Virtual Assistance

Happy Virtual Anniversary

noreply@blogger.com (i-Administrative Services, LLC) — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 21:05:00 +0000

Today is my anniversary. The second anniversary of being a Virtual Assistant, officially, as I incorporated on February 17, 2008.

I’ve worked with some great attorneys, as well as some wonderful clients, and have learned a lot about the virtual paralegal world. To my advantage, the economy continued to worsen and I’ve seen a growing trend in attorneys that work from home, or work from a small office but can’t afford the overhead of having a full-time legal secretary or paralegal on their payroll.

I recently joined a discussion How to Work with a VIRTUAL Paralegal through LinkedIn, started by Seth Rowland, Esquire, on The Virtual Lawyer group. His questions:

What I am interested in finding out is what is the best method and technology for (1) assigning work, (2) tracking and billing time for services, (3) communicating during the term of the project, and (4) making actual delivery. I am interested in both the "how", and the "what", as well as views on how successful these methods are for collaboration.

My answers:

I have found that virtual workspace is a great way to share documents, allowing both the attorney and the virtual legal assistant (VLA) to view and edit documents, without constant emailing back and forth. Something as simple as Google applications allow a VLA to keep track of an attorney's calendar, tickle dates, contacts, etc., while being able to either draft documents directly in the Google app, or to produce a document in Word and then drop the document in Google and share.

Personally, I use QuickBooks Pro, which has a handy time tracker device and then my time is integrated into a monthly or per project invoice. Invoices to attorneys can be a lump sum or broken down by client project.

I have a couple of clients that utilize a virtual call center so that if I need to make a call on behalf of the attorney, I can ring into the call center and then make the call and it will look like I'm calling directly from the attorney's office.

I would be interested in getting feedback from attorneys that have worked virtually, or are interested in doing so. Please email me at mgr@i-administrative.com.

Useful Legal Links

noreply@blogger.com (i-Administrative Services, LLC) — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 22:53:00 +0000

American Bar Association
Business and Corporations (by State)
Court Rules, Forms and Dockets
Federal Courts
FindLaw
Free Public Records (by State)
Google - U.S. Government Search
Law Library of Congress
LexisOne
Martindale-Hubbell
Pacer
Supreme Court Decisions
United States Code
United States Supreme Court
UScourtforms.com
Westlaw

Another Victim of the Recession - The Bullied Employee

noreply@blogger.com (i-Administrative Services, LLC) — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 20:43:00 +0000

I read an article recently about the increasing problem with harassment in the workplace due to the recession.

As the unemployment rate skyrockets, it seems that workers that still have their jobs are putting up with bullying and sexual harassment in the workplace for fear that filing a complaint could mean a potential loss of their job.

The bullying and harassment, more often than not, seems to be coming from supervisors, who know that employees have fewer options if they choose to quit rather than put up with the unpleasant situation.

Employers and supervisors seem to have the upper hand, or do they?

Employers fail to realize that harassment of their employees leads to lower productivity, loss of revenue, and morale problems within the workplace.

What can an employee do if he/she feels that he/she is being subjected to hostile environment?

From the linked article:
-- Try to get sick leave time. Often workplace bullying goes on for a long time, and can even cause stress disorders for targets.
-- Build an economic case against the bully. Has there been high turnover or absenteeism? Is there low morale? Has productivity sagged due to a tense, inefficient atmosphere?
"You have to make the argument that the bully's too expensive to keep," Namie said. Take this case to the highest-level person in your company that doesn't have a personal connection to the source of harassment.
-- If you can, look for another job. Getting away from the bully might be the easiest way to resolve the problem.
-- Look in your local yellow pages or online for an attorney who specializes in employment law.

Cyberstalking and Internet Laws

noreply@blogger.com (i-Administrative Services, LLC) — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 15:41:00 +0000

Pursuant to Florida Statute:

784.048 Stalking; definition
(1) As used in this section, the term:
(d) "Cyberstalk" means to engage in a course of conduct to communicate, or to cause to be communicated, words, images, or language by or through the use of electronic mail or electronic communication, directed at a specific person, causing substantial emotional distress to that person and serving no legitimate purpose.

