Not too long ago

I was asked to give my opinion on how women are portrayed in media.  Perfect question for me since I have very strong opinions on the subject.  My current opinions are how I’ve always felt, by the way, even as a teenager.  Don’t think I thought about it at all before then, or maybe it’s because commercials weren’t as sexual when I was growing up.

Being a mature woman now, well into my 40’s, some people are likely to put it down to my age – I’m prudish or whatever (which is enough to make me wet myself laughing!).  No, it’s like Andy Rooney was supposed to have said about women in their 40’s – we have come to love ourselves and have complete confidence in what we do and say. (He didn’t actually write “In Praise of Older Women,” btw)

I’ve heard all too often that women who don’t appreciate the “sex” approach to women in commercials weren’t attractive girls nor sexual in their lives, or at least aren’t any more.  Maybe I’ve always been a little “different,” shall we say (no details today, folks).  I believe I was fairly attractive throughout my life – I was never jealous of those women with the way-too-sprayed hair and caked-on makeup.  I just always wondered why women wouldn’t want to be showing more of their  intelligent side in commercials and thus showing the world of men that we are intelligent.  Will that not sell product to other intelligent women?

I thought that maybe these girls “weren’t so smart”

so they got stuck having to show off their bodies like that on TV/print ads for every perv to stare at.  I didn’t feel jealousy – I felt pity and empathy for them.  And also a little bit of anger for them allowing people (I mean mostly men here) to think of women as just what they were portraying.

I remember once being at a conference

where we had a booth on a new device which was along the lines of a coulter counter (which counts the particle size of blood). Our booth was about a particle size analysis device from Japan which we were trying sell.  It used Stokes’ Law as the principle of suspending particles in a certain medium, depending upon the material, and then measuring the particles as gravity (or the centrifuge) pulled them down.  ANYWAY, there I stood, dressed as a businesswoman did in the early 80’s with a conservative skirt and blouse.  Do you know how many men came on to me?  Asked me if I was the eye candy to bring in the people?  But I kept my cool, smiling and then trying to explain the way our device worked.  It was rather amusing to  see their faces change as they realized – hey!  this chick’s got a brain!  But to their defense, there WERE a lot of booths that had “eye candy” to bring the men in.  (What does that say about the men, I wonder?)

My point:

I don’t think women who have allowed themselves to be portrayed as mere sex objects or “silly” women on TV/print ads have done us any favors – women in business, that is.  As I pointed out in the article, it seems to me the “real” women are seen more often in ED commercials for Levitra or Viagra.

Huh.

Ah, the proverbial question.  What is it for you?  Be honest – you’re only talking to yourself, right?

I am definitely a half full person.

And I’m really glad I am.  I think it definitely takes that type of person to be a good entrepreneur, don’t ya’ think?  If you’re always thinking about the bad things that can happen and not looking at the bright side of things when not-so-good things do happen, how are you enjoying life?  And I know people that are half-empty people (boy, do I!) and I just don’t get it.  I know someone who actually can find the bad side of ANY scenario – and does.  It can make you just shake your head and wonder why anyone would WANT to think like that!  (Excepting attorneys, that is – they can always effectively argue either side of the coin.)

For example,

You have your own business and you’re working so hard at it, you don’t have time for the simple things in life any more.  And you’ve talked youself into the fact that you don’t miss those things – you’ve got everything under control and you can do it all.  You are king!!  (or queen!)  After all, if you get help it will:

• Take you longer to train someone to do it than you could do it yourself
• Give you one more thing to worry about because the task is in someone else’s hands
• Be an added expense you don’t need right now

 Or, you could look at it this way:

• The time you take to train someone is time well spent because now you have someone else that can do it for you
• You have one less thing to worry about because now someone else is freeing up your time to do other things
• The money spent on getting someone to help gives you more time to grow your business and, therefore, bring in more money

 Of course I’m talking specifically about the benefits of hiring a Virtual Assistant to help you with your business. 

Will every VA be able to help me?

Of course not.  Just like hiring someone “live” to sit there next to you, not everyone will work out.  But if you’re patient and keep looking until you find that right fit, you won’t regret it! 

 But do yourself a favor – TRY to see the bright spot in everything you do or that happens to you!  It’s a proven fact you’ll live longer.  It’s also a proven fact more people will want to be around you.  Here’s a great place to start:  http://www.the-benefits-of-positive-thinking.com/

Now Go Be Happy!!

