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		<title>Kaizen 101 for Small Business Owners</title>
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		<comments>http://blog.ajeva.com/2010/07/kaizen-101-for-small-business-owners/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 29 Jul 2010 14:00:35 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Marissa Sayno</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Global Sourcing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Virtual Office Guru]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[business]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[continuous improvement]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Kaizen]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[kaizen strategy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[performance management]]></category>
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		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://blog.ajeva.com/?p=978</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[If success seems to be an impossible dream for many business owners today, it is time to learn the wisdom of Kaizen in getting ahead of the game.
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			<a href="http://api.tweetmeme.com/share?url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.ajeva.com%2F2010%2F07%2Fkaizen-101-for-small-business-owners%2F"><br />
				<img src="http://api.tweetmeme.com/imagebutton.gif?url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.ajeva.com%2F2010%2F07%2Fkaizen-101-for-small-business-owners%2F&amp;source=AjevaCom&amp;style=normal" height="61" width="50" /><br />
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<p><a href="http://blog.ajeva.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/Pic-57.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-984" title="Kaizen" src="http://blog.ajeva.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/Pic-57.jpg" alt="&quot;kaizen&quot;" width="265" height="195" /></a>If your business cannot keep up with change, maybe it&#8217;s high time to set your eyes East and take wisdom from the Japanese way of life called:  <strong>KAIZEN</strong>.  Back in the 80s, many companies from the West are intrigued at how Japanese businesses operate like well-oiled rigs.  They soon discover that the driving force behind this success is a practical philosophy that many of us forget.<span id="more-978"></span></p>
<p><strong>Kaizen:  The Word of Change</strong></p>
<p>Also defined as &#8216;continuous improvement,&#8217;  Kaizen relies on scientific methods that have been used in business, management, manufacturing, and engineering.  It is a continuous improvement of standard process and using time efficiently that made workers more productive.  How do you apply the same concept to your business?</p>
<p><strong>Learning the Kaizen Ways</strong></p>
<p>Whether you want small tasks achieved on time or maintain a routine, you can achieve success through these <strong>5S</strong>:</p>
<p><strong>1.   SEIRI &#8211; De-clutter</strong></p>
<p>If your work place looks better than a Picasso painting come to life, you need to sort and clear things out.  By clearing out the clutter, you lessen the time looking for things you need at work.  Whether you run an office at home or not, your work space must be an ideal place that will inspire your mind in growing your business.  Make sure your workers share the same values and work on things that you really need.</p>
<p><strong>2.  SEITON – Organize</strong></p>
<p>What use is a clutter-free space when you don&#8217;t have your priorities set?  Get your files organized and allocate a free time converting paper data into digital files.  You may also try <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cloud_computing" target="_blank">cloud computing</a> services for backup.  Keep in mind that for every goal you want achieved, there is a purpose.  How will you achieve your plans?  Answer this before assigning your workers a new task.</p>
<p><strong>3.  SEISO &#8211; Cleanup and </strong><strong>Prioritize</strong></p>
<p>Now that you have cleared your thoughts and got a plan in action, you need to polish the steps it will take for you to achieve your goals.  This is where you will define your brand values and your business strategies.  You will have to define your objectives and make sure that counter measures are in place, if things fail.  Awareness is the key here.  Communicate your plans well to your workers.</p>
<p><strong>4.  SEIKETSU – Standardize</strong></p>
<p>In any endeavor, it is important to set your expectations high.  Help your workers become more productive by assigning tasks suitable to their skills and help them improve their work through training.  There is no magic formula to success.  Thomas Edison encountered a thousand failures before he finally made the light bulb work.  <em>Does your plan work?</em> Make changes based on the results you get.</p>
<p><strong>5.  SHITSUKE &#8211; Discipline</strong></p>
<p>Many business owners make the mistake of passing on the problem.  You need to take responsibility and check if metrics are met.  A good leader values self discipline above all in the quest for that seamless solution that gave birth to many multi-million dollar industries today.  Be a good role model to your workers.</p>
<p>In real life, everything is not picture-perfect.  When you conquered a hill, you can take the next step in conquering a mountain.  These <strong>5S</strong> will help you build a system that will improve performance and productivity among your <a href="http://ajeva.com/" target="_blank">team of experts</a>.  Keep in mind that each step, no matter how small, when done confidently and carefully, will help you move closer to your goals.</p>
<p><strong>Celebrity Entrepreneurs Reveal the Secret to Success </strong></p>
<p><object classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" width="540" height="385" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><param name="src" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/a3Cwgp7HOAM&amp;hl=en_US&amp;fs=1?rel=0" /><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true" /><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="540" height="385" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/a3Cwgp7HOAM&amp;hl=en_US&amp;fs=1?rel=0" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></p>
<p><strong>Something Interesting:</strong></p>
<p><a href="http://www.nzherald.co.nz/small-business/news/article.cfm?c_id=85&amp;objectid=10629087" target="_blank">Kaizen and the Art of Subtle Change</a><br />
<a href="http://www.payperclicksearchmarketing.com/the-kaizen-mind-trick/" target="_blank">The “Kaizen Mind Trick”</a></p>


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		<title>Trendspotting for Freelancers</title>
		<link>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Ajeva/~3/_G9Hs9-VF44/</link>
		<comments>http://blog.ajeva.com/2010/07/trendspotting-for-freelancers/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 27 Jul 2010 14:00:54 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Marissa Sayno</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Freelancer's Buzz]]></category>
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		<category><![CDATA[freelance work]]></category>
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		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://blog.ajeva.com/?p=967</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[As we see more people freelancing these days, one can only wonder how work will be in the near future.  Spot the trends and stay on top with these smart freelancing tips.
