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Archive for September 2009

How to walk away from a networking group that is not working for you

By MOAImport · Comments (0)
Wednesday, September 30th, 2009

I have attended many networking functions as I continue to build My Office Assistant, some which have worked for me and others not so much. So how do you leave a group that is not working for you without offending the members or leaders. Well this is simple, be honest of why you are leaving.

When I leave a group, I make sure that I have a conversation with the leaders letting them know why it is exactly that I am leaving. For instance, one group was attending functions with moved their meetings to early morning so to accommodate the members schedules without disruption to their days. I contacted the leader and let her know that while I had much success within the group, the morning time just did not work for me as that is when I review my client needs, get must do tasks completed and conference with several clients. She understood and thanked me for my honesty and we still keep in touch for she is a great resource for workshops and such.

However what if the group is just not working for you? Then tactfully address that as well. Another group that I belonged to was mostly MLM home based business owners who would never need my services. Their get together were more social gatherings and “best product” type information than referral networks. This did not help my business in the least and while I got some great product information and learned more about these wonderful business women, it was just not practical networking. So I had a conversation with the leaders explaining that while I enjoyed the meetings it just did not make good financial marketing sense for me to continue. I don’t think that they were happy but at least they understood where I was coming from.

So when leaving a group, don’t just disappear, make sure you give your reasoning. This will help the group leaders understand their membership and let them know it was nothing offensive that happened. It would also leave the door open for networking and referral opportunities in the future.

All the best,
Lee Drozak
My Office Assistant

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Categories : Networking, Small Business

Should you multi-task?

By MOAImport · Comments (0)
Friday, September 25th, 2009

This topic was brought up by one of my FaceBook friends.  How do you know when to multi task versus when to concentrate on one client?  Here are my processes for client work and multi-tasking.

I am a stickler for organization so each client and their tasks get a chunk of scheduled time throughout the day.  I devote this time to their work only since I am billing them by the hour, and I don’t want to get sidetracked from their task at hand.  However, if it is a task such as printing out large documents or running a download, I will work on other items that they need completed.

I am not a fan of multi-tasking because I think it is distractive and disruptive to your train of thought.  You actually waste more time but trying to do three things at once, as opposed to three tasks one at a time.  When you multi-task you are more prone to stress, more likely to make errors and you make your environment chaotic.

So here are some simple tips that I employ to schedule my day and tasks on the to-do list:

  • Set up to-do lists for clients, home, errands, etc.
  • Have a physical inbox so that incoming stuff can be gathered in one place.  This could be mail, notes that will need addressed later and other paperwork.
  • Schedule your time in blocks leaving openings for emergency issues.  You could try 30 minute block for a task and 10 minute block for downtime or emergencies.

First thing in the morning, work on your top most important tasks and don’t do any others until they are off your list.  If you can get your top three items done in the morning, the rest of your day will be easy.

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Categories : Best Business Practices, Organization, Small Business
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Need a basic bookkeeping program?

By MOAImport · Comments (0)
Monday, September 14th, 2009

As a bookkeeper, I usually recommend QuickBooks for the functionality it provides.  However, many small business owners just want something simply to keep track of receivables and payables.  Enter Freshbooks.

Here is the company description of the program:

Running a business is hard enough. We believe financial record keeping should be easy, fast, (and perhaps even fun), but still detailed enough to satisfy your accountant.

Billing should be simple. You can send an invoice a few seconds after creating your account no matter what level of experience you have.

Your data deserves to be safe, secure, and accessible to you. We also believe you own your data, we do not. Your data will be easy to export any time you want it.

Every customer should look like a Fortune 500 company, based on the image sent by invoices, bills, or other accounting communications, no matter what size the company is.

Everyone is entitled to the latest version of our software, so no matter what kind of account you have with us, you get the upgrades.

Freshbooks includes options of time tracking feature for those whose clients are billed based on time.  It also has an estimate function for those who need to submit an estimate as part of a proposal.  While it does not have extensive reporting options it does give you basic reporting to track revenues and expenses.  And for those using online payment sources such as PayPal and Google, there is an option to set up payment link on your invoice.

Freshbooks also allows you to set up authorized users and therefore you can outsource your bookkeeping needs.  Regardless of whom does your bookkeeping, it needs to be done so that you get paid in a timely fashion.  You will also have a clear picture of your financial position with up-to-date accurate records.

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Categories : Small Business
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More Great Business Resources

By MOAImport · Comments (0)
Saturday, September 5th, 2009

Here are five more resources that help me in with my everyday business.

Log Me In – Simply install LogMeIn on the computer you will be gaining access to, log into your account and select the add computer link.  This is an easy way to share access to your computer or a client computer

Free Conference Call – Free Conference Call is simple to use, and requires only your name and email address for your account.  This is all you need for a conference call number and dial in for immediate conferencing which is available 24/7.  You also have free recording options so that you can listen to what your attendees are saying without having to stop for note taking.