While I haven’t come up with more conclusive evidence about “Virtual Assistant” vs. “Virtual Business Professional,” I do have an exciting announcement to make:

I now have a graphic artist and website designer who has joined my team.  He would definitely fall under “Virtual Business Professional,” even though he assists me by designing websites for my clients. 

(Couldn’t resist slipping that in there)

While he’s already working with one of my clients to create a website, he will soon be updating part of my website as well.  He’s quite the genius, he is!

And Now For Something Completely Different,

Know the history of “OK”?  Click here.  (I’m a huge Monty Python fan.)

In addition to all the services we now provide:

• Administrative and Personal Assistance
• Copywriting/Editing/Proofreading
• Email Management
• Calendar Management/Meeting and Travel Scheduling
• Research
• Transcription
• Marketing
• Social Media Networking
• Event Planning

(to name only some of the services we provide), we now provide website design and maintenance.  Is your website more than 5 years old?  It’s out-of-date!  We can update an existing website or create one to meet your exact budget and needs.

Need rebranding? 

We can help you with that as well.  Rebranding and marketing – what a wonderful way to jump start your business in this economy!

Questions?

You know how to reach me!  Give me a call and let me tell you how we can help you grow your business.

Big Welcome!

Welcome, Greg!  I look forward to working with you and am thrilled to have you on my team!

Coming Soon

Three levels of bookkeeping support join Personal Touch Concierge Service, LLC. 

Happy New Year!

Resolutions . . .

Personally I don’t make New Year resolutions – personal resolutions, that is.  It can be like setting yourself up for failure.  Although I did make a New Year’s resolution not to iron any more – about 20 years ago.  It’s gone quite well, actually.

But seriously, resolutions for your business – especially in this economy – is a necessity! 

Following are my top ten Professional New Year’s Resolutions:

1. Recession?  What recession?  Ignore that part of the news.  I personally am choosing not to participate in this recession.  We all know it’s going to be over eventually – hopefully sooner than later – and if you tend to be a bit on the negative side to start with, you really need to ignore the hype!  Stay positive and make sure your business plan for 2009 is in line with current business trends and remember:  concentrate on keeping the customers / clients you already have!!
2. Grow your business.  How?  By freeing up more of your time to work on bringing in more business!  Hire a Virtual Assistant (of course) to do the things that are taking up your time needlessly.  We’ve talked about all the benefits of this before! 
3. Get and keep your name out there.  Are you doing the marketing that you should be?  Keeping up with a blog, doing press releases, email campaigns to keep in touch with your clients, designing flyers, mailers, etc., etc.?  No?  Costs too much?  Keeping your name out there is priceless!  People will remember your name if they see it enough, and you will earn their trust.  If your name disappears, you know the old saying – out of sight, out of mind.  And who can you get to help you with all of this?   (call me)
4. Expand your marketing/advertising budget.  Pretty much, see No. 3.  I know you’re afraid to spend money right now, but try to trim your budget elsewhere.  Like, say, hiring a Virtual Assistant to help you rather than hiring additional staff (payroll taxes, benefits, equipment, maintenance, etc., etc.).
5. Use your talents.  Ever spend so much time on your clients and customers that you forget about your own business needs?  A very common mistake.  But if you’re not keeping up with your own marketing and you’re a marketing firm, or your website needs updating and you’re a website designer . . .  you get the picture.
6. Increase your networking.  Never underestimate the power of networking.  And that means helping out others as well as yourself.  See my guest blog at http://joshuadelung.blogspot.com/ for more networking tips.
7. Volunteer.  I know, I know.  You’re so busy trying to get your business either off the ground or keep it growing, how are you ever going to have time to volunteer?  Volunteering your time – and it doesn’t have to be a huge amount of time – is another way to get your name out there and be recognized, increasing the trust factor.  Find something that you’re passionate about.  It will make you feel really good about yourself.
8. Testimonials.   Ask your good customers/clients for testimonials and put them out there for people to see.  Your website, blog, email marketing campaign, etc.  Again, build trust.
9. How do you look?  I’m not trying to get personal, just trying to get you to look at yourself with regard to your business.  If you’re in a business that doesn’t necessiate a suit and tie, how do you dress at a casual function?  Consider a collared and/or buttoned shirt with your logo on the left pocket area.  Always double-check that you look neat.  That first impression thing does carry weight.
10. Green!  Take a look at your business and see where improvement can be made towards going green.  Not only is this great for the environment, you can announce to the world that you’ve gone green!  I love that it’s finally  cool to be green, speaking as a tree-hugger from way back!  Don’t know how to go green?  Contact me.  I’d be happy to review your business with you and offer suggestions.

