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Friday, 30 January 2009

Can you recommend a decent read?

Can you recommend a decent read?When I get the chance, I do like a good book - and I mean to really read, not just grace the shelves of my bookcase or enhance my coffee table. This maybe a bit of fun 'chicklit' on holiday, an inspiring biography at the weekend or even a decent cookery book. I also like to catch up with some business books, and I have recommended some in the past (check out my website links page ). What books have your enjoyed that you'd like to pass onto the rest of us. Something that has inspired you, helped you or just plain entertained you. Can you recommend a decent read?

Labels: books, read, recommend, relax, virtual assistant, virtual assistant training, virtual pa, virtual pa training

2 Comments:

Anonymous said...: I don't know you so I'll just through a few random suggestions out:

Right now I'm reading "Speak Memory" by Vladimir Nabakov (yes, of "Lolita" fame) - really good.

You may also enjoy "This is Not Chick Lit" a collection of short stories by various authors

http://www.amazon.com/This-Not-Chick-Lit-Original/dp/0812975677/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1233338783&sr=8-1; 30 January 2009 18:06
Anonymous said...: I heartily recommend any Terry Pratchett books. If at all possible, try to start with his first book, "The Colour of Magic", and work your way through, chronologically, so you'll recognise the characters as they reappear, however, any of his novels are a stand-alone hoot!

Terry is an intelligent writer, hilariously funny observer of human nature, a slightly sarcastic philosopher whose gentle irony does not scrape its claws on the blackboard of your soul, and yet he leaves you thinking... and wanting more.

Sometimes he is so funny I have to make sure there is no-one else in the room (apart from my partner or daughter, both of whom are used to the odd mwaaaah! coming from my direction, when I am reading one of his Discworld novels).

Read and enjoy!; 03 February 2009 17:17

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Thursday, 29 January 2009

Are you taking advantage of the quality people available?

Its tough out there. Some companies are struggling; some are rationalising and having to let people go. I’ve mentioned before that I believe that this is a good time to start a new business or try a new venture. If you have a business, with good prospects and plans then it’s also a great time to employ quality staff. As the unemployment figure grows, think of it as an opportunity to get those people that you need to grow your business, whether it’s experience, enthusiasm or energy that you are looking for, or all three! What are you doing, are you taking your pick of applicants?

Labels: virtual assistant, virtual assistant training, virtual pa, virtual pa training

1 Comments:

Gareth said...: Interesting thought.

I quite agree. Now is the time for movers and shackers.; 03 February 2009 10:34

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Tuesday, 27 January 2009

Business Software: is it any good?

I have just bought into a new software program that will help develop my company and provides email sequencing for enquiries to my training business. I have nearly 2000 on my mailing list and I want to ensure that potential clients receive all the information they need. However the set-up procedure is time consuming itself. It seems to me that software, or any tools of your trade are only as good as the time you can devote to them: preparation, preparation, preparation! I'm in danger of spending more time setting the thing up as it meant to save me! Have you had similar experiences?

Labels: business software, mailing list, time consuming, time saving, virtual assistant, virtual assistant training, virtual pa, virtual pa training

2 Comments:

Jeff Ogden said...: Time is the most precious commodity one has today. Software needs to be simplified. Look at the iPhone and iPod. Macs are selling. What do they have in common? Elegance and simplicity.; 27 January 2009 14:48
Gareth said...: What software did you get. I simply takes time to learn how to use it. If it is desingend well, the setup is simple and figuring out how to effectivly use it should be logical to some degree.; 03 February 2009 10:39

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Friday, 23 January 2009

Have you kept your January resolution?

Here we are, near the end of the first month of the year and I want to ask you about your resolutions! Did you put any in place? Personal or Business? And the BIG question…have you actually kept those resolutions? One of mine was to make more contributions to Blackstar on ecademy. But with my work becoming ever-more busy and a trip to hospital, this has slipped behind. I am hopefully making up for it now, with regular blogging and I am planning more developments for my clubs (with apologies to my club members!). So, what were your resolutions and have you kept them?

Labels: January, planning, promises, resolutions, virtual assistant, virtual assistant training, virtual pa, virtual pa training

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Wednesday, 21 January 2009

Now is the time of Obama

There were some pretty amazing scenes at this week's inauguration, where over one million people saw Barak Obama become the 44th president of the United States of America. It was full of 'pride, pomp and circumstance' as befitting such a monumental event, with parades of past presidents and speeches. Whatever the colour of your politics, or your thoughts of America, it was a fabulous spectacle, and one that we can tell our children about. Now is the time for change, as Mr Obama favoured saying during his electioneering. It's good to hear on the news that he has already making an impact to the foreign policy and his plans to revive the economy. Do you think now is the time of Obama?