I belong to an online forum where members discuss local and national news, as well as there is also an “entertainment” section for general discussion, jokes, etc.

Lately several members have accused other members of stalking them throughout the forums. One member even went as far as to track down another member in real life (IRL) and threaten to have her fired from her job. Why? Because her political and religious views were quite different from his and instead of approaching subjects with an open mind, he began to personally attack this member, as well as several others.

Cyberstalking is growing at alarming rates. Stalkers feel there is a wall of safety, posting and emailing anonymously.

According to a report released last month by the Bureau of Justice Statistics, national stalking rates have been found to be the highest for the 18-19 age range (30percent) and 20-24 age ranges (29 percent). The report goes on to include that one in four stalking victims is stalked via the internet, with email being the highest percentage (83 percent), followed by instant messaging (35 percent).

The internet grew so quickly, Federal and State laws have had a hard time keeping up with cyber-crimes. If you feel that you are being cyberstalked or cyberbullied, please contact your local law enforcement agency as State laws will apply (laws differ from State to State Cyberstalking laws by State). The U.S. Department of Justice feels that Federal laws are inadequate at this time and only involves instances of interstate travel.

Internet Security Tips
• Never divulge personal information online. There is no reason to give anyone you meet in a chat room your phone number, address, or Social Security number.
• Use a screen name that is not gender- or age-specific. Reveal no personal information about yourself in your screen name.
• Be cautious when meeting an online acquaintance in person. Especially the first time, meet in a public place and always bring a friend. Never go alone.
• Make sure your Internet Service Provider (ISP) has strict policies that prohibit cyber-stalking. If they do not respond to your complaints, consider using a different ISP.
• Leave an online conversation the minute you begin to feel uncomfortable. You have no obligation to stay.

What To Do If You Are Being Cyber Stalked
• Consider canceling your e-mail account and starting a new one.
• If you are receiving unwanted contact, make it clear to the person that you would like them to stop all communication attempts.
• Save all communications for evidence. Do not alter or edit them in any way. Furthermore, be sure to keep a record of contact with Internet system administrators and law enforcement officials.
• Consider blocking or filtering unwanted messages. Many e-mail programs such as Eudora and Microsoft Outlook have a filter feature. You can configure your software to automatically delete unwanted e-mails.
• If harassment continues after you have asked for it to stop, contact the harasser's ISP. Most ISPs have policies prohibiting the abuse of another person on-line. The ISP may contact the stalker and close their account.
• Contact your local law enforcement agency and inform them of the situation.

Bad Economy Good For Some Businesses

noreply@blogger.com (i-Administrative Services, LLC) — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 15:11:00 +0000

Rental Communities

Trends in renting versus buying a home are obviously on an upswing due to the economic downturn. The marked increase in renting can be attributed to the high number of foreclosures, as well as would-be first time buyers having second thoughts about purchasing a home with the economy on such shaky ground.

Shannon Procacci, the Community Manager at a central Florida apartment home community, recently said that in her particular complex the annual occupancy rate for 2008 averaged 96%.

Research shows that the average quoted rent in central Florida per unit for January 2009, compared to January 2008, was up 1.1%.

Rent-To-Own Furnishing Stores

Money is tight but people still need appliances, furniture and electronics. Rent-to-Own establishments, like Aaron Rents already have recession-friendly financing policies, where consumers with a light wallet can rent by the week or by the month.

As the economy continues to suffer, rent-to-own establishments have found that even some higher-income families have had to turn to weekly or monthly leasing since banks have tightened their financing requirements.

Online Dating Sites

Opinion Research Corporation, a global research company, found recently that when young singles get stressed financially, they seek out love more often.

According to a recent New York Times article (NYT), dating interest is up, both online and offline. Pursuant to the article, “Match.com had its strongest fourth quarter in the last seven years, and brick-and-mortar outfits like Amy Laurent International, a matchmaking service with outposts in New York, Los Angeles and Miami, say business is up 40 percent among women over the last four months.”