There you have it!  Ten simple ways to give your business a boost in 2009.   Have any others you would like to share?  Love to hear from you!

I wish you all a happy, prosperous New Year!

In Pursuit of Happiness Week!

(Scroll down for The Business Side)

Yep!  And today is Marine Corp Day; tomorrow - Veterans Day; Thursday – World Kindness Day; Friday – Loosen Up and Lighten Day; and Saturday – America Recycles Day (which just happens to be our monthly day to recycle where I live).

The Personal Side

Everyone is in the Pursuit of Happiness, it seems.  And we should be in the pursuit of happiness every single day because remember – happiness sometimes comes to us in surprisingly easy ways, but the days that it doesn’t plop itself down in front of you, you have to dig a little.  As for the surprising ways, take a second to watch this video by Flossie.com.  Hysterical!!

Someone very close to me was telling me how depressed she was, what a horrible life she’s had, etc., etc.  It is my belief that I’m a very compassionate person — but not for people who wallow in themselves.  If you’re not happy, I told her, it’s because you don’t want to be happy.  Happiness comes from within, and some days we need to search a little harder than others.  I’ve certainly done my share of searching.  (And I certainly was not referring to “clinically depressed” – entirely different)

Some people that are happy right now without searching are everyone who voted for Obama, of course, and apparently Arnold Schwarzenegger is, too!  But seriously, I have heard there are people out there who are not happy about Obama winning – to a scary fault.  If you know someone like that, please beg their patience to see what happens.  If we can at least push aside the divisiveness of the last eight years, we’ve already made huge gains.

I was told a very long time ago that “if you think YOU’VE got it bad, you should see . . . “  At the time I didn’t understand, but now that I’ve lived life a bit more, I completely understand!!  There is ALWAYS someone, SOMEWHERE that is suffering more than you.  You are not entitled to happiness just because – you are not ENTITLED to anything!  You need to be positive, look at life as the beautiful thing it is, and know that every person you meet is battling their own battles, so be kind!  The best saying I’ve heard in this regard is an old Indian saying, “Never judge a man until you walk a mile in his moccasins.”  If we all lived with that adage, the world would certainly be a better place!!

So, thank a Marine today!  Have compassion for a Marine’s family – he or she may not be home for the holidays.  Or worse, may never be home again.

Thank a Veteran tomorrow!  See above.  And hopefully the new administration will improve benefits to our armed forces.  They are fighting for US!!  They deserve to come home to the best treatment and health care available.  If only they had the same care as the politicians that don’t make sure they get the best care.

World Kindness Day – self-explanatory.  It’s what you learned as a toddler when you mother said, “be nice!” when you weren’t sharing your toys or weren’t playing nicely.  Just smile more to people and watch their face.  It will certainly look much happier immediately!  Why, they may even pass on that smile to someone else who needs it!

Loosen Up and Lighten Day – another self-explanatory day!  I know someone who should live life more often like that – do you?

America Recycles Day – should be EVERY SINGLE day!  Come on – use your head!  Where do you think all your trash goes??  RECYCLE!!  I watched the Rock Solid guys guys install a recycled paper countertop recently.  Very cool.

So for pursuit of happiness week, celebrate the above days, and I guarantee you’ll be on your way to a higher level of happiness!

The Business Side

Are you happy with your business?  Your life?  Are the two intertwined so much that you can’t tell them apart?  What if you had a cost-effective way to help you manage your business which, in turn, would give you more time to enjoy your life?  Believe me – I know from personal experience - that your life can change in a second, and everything you are working so hard for, that you thought you would get to in time, can abruptly change.  To help you HERE and NOW, without waiting for some time in the future to enjoy life, a Virtual Assistant (VA) can assist you at a fraction of the cost of an in-office assistant.  With:

• no payroll taxes
• no benefits
• no equipment to maintain
• no office space to provide

you truly can have peace of mind when you develop a professional relationship with a VA.  My clients are content in knowing that they can email me or call me any day with requests: 

• Dictation (from notes, correspondence to a large proposal)
• Research (anything you need to find or find out about)
• Personal tasks (Nickey, can you find me Chinese lessons, send flowers to someone, find me a car to rent, etc.  . . . ?)
• Email management (ask me how I can help you lessen your time combing through emails)
• Scheduling (maintaining a calendar, scheduling meetings, travel arrangements)

Let me help you enjoy life a little more by lessening your workload.  You should be concentrating on your business, not all the little tasks that go with it!  Give me a call to discuss what I can do for you to make your life happier – this is the perfect week for it!

