The Executive gone Virtual

As I browse the forums and network with other VAs and aspiring VAs I am amazed to find that a lot of executive assistants are leaving well paid full time jobs and joining the revolution. I wonder at my amazement however because any executive assistant worth his/her weight has the ability to run any organization, both large and small. Indeed many do, they are usually the backbone of the company they serve.

This was certainly true for me. I was placed in a unique (or not so unique) position of knowing the details of and many times performing the tasks of the 50 plus employees of the organization that I worked for. One day I would be making the decisions of the CEO the next I would be sitting at the receptionist's desk transferring calls! I am sure that this would be true for many assistants out there. It was my job to ensure the smooth operation of that location, no easy feat.

I can't express how gratified I feel when my ex-boss the CEO calls, at least once a month to thank me for my years of service and ask me to come back. It seems that he has yet to get his new assistant up to standard. One thing that came out of all this was that the job of an executive could not be defined. This came up when he asked to provide a job description. I think that there are many things that you just cannot outline, for instance, laying out the mail at just the right angle and ensuring the office is just the right temperature!

Anyway I came as close as I could with finding the right match and I a gave a gift to my replacement. Whenever we meet she thanks me for it. I suggest it to any executive assistant or virtual executive assistant. If you apply the principles of tis book it will go a long way the ensuring satisfied clients.

The book is Become An Inner Circle Assistant by Joan Burge, I love it and I recommend it. Use this link to purchase on Amazon.

Sending Out Love

My heart and my prayers go out to all the students and family and friends of those affected by the VT shooting.
Such a senseless tragedy.

Scam Free Zone 2

Top Ten Indications of a Scam:

1. They ask for money upfront.
2. Shoddy websites.
3. Poor Contact Information.
4. Email addresses from free email providers, yahoo, hotmail, etc.
5. Promises of unlimited income.
6. No experience necessary.
7. Excessive testimonials plastered across website.
8. Requesting personal information.
9. Vague responses to inquiries.
10. They accept cash, money orders only.

Questions You Should Ask:

• Why do I have to pay to get a job?
• If you MUST pay… Can I use my credit card?
• What are my responsibilities?
• Is the job salaried or based on commission?
• When and how will I get paid?

Types of WAH Scams:

• Data Entry
• Medical Transcriptions
• Stuffing Envelopes
• Home Assemblies
• UPS and Federal Express Recovery
• Reshipping
• Check Cashing

What to do if you think you’ve been conned:

• Contact the company and ask for a refund and let them know of your intentions to notify officials.
• File complaints with:
• The Federal Trade Commission.
• The Attorney General’s office in your state.
• The Better Business Bureau.
• The company where the ad was listed.

Bottom Line: Hold on to your checkbook.

Don't Mean To Say It...But I Told Ya!

Ok I confess, my previous post, Scam Free Zone was prompted by a friend who wanted to become a VA.
She sought advice from me and from a few message boards. I gave her a list of things she should do to get started. She has been searching the internet for "jobs" to get herself started, so to speak.
She came to me three months ago with her "fantastic" opportunity.... At home typist. Now I want to emphasize that not all Data Entry positions are illegitimate but I asked her to stay away from them because she has been a very skillful Executive Secretary to a CEO for the last 14 years. I think her skills are much too valuable for "At Home Typist," and I told her this.
Unfortunately she decided to ignore my warning. She's out $75.00 and her pride took a beating because I found out about it.
As she tells it, she filled out a job application after they told her she qualified for the position.Two days after sending her application, she was interviewed over the phone by a really friendly lady who told her that she was hired by "the company" after typing at home with them for six months.
The "nice" lady told her that God had been so good to her that after typing at home and making good money she was offered a full time position and was still able to work at home.
Newsflash! This was an interview wasn't it. My friend says they did not ask about her past experience, her typing speed or anything of the sort. Her interview consisted of a "nice" lady talking about her experience and then informing her that she had to pay $75.00 to be included in the program. It covered the cost of software and training and was refundable if she changed her mind. My friend thought here was a nice Christian lady who offered her money back if she changed her mind, therefore there was no risk at all.
To cut a long story short, she received a package of worthless materials in the mail and has no way of contacting her "employer."
Today my friend Mary Storm is the newest member of my team and doesn't mind my telling her experience if it keeps others from repeating it.
Tomorrow I will list additional ways to spot a scam.

Scam Free Zone

This post is dedicated to all up and coming VAs.

Making the decision to work at home is a difficult decision for many. I have to say the with all the scams over the internet makes it an even riskier decision. I remember when I first made the decision to work at home many years ago there were a few scams out there, now they have multiplied to an unbelievable extent.

I'll share my philosophy with you:

• There are no easy ways to make hundreds in one day.
• Look out for mysterious advertisers, I believe that a legitimate business should have no problem listing its name and location.
• Why should you respond to whoever@yahoo.com or hotmail.com?
• Why should you pay for training or software? DON'T
• If I'm hiring for an important position I need an experienced employee, what do you think?
• Make hundreds or thousands with no experience... come on
• WAHMs many of you do have experience, years of experience don't sell yourself short, seek positions that will utilize and value your experience.
  
• Trust your instincts, if it screams SCAM it most definitely is.

I avoided these scams many years ago because I promoted my business offline at first. I was hired by people who new my work ethics and referred me to their friends. Upcoming VAs I suggest you use your much needed dollars for marketing yourself instead of filling some scum's pocket.

Virtual Assistant Redefined

Wikipedia defines a Virtual Assistant as:

A Virtual Assistant (or simply VA), is an independent contractor providing administrative, technical, or sometimes creative assistance to clients--usually to other independent entrepreneurs and solo and small business practices, such as that of a lawyer or Realtor. Virtual assistants work from their own office (hence "virtual"), thus making it a fairly popular (and growing) profession. It is estimated that there are about 5,000-8,000 virtual assistants worldwide.

Common modes of communication and data delivery include the Internet, File Transfer Protocol (FTP), and fax machine. Although the occupation gives a degree of independence, work is on a contractual basis, and a long-lasting cooperation is standard. Typically 5 years of administrative experience in an office is expected at such positions as executive assistant, secretary, legal assistant, paralegal, legal secretary, real estate assistant, office manager, etc.

Based on the above definition it appears that anyone in possession of a reliable computer, an internet connection, some administrative experience and a desire to work from home can "open for business."

I beg to differ, I would like to redefine the term Virtual Assistant or Successful Virtual Assistant based on my reality.

A Successful Virtual Assistant is a disciplined professional who operates as an independent contractor by providing administrative, technical and creative assistance to clients. A virtual assistant typically operates from a home office and communicates with clients via the internet, fax and phone.

A Virtual Assistant must be disciplined in order to succeed in the home environment. Amidst the chaos of screaming kids and spouses a Virtual Assistant develops time management and negotiation skills. A Virtual Assistant is not easily distracted by friends dropping in, by personal calls, by screaming toddlers and by nosy neighbors, in fact he/ she is a diplomat who runs a successful business in spite of these distractions.

So my friend when asked what your skills are, proudly mention:

• Time Management
• Organizational
• Diplomat
• Entrepreneurial
• Negotiator
  
• Ambassador
  
• Coach
  
• & Whatever skill set you possess

Plus you do it all from your home office!