My Reflections and Musings .....

Creating your own unusual pictures

noreply@blogger.com (Silvia Shields) — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 02:34:00 -0400

A friend just made me aware of this site : http://picjoke.com/

Its very easy to use, available in most languages. Simply chose the outset you like, download your photo and voila !

The pictures are really coming out great.

Give it a try and surprise your loved once with your own creation :)

Wishing you all a wonderful day

A note from the Universe

noreply@blogger.com (Silvia Shields) — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 11:21:00 -0500

is always making my day ...

One of the first once I have received when I signed up was the following :

"Sometimes, Silvia, when things take longer than you thought they would, it's just a gentle reminder from your greater self (me), that you have more time than you thought, and that there's a journey to enjoy.

Yeah, like all the time in the world.
The Universe"

By now I have received many more and it never stops to amaze me how timely the comments do come in

Mike Dooley, who came up with those, certainly has a way to make a person's day :)

If you want to receive your free daily inspiration from Mike , simply sign up on his website : www.tut.com

Wishing everyone an inspired day

What is happiness

noreply@blogger.com (Silvia Shields) — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 10:16:00 -0500

and where is it coming from ?

My strong believe is that happiness comes from within. If I am not happy I can't give to others what I expect in return like a smile love, appreciation and much more.

Before I left Germany I sometimes took walks into the City and on my way I greeted strangers , simply smiled and wished them a great day but it was rarely reciprocated. When I walked to the cashier in a big store to pay for something I bought and were friendly and wished them a great day before I left I was stared at like I was from another planet and I have to admit it bugged me. It was one of the reasons I wanted to leave.

When I moved to The Bahamas one of the great experiences was, that everyone seemed to be happy ( on the outside I might add) but just getting a smile back was like a revelation.

I remember at one point I had to use the public bus due to the fact that my car broke down on me ...I went into that little bus to go downtown, then all of a sudden the driver and an older Lady beside me started singing !! A happy song and eventually the older Lady just clutched my hand and smiled at me while she went ahead singing . When I left the bus I was so uplifted, I can't describe it in words....

After living there for such a long time I adopted the attitude of being friendly no matter how you feel - fake it 'til you make it but every smile I send out, every nice word is coming back and it's wonderful !

Happiness comes from within ..It is what you make of things . You can have a bad day but try to smile at someone while you are in the middle of it and if you get that smile back it will make your day.

Nobody and nothing outside can give you happiness if you do not allow it to happen !

Give a smile and it will return to you, give a praise and lift someone else"s spirit which in return will lift your's

Happy day to you !

The Law of Attraction

noreply@blogger.com (Silvia Shields) — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 04:07:00 -0500

Who hasn’t heard of and who is not fascinated by the alleged simplicity of it?

I assume there are not many left but why do I say: the „alleged“ simplicity?

Most have watched The Secret, read a tremendous amount of articles and/or books and yet the Law seems to be not working ...or so we think ☺

I do believe that many out there have tried everything mentioned in the book but they still feel they are stuck just where they are and I say that if you feel that way you just gave up to easy. The Law of attraction is working BUT in „His“ time and not in our’s.

We need/want help, money, a partner, a car etc NOW and we start to shift our thinking in the right direction and expect miracles to happen right away. If this is not the case and if we do not see tangible results within a certain time frame we do dismiss the law and we are just as far away from our dreams than when we started if not further because we are discouraged.

What we have to take into consideration is that THE LAW is indeed working but as a seed planted into the ground, our thoughts or their realization need time to come into our reality.

Be patient and stick to your dreams

Two Choices

noreply@blogger.com (Silvia Shields) — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 11:40:00 -0500

I received this by e-mail today from a friend and it actually made me cry....and think....What would I have done ???

What would you do? You make the choice. Don't look for a punch line, there
isn't one. Read it anyway. My question is: Would you have made the same choice?

At a fundraising dinner for a school that serves learning-disabled
children, the father of one of the students delivered a speech that would
never be forgotten by all who attended. After extolling the school and its
dedicated staff, he offered a question: "When not interfered with by
outside influences, everything nature does is done with perfection. Yet my
son, Shay, cannot learn things as other children do. He cannot understand
things as other children do. Where is the natural order of things in my
son?"

The audience was stilled by the query.

The father continued. "I believe that when a child like Shay, physically
and mentally handicapped comes into the world, an opportunity to realize
true human nature presents itself, and it comes in the way other people
treat that child."

Then he told the following story:

Shay and his father had walked past a park where some boys Shay knew were
playing baseball. Shay asked, "Do you think they'll let me play?" Shay's
father knew that most of the boys would not want someone like Shay on their
team, but the father also understood that if his son were allowed to play,
it would give him a much-needed sense of belonging and some confidence to
be accepted by others in spite of his handicaps.

Shay's father approached one of the boys on the field and asked (not
expecting much) if Shay could play. The boy looked around for guidance and
said, "We're losing by six runs and the game is in the eighth inning. I
guess he can be on our team and we'll try to put him in to bat in the ninth
inning."