Send this File – Need to send a large file, it is easy as entering an email, selecting the file and clicking the send button.  No size limits to worry about you can verify sending and receipt of any item.

Survey Monkey – This truly easy to use program will allow you to get the feedback that you need from your clients or colleagues.  This powerful survey designer lets you create surveys with dozens of types of questions.  And customization is a snap by adding your own colors, styles and logo.

Echo Sign – Echo Sign – This is my favorite “go green” product.  What I love is that I can have my contracts signed by the client and then sign them myself and return to my client and now I have a safe backup copy.  And the e-Signature function is my favorite. The recipient could sign right on the screen — in two clicks or less!

I hope you can use them as well and keep looking for more to come. Do you have a favorite you want to share?

All the best,

Lee Drozak ~ My Office Assistant

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Categories : Small Business, Technology, Virtual Assistant
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Setting Business Goals

By MOAImport · Comments (0)
Thursday, September 3rd, 2009

I was asked recently what plan I had to keep my business moving forward. I explained to the inquirer that I take a section of my plan each quarter and review it. My schedule is:

first – services offered,
second – financial planning,
third – marketing and promotion and
fourth – education plan.

However, it is not that I revise my plan; it is that I have a game plan to do so. These are the five tasks I include when updating and revising my business plan.

  1. Write it out –You are more accountable when your goals are on paper. It is hard to forget what your goals are when in black and white. Also, post them somewhere prominent where you will be forced to look at them daily.
  2. Make realistic –Nothing will give you failure faster than being unrealistic. This year my goal is to increase clients by adding 2 retainer accounts to my business. This may seem small to some however, I just added my second and now I am on to achieve my third. By being realistic, this allowed me to have met and now exceed my goal.
  3. Make specific – Pick a number or date, something that you can actually vision. When I reviewed my marketing plan, my goal was to become a better blogger.  I strive to write and post two articles per week. Without a concrete number I was sporadic in posting and had no direction to achieving constancy.
  4. Be flexible (willing to change scope) – The best way to achieve a goal is to be able to adapt to your surroundings. My education goal was to take a class on writing. However, the class was not offered.  I then took advantage of another class that was geared to a new service I will be offering. I flipped my goals to hone my new service skills and will take the writing course later on.
  5. Consult with experts/colleagues for input – This year I decided that I would also take advantage of the great seminars and workshops in my area. I talked with some colleagues to see what offerings were being scheduled and if they were topics I could benefit from. I am surrounded by these wonderful, knowledgeable people why not take advantage of it.

You do not need to have 50 pages, but you should have a plan of action in writing.  This will hold you accountable to keep you on task and on time to achieving your goals.

All the best,

Lee Drozak ~ My Office Assistant

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Categories : Small Business
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So You Want To Be a Work at Home Mom

By MOAImport · Comments (0)
Tuesday, September 1st, 2009

I met Diana through several social media groups I participate in. I can look to Diana as she provides advice and encouraging words to me as a business owner.   If you are considering becoming a work-at-home mom, this is the book for you –  So You Want to Be a Work-at-Home Mom.  Thank you Diana and Jill for giving other stay-at-home moms the wisdom to become work-at-home moms.

All the best,

Lee Drozak ~ My Office Assistant

Home-based businesses are estimated to be a $427 billion-a-year industry. In recent studies it was found that as many as 105 million people in North America alone were working at home. Considering this information, it is obvious that home-based businesses can be successful and authors Jill Hart and Diana Ennen will help you succeed with your own.

So You Want to Be a Work-at-Home Mom details all the basics of starting a business in a spiritual, motivational, and comprehensive manner. From deciding what type of business to start to keeping your family and faith first, this helpful tool details every aspect of establishing a business. With proven success tips utilized by the authors and others who own work-at-home businesses, this inspiration approach will provide you with the resources you need to start your own home-based business.

So You Want to Be a Work-at-Home Mom includes:
* Detailed information on types of businesses to start
* Ideas and assistance for setting up, operating, and marketing your business
* Definitions and descriptions of work-at-home terminology and processes
* Help for developing your Website
* Explanations of the business nuts and bolts, including bookkeeping, taxes, and more

About the Authors
JILL HART is the founder of Christian Work at Home Moms, CWAHM.com. Jill is a co-author of So You Want To Be a Work-at-Home Mom. Jill has published many articles and is a contributing author in Laundry Tales, The Business Mom Guide Book, I’ll Be Home for Christmas, and Faith Deployed. She holds a bachelor’s degree in human development and family studies. Learn more about working from home at http://www.cwahm.com/work-at-home/ .

DIANA ENNEN has been a leader and mentor in the work-at-home industry since starting her business, Virtual Word Publishing, in 1985. She is the author of many books, including Virtual Assistant the Series; Become a Highly Successful, Sought After VA and Words from Home: Start, Run, and Profit from a Home-Based Word Processing Business. She resides in Margate, Florida, with her husband and their three children.

Below is an interview with the authors of So You Want To Be a Work-at-Home Mom – Jill & Diana.

