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Ask the Master Newsletter Archives
Welcome to the previous editions of the Ask the Master newsletter.
On your left you will find links to tips and the how to’s of
running a Virtual Assistant practice. We hope you enjoy your stay
and if you have a question you’d like answered send it to submission@vatp.ca.
Ask
The Master
December 2002 Volume 1/Issue 4 |
End of the Year Issues
Wishing all of our community the very best over the holiday season
and a prosperous 2003!!
As we near the end of another year we often find ourselves thinking
about things not always present during the rest of the year. It is
usually a time of reflection, appreciation, acknowledgement, rejuvenation
and celebration!
Personal schedules tend to be very hectic and fast paced so it
is even more important you make time to consider your business.
Reflect on your accomplishments, acknowledge your successes, and
appreciate the people in your community who have contributed to
these. We often tend to forget the things we do and focus on what
we didn't do, make a decision to change that today. I challenge
all of you to write down and celebrate your business over this holiday
season!
Best wishes for a safe, healthy and relaxing holiday
Warmly,
Mary-Lou Ashton
Master Virtual Assistant
Questions In This Edition
(Click on the links to go to that question.)
What do I need to be
thinking about, business wise, at this time of year?
What will be the focus of your business for 2003? Will it be marketing,
passive income, starting a newsletter, a new or improved web site,
bringing on associates, gaining 5 new clients? Decide what direction
you want to head in the upcoming year and schedule time to focus
on moving forward in that direction. Get clear on what needs to
happen to get there. This is the time for looking at the big picture
and setting your goals for the new year.
Make sure you have supplies for your day timer, a new calendar,
planning board etc. Take the time to restock your office supplies
and renew any memberships.
Do I send cards or
presents to my clients?
If you celebrate the holiday I feel it is important to acknowledge
it in some way. If you have just started with a client you may want
to mail a card or send a virtual greeting. For longer term or ideal
clients a gift may be appropriate. Consider putting together a full
page document that has perhaps a poem, quote or tips for the holiday
along with your personal greeting. You may want to make a donation
to a charity on behalf of your clients such as food baskets or toys
for children. Whatever you decide will be the right choice.
How can I reduce stress
during the holiday season?
We tend to put a lot of pressure on ourselves at this time of year
with lots of additional things to do, places to go and people to
see. My suggestion for reducing stress during the holiday season
is to check your motives. Are you doing things because you want
to or because you feel obligated? If it doesn't bring you joy don't
do it. Withdraw from the Martha Stewart contest. Ask yourself "If
I don't do this will the holidays still happen?" Give yourself
permission to say no. Keep it simple!
Plan activities that allow you to relax and enjoy the season. Take
a family walk after dinner, go for a drive to see the lights, have
a hot bath, listen to music or watch a movie. Whatever it takes
for you to stop and really relax and enjoy. Do only what brings
you joy.
As a sole proprietor
how can I take vacation?
We all need time and space to rejuvenate ourselves both personally
and professionally and it is important to make sure we take the
time and space. For sole proprietors it is not always an easy task
however you can take steps to make this happen and this is when
your community can come in handy.
When planning vacation time try to make sure it has a minimal impact
on your clients. In other words if your client is an accountant,
tax time would not be a good time to go on vacation. If at all possible
have a VA your clients can call on if they need support or work
done while you are absent. Make sure you indicate on your voice
message you are out of the office and if you have voice mail I recommend
you use an extended absence greeting. You will also need to have
your emails responded to. You can do this by setting up an autoresponder
through your hosting company if you have a web site or by using
the rules wizard in Outlook. Ideally if you can set up someone to
check voice mail, email and respond to clients while you are gone
it maintains a high level of professionalism.
What are some good
tension-tackling tunes for the holidays?
Check out this site and find out
http://www.topten.org/public/BF/BF38.html
Brought to you by
Virtual Strategies
and the Virtual Assistant Training Program
Making dreams reality!
www.vatp.ca
info@vatp.ca
1-604-483-3740 |
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