Networking for Work

By Jennifer Murray, The Nimble Assistant

That’s what we’re doing. Some of us, out there schmoozing, socializing, buying groceries or office supplies are looking for work. The difference between work seekers is the nature of job we are looking for – employment or customers.

Is there really that much difference between employment and customers? Perhaps not in the acquiring but certainly in the delivery. A huge portion of the population is looking for employment – to work for someone else. They are seeking job satisfaction, benefits, co-workers, a computer, and maybe a Christmas party.

Entrepreneurs are looking for employment – to work for themselves. They are seeking job satisfaction (on their own terms), benefits (flexibility and direct reward), partners (instead of co-workers), the equipment they want, and they’ll go to many Christmas parties. The process is essentially the same though. Both people need to get out there, meet people, talk about what they have to offer, understand customer/employer uniqueness, assess where and how they can help and if it’s a match between skill, product, and need. We’re in business for a job for that matter.

Once you have the job though, it’s pretty simple. You go to work; you go home; you get paid. Yes, I realize sometimes the balance between the three goes askew and there are people who work their tails off and don’t get paid equivocally. That’s another issue. The entrepreneur however, gets the job, acknowledges the job (hopefully with a little note), performs the task, thanks the customer, asks for feedback and a referral then spends time assessing the process and does the paperwork. Oh, and guess what? You’ll need to go job hunting again tomorrow!

And so we should. How will we ever keep up with market trends, social changes and environmental issues by solely sitting at the computer or being fed information? Get out there and get it yourself. There is valuable information within networking that we can all take back to our jobs (bosses and clients alike). Keep networking; you need to see how well you’ll fit into your next job.

Jennifer Murray, proprietor of The Nimble Assistant, determines efficiencies for small businesses and simply gets the job done in her role as a virtual assistant. Her energy, enthusiasm, flexibility, and focus have lightened the load for many managers and entrepreneurs. Growing a small business requires a team where each member does what he or she does best. Jennifer creates an opportunity for small businesses to grow their business while supporting their existing business. She can be reached at jennifer@thenimbleassistant.com.

Your Business…Your Baby

By Jennifer Murray

“When you love something

, you should let it go, and it will come back to you better and improved.” This quote not only applies to loved ones and relationships but also to your business.

Entrepreneurs and small business owners wear a multitude of hats – no doubt about it. And why do we want to do it all? For the same reason we don’t give up our children. Let’s parallel this for a minute.

You see, our children challenge us (first physically, then mentally) as do our businesses. In the beginning, we work long hours, change our sleep and eating routines, meet new people, and constantly question our judgment. Did I make the right decision? Should I have chosen a different supplier? We ask colleagues what they think about nearly every aspect until we get a little experience beneath our belt. Now think about first-time parents. There’s nothing like a baby to change these same things including our confidence in our personal lives.

As dependencies evolve (in both children and business), we begin to breathe again; feel the winds of success beneath us and we’re proud of the gamut we’ve survived. The first two years of life and the first two years of a small business are tough work and there should be a badge for survivors. Then it happens. You know it’s time to step back and get someone else involved.

For parents, this can mean daycare or the first day of school. Here’s the leap of faith I’m getting to: you know as a parent you can’t give your child everything. Teachers and other kids can contribute in ways you could not and your child will only benefit from other perspectives including individual strengths and weaknesses. This applies to your business, too.

How can you possibly expect your business to grow if you don’t open it up for more input, experiences, strengths, and weaknesses? The faith you need to build before you leap can be paralleled with the research you put into finding the right pre-school. You wouldn’t offer your child to the first person that comes along; nor should you open your business doors to the first offer of help. Human resource is a vast area of expertise that offers many studies and strategies for fit, motivation, and compensation. There’s a reason for professional designations in this field. People have a huge affect on a company that it should be given significant consideration.

As the most dedicated and motivated employee, your success equals the company’s success. Take time to determine your strengths and company goals before you’re desperate for help. Strategize where the best fit would be. How successful are you if you are stressed, and struggling between getting more work and getting the work done? How can you expect to grow without letting something go?