Shay struggled over to the team's bench and, with a broad smile, put on a
team shirt. His Father watched with a small tear in his eye and warmth in
his heart. The boys saw the father's joy at his son being accepted. In the
bottom of the eighth inning, Shay's team scored a few runs but was still
behind by three. In the top of the ninth inning, Shay put on a glove and
played in the right field. Even though no hits came his way, he was
obviously ecstatic just to be in the game and on the field, grinning from
ear to ear as his father waved to him from the stands. In the bottom of the
ninth inning, Shay's team scored again. Now, with two outs and the bases
loaded, the potential winning run was on base and Shay was scheduled to be
next at bat.

At this juncture, do they let Shay bat and give away their chance to win
the game? Surprisingly, Shay was given the bat. Everyone knew that a hit
was all but impossible because Shay didn't even know how to hold the bat
properly, much less connect with the ball.

However, as Shay stepped up to the plate, the pitcher, recognizing that the
other team was putting winning aside for this moment in Shay's life, moved
in a few steps to lob the ball in softly so Shay could at least make
contact. The first pitch came and Shay swung clumsily and missed. The
pitcher again took a few steps forward to toss the ball softly towards
Shay. As the pitch came in, Shay swung at the ball and hit a slow ground
ball right back to the pitcher.

The game would now be over. The pitcher picked up the soft grounder and
could have easily thrown the ball to the first baseman. Shay would have
been out and that would have been the end of the game.

Instead, the pitcher threw the ball right over the first baseman's head,
out of reach of all team mates. Everyone from the stands and both teams
started yelling, "Shay, run to first! Run to first!" Never in his life had
Shay ever run that far, but he made it to first base. He scampered down the
baseline, wide-eyed and startled.

Everyone yelled, "Run to second, run to second!" Catching his breath, Shay
awkwardly ran towards second, gleaming and struggling to make it to the
base. By the time Shay rounded towards second base, the right fielder had
the ball ... the smallest guy on their team who now had his first chance to
be the hero for his team. He could have thrown the ball to the
second-baseman for the tag, but he understood the pitcher's intentions so
he, too, intentionally threw the ball high and far over the third-baseman's
head. Shay ran toward third base deliriously as the runners ahead of him
circled the bases toward home.

All were screaming, "Shay, Shay, Shay, all the Way Shay"

Shay reached third base because the opposing shortstop ran to help him by
turning him in the direction of third base, and shouted, "Run to third!
Shay, run to third!"

As Shay rounded third, the boys from both teams, and the spectators, were
on their feet screaming, "Shay, run home! Run home!" Shay ran to home,
stepped on the plate, and was cheered as the hero who hit the grand slam
and won the game for his team.

"That day", said the father softly with tears now rolling down his face,
"the boys from both teams helped bring a piece of true love and humanity
into this world".

Shay didn't make it to another summer. He died that winter, having never
forgotten being the hero and making his father so happy, and coming home
and seeing his Mother tearfully embrace her little hero of the day!

AND NOW A LITTLE FOOTNOTE TO THIS STORY: We all send thousands of jokes
through e-mail without a second thought, but when it comes to sending
messages about life choices, people hesitate. The crude, vulgar, and often
obscene pass freely through cyberspace, but public discussion about decency
is too often suppressed in our schools and workplaces.

If you're thinking about forwarding this message, chances are that you're
probably sorting out the people in your address book who aren't the
"appropriate" ones to receive this type of message. Well, the person who
sent you this believes that we all can make a difference. We all have
thousands of opportunities every single day to help realize the "natural
order of things." So many seemingly trivial interactions between two people
present us with a choice: Do we pass along a little spark of love and
humanity or do we pass up those opportunities and leave the world a little
bit colder in the process?

A wise man once said every society is judged by how it treats it's least
fortunate amongst them.

Wishing you a "Shay Day"

I feel so guilty…..

noreply@blogger.com (Silvia Shields) — Sun, 18 Nov 2007 15:07:00 -0500

Of not writing anything in such a long time but so many things has changed.

After we decided to move back to Europe, Germany to be exact, a lot of things had to be set in motion. It started from: what do we have to do to take the dog with us same as how do we get the dog over? To the next important thing : Finding a place to stay to deciding whether to sell everything or to take the things we want and to pay for a container …and the list goes on .

I am sure you moved at least once in your live so just double the stress factor when you think about me trying to arrange our move across the ocean and you know how I felt:)

But to most people’s and our own surprise things just went as they were planned this way – by someone higher up I guess- and we took it as a sign that this move is just for our best.

Since two months now I am back in Germany and I cannot believe how much I enjoy it- even the cold:) and I am sure that I am the only German greeting every foreigner passing my way after experiencing to be a foreigner in another country and I don’t consider that a bad thing.

I am surprised how much living in a foreign place has changed my outlook on life in general. I am certainly not the same person that left Germany nine years ago and I don’t think I would be who I am today without that experience….and it feel’s great to be me !!

