Password Management Software
As you build your presence on the Internet, creating social network profiles, signing up for various memberships sites, and maintaining at least one email account, trying to manage a host of passwords and usernames can become a little maddening. Fortunately, there is a wide range of password management solutions, available both as software and web-based services, for a relatively low cost. Some of the web-based password management solutions are available free of charge. In fact, most web browsers have a “remember password” feature, and for...
read moreSiri Virtual Assitant vs. A Human Virtual Assistant
The iPhone 4S’s Siri is supposed to act as virtual assistant, utilizing voice commands, your iPhone’s contacts and media, and of course, the internet. It’s a powerful piece of software, but how does it stack up against a living, breathing, human virtual assistant? Does Siri mark the beginning of the end of a human based industry? Years from now, will we reminisce how thousands of people were employed before advancing technology again made their positions obsolete? Siri functions on basic Q&A methodology. You ask a question or make a...
read moreWho Needs a Virtual Assistant?
Who could use a little extra help these days? The short answer: everyone. Businesses of all kinds are choosing less conventional means of staffing. They’re turning to remote workers that can be located anywhere in the world. Work is assigned to members of the team through a variety of means, like email, chat, or phone correspondence. Virtual assistance gives anyone and everyone the ability to seek out the help they need, without the headache of having to sit down and interview a number of individuals. When they find the perfect...
read moreBeginner’s Guide to Small Business Outsourcing – Part 3
In Part 2 of this series, we discussed the importance of picking the appropriate outsourcing provider for your tasks. Once you have found your perfect provider, it’s important that you commit to making that relationship work. Too often, we speak with small business owners who view outsourcing as an experiment. Their first question is: “Is there a contract or commitment?” When they find out there isn’t, it’s something like: “Okay, I’ll test you guys out and see how it goes.” With that attitude,...
read moreBeginner’s Guide to Small Business Outsourcing – Part 2
After going through Part 1 of this “Beginner’s Guide to Outsourcing, you should have a value-driven, prioritized list of projects, tasks, and responsibilities ready to be outsourced. Jump into outsourcing unprepared will leave you frustrated, and likely waste time and money. But don’t start looking around for a provider just yet… To research and pick an outsourcing partner without carefully defining your needs is a fast track to frustration and disappointment, no matter how good the service is. There are two important...
read moreBeginner’s Guide to Small Business Outsourcing – Part 1
Outsourcing can be intimidating, and there are quite a few pitfalls along the way (especially for beginners). Some people try hiring freelancers a few times, have a horrible experience, and unfortunately, go back to doing everything themselves. Because we’re in the business of taking on outsourced work, we’ve put together a three-part series that will help you avoid many of the common mistakes, lay out a strategy that will give you the greatest chance of success, and help you get the most value out of outsourcing. Part 1: Deciding...
read more3 Step Process for Quickly Overcoming Burnout
Burnout can become a downward spiral… You’re burned out so you avoid your work, feel guilty for avoiding work, so more negative feelings are associated with work… Making you more likely to continue avoiding work. The typical advice for overcoming burnout is “take time off.” For some (most?) small business owners, that isn’t an option. Yes, they’d much rather be vacationing in the Caribbean for a couple weeks, but they have responsibilities that can’t be neglected. That doesn’t mean,...
read moreThe LongerDays Difference: Teamwork
Virtual assistance makes a lot of sense… It’s a way for small business owners to get help without having to worry about the headache and expenses of hiring an employee. Many small business owners don’t need an employee sitting at their office, but having a virtual assistant on hand allows their business to get the help it needs – running smoothly while the owner focuses on what they need to get done. Our clients are typically small business owners, so you can imagine the variety of tasks we tackle — one day a client may need...
read moreHiring a Virtual Assistant: 4 Things to Consider
Hiring a virtual assistant is an important decision. These kinds of business services are actually very diverse, though, and finding the right fit for you is critical a successful relationship. Here’s a quick primer on the major differences between virtual assistance offerings, and what they mean for you as a business owner: Foreign vs. Domestic A foreign virtual assistant will be cheaper, but a language barrier can make it difficult to get complex tasks completed precisely. This can slow down as misunderstandings are worked out. If you...
read moreTips for Working with a Virtual Assistant: Get Creative
Virtual assistance is extremely flexible — a client purchases a block of time, and they can use it however they like. While this creates an almost overwhelming number of ways we can help, it is best to look at the work that needs to be done… And then decide where a virtual assistant could best help you. It may mean delegating initiatives you never seem to get to, having them take over something routine that isn’t the best use of your time, or even coming up with completely new processes to strengthen your business. Just don’t get locked...
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