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			<a href="http://api.tweetmeme.com/share?url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.ajeva.com%2F2010%2F07%2Ftrendspotting-for-freelancers%2F"><br />
				<img src="http://api.tweetmeme.com/imagebutton.gif?url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.ajeva.com%2F2010%2F07%2Ftrendspotting-for-freelancers%2F&amp;source=AjevaCom&amp;style=normal" height="61" width="50" /><br />
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<p><a href="http://blog.ajeva.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/Pic-56.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-971" title="future of freelancing" src="http://blog.ajeva.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/Pic-56.jpg" alt="&quot;freelancing future&quot;" width="265" height="195" /></a>Being a freelancer, it&#8217;s never easy knowing what the future of work will bring.  With the advent of Web 2.0 and cloud computing comes a paradigm shift in how we work today.  We&#8217;ll definitely see more people freelancing and having the freedom of working anywhere.  Businesses are seeing better value for their money in hiring independent contractors which save them from employment benefits and extra costs of keeping an employee.  <strong>Are you really ready for this change?<span id="more-967"></span></strong><em> </em></p>
<p><strong>Freelancing:  The Future of Work</strong></p>
<p><em>MetLife Foundation</em> has made a <a href="http://www.encore.org/files/research/JobsBluestonePaper3-5-10.pdf" target="_blank">research</a> on labor shortage.  Even if the recession is over, talents will run short.  Why?  There will be new jobs that will require new skills – which aren&#8217;t taught in schools.  Just try to search the web for freelancing trends and you&#8217;ll see a lot.  Ten years ago, no one even knew about doing iPhone Apps.  We&#8217;ll definitely see  new jobs on the rise and as a freelancer, you have to learn if these fads are worth chasing or not.</p>
<p><strong>Trendspotting 101 for Freelancers</strong></p>
<p>In the fast pace world of freelancing, you cannot waste your time and money.  Be a savvy trendspotter by:</p>
<p><strong>1.  Getting the Buzz</strong></p>
<p>It&#8217;s tough getting tomorrow&#8217;s news today, but all you need is a computer to connect to the world.  Know what fellow freelancers are talking about.  Get on the forums and join <a href="http://blog.ajeva.com/2010/02/why-you-must-love-social-media/" target="_blank">social media</a> groups.  It&#8217;s all about networking these days!</p>
<p><strong>2.  Loving Demographics</strong></p>
<p>Whether you go local, regional, or international – getting statistics and reports matter a lot.  What skills are in demand these days?  You need to pay close attention to these figures as if you&#8217;re an investor checking out the latest stock market report.</p>
<p><strong>3.  Making Your Curiosity Win</strong></p>
<p>Try searching for a freelance work online and you will see new jobs that will pique your interest.  Before you even consider making that career change in the future, you need to know what benefits you will get if you make that switch.  Get professional advice if you can.  Learn who have been successful in that field.</p>
<p><strong>4.   Learning New Skills</strong></p>
<p>This is the oldest rule in the trendspotting book and there&#8217;s no harm done in learning something new.  It&#8217;s all about your attitude that will make you win.  You may try self study, get <a href="http://blog.ajeva.com/2010/07/free-online-writing-courses/" target="_blank">free learning</a> from many resources on the Web, or volunteer your services to build up your portfolio.  Try new ways of <a href="http://blog.ajeva.com/2010/07/top-10-online-marketing-tools-for-freelancers/" target="_blank">marketing</a> yourself as a freelancer.  In this fast information highway, the last thing you want is to be another floppy disk in the digital data market.</p>
<p><strong>5.  Being a Solopreneur</strong></p>
<p>Change your mindset and think of long term in the volatile world of freelancing.  Is it just enough for you to work for bread and butter?  Put on your competitive hat and see opportunities in what you do today.  Can you setup a business offering services based on your skills and experience?  Innovate.  Think of fresh solutions.</p>
<p>In the world of freelancing, one day you&#8217;re in.. and the next day you&#8217;re out.  You need to be viable in these changing times and let your passion drive you to succeed.  Are you open to exploring <a href="http://ajeva.com/" target="_blank">new freelancing opportunities</a>?</p>
<p><em>Do you think freelancers should follow the trends?  Share your thoughts in the comments below.</em></p>
<p><strong>Mobile, Telepresence and the Future of Work</strong></p>
<p><object classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" width="540" height="385" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><param name="src" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/ROLXXltVcDw&amp;hl=en_US&amp;fs=1?rel=0" /><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true" /><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="540" height="385" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/ROLXXltVcDw&amp;hl=en_US&amp;fs=1?rel=0" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></p>
<p><strong>Something Interesting:</strong></p>
<p><a href="http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1898024_1898023_1898169,00.html" target="_blank">The Way We&#8217;ll Work</a><br />
<a href="http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/ideas/articles/2010/01/17/the_end_of_the_office_and_the_future_of_work/" target="_blank">The End of the Office&#8230; and the Future of Work</a><br />
<a href="http://blogs.abcnews.com/toryjohnson/2009/11/is-freelancing-in-your-work-future-.html" target="_blank">Is Freelancing in Your Work Future?</a></p>
<p><strong><br />
</strong></p>


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		<pubDate>Mon, 26 Jul 2010 05:56:44 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Shaleen</dc:creator>
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		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://blog.ajeva.com/?p=955</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[When the future of work evolves around freelancing and outsourcing, Ajeva brings a simple approach that focuses on quality and trust unlike any other.  Are you one of us yet?]]></description>
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<p><a href="http://blog.ajeva.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/newAjeva1.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-960" style="margin: 5px; border: 2px solid black;" title="New Ajeva" src="http://blog.ajeva.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/newAjeva1-300x241.jpg" alt="" width="270" height="217" /></a>Ever since we launched this current beta version of Ajeva, we&#8217;ve learned a lot working with the wonderful users we have. Since the past several months, we&#8217;ve worked hard on a brand new Ajeva, and we&#8217;re now very close to the launch.</p>
<p>Before we launch however, I wanted to write and talk about a few things:<span id="more-955"></span></p>
<p><strong>1. A Different Marketplace</strong></p>
<p>We are launching a new Ajeva that will help us take further our vision for what an online services marketplace should be. We know that there are now many choices for a freelance marketplace. <em>So, what makes us different?</em> Instead of telling you about it now, I&#8217;d love to show you &#8211; very soon. But I&#8217;ll give you a hint. It begins with <strong>Quality</strong>. We are moving towards creating a marketplace focused on quality. The details of this will be seen after launch, and on a continual progression.</p>
<p><strong>2. Closed Beta</strong></p>
<p>Since we launched, we have been open for anyone to sign up, and now we have close to 6000 users. But after launch of the New Ajeva, we are actually taking a step back and closing our site to invited users only. If you already have an account, you&#8217;ll be able to access the New Ajeva right away. Any new users will be by invitation only.</p>
<p><em>Why are we doing this?</em> It again goes back to the hint from the first point. We are focusing on quality, and would like to follow a controlled growth from here on out. After launch, we will first be spending a LOT more time getting to know our existing users, and having conversations. Only after we feel we are ready, we will be inviting new users to join us as we can.</p>
<p><strong>3. Conversations</strong></p>
<p>After launch, we will be having a lot more conversations with all of our users. Expect to hear from us, and we look forward to getting to know each and every one of you personally.</p>
<p><strong>4. Service</strong></p>
<p>Working across the globe can be hard, so we want to be there for you at every step of the way. We will be providing a lot more one-on-one level of services to you as a Service Expert, and a Buyer. To achieve the best level of quality for our marketplace, we feel it is necessary to share our experience and best practices one-on-one with our users, and help them make the best results possible from their outsourcing relationships. Think of us as your partner &#8211; here to support you fully in your outsourcing relationships.</p>
<p><strong>5. More Jobs</strong></p>
<p>A very important part of a marketplace is of course the work opportunities that are available. We have had over 150 opportunities in the past year, but we will be working hard to bring you a lot more quality jobs with the new Ajeva.</p>
<p>So, when is the new Ajeva launch coming? Sooner than you may think. I will try to post some screenshots or previews of the new version as I can.</p>
<p>Stay tuned, and stay engaged. Talk to us about your outsourcing needs &#8211; we are here to help.</p>


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		<item>
		<title>Hiring Freelancers:  Getting Your Money’s Worth</title>
		<link>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Ajeva/~3/C0lhYRJhAu4/</link>
		<comments>http://blog.ajeva.com/2010/07/hiring-freelancers-getting-your-moneys-worth/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 22 Jul 2010 14:00:20 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Marissa Sayno</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Global Sourcing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Virtual Office Guru]]></category>
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		<category><![CDATA[money saving tips]]></category>
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		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://blog.ajeva.com/?p=945</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[These are the tough times and you need to be smart with your money.  How can you get the most out of your freelancers?  Learn these five savvy tips.