Now, after finally being settled in, I will try to post more often about my personal and business musings until then …

Take care

It's survey time again!

noreply@blogger.com (Silvia Shields) — Sun, 12 Aug 2007 11:34:00 -0400

Last August, the Virtual Assistance Chamber of Commerce conducted its first annual survey of the Virtual Assistant profession. Over 3,000 Virtual Assistants worldwide, primarily from the United States, Canada, United Kingdom and Australia were personally invited to participate, and the response was tremendous!

The survey yielded over 71 pages of data--it's the best representative cross-section taken and most in-depth, comprehensive information available in the industry today. AND... everyone who participates gets a FREE copy of the survey results. You don't even need to be a member!
Participation is completely anonymous to ensure the highest level of participation and the most candid, forthright responses. The survey is open to anyone who:

-self-identifies as a Virtual Assistant;
-has an open practice (not closed or in planning stages);
-has at least 5 years secretary/administrative assistant experience of some form;
-works for themselves and is not a member of a virtual staffing agency;
-and offers primarily services that are administrative in nature.

There are 97 multiple-choice questions in the survey, and three optional free-form questions. The survey is very fast-paced, should only take you 20-30 minutes tops to complete. Survey sections include:

Individual Demographics
General Business Demographics
Experience & Credentials
Clients/Target Markets
Hours
Pricing
Employees & Subcontractors
Services
Marketing
Training & Continuing Education
Success, Profitability & Entrepreneurship
Industry Organizations
Industry Training Programs
Professional Standards & Ethics
Be part of history! And don't forget to tell your colleagues!

The VACOC is contacted constantly by the media for information on Virtual Assistance. The information collected by our survey has been absolutely instrumental in creating more awareness about the Virtual Assistant profession, getting more accurate articles written about the Virtual Assistant industry, and creating a more informed, better educated marketplace--all of which helps YOU get more clients.

By participating in this survey you become part of that history and play an instrumental role in helping us make Virtual Assistance a household term. Visit the survey page here at http://www.virtualassistantnetworking.com/survey.htm.

The more Virtual Assistants participate, the better results and exposure for the Virtual Assistant industry overall!

Let your opinion count !

Amazon.com

noreply@blogger.com (Silvia Shields) — Wed, 1 Aug 2007 21:22:00 -0400

And my worst experience….I tried to purchase an Apple Mac Pro with some additional software on July 29. The order was confirmed – GREAT!!

Next day we receive a message that Amazon is having” difficulty “processing our card of course only for the notebook NOT the software, which was actually charged and shipped…Hmmmm It’s impossible seeing the amount of money which is in the account but hey let us call in any event. Therefore, we did. The bank confirmed us that the amount was already authorized to Amazon not to worry seeing that there are enough funds available.
So me, naïve as I am try to communicate the very same to Amazon …and guess what??
Getting the same message – unable to process your card try again ...and as an “Idiot” I did and I have to admit a few times…NEVER EVER DO THAT!!!! Amazon will Block all YOUR funds!!!

Who would have thought that Amazon.com puts a hold on all our funds??? I actually cancelled the order yesterday, just to learn today that the item is only available now for an additional $500.00 .. Not only did Amazon put a total stop on my credit card in charging it several times BUT they are not even decent enough to tell me that the problem lies not in any missing funds but in their inability to provide you with the item ordered.

Update: After a few more calls and e-mails our funds are released this morning despite their previous info that this is NOT possible within a day :)

THE TRUTH ABOUT YOU & HAPPINESS

noreply@blogger.com (Silvia Shields) — Sat, 7 Jul 2007 15:42:00 -0400

The good you find in others, is in you too.
The faults you find in others, are your faults as well.
After all, to recognize something you must know it.
The possibilities you see in others, are possible for you as well.
The beauty you see around you, is your beauty.
The world around you is a reflection, a mirror showing you the person you are.
To change your world, you must change yourself.
To blame and complain will only make matters worse.
Whatever you care about, is your responsibility.
What you see in others, shows you yourself.
See the best in others, and you will be your best.
Give to others, and you give to yourself.
Appreciate beauty, and you will be beautiful.
Admire creativity, and you will be creative.
Love, and you will be loved.
Seek to understand, and you will be understood.
Listen, and your voice will be heard.
Teach, and you will learn.
Show your best face to the mirror, and you'll be happy with the face looking back at you.

I just discovered this one on Maria Sipkas's "About me" page and got her approval to post this. Maria is one of the most inspiring woman I have ever met and she is the moderator of the XING Group Global Business Woman.
It touched me deeply and I hope you will enjoy it as much as I do !!!

Too old to make changes ??

noreply@blogger.com (Silvia Shields) — Fri, 6 Jul 2007 21:04:00 -0400

I got inspired for this topic by a post on XING, which is btw a great Networking place ….

When are you too old to make changes in your private or business life ? Is there any limit at all ?

I say : NO , the only thing which might hold you back in your old tracks is most probably fear.