Let’s Welcome Dr. Yvonne Kaye!

This isn’t one of my more “normal” blogs (stop laughing at the normal comment), but I had to talk about Yvonne.  Yvonne is one of the most interesting people I’ve ever had the pleasure to meet, having lived a very full and diverse life and kept a sense of humour (as she would spell it) about it all!  She hails from England and was a war orphan, as was my mother.  My mother was a bit older than she during the war, so it’s interesting to hear the differences.  I have grown up hearing the war stories (my mother was from Belgium and so was invaded by the Germans very early on), and have enjoyed them immensely.  Not enjoyed them in an entertainment manner, but enjoyed hearing history from the horse’s mouth, so to speak.  My grandfather was a prisoner of war for almost the entire war, and my mother’s brother was forced to do – uh, let’s just say “interesting” things to help my mother, grandmother and other people during the war. 

So speaking of helping people, Yvonne is the epitome of helping people.  She has been a bereavement specialist, motivational speaker, humorist, author, columnist, businesswoman, spiritual coach, interfaith minister and women’s advocate.  What hasn’t she done!!

If you would like to see this amazing woman in action, she is giving a free lecture on October 1, 2008, at 7:30 p.m. at Livengrin Foundation in their Shanahan Hall, 4833 Hulmeville Road, Bensalem, PA.  (For Livengrin information, call 1-800-245-4746 x310.)  The topic is Women in Focus – Why Rubens is my Favourite Artist – This is No Art Critique!  This lecture is introducing her upcoming four-lecture series which you will not want to miss!

I hope you can carve out time to come spend an evening with Dr. Kaye.  If you have any questions, feel free to contact me!

Emerson said:

“To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty, to find the best in others; to leave the world a little better; whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is the meaning of success.”

He really knew what he was talking about, didn’t he?  I was reminded of this Emerson quote from another blogger that I subscribe to – one of the very few I subscribe to – Jonathan Fields.  Check him out if you get a chance.  He has a wonderful style of writing, and in a down-to-earth way, he portrays everything that I feel is “success.”

Speaking of successful, I have a client who I really admire.  He is an environmental engineer by day, and kayaking instructor by (every spare second he has).  He is working and making the money that is required of a business, and also doing what he loves.  And in doing what he loves, he shares that love with other people, giving a lot of people a way to de-stress, stay healthy and learn something new.  He also does a lot of pro bono stuff for non-profit organizations and the like, too.  Isn’t that what we all want to do?  Do the stuff we need to do, but make a dent in the world.  To leave the world a little better . . .  We don’t have a lot of time here – live life to the fullest and be proud of what you do.

Just a little reminder as to what we should be striving for in our lives . . .

The Business Side

To be successful in business, you need a Virtual Assistant (you knew THAT was coming, didn’t you?).   If you intend to do most of the things to which Emerson was referring, you’ll need to have some help getting everything done so you can find the time to become personally successful. 

I know most that most business people use dictation equipment.  But for the ones that don’t, allow me to suggest that you do.  You need not sit down with notes and do formal dictation (lawyers).  Get yourself a hand-held portable or MP3 and dictate your thoughts.  There are hands-free or blue tooth models available that you can just sit in a cradle in your car.  If you’re like me, I think of the most interesting ideas and solutions and things I need to do when I’m driving in the car.  You can’t write them down – safely, that is.  So flip a switch and start dictating your thoughts, ideas, to-do lists – anything your mind wants you to remember.  You get back to your office and:

• plug in your hand-held device to your computer 
• upload the file
• email the file to me
• I type it and return it to you

Presto!  You have your thoughts written down right there in front of you!  Now it’s up to you after that step what you do with that information . . . 

I actually have a client who does just that.  Once he opens the emails and reads through it, he deletes what he doesn’t want, copies and pastes into another email what he wants me to do for him or tickle for him, and then saves the rest for later.  Taking it a step further, I then go into his email once a week and organize the emails into a real to-do list which he double checks that he’s taken care of everything he needed to for the week.

That, my friends, is organization.  And you haven’t killed one tree in doing it!

Have a wonderful weekend, everyone!  Talk to you soon!