]]></description>
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<p><a href="http://blog.ajeva.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/Pic-54.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-947" title="saving money outsourcing" src="http://blog.ajeva.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/Pic-54.jpg" alt="&quot;saving money freelancing&quot;" width="265" height="195" /></a>Freelancers are like freshly-picked oranges.  How do you get more juice out of your investment?  When you are doing your business online and you need an extra help, hiring a freelancer is a smart choice to fill in talent gaps or to complete unfinished project.  There are definitely <a href="http://blog.ajeva.com/2010/02/to-hire-or-to-outsource/" target="_blank">pros and cons</a> when you outsource work and in today&#8217;s economy, more businesses are taking the step forward.  <em><strong>Can you cash in and make the most out of your freelancers? </strong></em><span id="more-945"></span></p>
<p><strong>Savvy Ways in Getting the Most Out of Your Freelance Workers</strong></p>
<p>Hiring freelancers doesn&#8217;t have to be a risk if you come in handy with these money-saving tips:</p>
<p><strong>1.  Get Up Close</strong></p>
<p>You need to ask yourself if you have the time and budget to work with a freelancer.  You also have to know your freelancer more by checking his or her credentials and references.  What skills are you looking for?  How much are you willing to pay for?  You need to prepare your requirements before you even invite someone to do work-made-for-hire.  Preparation will save you from costly mistakes.</p>
<p><strong>2.  Speak in Bulk</strong></p>
<p>Think of it this way:  If you are in a retail business and you buy stuff in bulk, you&#8217;ll get a discount from getting it at wholesale price.  Go for numbers and assign several projects that will ensure a steady flow of income for freelancers.  A long-term deal is a contractor&#8217;s dream and you may get a good price for it.<br />
<strong><br />
3. Work Out a Deal</strong></p>
<p>Freelancers are keen to uncertainties and they work in the NOW.  If their price is beyond your budget, you may try to negotiate the rate.  Just don&#8217;t be too pushy in doing this.  You may ask for a lower rate if you plan to pay everything in full, or ask for better payment terms.  You may also offer perks in exchange of a discount, like free products or membership.  You may also ask for free revisions for repeat business.  As a rule, never promise more work just to bring rates down as this is a broken record label every freelancer has heard of; It&#8217;s simply disrespectful.</p>
<p><strong>4.  Give Clear Instructions</strong></p>
<p>You may have the best of the best, but no matter how talented your freelancers are – they can&#8217;t read minds!  If you have chosen already the person you want to work for your project, take the time to give detailed instructions.  Write it down.  Many freelancers are busy with other projects and they need all the help to get them focused.  A great product is always an outcome of hard work and good communication.</p>
<p><strong>5.  Learn a Virtue ( <em>or two</em> )</strong></p>
<p>Trust your freelancer to do the job.  You&#8217;ll be thankful that you did.  Freelancers are professionals and they have to be treated with respect, just like you would want to be treated.  Respect their time even if they work at home.  If you find a talent you like, keep sending more work.  Your loyalty and appreciation will have great rewards.</p>
<p>When companies struggle to keep up, there is nothing wrong in exploring alternative options that work.  <a href="http://ajeva.com/" target="_blank">Quality experts</a> don&#8217;t have to be confided in the four corners of an office cubicle.  Freelancers can also bring better value for your business.  <em>It&#8217;s all about perceptions!</em></p>
<p><strong>Business Management : Ways to Save a Company Money </strong></p>
<p><object width="540" height="300"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/4GHwgMwqFqo&amp;hl=en_US&amp;fs=1?rel=0"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/4GHwgMwqFqo&amp;hl=en_US&amp;fs=1?rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="540" height="300"></embed></object></p>
<p><strong>Something Interesting:</strong></p>
<p><a href="http://menwithpens.ca/squeeze-freelancer" target="_blank">Six Ways to Get More Juice Out of Your Freelancer</a><br />
<a href="http://www.ehow.com/how_5323633_save-money-hiring-freelancer.html" target="_blank">How to Save Money When Hiring a Freelancer</a></p>


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		<title>Top 10 Online Marketing Tools for Freelancers</title>
		<link>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Ajeva/~3/-t1SMjYJKok/</link>
		<comments>http://blog.ajeva.com/2010/07/top-10-online-marketing-tools-for-freelancers/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 20 Jul 2010 14:00:59 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Marissa Sayno</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Freelancer's Buzz]]></category>
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		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://blog.ajeva.com/?p=931</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Marketing yourself as a freelancer is never that easy when you are competing on a global scale.  These top 10 marketing tools can help you become competitive in the world of freelancing.