If have questions they are happy to answer your questions anytime. Leave a comment below or email Jill@cwahm.com or Diana@virtualwordpublishing.com

How long have you been working at home?

Jill Hart – I’ve been working at home since 2000. I had to go back to work full-time for a brief period in 2003 when my husband got out of the Air Force. At that point I got even more serious about making my business work and I’ve been home full-time since then.

Diana Ennen – I’ve been working at home since 1985, when my son was born. He’s now graduated college and already working towards his own career. I absolutely love it. I can’t imagine doing anything else.

What types of businesses do you operate?

Jill Hart – I run Christian Work at Home Moms, CWAHM.com, a website full of free resources, job listings and information about home businesses. I also write articles and books (yes, more books to come!) and am a blogger for sites like Time/Warner’s Christian Momlogic.com and a member of the Guideposts blogger team

Diana Ennen– I’m the President of Virtual Word Publishing. I’m a virtual assistant and specialize in marketing & publicity. I’ve also written numerous books on how to start a VA business and offer PR and VA Coaching.

Tell us about your book? How do you think it can benefit those who want to start a business?

Jill Hart – The book has been such a “God thing.” He orchestrated the entire sequence of events – from putting Diana and I together as co-authors to bringing us to the right publisher. The book is a hands-on practical guide for anyone who wants to build a business from home. We cover topics ranging from how to select the right type of business for you, to how to get started, to how to market and grow your business.

Diana Ennen – I think one of the best features of our book is that it’s not only informative, but motivational as well. You’ll feel like friends are helping you on your journey to success. Also, we discuss numerous types of businesses to start and provide proven methods to achieve success. We also often hear how starting a business can be so overwhelming. That’s why we pay special attention to all the how tos. We feel very confident our book will help, not only those starting a business, but those already in business wanting to expand it.

What types of businesses are featured in your book?

Jill Hart – We have such a great range of contributors – everything from direct sales companies like Southern Living at Home and Avon to unique product-driven businesses like BSM Media and GrillCharms. These woman are amazing and give readers a great insight into how they’ve grown their businesses in very different ways.

Diana Ennen – We cover everything from direct sales companies to specialized areas such as medical transcription and virtual assisting. Also, Jill shares detailed information on starting a community based membership site. We think you’ll get a lot of helpful tips too from such work-at-home powerhouses as Maria Bailey and Lesley Spencer Pyle.

Do you have any tips for success for Christian entrepreneurs that you’d like to share?

Jill Hart – I think my favorite tip – shared with me by one of our contributors, Tammy Degenhart, almost ten years ago is that working together benefits everyone. She told me, “Jill, what you give to others God brings back tenfold” and I’ve seen that hold true time and time again. It may not be in financial gains and it may not look like what we expected but God is so faithful in that when we work together there is no competition – it’s a win-win situation.

Diana Ennen – Do what you believe in and use your own skills and prior experience to find the business that’s just right for you. Research/Research/Research. The more you research, the better your business. Continue to market and be out there. So many once they find a few clients stop marketing. You need to get out there continually. You then become the go to person when someone needs services or products that you offer.

What are some of the challenges that you see with those starting or operating a business?

Jill Hart – In my experience, I’ve talked with many women who get frustrated because success doesn’t come easily or quickly. Working from home may sound easy, but in reality it can actually be just as hard as working outside the home. There are many unique challenges, especially when working at home while raising children. If women don’t prepare themselves, they can become discouraged and disheartened.

Diana Ennen– One of the major challenges I see is losing belief in yourself that you can do it. That’s why I think a faith-based book will be so beneficial. Even when times get tough, you can rely on your faith to forge ahead.

With the economy, do you believe it’s still a good time to start a business? Why?

Jill Hart – I think it’s a better time than ever. The internet is so much more widely used than it was even nine years ago when I began my website. If people do their research and find a company that fits them as well as their budget this can be a great time to break into the work-at-home field.

Diana Ennen – Absolutely. In fact, I think there’s never been a better time. You might have to work a little harder, but it absolutely can be done. Plus, there are so many businesses who need us more than ever because of the economy. For example, with virtual assistants because businesses are downsizing they are seeking the help of a VA to help on an as needed basis.

Your book is written from a Christian perspective? Tell us a little about that and how you feel that makes it so unique?

Jill Hart – My faith is central to who I am and therefore central to my business. I began Christian Work at Home Moms because I wanted women to have a safe place where they could discuss not only business things, but also talk about an area that doesn’t get talked about a lot in business circles – how our faith affects our businesses. The book is written in a way that doesn’t hit anyone over the head with our faith, but it’s true to who we are and talks about things from the vantage point that we see life – through the lens of our faith.

Diana Ennen – There are so many books out there today on starting a business. However, few have the Christian mom in mind. We provide a lot of scriptures and examples of how you can use your faith to help you. Our hope is that not only will your business thrive, but it might just give a little boost to your faith as well.


Learn more about the book at Beacon Hill Press or SoYouWantToBeAWAHM.com.

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