If you wake up and you have stomach cramps just thinking about going to work because you don’t like the job, the co-workers etc . I say its time to make a change

If you are not happy in your relationship, don’t stay just for fear that no one else might come along – try to learn to love your own company. There is nothing more appealing in anyone no matter whether you are a woman or a man than being happy and confident in your own skin.

There is no age limit nor a limit of trying when you go for a change. The most interesting people are those who tried to go for their dreams , those who overcame their fears . They felt down in between and got up again – Those people know now there is nothing to be scared off. They trust their abilities and don’t care about what others might have to say. Those are the people who will succeed in their quest eventually!

So you might not succeed in your next job or relationship …so what ? There are so many other options out there .

Think about what you really want – no matter in which area. Make a list with all you want either in your job or in your personal life and make a list with all you don’t want .

You will be amazed by how much things are coming on your mind, which you actually do NOT want but still accept .

Just remember ...Life is too short to ignore it! ”No one is in control of your happiness but you; therefore, you have the power to change anything about yourself or your life that you want to change”. … Barbara De Angelis

Relief for Germany's Small Businesses IS Within Reach

noreply@blogger.com (Silvia Shields) — Thu, 28 Jun 2007 17:43:00 -0400

Shooting the breeze :) ...

Usually I am not the one who likes to talk a lot about myself nor have I ever thought about having an article published about me ..But seeing that a lot of events came together recently and a very dear friend of mine, Danielle Taylor owner of Taylor-Made Virtual Assistance,has taken the time to write and publish the following article about me and my services, I do not want to miss the chance to publish the very same here as well :

"The high costs of operating a small business in Germany can be alleviated" says Silvia Shields. Ms. Shields is a professional Virtual Assistant. Her business, Just A Phone Call Away, may be the answer to any number of cost issues that cause German business owners to lose sleep. And, because she is a German native with over 20 years experience working with German companies, Ms. Shields understands very well the nuances of the laws governing the way businesses operate in the country.

Outsourcing, more commonly known as consulting, is a cost-effective, efficient and proactive solution that has long been used for project management, customer service and subject matter expertise. The same concept is now being successfully applied to the administrative functions every company requires. Virtual Assistance is a growing industry that has benefited from an infusion of highly skilled, expert administrative professionals who understand the need for cost-effective administrative support to small business owners who, before now, could not afford it.

The most recent German Labour Cost Survey1 shows that 74.8% of compensation to employees is the result of gross salaries and wages and only 56.7% of that amount is paid in direct remuneration to those employees. Further, employers are paying social contributions of 24.6% and statutory social security contributions of 13.7%. These labour costs are some of the highest in Europe.

By outsourcing the administrative functions to professionals such as Ms. Shields, companies are better positioned to offset their high labour costs that, particularly for small businesses, could result in a less advantageous position with regard to compliance with Basel II regulations. This solution becomes viable when small businesses reap the rewards of becoming more financially solvent through outsourcing; therefore, receiving a higher ranking with regard to credit worthiness and the ability to generate cash flow to cover all operations.

Ms. Shields benefits her clients by providing administrative and back office accounting support without the burden of governmentally mandated employer taxes, severance packages, health insurance, office space, training or equipment. All of these tasks are performed virtually with the use of the latest technology and regular communications with her clients.

Relief is within reach, and now Just A Phone Call Away.

References

1 Statistisches Bundesamt Deutschland, 2004. Labour Cost Survey; Detailed Structure of Labour Costs in Industry and the Services Sector in 2004. 2004 Labour Cost Survey.

About the Author: Danielle Taylor is a professional Virtual Assistant and avid writer. She operates Taylor-Made Virtual Assistance and provides specialized administrative support to authors, chefs, event planners and alternative health professionals.

Thanks Danielle :)

Talking about dreams come true ....

noreply@blogger.com (Silvia Shields) — Sat, 16 Jun 2007 08:44:00 -0400

I am so amazed by this story of the cell phone salesman in Britain that I simply have to share it with you.

It blew me away and left me with Goosebumps...and it is a nice reminder to never give up on your dreams and hopes- they might just come true!

Gratitude....

noreply@blogger.com (Silvia Shields) — Tue, 12 Jun 2007 11:38:00 -0400

"Develop an attitude of gratitude, and give thanks for everything that happens to you, knowing that every step forward is a step toward achieving something bigger and better than your current situation."
-Brian Tracy

The same way I do believe in the saying: “What goes around, comes around”, I do believe that it is very important to be grateful and to give thanks to events or circumstances in our lives. It doesn’t matter whether the events are as simple as a beautiful sunset you happen to see and/or being able to pay the bills, or greater scenarios such like a new client, adopting a pup from the local humane society, getting married etc…. Giving gratitude to the “Universe” goes a long way!

Every morning I try to take a few minutes to give thanks to the “Universe” for events or experiences in my life that I am grateful for - even for those events, which causes me some distress or headache as I count them only as a learning curve…

I am getting the impression the more gratitude I give; the more comes flowing back in unexpected ways :)

Today I am grateful for:

• My Husband
• Having received an offer I never expected
• To have a business that creates money
• Having found a friend when I least expected it
• That I was able to see my Dad the last day he was alive

What are you grateful for today?