]]></description>
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<p><a href="http://blog.ajeva.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/Pic-55.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-937" title="freelancer marketing tools" src="http://blog.ajeva.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/Pic-55.jpg" alt="&quot;freelancer marketing tools&quot;" width="265" height="195" /></a>These days, being a multi-skilled freelancer is not enough to get you on the freelancer&#8217;s hall of fame.  You HAVE to market yourself.  When information is the key to being a successful freelancer, you need to know the hottest Web 2.0 tools that can help you in your quest.  Hard work isn&#8217;t enough!  You need to step up and create a buzz about you.<span id="more-931"></span></p>
<p><strong>Top 10 Tools to Help You Market Yourself Online as a Freelancer</strong></p>
<p>To cover all tools on how you can promote your brand and skills as a freelancer won&#8217;t fit in a single blog.  For this, we have chosen these top ten tools to help you:</p>
<p><strong>1.  Blogging</strong></p>
<p>With the advent of Google caffeine means people can easily find you through blogs.  Don&#8217;t know how to start?  All you have to do is start thinking of topics you know best, or something related to your skills.  Like, you may blog about design if you are a graphics designer.  You can use many blogging platforms on the web like <a href="http://wordpress.org/" target="_blank">WordPress</a>, <a href="https://www.blogger.com/start" target="_blank">Blogger</a>, <a href="http://www.tumblr.com/" target="_blank">Tumblr</a>, or <a href="http://posterous.com/" target="_blank">Posterous</a>.</p>
<p><strong>2.  Social Networks</strong></p>
<p><a href="http://blog.ajeva.com/2010/02/why-you-must-love-social-media/" target="_blank">Social media</a> is definitely not all hype, and there are reasons why you must embrace it.  <a href="http://blog.ajeva.com/2010/02/why-you-must-love-social-media/" target="_blank">Facebook</a> alone gained over 200 Million users in less than a year (now at 500 Million users!) and <a href="http://www.linkedin.com/" target="_blank">LinkedIn</a> is fast-growing to be the most popular tool in recruiting.  Make sure you sign up for both and create a complete professional profile.  Connect with people, get recommendations, join groups and answer questions like a PRO.</p>
<p><strong>3.  Microblogging</strong></p>
<p>Is there a sense in posting 140 characters on the web?  That&#8217;s exactly why <a href="http://twitter.com/" target="_blank">Twitter </a>is so popular these days.  It&#8217;s easy to create an account and setup your profile.  There are plenty of useful Twitter tools that let you manage your posts like <a href="http://www.tweetdeck.com/" target="_blank">TweetDeck</a>, <a href="http://hootsuite.com//" target="_blank">HootSuite</a>, and <a href="http://cotweet.com/" target="_blank">CoTweet</a>.  Whichever microblogging tool you use, just keep in mind to keep the conversation relevant and real.</p>
<p><strong>4.  SEO</strong></p>
<p>It may sound like Space Science, but SEO is short for Search Engine Optimization.  This means that whatever you post on the web, make sure to use the right keywords.  SEO helps people find you faster when they try to use search engines like Google, Yahoo, or Bing.  You won’t learn SEO overnight, but it is a skill worth investing in. Take advantage of these tools:  <a href="http://www.google.com/analytics/" target="_blank">Google Analytics</a>, <a href="https://www.google.com/accounts/ServiceLogin?service=adwords&amp;hl=en_US&amp;ltmpl=regionald&amp;passive=true&amp;ifr=false&amp;alwf=true&amp;continue=https://adwords.google.com/um/gaiaauth?apt=None&amp;ugl=true&amp;gsessionid=0lGCdseUfcq2Iwni-dnlWA" target="_blank">Google Adwords</a>, <a href="http://www.google.com/webmasters/" target="_blank">Google Webmaster</a>, <a href="http://siteexplorer.search.yahoo.com/" target="_blank">Yahoo Site Explorer</a>, and <a href="http://validator.w3.org/" target="_blank">W3C Validation</a>.  For tips and tools, you may try <a href="http://www.seomoz.org/" target="_blank">SEOMoz</a>.</p>
<p><strong>5.  Wikis</strong></p>
<p>A wiki lets you create simple web pages that includes interlinked web pages through simple text.  You may use it to create informative contents, connect with online community, knowledge sharing, or for personal use.  The most popular is <a href="http://www.wikipedia.org/" target="_blank">Wikipedia</a>, whose contents are almost as accurate as any online encyclopedia.  There are also other open wikis that don&#8217;t verify contents.</p>
<p><strong>6.  Photo Sharing</strong></p>
<p>If you would love to showcase your visual works online, you may try any of these photo sharing sites:  <a href="http://www.flickr.com/" target="_blank">Flickr</a>, <a href="http://www.smugmug.com/" target="_blank">SmugMug</a>, <a href="https://www.google.com/accounts/ServiceLogin?hl=en_US&amp;continue=http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/login?continue=http%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fhome&amp;service=lh2&amp;ltmpl=gp&amp;passive=true" target="_blank">Picasa Web Albums</a>, <a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank">PhotoBucket</a>, or <a href="http://www.go2album.com/" target="_blank">Go2Album</a>.  If you&#8217;re not a website designer, you can try <a href="http://pictobrowser.com/" target="_blank">Pictobrowser</a> that converts your Picasa and Flickr gallery into a design portfolio.  No matter what photo sharing site you use, make sure your work is protected by a <a href="http://creativecommons.org/" target="_blank">Creative Commons</a> license.</p>
<p><strong>7.  Video Sharing</strong></p>
<p>Videos definitely speak louder than words and if you fancy sharing a video on the web related to your skills, you may try these top video sharing sites:  <a href="http://www.youtube.com/" target="_blank">YouTube</a>, <a href="http://vimeo.com/" target="_blank">Vimeo</a>, <a href="http://www.brightcove.com/en/" target="_blank">BrightCove,</a> <a href="http://video.google.com/" target="_blank">Google Video</a>, <a href="http://www.dailymotion.com/en" target="_blank">Daily Motion</a>, <a href="http://www.metacafe.com/" target="_blank">Metacafe</a>, <a href="http://www.flixya.com/" target="_blank">Flixya</a>, <a href="http://www.veoh.com/" target="_blank">Veoh</a>, and <a href="http://video.yahoo.com/" target="_blank">Yahoo Videos</a>.</p>
<p><strong>8.  Article Sharing</strong></p>
<p>If you love writing, you may also share your knowledge to various article directories on the web.  Some of these sites let you earn passive income through web traffic:  <a href="http://ezinearticles.com/" target="_blank">Ezine Articles</a>, <a href="http://www.suite101.com/" target="_blank">Suite 101</a>, <a href="http://www.buzzle.com/" target="_blank">Buzzle</a>, <a href="http://www.articlesnatch.com/" target="_blank">Article Snatch</a>, <a href="http://www.goarticles.com/" target="_blank">Go Articles</a>, <a href="http://www.bukisa.com/" target="_blank">Bukisa</a>, and <a href="http://www.associatedcontent.com/" target="_blank">Associated Content</a>.  Make sure you read the site rules and follow strict editorial guidelines when submitting your work.</p>
<p><strong>9.  Podcasting</strong></p>
<p>A buzzword among techies, podcasting lets you share audio content through an RSS feed.  Many people like listening to radio on demand.  Unlike radio, your listeners can choose when and where they want to listen to your talks.  Love talking?  Whether you have a story to tell or something worthy to share, you can use any of these podcast directories: <a href="http://podcast.com/" target="_blank">Podcast.com</a>, <a href="http://www.podcastalley.com/" target="_blank">Podcast Alley</a>, <a href="http://podcasts.alltop.com/" target="_blank">AllTop</a>, <a href="http://www.digitalpodcast.com/" target="_blank">Digital Podcast</a>, or <a href="http://www.gigadial.net/public/" target="_blank">GigaDial</a>.</p>
<p><strong>10.  Multi-Casting &amp; Social Bookmarking</strong></p>
<p>Reach more audience by sharing, organizing and managing your contents in a single place.  If you hate memorizing passwords, you can use either <a href="http://ping.fm/" target="_blank">Ping.fm</a> or <a href="http://www.atomkeep.com/" target="_blank">Atomkeep</a> to update all of your accounts on the web.  For photos and videos, you may try <a href="http://www.shozu.com/portal/index.do" target="_blank">Shozu Desktop</a>.  Social bookmarking lets you tag and share contents on the web and you can use top sites like <a href="http://digg.com/" target="_blank">Digg</a>, <a href="http://www.reddit.com/" target="_blank">Reddit</a>, <a href="http://www.stumbleupon.com/" target="_blank">StumbleUpon</a>, <a href="http://buzz.yahoo.com/" target="_blank">Yahoo Buzz</a>, <a href="http://delicious.com/" target="_blank">Del.icio.us</a>, or <a href="http://www.propeller.com/" target="_blank">Propeller</a>.</p>
<p><strong> Key Note: </strong> Always check any site&#8217;s ranking and unique site visitors.  The more popular a site is, the higher chances of your content getting noticed.  You can check using <a href="http://www.alexa.com/" target="_blank">Alexa</a>, <a href="http://compete.com/" target="_blank">Compete</a>, or <a href="http://www.quantcast.com/" target="_blank">Quantcast</a>.</p>
<p>When it comes to self-promotion, it will always be your imagination that will work best.  By using the best of traditional media and mixing it with new ways of promoting your skills, you will get hired faster than you can say <em>Hello</em>.</p>