POLITICIANS AND DIAPERS need changing – often for the same reason.  That’s one of the top ten bumper stickers I’ve ever seen.  Since laughter is the best medicine – I thought I’d share!  And I called quite a few of my friends and shared with them just to give them their chuckle of the day – they all thought it hilarious.  I’m sure it has to do with our fully charged political climate these days . . . but then again, when was the last time our political atmosphere was NOT in turmoil? 

When I first wrote this post I went on and on about our current day politics and my opinion on the whole thing.  It’s so easy to keep typing when you have such a strong opinion about something.  But then I realized the old saying, opinions are like a*#%!(!s – everyone has one.  So I decided to stop so as not to fall into that category.

↔↔↔↔

Well, the “move” is on.  Little by little we’ve been moving into the new house.  First thing we did was tear up the carpet and install flooring.  If I ever run into the guy who installed that padding under the carpet, I’m going to break his staple gun.  How many staples do you need to put into padding to hold it onto the floor???  It’s been a long time since I had blisters on my hands from something other than gardening!

Anyway, I’m really glad they recycle cardboard or I’d feel really bad about all those dead trees.  How can you accumulate so much stuff in one house?  And how do you not take it all with you to the next house?  George Carlin did a routine that stuck with me called “a place for your stuff.”  Click on his name and watch the second video down of that routine from 1986.  Funny, insightful man, he was.  You hear about people moving every day and you really don’t think much about it.  You say congratulations and wish them well.  But you don’t really think about all the hard, tedious work involved.  This has taken about 100 times longer than I imagined in my wildest dreams.  My daughter informed me that for $10,000 I could have hired movers that would pack everything, move it and then unpack it.  If I had $1 million, I couldn’t possibly pay someone $10,000 to do that!  I wouldn’t make a very good rich person – I’m sure once I took care of my family I’d give it all away.   You can’t take it with you! 

 ANYWAY, there’s part of my new back yard – it’s like a blank canvas to me ready for a veggie garden, herb garden and I think I’d like to plant fruit trees, too.  I guess I’ll be spending my time on Mike McGrath’s site from You Bet Your Garden.

The Personal Side

As far as politics go, I just want to say one thing.  I actually have had the audacity to say that I understood why we needed political parties so we wouldn’t have 100 people running for president, but that once they were elected, the party lines should be erased and they should just work for the betterment of our country and people.  Apparently a hilarious statement.  So laugh at me if you will but remember – you can’t complain if you don’t vote.  And please don’t vote because of something stupid like – I don’t like his hair, his smile or I really love that commercial Paris Hilton did.  While not a fan of hers (silly comment – she would have to do something to have me be a fan), that commercial was great!  There’s something you can do with a lot of money – put your own commercial on TV!!  Be an informed voter – read up and do your homework before you vote! 

The Business Side

So what does all this rhetoric about politics have to do with Virtual Assistance?  Absolutely nothing, my friends.  An office environment is where things can get a bit “political,” if you know what I mean. I had more than my share of politics in the last office I worked in, but that’s another story for another blog!  The small businesspeople and entrepreneurs that I mostly work for never have to worry about things like that with their Virtual Assistant. 

So what are some of the tasks that you need help with?  Make a list and start to dream about how nice it would be if you had someone else to take care of them.  What would you do with all of your “free” time?  Grow your business, spend time with your family, read a book – the possibilities are infinite! 

Still not sure about how a Virtual Assistant can help you?

Call me.  Email me.  It’s free and knowledge is power.  I hope to talk to you soon.

FOR WOMEN OF ALL AGES

If you happen to be local to my area, Dr. Yvonne Kaye – one of my wonderful clients – is speaking at the WOW meeting (Women of Willow Grove – a division of the Willow Grove Chamber of Commerce) on September 9, 2008, at 11:30 at the Giant Super Store at 315 Old York Road in Willow Grove.  She will be speaking about Women in Focus and she will be giving her unique humor on the topic of “Why Rubens is my Favorite Artist – This is No Art Critique!”  Come learn and laugh with Dr. Kaye as she gives you insight into your own self, allowing you to discover or expand on your hidden potential.

Dr. Kaye is an author, motivational speaker, keynote speaker, interfaith minister, and all around fantastic person.  She has presented to many different kinds of organization from the United Nations to Gilda’s Club.  I feel privileged to have met her.  The cost is $15 to WOW which includes lunch.  Please contact me with any questions about this event or contact the Chamber!  Treat yourself – you deserve to come hear Dr. Kaye speak!

Happy Father’s Day!

