Time Traveller Day

Time Traveller Day

Today 8th December is Pretend to be a Time Traveller Day Instead of travelling into the future, I'm going to time travel back to the early 1980's, when the work I do today as a Virtual Assistant would never have been possible. The closest to it would have been a Temp, working in differing organisations offices. I have worked in administration for many years ~ far too many; and over time have witnessed the many changes which have evolved in the world of ‘Office Working’ Although for the most part I have always enjoyed the work…Read more
How to Balance Your Work Schedule during Christmas

How to Balance Your Work Schedule during Christmas

Balance work schedule at Christmas This is my third Christmas in business but during my first year I started to panic. How was I going to balance work schedule at Christmas? I needed time with my business clients' and was also in dire need of time to spend with family and friends. I needed a break, but also didn’t want to lose clients’ during my time off from work and my business. What a quandary to be in? Once the holidays come around it seems schedules and staying on task fly right outside the…Read more
Eight Helpful tips for Building Networking Skills.

Eight Helpful tips for Building Networking Skills.

Building Networking Skills One of the best ways to find new potential clients’ is by networking. For the shy or inexperienced, this really can be really daunting. However, networking in business is also a social and fun way of meeting contacts. All you need to do is practice your networking skills beforehand and you'll enjoy it. Here are some helpful tips for developing your networking skills. 1) Find a networking group to attend. To find networking events in your area try findnetworkingevents.com and also look on your local council’s website: that’s where I…Read more
Virtual Assistants’, What do we Do?

Virtual Assistants’, What do we Do?

Virtual Assistants, what do we Do? I’m thinking that at least 70% of you, if not more, will initially think of typing ~ a typist! The other 30% are either Virtual Assistants themselves or have used the services of one. Although there is nothing wrong with being a typist and if that is your sole service and you do it well, then that is excellent. On the whole Virtual Assistants' in today’s busy business environment are all-rounders, we have experience and knowledge and are able and capable of performing lots of different tasks…Read more
Honesty and Good Business Ethics

Honesty and Good Business Ethics

Why Honesty and Good Business Ethics Pay Off Honesty and good business ethics are important. In the small business world, news quickly gets around about business owners who value their customers and conduct themselves in an ethical way – the same holds true in a negative way for businesses that are not so ethical or honest. I always remember a concept used during my marketing training: If a person loves your product or service they are likely to tell one friend; if they hate it they will tell eleven. Think about it and…Read more
Working with Clients’ Virtually

Working with Clients’ Virtually

Working with Clients’ Virtually One of the most frequent questions I am asked; I can say by 90% of prospective client’s is, how do you cope with you working with clients’ virtually? They can’t physically drop folders and files on to my desk, or speak to me in person, but in these techie days, my desk is the cloud and yes we can have a daily/weekly check-ins. Being a Virtual Assistant enables me to work with some really great people and businesses. They don’t have to worry about employment contracts, tax and NI…Read more
Never Underestimate Offline Marketing Methods

Never Underestimate Offline Marketing Methods

Offline Marketing Methods Building a business requires a strategic approach to marketing. While many business owners today become focused solely on on-line marketing tactics, there are offline marketing methods that are effective and provide a significant return on investment. I know, as I’ve used them. Offline marketing methods may take a little longer, but the benefits can be significant. Business Cards Would you believe that people still use business cards? Yes, It’s true, we do. Keep cards in your pocket or wallet because you just never know when you’re going to meet someone.…Read more
Social Media Terminology for Beginners

Social Media Terminology for Beginners

Social Media Terminology for Beginners   The Virtuoso-PA short guide to the Social Media terminology used on popular social networks. I've been asked numerous times by clients' what the meaning of an RT is; not everyone knows that it's good to be added into someone's' circle and what it means.  As we all have to start somewhere I've decided to write this blog for newbies to Social Media. Twitter: Twitter is an online social networking service that enables users to send and read short 140-character messages called "tweets". Twitter currently has 304 Million…Read more
A Day in the Life of a Virtual Assistant

A Day in the Life of a Virtual Assistant

  A Day in the Life of a Virtual Assistant Today is Wednesday 26th August 2015 and I have a busy day ahead. As a Virtual Assistant, every day is different; this time next week I could just have one piece of work scheduled and the rest of the day will be spent catching up with my own admin. However, I do try to space my work out evenly over the working week so that rarely happens. Virtuoso-PA officially opens for business at 9:00 a.m. But I try to make sure that I…Read more
Do you want to Work in a Distraction-Free Workspace

Do you want to Work in a Distraction-Free Workspace

How to work Distraction-free Ask any work-at-home professional or small business owner what their biggest hurdle is when it comes to tackling their to-do list and they'll likely tell you it’s the constant distractions. They want to work distraction-free! The kids need attention. Email demands to be answered. The phone is ringing. The cat needs fresh water. There's a pile of ironing that needs doing, and the sky is blue... The list goes on. It’s no wonder you can’t get anything done. So how do those “have it all, work from home” type…Read more