<p><em>Do you know any other tools on how a freelancer can market his/her skills online?  Please feel free to share on the comments below.</em></p>
<p><strong><br />
</strong></p>
<p><strong>How to Find a Job in the Changing Job Market</strong></p>
<p><object classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" width="480" height="385" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><param name="src" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/1B-uqjIDMKk&amp;hl=en_US&amp;fs=1" /><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true" /><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="480" height="385" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/1B-uqjIDMKk&amp;hl=en_US&amp;fs=1" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></p>
<p><strong>Something Interesting:</strong></p>
<p><a href="http://www.openforum.com/idea-hub/topics/technology/article/11-essential-online-resources-for-consultants-sharlyn-lauby" target="_blank">11 Essential Online Resources for Consultants</a><br />
<a href="http://www.fuelyourcreativity.com/10-useful-marketing-tools-for-freelancers/" target="_blank">10 Useful Marketing Tools for Freelancers</a><br />
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5kq7-47yz7Y" target="_blank">How to Find a Job During a Recession</a></p>
<p><strong><br />
</strong></p>


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		<title>How to Stay Smart with Your Outsourcing Deals</title>
		<link>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Ajeva/~3/lVyxYOVRaGw/</link>
		<comments>http://blog.ajeva.com/2010/07/how-to-stay-smart-with-your-outsourcing-deals/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 15 Jul 2010 14:00:38 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Marissa Sayno</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Global Sourcing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Virtual Office Guru]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[business]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[business outsourcing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[goals]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[outsourcing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[outsourcing strategy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[plan]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[planning]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[process outsourcing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[small business plan]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[strategic planning]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://blog.ajeva.com/?p=919</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Businesses consider outsourcing to cut costs and meet their customers' demands.  Learn these five savvy tips in making sure you stay smarter on your outsourcing deals.
]]></description>
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				<img src="http://api.tweetmeme.com/imagebutton.gif?url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.ajeva.com%2F2010%2F07%2Fhow-to-stay-smart-with-your-outsourcing-deals%2F&amp;source=AjevaCom&amp;style=normal" height="61" width="50" /><br />
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<p><a href="http://blog.ajeva.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/Pic-52.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-923" title="outsourcing caution" src="http://blog.ajeva.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/Pic-52.jpg" alt="&quot;outsourcing&quot;" width="265" height="195" /></a>In this discount-loving culture where everyone&#8217;s looking for bargain, one can only ask:  <strong>Is Cheaper Really Better?</strong> It seems that the outsourcing trend is heavy on low-price competition.  It takes two to tango and one cannot simply work on cheaper productivity to make it in the global marketplace.  When quality is the new lingo that consumers speak today, can your business really rely on the cheapest solution out there?<span id="more-919"></span></p>
<p>If you go to any freelancing forums right now, you will see plenty of rants on how clients get ripped-off simply because they have thought it&#8217;s smarter to cut costs.  They were mistaken!  Whether it took their remote workers twice the time to mess up the job or not, they are all screaming:  RIPOFF!  You may see <a href="http://blog.ajeva.com/2010/07/5-signs-that-you-need-to-outsource/" target="_blank">signs</a> that your business need to outsource, but if doing so will mar you image, then you better clean up your act.  <strong><em>Outsource Cheaply = Cheap Image</em>.</strong></p>
<p><strong>How to Be NOT a Victim of Shoddy Outsourcing Deals</strong></p>
<p><strong>1.  Create Mini Projects</strong></p>
<p>Small projects can help you learn more about your outsourced team&#8217;s skills, as well as strengthen your work relationship.  Are you compatible working with each other?</p>
<p><strong>2.  Speak in One Language</strong></p>
<p>Communication is an important factor in the success or failure of a project.  Make sure that you are choosing the right service provider who fully understands and speaks the way that you do.  A simple video call over Skype can give you a clear idea in less than two minutes.</p>
<p><strong>3.  Avoid the Rush</strong></p>
<p>Many who outsourced are so excited turning the work over without making that smooth transition.  It is important that both sides have a complete overview of what is expected of each – no excuses!  Take time then.  It will save you from future, costly mistakes.</p>
<p><strong>4.  Take Accountability</strong></p>
<p>Clients make the mistake of giving complete reign to their outsourced team over a project.  You&#8217;re just passing on problems and making matters worse.  Although this may show your complete trust on your team, your guidance will be greatly needed from step one to completion stage.</p>
<p><strong>5.  Treat Your Outsourced Workers as Your Business Asset</strong></p>
<p>Can you get over the cultural mindset and adopt a global one?  You may want to keep track of the process, just make sure you don&#8217;t get in the way of jobs getting done.  Try treating your outsourced workers as a priceless gem than just another commodity in the market.  You&#8217;ll be surprised that your appreciation will make your workers work better than you&#8217;ve thought.</p>
<p>Quality should go hand-in-hand with the cost of outsourcing.  If you do this with <a href="http://blog.ajeva.com/2010/07/ethical-outsourcing-the-new-face-of-business/" target="_blank">social-responsibility</a> in mind, there&#8217;s no chance for you to become another victim of a shady outsourcing deal.  Ask yourself:  <em><strong>Are you ready to invest in <a href="http://ajeva.com/" target="_blank">real value</a>?</strong></em></p>
<p><strong>Cheap: The High Price of Discount Culture </strong></p>
<p><object classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" width="425" height="344" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><param name="src" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/s13umaCTUz4&amp;hl=en_US&amp;fs=1?rel=0&amp;color1=0x3a3a3a&amp;color2=0x999999" /><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true" /><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="344" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/s13umaCTUz4&amp;hl=en_US&amp;fs=1?rel=0&amp;color1=0x3a3a3a&amp;color2=0x999999" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></p>
<p><strong>Something Interesting:</strong></p>
<p><a href="http://www.economyincrisis.org/content/harsh-truth-about-outsourcing" target="_blank">The Harsh Truth About Outsourcing</a><br />
<a href="http://www.entrepreneur.com/money/columnistbillbartmann/article207316.html" target="_blank">Are You Really Investing in Your Employees? </a><br />
<a href="http://www.itbusinessedge.com/cm/blogs/enderle/where-outsourcing-fails-and-why-you-don-t-hear-about-it/?cs=31917" target="_blank">Where Outsourcing Fails and Why You Don’t Hear About It</a></p>


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		<title>Are You a Healthy Freelancer?</title>
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		<comments>http://blog.ajeva.com/2010/07/are-you-a-healthy-freelancer/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 13 Jul 2010 14:00:19 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Marissa Sayno</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Freelancer's Buzz]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Remote Work]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[alternative health]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[freelancer]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[freelancer health]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[freelancing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[freelancing health issues]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[health]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[stress management]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[wellness]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[work health issues]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[work stress]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://blog.ajeva.com/?p=906</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Health is your greatest wealth, especially when you're a freelancer.  Are you taking care of – You?  These tips can keep your mind and body in shape.