How to choose a Virtual Assistant

noreply@blogger.com (Silvia Shields) — Sat, 9 Jun 2007 07:57:00 -0400

You just made the decision to hire a Virtual Assistant. What’s next? What should you pay attention too?

Here are a few tips to make the process a little easier for you:

1. Take a look at the VA's website. How is the spelling and grammar? Do you like what you see, does it "speak" to you? Is the Website neat and clear ? Remember, if a VA doesn't pay much attention to her own website, it’s likely that she won't pay much attention to your work either.

2. How does she answer her phone? Does she put you on hold to take another call? Is she answering her voicemails and e-mails in a timely manner?

3. Make sure you feel the “click” when you have your first telephone conference with any potential VA. Is the VA confident, friendly, and enthusiastic? Moreover, is she a good listener? Is she treating you with respect? Are you feeling comfortable speaking with her/him?

4. Find out what system she has in place to handle different tasks for different clients. Does she have a limit of clients she will be taking on? How does she handle and prioritize her client’s needs? What are her turnaround times?

5. You can delegate many tasks to a VA. It helps if you have a list of tasks you want her to take over from you, available during your first consultation. Discuss that list with your potential VA and determine whether she will be able to handle those tasks.

6. Ask your potential VA what software products he/she is using and how familiar she is with them. If you use any particular software for your business, make sure to ask the VA whether she is familiar with the system and if not what she suggests how to handle it. She might be offering to train herself on the software and you will have to decide whether that is suitable for you.

7. Last and least – the experience! While it's helpful to know how long she has been in business as a VA, as well as it’s certainly great to work with a “Veteran”, you might find it helpful to learn how long she has done the tasks that you want her to do. If your potential VA just started her own business, you might want to ask her about her experience prior to becoming a VA and she may have just done the very same work you need to delegate for a previous employer for many years and is therefore equally qualified to assist YOU!

Not every potential VA will be the perfect fit but be assured that YOUR perfect fit is out there!

Let me rest “my case” in adding a great resource to find the best fit for you and your needs:

The Virtual Assistance Chamber of Commerce :)

Have your choice.....

noreply@blogger.com (Silvia Shields) — Fri, 1 Jun 2007 17:54:00 -0400

You've probably heard the old adage: "Fast, Cheap, Good. Pick Two."

1. If you want it fast and cheap, it's not going to be good;
2. If you want it good and cheap, it's not going to be fast;
3. And if you want it good and fast, it's not going to be cheap.

According to the triangle you can't have it all- what is your preference?

A Graduate-Level Course for Assistants , Virtual Assistants & Interns

noreply@blogger.com (Silvia Shields) — Thu, 31 May 2007 17:05:00 -0400

And why I say: Thanks, but no thanks!

I admit, I am not perfect and certainly not somebody who knows it all but reading the newest “training” program designed to “help” the VA industry just get’s my blood boiling…

There is no need for “my” client to send me to a course to help him write better press releases or to write a media kit for him BECAUSE that’s not what I offer in the first place. Would I be interested in offering such a service I certainly would not chose a course, which consists of a total of five (5) days training course, featuring 10 hours of live training. It took me years to perfect the knowledge I have now – how can someone in his or her right mind believe that they can learn enough to be a "Lean, Mean Publicity Machine " in just five days ???

Don’t get me wrong, I am all about learning and educating myself,which is a lifelong process, but I know where my strengths and limits are as well as I do know that courses such like the offered one by a well known publicity ‘expert’ is nothing but another way of making big bucks in a quick way. And no, I am not talking about you making money :)

If you ara a VA in the making and you come across any of those courses, think long and hard before you spend your hard earned money !

If you are business owner and you are looking for somebody who knows what they are doing without sending them to "courses" because all of the Ladies presented there are experts in their field simply visit VACOC

The $8.00/hr Virtual Assistant

noreply@blogger.com (Silvia Shields) — Tue, 29 May 2007 10:32:00 -0400

I come across plenty of ads on craigslist.org and other places for a Virtual Assistant or an Administrative Assistant on a contract basis – the job requirements go from simply taking or making phone calls to a list a half-page long.

What really blows my mind is if the qualifications and knowledge request is as long as half a DinA4 page, how can the pay offered be only $8-15.00/hr?

Here is a great example :

“QUALIFICATIONS:
• Must have Microsoft Word experience and knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite
• Types at least 50 wpm with tremendous attention to detail (grammar & spelling)
• Relevant degree or equivalent
• Minimum of 2 years working experience in a business environment with a customer service focus
• Professional and polished image a must
• Excellent written and oral language skills
• Ability to multi-task with confidence
• Familiarity with Website maintenance
• Understanding of and adherence to standard business protocol
• Can establish, develop, maintain and update filing systems
• Research various topics and collect information to support various projects, at the President’s request
• Create PowerPoint presentations, and occasionally work with the Designer to put together client materials and information
• Can manage the backend operations for teleclasses
• Prepare frequent web statistical reports as requested
• Has a computer at home for 'home work'
• Has dependable transportation

“The starting rate is $12-$15/hour and bonuses are possible. The person will be paid as a 1099 and will have a current/valid business license within Scottsdale, is bonded and has their own liability insurance. There is no benefit plan. Start date is June after 6/11 (hopefully sooner if we find the right person right away).”

