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!!

Do I Have A Back Office?

A lot of businesses think that they can do it all by themselves.  Some have told me that they do not have a "back office". 


(definition: back office - any department or office, as a private office or a department of record keeping, that is not usually seen by outsiders).


Based in the definition everyone that has a business has a back office.  Any/All tasks that has to be done to keep in touch with your Clients, make appointments, follow-up with Clients & potential Clients.  Keep in mind what ever you do, don't forget about those small things that is a part of your business and being a success.

Keep It Simple

Not sure how you should organize your desk, files, and/or office.  Remember to "KEEP IT SIMPLE".  It is not necessary to have a lot of folders or files to run your business.  You can keep your files organized on your computer.  You do not need to print everything.

Utilize your technology!!!

Just because you are meeting with a Client (depends on the meeting) use your Tablet/iPad.  You can send your files electronically via Bluetooth or Wireless to your device.  If you have the right app on your phone you can do the same.

Having a lot of folders with labels stacked on your desk does not mean this makes you more organized.  It leaves a pile of files.

KEEP IT SIMPLE!!!!

Keep most of your files/documents electronic and print only when necessary.  You can show a picture or document on your device.

http://www.assistantsandbeyond.com/

melissa@assistantsandbeyond.com

281-736-4089



Ask For Help!!!!!

Just can't understand why you can not get organized.  Why you can not make time to get it all done in a day?

Understand that you are 1 person and asking for help is ok.  Invite friends, business partner, and/or family over for pizza or just to hang out.  In the midst of hanging out everyone can pitch in to help you get organized.  By doing this you can get organized and be able to dedicate more time to your Clients.  As we all know having more Clients means a successful business.

If you have any questions or want tips on getting organized send an email to melissa@assistantsandbeyond.com.

HAPPY ORGANIZING!!!!

The 5 Key Steps to an Efficient and Organized Office: For the Successful Solopreneurs

As many of you know running a successful small business as a soloprenuer that the task of staying organized can sometimes become overwhelming, yet being organized is a vital part of the overall success of your business. Well don’t worry, Assistants & Beyond has researched this topic thoroughly and listed 5 steps that will keep you organized, efficient and productive. 

Happy Organizing ~Assistants & Beyond Virtual Assistants and Event Planning

Step #1 Create an Easy Maintenance Filing System:Invest in a two or three draw filing cabinet and set up tabbed file folders separating one draw for clients and one draw for the business. Once you have set up your physical filing cabinet, set up folders on your pc in a similar system with client and business folders with sub folders as needed.

Step #2 Winning the Paper Fight:Winning the battle of a million loss papers is pretty easy. Sort through the paper and make the firm decision to either keep and file it or toss and shred it, it’s that simple. The determining factor in whether or not you should keep or toss it is the action that the paper requires. If the action is 100% completed after review of the paper, complete action and then toss and if action required will take several steps, complete first action of paper then file it.

Step #3 Use a 2-Tray Letter Storage Compartment for Your Desk: Purchase a desk-size  two part letter storage system that allows you to place current and active letters in the  first storage compartment and then store magazines, books, flyers, etc… in second storage compartment. Anything that is not of the current week should be appropriately filed in your filing cabinet

Step #4 Stay on Top of Your ‘To Do’ List:Create a daily task list each night before your next work day via a “To Do” list notebook or your pc. Keep this list in an easy to find place on your desk and make sure to check off each task as completed, incomplete or in progress. Task list of 10 or less items usually have a higher rate of success and are more realistic to complete.

Step #5 Create a Schedule for Reoccurring Task:Schedule regular task jobs in your appointment book and calendars (both written & online) such as newsletters, weeklyblog/social media post, events calendar etc…. Make sure that you schedule appropriate time for these tasks; ex: 2 hours for your newsletter. When you schedule these task and stick to the time-line, it improves your overall time efficiency.

Organize Button

If you had a button to push would you?  You have just walked into your office and things are everywhere.  You know you had the notes to that project that is due next week.  You say to yourself "I think I remember".  How are you going to "wing it"?  

Ok........you have pushed the button "ORGANIZE ACTIVATE" & nothing happen.  Now what are you going to do?  You have finally realized that you need a Virtual Assistant.

Assistants & Beyond is available to help you get organized and assist with your back office duties.  Now you can concentrate more on your Client and get referrals.

CONTACT ASSISTANTS & BEYOND TODAY!!!

We can be reach via phone or email.

melissa@assistantsandbeyond.com

Phone:  281-736-4089

Toll Free:  855-655-0329

Call and say "Organize" to get 10% off a project fee or 20% of monthly retainer fee.

With this promotion Consultations are FREE!!

Delegate To A Virtual Assistant (VA)

The toughest issues Small Business Owners face is doing everything themselves.  If you are doing all of the work how can you grow? 

DELEGATE!!

Who should you delegate to?  Why should you try to do it all by yourself or worry about the expense of hiring an employee.

Virtual Assistants (VA) are entrepreneurs who can provide a variety of services.  A VA work on a contractual basis.  This will give you the freedom to grow your business.  You can pay more attention to your clients and provide the service you are in business to do.

What can a VA do for me?

• What do you have on your desk that you do not have time to do?
• What administrative tasks you do not want to do?
• How many presentations do you need to complete and don’t have the time?
• Hiring a VA to do these tasks will give you more time for meetings, networking, and providing dependable service to your client.

What if I do not have a lot of administrative things to do?

A VA experience is more than filing or answering phones.  A VA can send out company emails, create spreadsheets, presentations, etc…..

The list of what a VA can do is not limited.

How do I know what VA is a right for me?

You should consult with a VA to find out what services they can provide.  You can ask for information about their services before the consult.  This will help you with any questions before the consult.  If you are comfortable with the consult, but still unsure about hiring them give them a small project.  Once this project is completed to your satisfaction then you will have gained that trust.