_______________________________________________

Success

Now, there’s an eye-catching word.  Success.  Successful.  It’s what we’re all striving for, whether it be successful in a business we’re running, a successful relationship, a successful personal goal.  Let’s look at the meaning of the word success more carefully.

The dictionary says:  suc·cess –noun

(I’ve always hated when they use a form of the word to define the word – that’s really not that helpful in most circumstances.)  While we are all looking for success in our lives in different ways, I believe that to be truly successful is to be content and happy with yourself.  Because if you are truly content and happy with yourself, you will have attained the highest success possible and will be successful in all areas of your life.  To be successful in business means different things to different people.  If you have started a business, are doing what you love and are paying the bills – that to me is success.  Why do some people attain that level of success and continually strive for more?  Because they’re driven, that’s why.  Once they are happy with the step they’re on, they will reach for the next step.  Jonathan Fields is a blogger that I stumbled across awhile ago who writes great blogs.  (I invite you to go to his site and read about him – you’ll see what I mean.)  From what I’ve read about him and from him, I would say that this man is a complete success.  He seems balanced in what he does in all aspects of his life.  That, my friends, is success.

Now don’t get me wrong — there is NOTHING wrong with being driven.  I am driven.  But I feel you need to be happy – or at least content – with being driven.  If you wake up every morning with an anxiety attack about what you need to do today and you’re overwhelmed to the point of being frozen – you need to slow down!  Or at least get better organized.  (Hey!  You might need a VA!)   But just remember – we only have this one life for as long as we have it, and we just don’t know how long that will be.  Don’t waste your life –chase after your dream of success, whatever that dream may be.  You’ll know it when you’re there – it’s a feeling of peace, happiness and contentment – a balance in every part of your life.

The Personal Side

Anyone caught up on their gardening?  With all this rain we’re having, the weeds are growing faster than my veggies, herbs and flowers!  That’s how you know a weed, btw – it’s the one that’s growing better and faster than anything else, and when you pull on it, it’s harder to pull out than something you’ve planted.  Well, I have been pretty much out of commission in the way of gardening for the past week or more due to a bad back.  I was rear-ended over 20 years ago – sitting in the back seat, of course – and every few years my back reminds me of it.  So weird that this is still going on after this long.  Strangely enough, it started with a case of poison ivy (I’ve never gotten poison ivy in my life) that got really, really bad.  So after being on prednisone for 10 days and feeling like I was in my 20’s again, I apparently over-did “it.”  Whatever that means.  And then went to an event last Sunday where I sat on metal bleachers for hours.   So Monday I felt that familiar pain – took Advil and ignored it pretty much.  Tuesday a little worse; Wednesday – holy crap!  So I called my chiropractor, Dr. Mike , who is awesome!!  I was better Wednesday afternoon, but got cocky and by Friday I couldn’t hardly move, sit, stand, lie down – it was great.  So I went back to him Friday and he really helped.  He actually listens to you and doesn’t do anything crazy.  He says he’s no miracle worker, but I disagree.

Anyway, my weeds are starting to flower, and I’m seriously considering letting them and telling people they’re a new type of annual or something.  I know people who would believe me.   So I know what I’ll be doing every spare second this week – hope you fellow gardeners are in better shape than I!

The Business Side

I feel very successful.  (see above)  I LOVE my clients.  I have carefully chosen them (meaning I have only responded to RFP’s that are the type of clients I’m looking for) and of course there are the word-of-mouth clients that have found me.  I am a success in that regard.  I can’t wait to get out of bed in the morning to come down to my desk to see what’s happening for the day.  And all day I get emails from my clients asking me to take care of this or that – and it’s different for everyone.  The multi-tasking involved in my every day life is just wonderful!  Never a dull moment, never boring, and never a rude client – ever.  And why are my clients happy with me?  Because I never let them down.  I would do anything humanly possible to make whatever they need happen. 

Wouldn’t you like to have a relationship like that with a Virtual Assistant and have them say those things about you and how happy they are to work with you?  You can.  Contact me.  I’ll be happy to discuss your needs with you and how we will work together to get “it” done!