Most of us cannot grow another brain, arm, or leg. The best place to start looking for assistance is by sharing weekly routines you don’t feel are a good use of your time. Start small as a testing ground. This is important not only in assessing the skill and trust level of the person performing the work but it acts as a gauge of your communication capability.

The trick is finding a comfort zone for both of you. There are two extremes. The first is the micro-manager we all know and love. At the other end of spectrum is the person that doesn’t give specific instructions but expects the task-handler to simply know. Picture the caregiver sitting in the back of the kindergarten room “just in case” versus the parent not communicating his child’s special needs and promptly leaving upon delivery.

It is in your best interest to provide all the tools (including information) for the task to be completed successfully. It is in your assistant’s best interest to make sure she understands and asks clarifying questions to ensure her success, too. Only then will you both experience the power of “we” and your company will grow.

Once your comfort level has been established, and your mind-map changed, you will see other tasks that can be handed over. And there you go…your business-baby is graduating and incorporating a support system of its own. They are called friends in pre-school, and in business – associates, colleagues, and maybe even employees – and there you grow again!

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Jennifer Murray, founder of The Nimble Assistant, contributes to the growth and sustainability of small businesses through administrative support. By working smarter not harder, entrepreneurs are experiencing the “power of we” and growing their businesses. For a free brainstorming session on how The Nimble Assistant can contribute to your success email: info@TheNimbleAssistant.com or visit www.TheNimbleAsssitant.com for testimonials and examples.

Published in Networking Today, April 2007

What are You Doing to Create a Thriving Business?

By Yvonne Weld

“That will never happen to me” is a cliché many of us apply to a number of aspects in our lives, yet we subconsciously take precautions to protect ourselves. We buy home insurance in case of theft or fire, we buy life insurance to protect our families in the event of our death and we buy car insurance in case we are in a car accident. Some of us buy business insurance to protect our company. Many of us overlook the biggest “insurance” we should be investing our time and money in from the beginning. The “insurance” provided in ensuring a thriving business. What does it mean to ensure a thriving business?

The first step to creating a thriving business is preparing an operational manual that will guarantee business survival through any hurdle including business growth, owner absenteeism, and even owner death. Most business owners never stop to consider what might happen if they were injured, sick, or worse. By taking a precautionary role in your business, ask yourself how things would work if “it did happen to me.” What would happen if my spouse, child, or parent was sick tomorrow – could I dedicate the time to their recovery?

These are all things we think we won’t have to worry about, but what if the occasion arises? Step back for a minute and think about how your business would change if you needed to take the time to dedicate to a personal problem. Perhaps for a short term, business wouldn’t change much; but, what if you needed to step back for an extended period of time? What would happen then?

Today’s small business success hinges on the expertise and skills of the owner. What happens to the business should the owner become ill or die? In many cases, a family member steps in out of obligation. Often they lack the skills necessary to allow the business to truly thrive. They don’t have the same dedication, determination or passion to see the business succeed as you did. In many cases, a family member will promise to maintain a family business thinking “I won’t ever have to worry about that.” After all, no one thinks it will actually become their responsibility.

By creating an operational manual that outlines every facet of your day-to-day operations, your business could easily continue uninterrupted. Including pertinent company information and a full description of how daily tasks are carried out will ensure tasks will be handled in the same manner you would expect. Family members could easily hire someone to manage operations based upon your manual. This way, they will know things were being handled as you would handle them.

Step back for a minute and think about what it means for you to truly create a thriving business. Just like plants need essential tools to survive, so does your business. The ingredients may be different but providing them is no less important. Plants need water, sun and dirt in order to grow vigorously and healthily. Your business needs a successful team leader, a desired product or service and a plan for success and profitability. Most businesses have two of the key ingredients and are missing the most important one. If you leave instructions for watering your plants, shouldn’t you leave instructions for running your business?

Yvonne Weld is the author of The Ultimate Guide to Creating a Thriving Business and is the owner of ABLE Virtual Assistant Services (www.ableva.com). For more information about The Ultimate Guide to Creating a Thriving Business and how you can protect your business from unexpected absences due to injury, sickness or even death, visit the Web site at http://www.thrivingbusinessmanual.com.