Face it, people are spending more time at home and find the internet a great place for social networking and dating. Even paying a nominal monthly fee for a membership with an online dating service is cheaper than one evening out for drinks and dinner.

Second-Hand Stores

Although the concept escapes my grasp, some people are just not that into the internet.

Cheap entertainment is at their fingertips as well; previously read books. Used books stores are buying approximately 30% more books in this economy than in 2007. Sales are up as well; people looking for an inexpensive evening at home. What better way to escape today’s reality for a few hours and only spend $3 - $4 doing so?

Virtual Assistants

A must-have for any business. A Virtual Assistant (VA) can help your company or firm during slow economic times by decreasing your overhead, while increasing your productivity. The financial rewards for both the company or firm and the VA are a win-win situation.

Virtual Assistants that are experts in their particular field are in high demand.

Statistics:

-95% of employers say telework has a high impact on employee retention

-78% of people who call in sick really aren’t. They do so because of family issues, personal needs, and stress.
-Unscheduled absences cost employers $1,800.00 per employee, per year; that adds up to $300 billion/yr for U.S. companies

Frivolous Lawsuits

noreply@blogger.com (i-Administrative Services, LLC) — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 18:43:00 +0000

I remember back in the mid 1990’s, the firm I was working for represented a Florida company that wanted to open offices in Alabama. After a little research, the company decided to form a separate corporation to do business in Alabama. Why?

A judgment was won by an Alabama doctor who learned after buying a $40,000 BMW that his new car had been repainted to repair undisclosed damage. The plaintiff’s punitive damage award? $4,000,000.00. The Alabama Supreme Court cut that amount in half to $2 million.

But that’s a blog for another time. Its about frivolous lawsuits, not tort reform.

Several years ago, Cleanthi Peters sued Universal Studios in Orlando claiming the theme park's annual Halloween Horror Nights haunted house attraction was too scary and that it caused her emotional distress.

In 2005, Cleveland paralegal Austin Aitken filed a four page handwritten lawsuit against NBC for $2.5 million, claiming that an episode of “Fear Factor” caused him “suffering, injury, and great pain.” He said that watching the contestants eat rats on television made him dizzy and light-headed, causing him to vomit and run into a doorway. The case was dismissed by the Judge.

In an attempt to make a point as to frivolous suits, in 2007, Ernie Chambers, a state Senator from Nebraska, filed a lawsuit against God, seeking a permanent injunction ordering God to "cease certain harmful activities and the making of terroristic threats...of grave harm to innumerable persons, including constituents of Plaintiff who Plaintiff has the duty to represent". Chambers asked for the court to grant a summary judgment and requested that the Judge set a date for a hearing as expeditiously as possible and enter a permanent injunction enjoining God from engaging in the types of deleterious actions and the making of terroristic threats. A Judge eventually threw the case out, stating the Almighty wasn't properly served due to his unlisted home address

Who are these people? (Okay, I know, Senator Chambers was trying to make a point)

We can go from the desperate, to the truly sad and schizophrenic. Does the name Jonathan Lee Riches mean anything to you? Probably not if you don't follow weird news and ridiculous lawsuits.

Riches is currently doing time at a federal correctional institute in Salters, South Carolina, incarcerated for wire fraud. His projected release date is March 23, 2012.

To keep himself busy while serving his (plea bargained) time behind bars, Riches has filed over one thousand lawsuits in federal district courts across the U.S. A list of his cases can be found http://news.justia.com/cases/jonathan-lee-riches/

Jonathan Lee Riches v. Benazir Bhutto, Pervez Musharraf, Shaukat Aziz and Immigration and Naturalization Service was filed in the California Eastern District Court in November of 2007. Riches is seeking a temporary restraining order against Defendants to stop his extradition to Pakistan on March 2012 because he will be tortured. He claims that the case is one of mistaken identity and that Pakistan wants another Jonathan Lee Riches, who is an international fugitive and made nuclear weapons with Pakistan scientist A.D. Khan.