How can they expect someone in his or her right mind, with a solid education AND business knowledge to accept work at pay like that? How is it that they want to “hire” the person on a contractor basis? This is an oxymoron in itself, by the way.

Now for anyone out there who is thinking about signing on as an independent contractor for a low hourly rate, I would like to ask you to have a look at the free service-pricing sheet offered by the Virtual Assistance Chamber of Commerce. It is a great tool to discover what you need to charge to cover all your costs including insurance and taxes.

If you go to through the process, you will quickly realize that a rate of $8-$15/hr is anything but realistic, especially if you have to pay your own taxes, insurance etc.

Most of the important

noreply@blogger.com (Silvia Shields) — Mon, 28 May 2007 16:22:00 -0400

things in the world have been accomplished by people who have kept on trying when there seemed to be no hope at all.

~Dale Carnegie ~

This is one of my favorite inspirations :)

On a different note -About saying “Good Bye”….for good

noreply@blogger.com (Silvia Shields) — Fri, 25 May 2007 23:01:00 -0400

Tonight I got the message that a friend of ours died yesterday after fighting cancer for almost two years. Our friend was only 47 – a loving Husband and father of three; the youngest is only six years old!

Two years ago, I met my mother in law the first time on the funeral of her Husband! Just four weeks ago I had to say “Good-Bye” to my father during my visit in Germany, which took me completely by surprise and the current news brought all the sorrow ,which was quietly bottled up, to the surface again…..

Its funny how you always think people live forever –especially your parents and friends and sometimes they are gone before you were able to say what you had to say.

Please remember, no one lives forever and if you care about someone – let him or her know TODAY!!! Tomorrow might be too late.

And if you feel like it, you can always light a candle for your loved once – alive or dead on my favorite site, Gratefulness….

It gives me peace and hopefully it does the same for you!

I got tagged ....What is my secret on being productive ?

noreply@blogger.com (Silvia Shields) — Wed, 23 May 2007 12:16:00 -0400

This ultimate guide to productivity meme was started by Ben Yoskovitz at Instigator Blog followed by Vickie Turley of A Balanced Alternative. Now my fellow VA friend, Karen Del’Marmol of KDM Business Support tagged me and Tracey Lawton - I guess it's my time to explain how I stay productive ...

For me, it's important to have an outline on what I intend to accomplish each day.

The outline will be drawn out the minute I wake up and includes all tasks for the current day, starting with my work schedule ending with some time for myself:)

After I had my coffee, took our dog for a walk and went through my e-mails, I start with the work I need time and concentration for. I prefer to do the time consuming and tedious tasks early in the morning, seeing that this is my personal most productive time of the day. If those tasks are accomplished, I am happy and deal with everything else which comes along.

And I follow one trait I claim on my German upbringing : If there is a task I can do today I will not postpone it :)

And just for the books - most times my outline works out perfect :)

Now it's my turn to tag someone...and the lucky winner's are : Victoria Miles of VA Argentina and Christina Haas of Zenith Business Solution.

Now, here are the rules of this project from Ben’s Instigator Blog forwarded to me by Karen Del'Marmol:

1. Write a post on your best productivity tips. Challenge yourself by picking your single best productivity tip (although this isn’t a requirement; you can give us more if you want).

2. Include links to other people that have written posts, or include their tips in your post with proper attribution.

Note: I’m not asking that you link to everyone in the group writing project meme; pick the ones you want to connect with. You certainly can link to everyone, but it’s not a requirement. I like leaving more decision making power in your hands so this isn’t just a link grab, but you’re thinking about what your audience & community wants to read about.
A link back to this post is appreciated though, to help spread the word!

3. If you use Technorati Tags then tag your post “ultimate guide to productivity”.

4. Tag others in your post to spread the meme. Tag as many people as you like!

5. If you link back to Instigator Blog and email me at byosko@gmail.com, I’ll make sure to include at least 2 links back to you. But this isn’t a requirement, it just helps me keep track of what’s going on.

Working from home - Dream vs. Reality

noreply@blogger.com (Silvia Shields) — Sat, 19 May 2007 11:10:00 -0400

Honestly, if you ask my Husband about what I am doing, his answer will be something like: My wife stays at home.

In his mind, I go back to sleep after getting up with him early in the morning to prepare his coffee and will probably wake-up again around 10am – most certainly to let in the maid who, of course, I pay with his salary. The maid takes care of the house, gets the laundry and the ironing done, as well as taking the dogs for several walks, and prepares the food shortly before she leaves the house. If I could only train her to do the Virtual Assistance work as well :) . . . Oh no, let me correct that -- I am NOT working, not really. Working from home means sitting on the sofa, eating chocolate and watching all the newest shows and soaps. Did I mention lying at the pool as well?