Published in Networking Today, March 2007

Running a Home Based Business …is not always a Bed of Roses

By Yvonne Weld

Every rose has its thorns…and that’s true in the garden and in business. Starting a home-based business requires skill in navigating the thorns you encounter as your business begins to grow.

I began researching home based businesses because of the advantages that working from home afforded me: making my own hours, staying home with my children, and taking take time off when I wanted and not when the “holiday schedule” allowed for it. I viewed entrepreneurship through “rose-colored glasses” and didn’t see the thorns associated with owning my own business.

Loneliness

There isn’t a “water cooler” in my home office and my cat never sticks around long enough to talk about who was voted off the island last night on my favourite reality show. Isolation is one of the largest struggles that the home-based entrepreneur faces.

The realization they are now a “one man show” can be overwhelming. The best way to overcome feelings of loneliness and isolation is to join online forums. Also, make sure to get out of the office and attend networking events. If you thrive on interaction with others, this may be a thorn you cannot get past and opening a home-based business may not be a good choice for you.

Misconceptions of Others

Some people think that entrepreneurs sit around with their feet up eating bon-bons all day. When someone finds a way to make money doing that – let me know! I can’t count the times someone has asked me to volunteer on a committee or waste time talking about their favourite soap opera all because they think I’m not REALLY working.

When you start your home based business you will spend a lot of time explaining to others what your job entails, including the hours you plan to work. When others respect that you are serious about your business and its success you’ve successfully removed this thorn.

Separating Personal from Business

Balancing personal life and business life is challenging for many entrepreneurs that work from home. If you have a family it becomes even “stickier.” It is important to ensure that your family sees that you are dedicated to your work when you are at work and you are dedicated to your family when you are at home.

It is vital to schedule family time and business time. I stay away from my office during scheduled family time and focus on my business during business time – the laundry will wait until after hours. Caller ID and call display are wonderful tools to ensure personal phone calls don’t become a thorn in your side.

Billable Time vs. Non-billable Time

The biggest hurdle (or thorn) for many home-based entrepreneurs to overcome is a “paycheck” mentality. Even though you’re working a forty-hour week, you’re not getting paid for forty hours. You need time to market your business and keep both your clients and the government happy.

While you can hire professionals to assist you, it is important to budget for non-billable time.

Before you decide to take the leap from the corporate world to opening a home-based business, stop and smell the roses. If you’ve identified all the “thorns” involved, you’re less likely to get pricked when you reach out to grab one. Take an honest look within yourself and decide if you have what it takes to navigate the thorns and bloom into a successful entrepreneur.

Yvonne Weld is the owner of ABLE Virtual Assistant Services (www.ableva.com), which offers administrative assistance to “solopreneurs.” At ABLE Virtual Assistant Services, we take care of the details of your business so that you can use your time effectively and wisely.

Published in Networking Today, December, 2006

Be a Substitute

By Jennifer Murray

We all know how important it is to network and get your face (and company) out there. It’s refreshing as a small business owner working from home to get out and learn about the businesses in my community as well as talk about what’s happening with my business.

It may feel weird (a good kind of weird) to be the new kid on the block or a new individual at a networking group. The good part is the attention of course, when the spotlight is in your corner; nothing more obvious than as a substitute for a regular attendee.

Referral groups in this city are abundant (see Networking Today’s Networking Groups). They can really work for certain businesses. Every Friday morning I start my day with The Networker$ and enjoy the membership as well as the referrals. We are committed to attend every meeting with the caveat that we send a replacement if we cannot; as is the case with most of these groups.

As a replacement, you promote the person you are presenting at a specific time often saving your own company commercial for later in the meeting. Regardless, you have opportunity to network with individuals you may not normally have access to. In the last edition of Networking Today, Maria Marsala, offered tips on discussion items at a business table over a meal (see Questions to Ask at a Meeting that Includes a Meal). Very useful information for networkers, especially those in a substitute position at a table of routine individuals. Embrace the spotlight and engage in the table conversation. You never know when you may call on the individuals at your table or vice versa.