Some of the more, ahem, interesting cases are:

Jonathan Lee Riches d/b/a Gordon Gecko, et al v. Blizzard Entertainment, Inc. Riches claims that Blizzard’s World of WarCraft caused Riches’ mind to live in a virtual universe, where Riches explored the landscapes committing identity theft and fighting cybermonster rival hackergangs.

In Riches v. Michael Vick, Riches alleged that, among other things, Riches alleges that Vick stole two white mixed pit bull dogs from his home in Holiday, Fla., and used them for dogfighting operations in Richmond, Va. The complaint goes on to allege that Vick sold the dogs on eBay and “used the proceeds to purchase missiles from the Iran government.”The complaint also alleges that Vick would need those missiles because he pledged allegiance to Al Qaeda in February of of 2007. Riches' also claims Vick was attempting to ‘kidnap’ Riches’ mind and to force him to lose weight. Riches demanded that the $63 billion be delivered, in ‘British silver and gold’ shipped via truck, to the front gates of the prison where Riches is incarcerated. The Court found that Riches’ assertions in the complaint, including his claim that Michael Vick ,threw snowballs at his car, did not qualify as a claim of imminent danger of serious physical injury.

If you, or someone you know, hasn't yet been sued by Jonathan Lee Riches, please raise your hand.

Why We Do What We Do

noreply@blogger.com (i-Administrative Services, LLC) — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 23:51:00 +0000

From a Virtual Legal Assistant’s Point of View

Why Legal Virtual Assistant’s Choose To Go Into Business

“Virtual Assistants (or simply VAs) are independent contractors that provide support to attorneys and other professionals. VAs work from home or a remote office, and can help mitigate your administrative burden in the same way that an in-office assistant would. They can be particularly helpful for solo and small practices where the ebb and flow of administrative work makes employment of a full time staff person impractical.”*

If you’re reading this, you have probably already considered hiring a Virtual Legal Assistant. You’ve covered the why’s,” the potential cost advantages, and the possible risk of breaching client confidentiality sending documents via the internet and you have done your research.

So, what’s in it for the Virtual Legal Assistant?

I’ve worked at a few law firms over the past 20 years and have enjoyed the experiences in most cases. Of course, there has been the “bad fit” as well. I equate working with a new attorney like dating; you have to test the waters and see if personalities mesh. Working as a Virtual Legal Assistant, I find there is no obligation if there is a conflict in work ethics or personalities. One size does not fit all and I can come to a mutual agreement with the attorney I’m contracting with that our relationship is not going to work (which hasn’t happened, yet).

I am confident in my experience and knowledge and therefore work independently without eight-hour a day supervision.

I am going to work hard for the attorney I am contracting with to make us both look good to the attorney’s client. I also get the satisfaction of a job well done and repeat business.

Last, but certainly not least, there are no interoffice politics; no distractions. How many attorneys have had to deal with staff members that don’t get along? There’s almost no way of avoiding it in any size law firm. I have found that there will always be that secretary, that paralegal or that bookkeeper that has to stir the pot or will become the office gossip. I never played the inter-office politics very well and working for myself, I find it such a relief that time is not wasted on those watercooler moments. Working remotely, I arrive at my office ready to get the job done!

I truly enjoy working as a Virtual Legal Assistant and find that the attorneys I contract with find the experience to be an asset to their practice.

If you have further questions, please visit my website: http://www.i-administrative.com/. If you would be interested in attending a webinar to learn more about legal virtual assistants, please contact me at mgr@i-administrative.com.

Resources
*ABA Site-tation Article

Visit my website at http://www.i-administrative.com/

Happy New Year

noreply@blogger.com (i-Administrative Services, LLC) — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 23:49:00 +0000

Welcome to 2009

January 2009 is National Clean Up Your Computer Month

January is the month to start fresh, change and improve your lifestyle, and stick to those resolutions. So, you’re going to eat healthier, get more exercise, organize your closet. What about your computer? When was the last time you performed a clean up?

Run Disk Cleanup
Run disk cleanup to free up space on your hard drive.
1. Start > Programs > Accessories > System Tools > Disk Cleanup
2. Select the drive you want to clean up and click OK.