]]></description>
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<p><strong><a href="http://blog.ajeva.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/Pic-53.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-911" title="freelancing stress" src="http://blog.ajeva.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/Pic-53.jpg" alt="&quot;freelancing stress&quot;" width="265" height="195" /></a>Freelancers Heed!</strong> You can be your very own nemesis.  When your work habits are getting in the way of your health, you&#8217;re in for a serious trouble.  As a freelancer, you rely too much on your computer to make a living.  In fact, you are married to it like a person does.  If you&#8217;re not watching yourself closely in the mirror, your poor lifestyle choices can definitely take a huge toll.  Are you willing to pay the price?</p>
<p><span id="more-906"></span></p>
<p><strong>How You Can Stay Healthy as a Freelancer</strong></p>
<p>If your body can speak, it will scream.  Try listening to it.  Are you suffering any pain recently?  Trouble getting sleep?  Gaining weight too quick?  Don&#8217;t miss these signs.  As the adage goes: an ounce of prevention is worth more than a cure.  Here are ways you can correct your  bad habits before it&#8217;s too late:</p>
<p><strong>1.  Get Quality Sleep</strong></p>
<p>A good night&#8217;s sleep means a good morning.  <em>Did you know that the most common cause of road accident is lack of sleep?</em> You can focus more on tasks when your mind and body are well rested.  You can always try the alternative route before you see a sleep doctor to help you out.</p>
<p><strong>2.  Move It!</strong></p>
<p>As in, move and flex those stiff muscles.  If you are working for more than 8 hours a day, you have a higher chance of acquiring RSI or <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/health/physical_health/conditions/repetitivestrain1.shtml" target="_blank">Repetitive Strain Injury</a>.  When health insurance is hard to come by as a freelancer, the last thing you want is to experience prolonged pain in your shoulders, arms, neck, or legs.  Whenever you feel burned out with what you do, take a break.  Even a 10-minute work-out can do wonders.</p>
<p><strong>3.  Eat Well</strong></p>
<p>When you&#8217;re freelancing, it&#8217;s very tempting to grab anything within reach and munch it without care.  It&#8217;s like sitting in front of your TV.  There&#8217;s nothing wrong with food, but how you choose your food matters.  Start doing a makeover of your snacks and go for those that are organic and rich in antioxidants.  Your brain need all the boosts so make sure you eat healthy.  There&#8217;s nothing wrong with snacking, as long as you go for foods that are free from chemicals and food preservatives.  Besides, you are what you eat!</p>
<p><strong>4.  Hydrate</strong></p>
<p>Your body is 70% water and you need pure water in order to keep your brains and other vital organs working.  Sometimes, when you feel the urge to eat, it&#8217;s your body&#8217;s way of telling you that you are thirsty. <em> Having a brain fog?</em> Try drinking a glass of cold water to freshen you up.  It&#8217;s not only good for your mind, but it can help you burn fats as well.</p>
<p><strong>5.  Love Ergonomics</strong></p>
<p><em>Did you know that the way you sit in your work chair has an effect on how you work?</em> Keeping proper posture is vital when you are working in front of your PC for a very long time.  If you want to keep headaches, muscle pains, and back problems away – try investing in an ergonomic chair that gives you comfort and support.  Ideally, your computer monitor should be placed at eye level.  You can also try using mouse pads with wrist rest.</p>
<p><strong>6.  Go Alternative</strong></p>
<p>From ending the freelance job you hate to taking a road trip to alternative health lane, if it makes you feel good –  do it.  Sometimes, a simple change can freshen up your perspective and keep you motivated.  If you feel like a slug or tired like a dog, you can always pamper yourself to an aromatherapy, hydrotherapy, meditation classes, Yoga, Tai Chi, or a soothing massage.  Even a dose of laughter can perk you up.</p>
<p>Being a healthy freelancer matters most so you can be your very best.  When competition is on a global scale and the pressure to shine is at its peek, the last thing you want is to get sick.  <em>Under pressure?</em> Take a break. Do something fun.  Invest in a lifestyle change.  It&#8217;s all about managing stress that will save your <a href="http://ajeva.com/" target="_blank">freelancing</a> days.</p>
<p><em>Do you have health tips for your fellow freelancers out there?  Please feel free to share on the comments below.</em></p>
<p><strong>Top 10 Stress Busters </strong></p>
<p><object classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" width="425" height="344" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><param name="src" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/SgeOaygSgIY&amp;hl=en_US&amp;fs=1?rel=0&amp;color1=0x3a3a3a&amp;color2=0x999999" /><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true" /><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="344" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/SgeOaygSgIY&amp;hl=en_US&amp;fs=1?rel=0&amp;color1=0x3a3a3a&amp;color2=0x999999" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></p>
<p><strong>Something Interesting:</strong></p>
<p><a href="http://www.1stwebdesigner.com/development/health-hazards-freelancing/" target="_blank">10 Most Common Health Hazards of Freelancing</a><br />
<a href="http://freelanceswitch.com/freelancing-essentials/health-insurance-for-freelancers/" target="_blank">Health Insurance for Freelancers</a><br />
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P3lH_DnM8nc" target="_blank">Stress Management: Balancing Work And Love </a></p>
<p><strong><br />
</strong></p>


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		<title>5 Signs that You Need to Outsource</title>
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		<comments>http://blog.ajeva.com/2010/07/5-signs-that-you-need-to-outsource/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 08 Jul 2010 14:00:28 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Marissa Sayno</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Global Sourcing]]></category>
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		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://blog.ajeva.com/?p=894</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Outsourcing has its pros and cons.  Just when should you outsource?  Here are five telltale signs that says you have to hire an extra help.