Reality looks a little different though. Yes, working from home gives you more freedom and you can indeed make your own schedule BUT . . . if you want to be successful, you have to take your work seriously! You have to be disciplined, get organized and find your routine.

Remember, it’s much easier to get distracted while working from home, so make sure you have your priorities straight.

There is a time for work, for household chores, for the kids, and for the TV! Make sure you have them all separated. It’s nearly impossible trying to complete an important project while watching the Oprah show!

You have to make sure that your friends and family know and accept that while you have your “Office Hours” you will have no time for small talk, at least not more than you had while you where working at your last job.

If you have kids, make sure you explain to them that yes, you work from home now, but it’s work nonetheless. Make sure they understand and respect the hours you need to spend on work.

Know that no one will tell you how to do your job nor will anyone check whether it’s done right. It’s up to you to make sure that projects are delivered to your client on time, finished the way he needs it.

Fact is, working from home is not for everyone!

Business Ethics...

noreply@blogger.com (Silvia Shields) — Thu, 17 May 2007 17:12:00 -0400

Yesterday, while reading the Gritty Business Buzz, I ended up on the website of a fellow VA-friend and she has that link on her page, saying that she had signed the business ethics pledge , which made me curious ...What is that she is standing for ?

So certainly I clicked on the link and ended up on that amazing website of Shel Horowitz ....

Why The Business Ethics Pledge Campaign

By Shel Horowitz

"Can one self-employed guy working from a farmhouse in Massachusetts actually have an impact on the way business is conducted in our modern world?

Some people seem to think the whole Business Ethics Pledge campaign is misguided, or at best tilting at windmills. I can tell you this: It's gotten incredibly positive feedback. The last project for which I've gotten so many thank-yous was when I started the movement that saved our local mountain from a very poorly-conceived housing development, a campaign that involved several thousand people. That campaign confirmed the idea that one person can indeed make a difference, and that difference is most easily achieved if the lone individual joins with others into an organized force. Oh yes, and people told me right at the beginning that we could never stop that monstrosity—so I've had some experience with achieving the "impossible".

Lots of people achieve the "impossible." Could anyone have predicted to Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King, Jr. in 1955 that just ten years later, segregation would be outlawed? Would anyone have believed as Soviet tanks were crushing dissent in Prague that 20 years later, the entire Soviet Union and all its totalitarian satellites would come crashing down along with the Berlin Wall?

Jack Canfield (co-author of the Chicken Soup books and the Success Principles) tells the story about motivational speaker Tony Robbins, who tried to rent a van in New York City to deliver supplies to poor people in Harlem. His staff told him there were no vans to rent in all of New York City—so he went out on the street and started flagging down van drivers. Eventually, he flagged down the regional captain of the Salvation Army, who not only agreed to help, but improved the project.

I wrote my book, Principled Profit: Marketing That Puts People First, to help change the world's attitude about business. And when I realized that the book by itself wouldn't reach enough people to create the social change I want, the Pledge was a logical next step.

The Ethics Pledge campaign is deeply meaningful to some sectors of the business world, and I will continue pushing the Pledge and everything it represents, both to attempt to actually accomplish its (admittedly ambitious) goal, and to offer support to those who've placed their trust in this campaign and who have helped spread the word about it.

Since the 1950s, the concept of the "hundredth monkey" has been used to describe a paradigm shift that happens when a certain very small percentage of individuals shift their actions or beliefs—and then, like a wave, the new behavior or attitude spreads rapidly through society. Malcolm Gladwell calls that point of critical mass "the tipping point." Usually, a movement starts small, builds for some time while nobody's noticing (often in another culture), and then explodes into the public consciousness. We've seen it over and over again, in every sphere of our lives: politics, art & culture, and yes, business:
The Montgomery, Alabama bus boycott created the tipping point in national consciousness to begin the end of segregation, after 50 years of quiet behind-the-scenes activism in small groups.
The original Earth Day, in 1970, moved the consciousness of American society so that we began to pay attention to our society's effect on the environment. But remember—Rachel Carson's Silent Springwas published back in 1962; the nuclear test ban movement was even earlier.
The collapse of European Communism in 1989-90 probably wouldn't have been possible without Prague Spring and the brave resistance to the Soviet invasion, two decades earlier.
Business innovations like Kaizen (continuous improvement) were based on the writings of Western business thinkers but pretty much ignored here at first. But they were adopted widely in Japan, and brought back successfully to the US only after the Japanese automakers started cleaning the clocks of the American giants.

Will the Pledge campaign actually succeed? I don't know; it doesn't resonate with everyone. 25,000 each influencing at least 100 may or may not be enough to create the "tipping point"; there's really no way to find out other than to do it. I believe it will work--or at least help lay the necessary groundwork so that when the second wave arrives, the consciousness is ready to shift. At best, the pledge could be a catalyst for rapid change throughout society.