 Special Thanks

Speaking of success, a successful businessperson is someone who stands behind his/her product or services.  Recently I had a chance to see someone do that up close and personal.  I started purchasing my printer cartridges from Sheldon Pride of Cartridge World.  I’m all for saving money, but the real thing that convinced me to give it a try was the environmental aspect of it – the cartridges are refilled and DO NOT just get thrown in a landfill.  Recycling at its best!  So I pop in a cartridge in my new printer and – presto!  My printer is printing, but a blank page.  In an absolute panic (because I was in the middle of a time-sensitive job),  I emailed Sheldon.  He emailed me back in a short time asking me what the problem was and then called me (I’m sure I wasn’t clear in my email).   He literally jumped in his car, ran to his store and picked up more cartridges AND DROVE TO MY HOUSE!!  It turns out it wasn’t the cartridge at all, but my new printer needed to be told it had a new cartridge.  He showed me how to do that – very patiently I might add – and was on his way.  Can you imagine that??  I was so grateful to Sheldon and his amazing service, I’ll be ordering cartridges from him forever – and you should, too!  And his comment?  I stand behind my product.  What a guy!  What a SUCCESSFUL guy!  Thanks again, Sheldon!

The Food Critic

This month I have a sort of odd restaurant review in that it’s a “diner” and not actually a restaurant.  I personally love diners in general for certain times – like breakfast.  Today for Father’s Day we went out with my parents and my one daughter, her husband and three kids.  And where did we go?  To the A&N Diner in Sellersville, PA.  What a great place!  It is always open and always clean.  The wait staff and hostesses are always friendly and provide great service.  Our family has been going there for breakfast for years – the food is absolutely excellent!  And the second best part?  Nine people for $59.  Well, I guess eight people since the little guy is only just shy of a year, but STILL!!  I just had to recommend them – a place you wouldn’t think of writing a critique for, but a great place to go – especially for breakfast.  Check them out!

The flowers and trees are in full bloom – so what are you doing this time of year?  Gardening?  (check out my gardening tip)  Planning a vacation?  or are you stuck at home because of the ridiculous gas prices!  From what I’m hearing, the gas prices are not actually keeping people at home, but it is affecting the way they travel or where they travel.  Visit a travel advice site and see what’s hot – Travel Advice.   This link will take you to a podcast of a travel advice site.  (And by the way, there’s nothing like a VA to help you plan a vacation – find you a list of hotels to choose from, attractions to see while you’re wherever – you know – stuff like that!)

The Personal Side

The real estate market stinks.  No big surprise to anyone as the media has beat us over the head with it for quite some time now.  And what did I just do?  That’s right folks – my house is on the market.  This is a very traumatic experience for me as this is the first home I bought almost 24 years ago.  I’ve made this home my very own over the years with my girls’ projects, pictures, and great (what I think are great) “finds.”  Well, there’s nothing like getting your house ready to be shown and everything is just where you believe it should be, and then you hire an interior designer to come and stage your home.  OUCH!  But if you are going to sell your home, please hire Felisa Armento to come tell you what to get rid of and what to move around.  She was awesome!  Did you ever watch that mother/daughter realtor team on HGTV go into people’s homes and tell them their house looks awful?  Well, she was NOTHING like they are.  She was gentle yet firm and gave her opinions and thoughts – and not judgmental in the least.  She spent 2 hours at our home (probably because I was getting in her way) and it’s never looked this good.  A little empty for my taste, but I’m hoping that’s just what a buyer wants to see.   Know anyone who would like to buy a beautiful twin home in a great neighborhood?   Visit the website if you’d like to see my home.

But back to traumatic!  The first couple came to look at my home, and I, of course, was there at my computer.  U – n – c – o – m – f – o – r – t – a – b – l – e!  I was just trying to be invisible, but I couldn’t help but hear the whispering.  And it didn’t sound very reassuring, nor was the fact that they were in and out in about 20 minutes.  (sigh)  I want someone to buy my home that will love it as I did and take care of it.  I’ve put so many years of improvements, sweat and tears – lots of tears – to even fathom the thought of it being purchased to be a rental (which my realtor mentioned to me).  My home has been shown 2 other times – the first one actually liked it, the second didn’t, and the third said she could buy a brand new end-unit townhome for another $10,000 with a basement and garage (which my house doesn’t have).  So I told my realtor that she should go buy that brand new townhouse.  The house you buy should be the one you walk into and say – yes!  this is the one!  That’s what I did with this one, and boy did it need work to make it my taste.  It seems that nowadays people actually want to move in and live in a home without making it their own.  If you watch HGTV, you’ll see people actually not buy a house because they don’t like the paint color or wallpaper.  Pullleeeezzzz!!!   They don’t want to paint or repair or replace . . . What’s the point in having a home?  We painted and remodeled and put on additions and put down carpet, ripped up the same carpet, put in tile floors, hardwood floors, built-in shelves, and on and on.  (It’s worth it – the location couldn’t really be better.)  And when we move, we’ll do the same there, too.  Well, probably not all of that – I’m older now.   But there’s nothing like that feeling of accomplishment. (Check out the website and look at the cabinets I was whining about in an earlier blog!)  We’re not professionals and I did almost pull all my hair out, but it’s done now and the trials and tribulations of doing them are completely gone when you see the finished product. 