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<p><a href="http://blog.ajeva.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/Pic-51.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-900" title="outsourcing" src="http://blog.ajeva.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/Pic-51.jpg" alt="&quot;outsourcing&quot;" width="265" height="195" /></a>On our <a href="http://blog.ajeva.com/2010/07/ethical-outsourcing-the-new-face-of-business/" target="_blank">last post</a>, we talked about how to outsource your business right.  Now, the crucial question comes:  <em><strong>When should you outsource?</strong></em> Large companies have been outsourcing their business for quite some time and small companies are picking up the pace.  There is always the excuse that one is not yet ready to outsource, especially when there are plenty of misconceptions about an outsourced provider&#8217;s location.<span id="more-894"></span></p>
<p><strong>Five Signs that You Really Need to Outsource</strong></p>
<p><strong>1.  Your Personal Life Needs 911</strong></p>
<p>You have the passion for your business and yet, it&#8217;s taking a toll over your life and your health.  You are in constant stress as workload piles up, burying you beneath.  Not only does your personal life suffers, but those around you as well.  Are you spending too much time away from all the things and people you love?  Do you even have a social life?</p>
<p><strong>2.  Your Employees Keep Missing Deadlines</strong></p>
<p>If your employees can barely keep up with the demand of your customers, it&#8217;s high time to ask for extra help.  There&#8217;s no use pointing fingers on who&#8217;s to blame for all the backlogs.  Do your workers even put up a smile each day at work?  Too much workload can decrease your workers&#8217; morale and their productivity.</p>
<p><strong>3.  You Work with Extremes</strong></p>
<p>Either you have a lack of people with specialized skills or you have a surplus of skills, if it takes more time and money on your business to work with your people – You are losing it big!  Outsourcing gives you direct access to the skills you need, without having to train anyone at all to do a job.  When you are growing your business, you can only have room for a very few mistakes and skills mismatch.</p>
<p><strong>4.  Your Business Reputation Sinks</strong></p>
<p><em>Don&#8217;t wait for it to stink!</em> When you have too much work on your hands and time is vital, chances are, you will get poor results.  When the quality of work declines, so will your reputation and this is bad for your business.  By outsourcing , you get to save on cost while having more flexibility to run your biz.  Make sure you use time and money well to ensure you get only the best results.</p>
<p><strong>5.  Your Business Loses&#8230; Lots!</strong></p>
<p>When you see your clients slowly vanishing into thin air, this means something is wrong with how your business is being managed today.  Because you have too much in your hands or that none of your workers can give these customers quality for their money, you are losing opportunities which cannot be replaced.</p>
<p>Think of it this way:  You need to expand your team if you want to serve more customers.  It&#8217;s a simple Math.  Outsourcing helps you achieve this in a reasonable cost and time.  Truly, you will encounter <a href="http://blog.ajeva.com/2010/03/truth-vs-fiction/" target="_blank">outsourcing myths</a>, <a href="http://blog.ajeva.com/2010/02/to-hire-or-to-outsource/" target="_blank">pros and cons</a>.  It&#8217;s all about being open to new possibilities and  taking responsibilities.  Are your ready to take your business to the <a href="http://ajeva.com/" target="_blank">next level</a>?</p>
<p><strong>When is the Right Time to Hire Help? </strong></p>
<p><object classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" width="560" height="340" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><param name="src" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Xg7tlZlpWr8&amp;hl=en_US&amp;fs=1?rel=0&amp;color1=0x3a3a3a&amp;color2=0x999999" /><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true" /><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="560" height="340" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Xg7tlZlpWr8&amp;hl=en_US&amp;fs=1?rel=0&amp;color1=0x3a3a3a&amp;color2=0x999999" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></p>
<p><strong>Something Interesting:</strong></p>
<p><a href="http://www.powerhomebiz.com/vol5/10ways.htm" target="_blank">10 Ways to Expand Your Business with Little Cash </a><br />
<a href="http://www.whatithinkabout.com/how-to-expand-your-business-through-quality-and-word-of-mouth/" target="_blank">How to Expand Your Business through Quality and Word of Mouth</a><br />
<a href="http://www.business.gov/expand/" target="_blank">Explore Business Opportunities</a></p>


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		<pubDate>Tue, 06 Jul 2010 14:00:38 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Marissa Sayno</dc:creator>
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<p><a href="http://blog.ajeva.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/Pic-50.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-888" title="online writing courses" src="http://blog.ajeva.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/Pic-50.jpg" alt="&quot;online writing courses&quot;" width="265" height="195" /></a>You may be an aspiring writer or a seasoned writer wanting to brush up your skills.  As we have promised on our <a href="http://blog.ajeva.com/2010/06/how-to-get-ahead-as-a-freelancer/" target="_blank">previous post</a>, we now bring you goodies that will truly help you become the writer of your dreams.  Here are some buzzworthy sites you can bookmark to help you in your quest of becoming the ultimate writer:</p>
<p><span id="more-882"></span></p>
<p><strong>Free Online Writing Courses</strong></p>
<p><strong>1.  UCLA Screenwriting Course by Steven Barnes</strong></p>
<p>If you love to make stories for film or TV, you can check out this screenwriting course by a best-selling author and writer.  You can learn in your own time, in as little as nine weeks.  Visit <a href="http://www.lifewrite.com/html/class.htm" target="_blank">here</a>.</p>
<p><strong>2.  Poynter&#8217;s News University</strong></p>
<p>If you love journalism, this site is perfect for you.  You can find various topics here, from multimedia, writing to reporting.  With 150 free courses and other low-cost programs, becoming an independent journalist is now a reality.  Visit <a href="http://www.newsu.org/courses" target="_blank">here</a>.</p>
<p><strong>3.  Ezine University</strong></p>
<p>If you fancy becoming a guru on writing web and marketing copies, this site is full of resources to get you started.  You can get expert tips from successful Ezine publishers and internet marketers.  For more info on writing for Ezines, you may visit <a href="http://ezineuniversity.com/courses/index.html" target="_blank">here</a>.</p>
<p><strong>4.  The Purdue Online Writing Lab ( OWL )</strong></p>
<p>What started as a project in 1994 has turned into an online writing resource site accessible to anyone, anywhere.  From writing instructions, grammar, word usage to specialized help from professional writers – the info you&#8217;ll learn will surely help you write a clear copy.  Visit <a href="http://owl.english.purdue.edu/" target="_blank">here</a>.</p>
<p><strong>5.  The English Club</strong></p>
<p>If English is not your native tongue, you will find all the help you will need to help you write like a native speaker.  From basic to advanced lessons in ESL ( English as Second Language ), you will find the right course to help you.  Visit <a href="http://www.englishclub.com/" target="_blank">here</a>.</p>
<p><strong>6.  Wikiversity</strong></p>
<p>Like Wikipedia, this site is accessible in multiple languages.  You can find several writing courses that will help you – from web writing to technical writing.  There&#8217;s absolutely something for everyone <a href="http://en.wikiversity.org/wiki/Wikiversity:Browse" target="_blank">here</a>.</p>