Defragment Disk Drive
Run Disk Defragmenter to reorganize your files so that they open faster.
1. Start > Programs > Accessories > System Tools > Disk Defragmenter
2. Select the drive you want and click on Defragment.
You should defragment on a regular basis, weekly is best but monthly is acceptable, to keep your hard disk(s) properly optimized and always use the Full option. For best performance you should disable any screen saver or other automated software you may have running such as an anti-virus program.

If you don’t have an IT Department that creates backups on a regular basis:

Backup Your Hard Drive
Run a backup of your programs and files to prevent data loss and damage caused by disk failures, power outages, virus infections and other damaging events.
1. Start > Programs > Accessories > System Tools > Backup
2. Click on Backup Wizard and follow the on screen instructions.
3. Be sure to make a set of emergency repair disks by clicking on Emergency Repair Disk, if you haven't already done so.

Here’s to healthier computing for 2009!

Happy Holidays

noreply@blogger.com (i-Administrative Services, LLC) — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 23:48:00 +0000

As a continuation of the November newsletter and in the spirit of the holiday season, let me remind everyone that with this is a stressful time of year and I want to encourage all to take time out to enjoy time with family and friends, as well as treat yourself to a little “down” time, reflecting on the past year and getting refreshed for the upcoming New Year.

Not finished with your holiday shopping yet, or even better, haven’t started with your holiday shopping? Here is an interesting idea for the techie in your life, or to put on your own wish list.

Pulse Smartpen – The Smartpen is part pen, part audio recorder. Using specially marked paper (which can be printed from your own printer) to take notes, etc., you can then transfer your handwritten notes in electronic-ink form to a computer, where they’re archivable and searchable; the Smartpen synchronizes your notes with its audio. An additional application called MyScript will allow the ability to convert your handwritten notes into editable text on a PC.

Flip Video Mino – A portable video camera that is small, easy to operate and uses flash memory instead of a tape or hard drive to record. Videos are easily transferred to your PC with the included software, as well as the video can be instantly played on your television with the included component cable.

Have a child that may be thinking of attending law school? Save yourself some money, and buy them Law School In a Box. This boxed university offers a complete legal education for just $14.95. The program includes: -Law School in 96 Pages: Your Comprehensive Textbook -10 Heroes of the Courtroom Trading Cards -10 "You Be the Judge" Cards -A complicated legal trivia bar exam -A rolled diploma with real Latin words

Have a wonderful and safe holiday!

Happy Stress Season

noreply@blogger.com (i-Administrative Services, LLC) — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 23:45:00 +0000

As we enter the beginning of the holiday season, most of us experience more stress than we do at any other time of the year. What should be a joyous time turns into pressure of making the family get-togethers idyllic, and for you procrastinators, the start of the shopping season and finding the perfect gifts for loved ones and friends.

What can you do to make this holiday season more enjoyable?

DON’T WAIT UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE. Plan in advance for your upcoming events.

GET ORGANIZED. Don’t hit the grocery store or the mall without a list. On your list, have a budget and stick to it.

KEEP THINGS SIMPLE. Does your Thanksgiving meal take up to a week to prepare? Why not pare the festivities down a little this year and prepare the sentimental traditional dishes, and forget about the rest. Not only will you be under less pressure, but your waistband will too.

TREAT YOURSELF. Don’t forget about #1 during the holidays. Get enough sleep, eat well and continue to exercise. The holidays shouldn’t be an excuse to let your routine fall by the wayside. Take 30 minutes, or longer, and relax; or better yet, get a massage.

Be realistic about your expectations. What can your Virtual Assistant do for you to make this holiday season less stressful?

Outsourcing

noreply@blogger.com (i-Administrative Services, LLC) — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 00:02:00 +0000

Did you know when you call jetBlue to make flight plans, the person you are talking to you on the other end of the line is working from his or her house? Yes, jetBlue has a completely home-based reservation system.

Just think, if a company as large as jetBlue can outsource some of their departments, why shouldn’t you consider it?

