2018 | Virtual PA in Bournemouth
This must be the most common question any Virtual PA will be asked. Why would a business use a Virtual PA? The most common reasons a client will be looking for a Virtual PA to work with them are:
Non-Core Business Needs. Small business owners want to concentrate on the core of their business. For example, a freelance surveyor will want to be carrying out surveys and meeting potential new clients. To have somebody to take on the more day-to-day aspects of their business, or areas which they are not experienced in. This allows them the time to concentrate on what they do best.
Resources. A small business does not have the need or resources for a permanent administrator or secretary. Therefore using a VA enables them to employ someone on an ad hoc or project basis. Some Virtual PAs are employed for a set number of hours per month to cover regular tasks.
Skill-based There may be an ad hoc requirement for a specialised service such as creating a CRM system, and your client does not have the skill or resource within their business to complete the project.
Convenience and Time-Saving Having a service which is accessible within a short timescale, and often performed by somebody who you already know (and who already knows your business) is extremely convenient and saves a client the time of having to source and train a part-time, temporary, or even casual employee. It also saves on the associated red tape which comes with recruiting somebody to join a business. These benefits should not be underestimated.
Not Wanting to do the Task Themselves Sometimes people have a real aversion to certain types of work. If you have a client who hates administrative tasks such as letter merges, postal campaigns and so on, then you need to let them know how easy it would be for you to do it all on their behalf. If it gets them out of a task they hate and frees up their time to do something they actually want to do, they will soon realise your value.
Becoming a Virtual Assistant or Virtual PA
Not Spending Enough Time with their Family This is a common problem for small business owners, as businesses are time-consuming and many people are so passionate about what they do that their family time can get eroded away without them even realising it. Using a VA for certain tasks can alleviate some of the pressure and workload and enable clients to create more of a balance between these two important areas of their life.
Outsourcing is Cost-Effective A VA is easier than recruiting a new member of staff and the client will not have to comply with employment law. They will not have to worry about sick pay, about holiday pay or cover. They will not have the worry of finding extra space in their office, buying extra computer equipment or licences. There will also be no need to provide for Pension cover or Healthcare costs.
Other Tasks Taking their Time Up.
Sometimes there simply is not enough time in the day to undertake the tasks a business needs to cover. In which case a VA is once more invaluable. Their services can be employed for specific aspects of a job. Alternatively, the VA could keep the day-to-day business going – in order for a client to complete an important project.
You may also be interested in these articles about being a Virtual PA
by Gewleigh | J Jan 2018 | Virtual PA in Bournemouth
Have you been asked to write a business testimonial for a product or a service you recently received? Testimonials for a Business are a big deal. It is true that we all buy products or services from people we like and know. However, what about those people that you don’t know but you still want their product or service? You only have to look at www.amazon.co.uk or www.tripadvisor.com to see how important a review is. A Business testimonial is exactly the same, it is a review of the product or service. It should be written in your own words and without any pressure on you. So please, don’t panic.
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