But I’d love to hear from anyone who’s sold and bought a home – this is the first time I’ve done this and I really would love to hear your stories, advice – whatever!

The Business Side

I’ve been talking about why, when and where you should hire a VA.  I’ve covered how environmental it is to hire one and how you can reduce your carbon footprint by hiring a VA (not to mention the incredible money savings involved).  Instead of rehashing everything I’ve said before, here’s another article in Entrepreneur.com that has some good pointers on looking for just the right VA and why you should hire one.  Remember, the most important thing is to have a good, trusting relationship with your VA which is what I enjoy with my clients.  Here’s another article I just came across trying to get home the same message.  If you’re looking to get some typing done for $2 / hour in India, I’m obviously not your VA.  And could you feel like you have a trusting relationship with them?  Would you even know who was doing your typing?  Could you call that person and speak with them about it?  Outsourcing can be a good thing with the right VA, but it could be a very bad thing if you’re trying to outsource like, say, your phone company did.

My ideal client has the following traits:

• willing to communicate

Oh – I guess that’s the most important trait!  Because when you can communicate with your VA and let her know what it is that you’re looking to get done, the rest is simple!  There is nothing that can’t be accomplished with good communication.  So as I’ve said before – what are you waiting for?!? 

Virtual Assistant – got one?

Advice

Speaking of advice, I’ve decided to add an advice “column” as part of my regular blog – business, personal, environmental, gardening.  Ask me whatever you’d like – if I don’t have an answer, I’ll direct you to an appropriate resource.  So let’s hear your questions!!

The Food Critic

I recently went to the Cock N Bull Restaurant in Lahaska.  It’s been around forever and I’ve heard about it for years and years.  But I never went there – and most likely won’t go back.  Although the restaurant is visually pleasing, it is apparently a family dining experience.  Evidenced by the table right behind us with kids that wouldn’t stop screaming.  That’s not entirely true – they did stop after about 1/2 hour or so.  Just before I asked to move tables.  But I’m not sure that would have helped – as loud as their screams were, they had to have been heard throughout the dining room.  And, you know – it doesn’t have to be that way.  My kids would NEVER EVER have behaved that way in a restaurant!  And another table came in on the other side of us with more kids, and we never even heard them.  But I digress . . .  That is not why I wouldn’t want to go back, of course – it was the food!  I started with a baked brie (my favorite) and which the waitress said was their specialty.  Not really.  The crust was mushy and the brie was not the best brie I’ve ever tasted.  It was supposed to come with raspberry sauce and almonds, but I asked for it without that.  I wanted to taste the brie – not some sweet sauce.  Maybe the sauce is what makes the brie taste better there.

Then we both had mahi-mahi with rice and wilted spinach.  My favorite type of food (besides cheese) is seafood.  I’ve never met a fish I didn’t like (except sea urchin); however, I tend to go for the more tasteful fishes.  I’ve had mahi-mahi before and thought it delightful – not so much here.  I actually didn’t even finish it because it tasted like . . . absolutely nothing.  I could not discern one seasoning – although it looked beautiful - but the fish itself was just blah.  I don’t waste eating on food that has no taste.  I did, however, eat the rice and spinach because I was hungry – also very tasteless.  How can you make spinach tasteless?  I just don’t get it!

Then came dessert.  OK – I’ll try again.  I ordered an apple dumpling – hold the vanilla sauce.  Now I’m not sure what exactly I would do in a restaurant setting to serve an apple dumpling and keep the crust crisp and delicious . . . neither do they.

And our waitress – while not terrible by any stretch, was not personable.  She was professional, efficient and quick, making me feel like I was taking up too much of her time.  I know it’s not easy waiting on tables – because I did it many years ago, and I loved it.  But no matter how rushed you are, each and every customer should feel special.  I’m very critical of waitstaff.  When there’s a great server, the whole dining experience improves tremendously.

So all-in-all it was a disappointment.  I’d love to hear comments from anyone who’s eaten there and had a different experience.  Who knows – maybe I’d give them another shot if I heard enough good experiences from other people.