Merriam-Webster Dictionary:

“Outsource
: to procure (as some goods or services needed by a business or organization) under contract with an outside supplier ”

Outsourcing should not be confused with offshoring, which is the transfer of an organizational function to another country, regardless of whether the work is outsourced or stays within the same corporation/company.

Law firms looking to cut costs by outsourcing/offshoring their legal support services overseas could be jeopardizing their client confidentiality. Joseph Hennessey, a Maryland attorney, is in the process of preparing a class action lawsuit on the outsourcing of privileged client data which may be subject to eavesdropping by the U.S. government.

Hennessey says foreign companies have no presumption of privacy because the National Security Agency is free to spy on them without constitutional constraints.

The American Bar Association released its formal opinion on August 5, 2008, as to Lawyer’s Obligations When Outsourcing Legal and Nonlegal Support Services. http://www.abanet.org/cpr/08-451.pdf

Stay Tuned.

Technology 2.0

noreply@blogger.com (i-Administrative Services, LLC) — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 19:12:00 +0000

While doing business over the internet is easy and convenient, the door has been opened as to possible chances of confidentiality being breached as documents are e-mailed from one party to another with the possibility of them being intercepted. I recently attended a webinar and learned of a service through Backupmyinfo.com called Qwipit. Because Federal (and certain States) law now prohibits the transmission of Social Security numbers and other information from being sent over the internet without being encrypted, Qwipit has developed encryption technology that protects data that would otherwise be vulnerable to interception when sent via email. Qwipit offers a service where one party (with an account) loads their documents to a secure site on Qwipit's website, and the other party can log on and retrieve the documents, upload and save them on their own computer.

If you're interested in keeping up with the latest online legal technology, you can find downloads of legal software at Law.com. Demonstrations are available on their Legal Technology page, and are easy to find as they are categorized, such as Bankruptcy, Calendaring, Case Management, Document Management, Estate Planning, Forms and more.

http://www.law.com/jsp/legaltechnology/download_category.jsp?cat=Legal

They have also included demo versions of business, audio/video, design/photo, Internet software and web design utilities.

Get Organized - And Stay That Way!!!

noreply@blogger.com (i-Administrative Services, LLC) — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 21:32:00 +0000

Doesn't it seem that sometimes we need an extra ten to 20 hours added to our work week just to get everything accomplished?

Maybe its not more hours that are needed, but time management and organization. If your time is managed properly, you may even find an extra 10 hours a week to play instead of work.

· Clean out the clutter at your work space. Create an In-box and Out-box and keep them both up-to-date. Do you really need that rubber band ball rolling around on your desk, knocking over the stuffed animal and the six pictures of your kids/grandkids/pets? Remove anything from your desk that isn't essential to getting your day-to-day work done. Organize your work tools so there's a place for everything and everything is always in place. Everything should have a “home” and be returned to that home after use.
· Keep a large trash can next to your desk. Any papers that aren't essential need to be thrown away immediately.
· Create a To-Do List. Prioritize your day, week and month and stick to the plan. Creating a priority list is a way of cleaning out the clutter in your head.
· Put everything on your calendar (only use ONE calendar for both personal and business) and check items and events off once they have been accomplished. Make it a habit to look at your calendar every morning and again every evening before you leave the office. Not only will you be ready for a new day, you'll see what you accomplished yesterday!
· Set Goals for yourself and achieve them.
· Sort your mail as soon as it is delivered. Throw junk mail away immediately (in that large trash can next to your desk) and make separate piles for your bills and correspondence.
· Set time aside on Monday morning to pay bills all at once (they'll already be in their own little pile, neatly organized and waiting).
· Set specific times aside to return phone calls and read and reply to e-mails. Instead of multi-tasking, handle one project at a time and set an hour or two aside each day to return all your phone calls and e-mails so your project at hand goes uninterrupted.
· Color code your priorities. Use colored file folders or tabs and separate your projects (i.e., Red - Important/Immediate Project, Green - Ongoing Project, Yellow - Less Important Project). Take time to review your projects from time to time as priorities may change and your files will need to be updated accordingly.
· Clear and re-organize your work space at the end of the day. You'll be relieved to walk into an organized work space the next morning.