<p><strong>Free Writing Courses from Universities</strong></p>
<p><a href="http://ocw.mit.edu/courses/literature/21l-003-introduction-to-fiction-fall-2003/" target="_blank">MIT Open Courseware:  Introduction to Fiction</a><br />
<a href="http://ocw.mit.edu/courses/writing-and-humanistic-studies/21w-755-writing-and-reading-short-stories-fall-2006/" target="_blank">MIT Open Courseware:  Writing and Reading Short Stories</a><br />
<a href="http://ocw.usu.edu/English/english-1010/" target="_blank">Utah State University:  Introduction to Writing: Academic Prose</a><br />
<a href="http://ocw.usu.edu/English/Technology_for_Professional_Writers/" target="_blank">Utah State University:  Technology for Professional Writers</a><br />
<a href="http://ocw.usu.edu/English/intermediate-writing/" target="_blank">Utah State University:  Intermediate Writing: Research Writing in a Persuasive Mode</a></p>
<p>Always keep in mind that passion for writing is the key in becoming the writer you have in mind.  Together with persistence and practice, you can evolve your writing craft and become a master scribe.</p>
<p><em>Do you know any other free online resources for writers?  Please feel free to share on the comments below.</em></p>
<p><strong>How To Become a Freelance Writer </strong></p>
<p><object classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" width="560" height="340" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><param name="src" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/2gOitMyZnA0&amp;hl=en_US&amp;fs=1?rel=0&amp;color1=0x3a3a3a&amp;color2=0x999999" /><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true" /><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="560" height="340" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/2gOitMyZnA0&amp;hl=en_US&amp;fs=1?rel=0&amp;color1=0x3a3a3a&amp;color2=0x999999" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></p>
<p><strong>Something Interesting:</strong></p>
<p><a href="http://styleguide.yahoo.com/" target="_blank">The Yahoo! Style Guide </a></p>


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		<title>Ethical Outsourcing:  The New Face of Business</title>
		<link>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Ajeva/~3/Qr9B7Bzb0jw/</link>
		<comments>http://blog.ajeva.com/2010/07/ethical-outsourcing-the-new-face-of-business/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 01 Jul 2010 14:00:12 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Marissa Sayno</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Global Sourcing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Virtual Office Guru]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[business ethics]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[business outsourcing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[business trends]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ethical outsourcing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[hiring issues]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[hiring right]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[outsourcing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[outsourcing issues]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[right way outsourcing]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://blog.ajeva.com/?p=873</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[When working for change is a clear and present calling, many businesses are challenged to do ethical outsourcing.  Gain vital insights on this issue facing many companies today.
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<p><a href="http://blog.ajeva.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/Pic-49.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-876" title="ethical outsourcing" src="http://blog.ajeva.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/Pic-49.jpg" alt="&quot;ethical outsourcing&quot;" width="265" height="195" /></a>Outsourcing is definitely the new way of doing business as we see more people freelancing on the global marketplace.  Both are connected to each other in an intricate web that spins the economy as we see it today.  Even governments are turning to outsourcing to give them an extra helping hand in their office needs.  As more companies try to defy these tough times, one can only wonder:  <em><strong>Is Outsourcing Ethical?<span id="more-873"></span></strong></em></p>
<p><strong>Ethical Outsourcing Explained</strong></p>
<p>You probably have heard of the word &#8216;socially responsible outsourcing,&#8217; which is a popular neo-movement that liberates the work place by making jobs available to the poorest of the poor.  The same concept goes with ethical outsourcing, only that it focuses on business practices that feels right.  It&#8217;s like the conscience behind the greed and drive to make huge profits for peanuts.</p>
<p><strong>Should Businesses Even Care?</strong></p>
<p>Ever dropped a coin in a basin of water?  You&#8217;ll definitely see ripples on the surface.  Think of outsourcing as the coin.  You may not agree, but it has an effect to everyone.  As cries of losing jobs because of outsourcing grows louder, we can see the huge imbalance in the way the world works.  Thanks to the growth of the internet in the 90&#8242;s, access to work is now open to those who can&#8217;t do it in the traditional office setting, like the disabled.  Yet, one draws the line when outsourcing becomes another high-tech sweat shop that&#8217;s reaping gold from the geniuses and efforts of many.</p>
<p><strong>How to Outsource Your Business – the Right Way?</strong></p>
<p>1.  Everyone knows that one country&#8217;s standard, and cost of living is different from another.  Yet, you have to <a href="http://blog.ajeva.com/2010/05/outsourcing-a-fine-line-between-opportunity-and-exploitation/" target="_blank">play it fair</a> and avoid paying sub-standard wages.  A person&#8217;s income doesn&#8217;t have anything to do with race either.  Would you want to get paid a dollar an hour for your work?</p>
<p>2.  We all know that legislation can barely catch up with all the changes in the world wide web.  Even if the law hasn&#8217;t been passed yet, try to do what is morally right.  Besides, karma is also digital these days.</p>
<p>3.  Respect and trust your outsourced worker as if he/she is your business partner.  This will create a spirit of work ownership that will make your outsourced worker perform better, and you become a <a href="http://blog.ajeva.com/2010/05/how-to-be-a-dream-client/" target="_blank">dream client</a> in the end.</p>
<p>To sum it all up, simply ask yourself:  <strong><em>Does my outsourcing practice feel right?</em></strong> You should be able to answer YES, with ease.  Ethical outsourcing is not easy to do and for this, The International Association of Outsourcing Professionals or IAOP have kicked off nominations for <a href="http://www.outsourcingprofessional.org/content/23/196/2053/" target="_blank">The Outsourcing Hall of Fame</a>.  Awards or none, you must do what is right.  Simple.</p>
<p><strong>Overview of Socially Responsible Outsourcing</strong></p>
<p><strong><br />
</strong></p>
<p><object classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" width="425" height="344" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><param name="src" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/QCW1-YsuoOQ&amp;hl=en_US&amp;fs=1?rel=0&amp;color1=0x3a3a3a&amp;color2=0x999999" /><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true" /><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="344" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/QCW1-YsuoOQ&amp;hl=en_US&amp;fs=1?rel=0&amp;color1=0x3a3a3a&amp;color2=0x999999" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></p>
<p><strong>Something Interesting:</strong></p>
<p><a href="http://www.thomasandalex.com/articles/outsourcing/socially-responsible-outsourcing/" target="_blank">Socially Responsible Outsourcing: The Way Ahead</a><br />
<a href="http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/315482/Is_your_outsourcer_an_IT_sweatshop_?" target="_blank">Is Your outsourcer an IT sweatshop?</a></p>


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