Labels: America, Obama, president, usa, virtual assistant, virtual assistant training, virtual pa, virtual pa training

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Holidays – What have you planned for 2009

It’s very tempting, when you run your own business, not to take time off, to think that your input is too valuable for you to be absent for holidays. The truth is that you need to take some time off, to recharge your batteries. You may even think of a brilliant money-making, time-saving, or business-altering idea whilst you are sunning yourself on the beach or skiing down the piste. You could take a mobile/laptop with you, if you feel that insecure, but limit yourself to one call into the office every few days, or number of minutes on email. You should, of course, have managed your business prior to your departure: advise your clients; use a call handling service, such as mine; or if you employ staff or a virtual assistant, trust them to do a good job. This will then allow you the luxury, or rather the necessity, of a well-earned break, comfortable in the knowledge that the business is being taken care of. So start now, plan those trips and holidays in, whether they around the kids holidays, or your slower time (or hopefully a combination of the two, if you have both to consider!). Planning is the key to ensuring that this works successfully. I’m off to plan mine now, what holidays have you got to look forward to?

Labels: become a virtual assistant, holidays, virtual assistant, virtual assistant training, virtual pa

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Tuesday, 20 January 2009

We are all doing our best in these economic times, when will it end?

So, we have been crunched by the credit squeeze, jobs are going in all sectors, and not just the retail industry. We are all trying to be sensible with spending; watching our figures; ensuring our cash is flowing. We are all doing our best to make it through these tough economic times (we think we have it tough - how easy for us, compared to those in war-torn areas). How long can we manage like this, fearful of taking risks with our businesses, knowing that we may not get loans to expand or develop new products and ideas. It feels like we are treading on eggshells, and we don't know how long the path is going to be. What are your thoughts, will 2009 be the turn round year, or will our positive attitude not return until we are out of the "noughties"?

Labels: become a virtual assistant, cashflow, credit crunch, economic downturn, figures, job losses, virtual assistant, virtual pa

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Monday, 19 January 2009

Train travel - can it really be THIS bad?

I had to go into London recently (a regular but not daily trip, lucky for me) to a client meeting. I was appalled at my awful experience of travelling by train: not only at the expense, but also the service; the over-crowded carriages; and the lack of communication about the problem. On the trip in, no trains were stopping at my local station, so I had to drive to a further away, mainline station. The trip home (in the early evening) was even worse; we had to push our way onto the trains, and then were told to get off! It took so long, I was even worried that I would not make it home at all. The experience left me feeling exhausted and disgusted. I believe the problems stemmed from the awful incidents earlier in the week (the plane crash, the overheat power cables and/or the car in the level crossing.). However, they were all things that had occurred on previous days and surely could have been planned, organised, or at the very least communicated to the passengers. Has it really got this bad? Does anyone have a solution?

Labels: become a virtual assistant, virtual assistant, virtual assistant training

1 Comments:

Anonymous said...: Thank You Lilach,
i had read your blog and it is bad that london train travel is awful experience of travelling by train, this was happend with me on last london travel.
Palace on wheels
Tags : indian luxury trains,Palace on Wheel Tour; 02 February 2009 05:55

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Wednesday, 14 January 2009

The office move - what are your moving stories?

I have recently moved offices, which is great news as it means my business is expanding, but boy, was it back breaking work! We literally moved the desks, cupboards, filing cabinets, drawers. All the computers, printers and technology (think of the wires!). Thankfully, it all went pretty smoothly (thanks to my husband and staff for their input too!). There was no interruption to my client work and only minimal disruption to emails etc. All this took planning and it also gave me a great opportunity to review my filing, and general clutter that can accumulate over time (when was the last time you looked at a rolodex?!). I am really pleased with the new office layout, and how it works for me and my staff. Have you had a similar experience? What are your office move stories?

Labels: becomea virtual assistant, computers, expanding, growing, new office, office move, planning, smooth move, technology, virtual assistant, virtual pa

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Monday, 12 January 2009

First day at school – was yours traumatic?

My daughter is in her first week at ‘big school’ (reception class!). She has been brilliant about it, going in very well and happily (making me feel a bit smug, as there were other, tearful children in the playground – and even more upset mums!). However this morning was our turn, with my little angel in tears, set-off by a friend of hers. I phoned the school later, and of course she’s playing happily, so I was probably more affected by it than anyone. It just goes to show, you can’t be sure of anything. I have learnt my lesson: You think you know your children, but they can surprise you at any point! Have you had any similar experience?

Labels: children, first day, lessons, mums, school, tears, trauma, virtual assistant

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Friday, 30 January 2009

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