Now the only thing you need to worry about is how you’re going to enjoy your extra hours of play time every week.

http://www.i-administrative.com/

Its Not Easy Being Green

noreply@blogger.com (i-Administrative Services, LLC) — Tue, 20 May 2008 21:34:00 +0000

Its Not Easy Being Green

Or is it? VA’s are already green (no, I don’t mean newbies). We have already started on creating an eco-friendly workspace - we don’t use gas commuting to and from work every day, we are “virtually” paperless, except what work may be printed out from the side of the client, and we aren’t arm wrestling with co-workers over where the thermostat should be set.

What else can we do to make our home office more environmentally friendly?

If you’re going to be away from your computer for a certain length of time (15 minutes or more), set your energy saver and have your computer go into “hibernation mode.” This is different than a screen saver, which doesn’t save energy.

Use Energy Star-rated light bulbs. They may be a little more expensive on the front end, but will pay off in the long run.

Recycle. If you have printable projects and you make a mistake, use the other side of the paper for scratch pads or draft paper

Recycle your old computer equipment by taking used equipment to an electronics recycler. There may be a fee, but that fee may be a tax deduction.

Let your clients and customers know that you’re doing your part to help save the environment. The next time you send out a mailing, print it out on recycled paper. When sending out e-mails, add a line at the bottom stating “Please think green before printing this e-mail.”

Consolidate your trips. Keep a list and run all your errands at one time.

Remember, every little bit helps!!

Virtual Assistance in Today's Economy

noreply@blogger.com (i-Administrative Services, LLC) — Wed, 14 May 2008 00:41:00 +0000

Unfortunately, times are bad economically for a lot of industries; the “trickle” effect has worked its way into almost every business. I hate to take advantage of other’s misfortune, but now is the time for marketing and networking in the virtual world. VA’s need to stress the benefits to potential clients of engaging the services of an off-site assistant. Essentially, point out the benefits of an employer not having to pay a full time employee that they may not be able to afford at this time, not to mention health insurance, taxes, etc. Remember, if one particular commerce is down, others will be affected. Follow through from A to Z in a methodical way and think about how other associated trades are being affected as well.

Seize the opportunity of this downturn in our economy to build up a long term client base. Also, look in your local government databases for new business licenses that have been applied for. Drive by new industrial business centers and stop by and leave a few business cards and brochures.

International Virtual Assistant Day (IVAD)

noreply@blogger.com (i-Administrative Services, LLC) — Wed, 07 May 2008 20:48:00 +0000

Virtual Assistants Celebrate International Virtual Assistant Day (IVAD) on May 16, 2008

"IVAD acknowledges the importance of the industry's contributions to the stability and growth of the small business community."

Being fairly new to the world of virtual assistance, I had no idea that there was a day set aside for the hardworking Virtual Assistant. Since I have not set up a steady client base as yet, I wonder if I should send myself flowers or take myself to lunch? You know, something that says "I appreciate me." : )

For those of you not familiar with what a Virtual Assistant (VA) is, let me give you a little insight.

From Wikipedia:

"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 40,000-50,000 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."

A VA is not a traditional employee or a temp. We set our own rates, and are responsible for our own insurance and self-employment taxes. We set our own hours and the convenience of that is that if, for some reason, can't sleep, you can get up in the middle of the night and work. I like that! Working from home is very convenient, although I have found that self-imposed rules have to be set.

I am up by 6:00 to 6:30 every day; there's no excuse for sleeping in.
Try to keep a regular schedule (most of the time). That means between 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m., I am at work. I think time management is important to keeping a sense of normalcy after being in the 9-5 work field for 20+ years.
Keep in touch with the outside world; networking and contacts are very important.
Be efficient. Client's appreciate a job well done, in a timely and accurate manner. A satisfied client will come back time and again.

If you're interested in hiring a VA, or becoming a VA, I recommend the following resource to research the possibilities. http://vanetworknews.com/va-organisations/