When Should You Outsource

You should outsource any task that you can not handle to not good at.  Outsourcing is not free, but in the long run it will pay off for you.  Clients notice when you have a team working for you and that you are productive.  When a Client see this they are more likely to recommend you to someone.  The same way if you have someone do something for you and your are pleased with it and has a good turn around time.  You will refer this person to others and use this person again and again.

You want people and companies to look at you the same way.  HHHHHHMMMMMMMMM!!

THINKING I SEE!

Hire to your Weaknesses

CAN I DO EVERYTHING?

Most of the time we think that we started this business and I can do everything.  If I can not do everything how will my business survive?

Think about it.  If you do everything and do not want to get help what time do you have to satisfy you Client(s).  What time do you have to Network to get New Client(s)?

What are my weaknesses? You should look at your business and accept you can not do everything.  You do not have talent in everything to run your business.

Why do you hire someone to build your website?
Why do you hire someone to print your business cards?
Why do you hire someone to create your Logo?
Why do you hire someone to take pictures?

These are just a few reasons of why you hire someone to do tasks you can not do.  Don't look at it as if I can not do then no one else can or I can not run my business.  Do your research and you will find ways that are very inexpensive or FREE to assist you with some of those tasks.  The other thing is invest in yourself.  If you invest in yourself you will be able to find out about other tools that you can use.

So your assignment today is to ask yourself "What are my weaknesses?"
Be sure to follow up with yourself.

FREE YOURSELF!!!

FREE Yourself!! That word alone "FREE" means a lot.  Bust in this instance you ned to free yourself and stop stretching yourself thin to please your Clients.  DON'T GET ME WRONG!! What I mean is that you need to stop doing everything yourself and get some help.  Doing everything yourself can cause you to loose a Client or miss opportunities because you do not have time taking care of tasks an Assistant can handle.

Think about your client(s) and FREE YOURSELF!!

How To Communicate With Your Virtual Assistant (VA)

You have a Virtual Assistant and not sure how you should communicate with him/her.  They are not located in your office and you need to go over a project that you need to get done by the end of the week. A Virtual Assistant is exactly that virtual.  Regardless, of your location you can call your VA to set up a meeting via phone, Skype, or email.  Once you make contact and decide how you need to talk to your VA you have accomplish your tasks.  Keep in mind that you do not have to have an Assistant with you at all times.

If you have a good VA they will always have what they need to meet with you on a moments notice (keep in mind you are not the only Client that your VA may have).  You should be able to make contact with your VA via phone or text for immediate response.  They should be able to respond back to you within a few minutes.  If they are with a Client you will get a message what time they will be available and if not they should be able to call you within 15-30 minutes.  You MUST be realistic that a VA is not a magician, respond in a snap of a finger, or poof and appear.  They are there to help you, but not to be your maid or to be abused.  Virtual Assistants can be very helpful and a life-saver.

Assistants & Beyond

Melissa Ambers

281-736-4089

www.assistsandbeyond.com

melissa@assistsandbeyond.com

Bill for Skills

What will you bill for our skills?
Are your skills worth paying for?
Why are your services priced so high and your Client have to wait for their projects?

DONT' BE A BUSY BEE!!!

Your skills for the business you have can not cover everything that needs to be done to keep your doors open.  Look at what you have an decide what can be and need to be outsourced.

Having a Virtual Assistant can help with those task that need to be done.  If you have a VA and they can not perform those skills you can still utilize your VA.  Your VA can look for the person you need while you are still taking care of your Clients.  You do not have to waste your time with searching for every department you need.  Your assistant can help with those tasks.  All you have to do is take about an hour to look over the research and sign off.  This is a lot less time than spending hours and I mean hours looking for people to fill your positions.  Keep in mind all of these positions can be outsourced and not an employee to so you can continue to save money.

Virtual Reality

When it comes to getting help, businesses find it pas to go virtual.  Get a Virtual Assistant goes a long way.  Having a VA gives you freedom to go after new Clients.  You are in business to grow and to succeed.  Why chance it by doing everything yourself.  Paying a VA $20-$40/hr give you more time to discuss business with your Client and possibly new projects.  This way you have a better chance to charge a Client your fees because you can show them that the turn around time can be with a couple of days or even next day.  YOu al have the chance to offer more services and get referrals.

Hire a Virtual Assistant Today!!!
www.assistsandbeyond.com
281-736-4089

Running A Business Alone

Running a business alone will not work.  Regardless the type of business you have you can not do it alone.  You will need someone in Sales, Assistant, Marketing/PR, etc....  Trying to run your business alone will cause you to miss out on a lot of new Clients & Referrals.

Outsourcing Can Make You Money

Outsourcing can make you money by outsourcing.  When you outsource some of your tasks and concentrate more on your business you bring in more money.  Hiring an assistant to do a lot of your back office tasks instead of doing them yourself.  Spending a lot of time doing these task yourself can cause you to miss out on new Clients and referrals.

2012 How I'm Organized

Why start the year being unorganized?  Start 2012 with a Virtual Office.  You can scanned all of your documents and create electronic folders.  Just like you label a folder you can make a label for your electronic file.  Hey why not, if you need to make sub-folders do it.  If you have to have hard copies get color folders to help you organize and possibly find what you need quicker.

What about those appointments?  Everyone has a cell phone.  Use your phone for appointments and set up reminders.  Your phone is always with you.  The samething goes with your tablet or iPad.  Technology is BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!  Use It!!!!  If you are not sure how to use it to it’s full potential ask for help.  This can help keep you on task, remind you about appointments, and you will be prepared.  If you have to reschedule your appointment you can do it before the day of the meeting and not an hour before.

Hint:  Open an account with Dropbox to store all of your files.  The first 2GB is free.  If you need additional space packages are available. (www.dropbox.com).

You can also see this article in Beautifully Said Magazine (MoneyTalk Section - 2nd article).  click on the link.  http://beautifullysmagazine.com/2012/02/moneytalk-7/

Dependability

Dependability is a VERY important word!  Always keep in mind that if you make an appointment with someone or give a deadline for a project that you should always produce what you promise.  Don't get me wrong, things happen.  If you can not keep the time you gave be considerate and let the other person know.  Just not showing up or not completeing a tasks can and will put your name in a bad place. 

I have said this to say always be considerate of others time and business!!