To entrepreneurs looking for a replacement; create a path of success for your substitute. Here are some tips:

• Make sure the sub knows your sixty-second commercial (a written version is best).
  
  
• Provide an agenda of the session (include when the networking should happen).
  
  
• Set out any rules of the group pertinent to the agenda (especially when she can talk about her business).
  
  
• If available, share the group’s Web site address for reference.
  
  
• Let her know if you want feedback on the session.

Being a substitute is fun. Most people are keen to talk about their business to a fresh pair of ears and subsequently to listen a little about what your work passion is. So, the next time someone asks you if you’re willing to substitute for a 7:00 a.m. networking meeting don’t think of the hour, think of all those people you didn’t even know are up and about all ready.

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Jennifer Murray, proprietor of The Nimble Assistant is a virtual assistant providing administrative services to small businesses in Middlesex County. With eight years of experience and being able to manage multiple tasks with various schedules, Jennifer provides proficiency in a range of office services. Visit www.TheNimbleAssistant.com for more details.

Published in Networking Today, August, 2006

Virtual Assistants…Six Questions You Need Answered

By Yvonne Weld

Although Virtual Assistants are popular in the United States, Australia, and the United Kingdom, Canadians are not as familiar with this new – and quickly growing – industry. It is through education that this field can truly grow. Hopefully someday soon people will be asking, “Who is your Virtual Assistant?” rather than “What is a Virtual Assistant?”

1. What is a Virtual Assistant?
   
   Before you can determine how you can work with a Virtual Assistant you must understand what the term means. Simply put, a Virtual Assistant is a business owner who offers administrative support, virtually. The International Virtual Assistant Association defines a Virtual Assistant as “an independent entrepreneur providing administrative, creative and/or technical services. Utilizing advanced technological modes of communication and data delivery, a professional Virtual Assistant assists clients in his/her area of expertise from his/her own office on a contractual basis."
   
   
2. Why would I want to work with a Virtual Assistant?
   
   There are many advantages! First, there are no hidden costs. The Virtual Assistant takes care of his or her own expenses including office space, equipment, computers and software, and all wage-related expenses. A Virtual Assistant is not like other employees; instead she becomes a member of your team and has a stake in the success of your company. If you don’t succeed she won’t succeed.
   
   Most Virtual Assistants have many years administrative experience and can handle a variety of tasks. Many work outside of traditional business hours to provide flexibility. With a Virtual Assistant on your team you have an opportunity to grow your business rather than just maintain it. You can get back to the things you love doing…while the tasks on your TO DO list are looked after.
   
   
3. How do I find a Virtual Assistant?
   
   There are two associations that list Virtual Assistants in Canada – the Canadian Virtual Assistant Connection and the Canadian Virtual Assistant Network. Thanks to technological advances, a Virtual Assistant doesn’t need to live in close proximity as communication is available through email, facsimile, Internet, and telephone.
   
   
4. What can a Virtual Assistant assist me with?
   
   Virtual Assistants can assist you with everything from basic administrative functions (document preparation, correspondence preparation, transcriptions services, etc.) to specialized services such as Web site design and maintenance, bookkeeping, and event planning. Each Virtual Assistant has his or her own skill set and services. Many have established connections with other Virtual Assistants and will contract out specialized work or direct you to another Assistant.
   
   
5. How do I communicate with a Virtual Assistant?
   
   The most popular methods in communication are email and telephone; however, facsimile, courier, and Canada Post are often used. Many who have worked with Virtual Assistants have set up post office boxes that are accessed by the Assistant to ensure all client correspondence is handled directly by the Assistant.
   
   
6. Is there anything a Virtual Assistant can’t do for me?
   
   There is no task that an in-house assistant can do that a Virtual Assistant cannot do for you…except make your morning coffee.
   

Yvonne Weld is the owner of ABLE Virtual Assistant Services. She can be contacted at (519) 652-0914 or by email at yvonne@ableva.com.

Published in Networking Today, June 2006.