After all, I've been involved in "impossible" movements my whole life. When I started in social change, segregation was a very recent memory, the war in Vietnam was raging, and Nixon was calling for 1000 nuclear power plants. Segregation, the Vietnam war, and the (extremely dangerous) nuclear power industry were all brought to a halt by the power of ordinary human beings working together.

I'm an ordinary person who happens to have a combination of organizing skills and marketing skills, and I'm willing to tilt at this particular windmill to see if in fact I can move it around on its axis. When the housing development on the mountain was announced, the experts all said "this is terrible, but there's nothing we can do." It was actually that powerless response, rather than the project itself, that inspired me to form Save the Mountain—I knew I could prove them wrong. I fully expected that campaign to take five years; we defeated the project completely in just 13 months.

Is this goal really important enough to devote ten years of my life? I believe it is. I believe business has the power to transform society for good or for evil, and that too many of the transformations it has created have been for evil. I see an eventual ripple effect that results in improvements to the environment, to working conditions in developing countries and at home, in the way we are treated by politicians, the way the media covers the world and in the cultural consciousness that we are not just consumers, but citizens--people who stand up and step forward to create the world we want to live in. I hope you'll join me in this movement. the first step is very easy. Just sign the pledge. "

And here is the pledge I took :

I pledge allegiance, in my heart and soul, to the concepts of honesty, integrity, and quality in business. I recognize that the cornerstone of success is treating all stakeholders fairly, with compassion, and with a commitment to service. Working from abundance, I recognize that even my competitors can become important allies. I will not tolerate crooked practices in my business, from co-workers, direct or indirect reports, supervisors, managers, suppliers, or anyone else—and if I encounter such practices, I will refuse to go along with them and report them to appropriate authorities within and outside the company. I pledge to support the "triple bottom line" of environmental, social, and financial responsibility. And I pledge to participate in a serious effort to focus the business community on these principles, by sharing this message with at least 100 other business leaders.

So when are you going to join us ?

My thoughts on Mother's Day

noreply@blogger.com (Silvia Shields) — Sat, 12 May 2007 09:16:00 -0400

I alway's wondered why we do need a Mother's Day. Shouldn't we show our appreciation for our Mom (and Dad) all year around ?

Isn't it true that we are all so busy, that we sometimes forget to appreciate those around us ? Do we really need an official Mother's Day as a reason to slow down and say : Thank you ?

With that thought I would like to share some beautiful quotes from Mother Theresa with you :

-Everybody today seems to be in such a terrible rush, anxious for greater developments and greater riches and so on, so that children have very little time for their parents. Parents have very little time for each other, and in the home begins the disruption of peace of the world.

-It is easy to love the people far away. It is not always easy to love those close to us. It is easier to give a cup of rice to relieve hunger than to relieve the loneliness and pain of someone unloved in our own home. Bring love into your home for this is where our love for each other must start.

-Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless.

-Spread love everywhere you go. Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier.

Happy Mother's Day to everyone !

This is about loyalty . . . how far will you go?

noreply@blogger.com (Silvia Shields) — Fri, 11 May 2007 07:51:00 -0400

How far will you take loyalty towards your employer, a client or even friends and family?

Are you willing to bend or hide the truth, or even lie under the “umbrella” of loyalty ?

What triggered my thoughts about that subject, was a conversation with a very good friend of mine.

I know my friend is a very hard-working, serious and definitely a loyal person. She does not mind working twelve hours a day, if necessary, as long as she thinks YOU – as a boss – worth all the trouble . . . . She certainly always worked hard and is still doing a great job.

Last night, I got an e-mail from her telling me that her boss was fired. Of course, I picked up the phone and called her right away to get the scoop and, no, I am not nosey but very empathetic with people I care about. :)

So, apart from the fact that he got himself fired because he couldn’t produce any profit for the company for the last two years, he is also trying to take away clients from this company to a new company he has already founded. Nothing wrong with trying BUT he is asking my friend to give a false statement about a contract with one of their current major clients, which was already sealed, signed, and delivered in February. All this because he wants to take this client with him.

In short, he expects her to lie to the board saying that this contract has not been signed yet and to forget to remind them (the Head Office) about the situation.

I have to admit, I was furious! Not only about her taking into consideration to agree to that plot but mostly about her soon-to-be ex-Boss who expects her to go for that scenario under the promise that she will soon follow him to his new company.

Loyalty . . . a small word with a big meaning that often becomes underestimated and/or twisted but for me, loyalty to someone always means to be loyal to myself as well. If I am forced to make a decision, which makes it hard for me to look in the mirror, I will stay away from it!

As for my friend, I hope she will make the right decision ...an ethical one !

My perfect client…..

noreply@blogger.com (Silvia Shields) — Wed, 9 May 2007 17:44:00 -0400

Is open to changes and don’t mind that our communication will be mainly via e-mail, IM and/or fax.

He will share his goals and visions with me and will often ask me about my opinion.

He knows which task’s are not his favorite and has no problem to delegate those.

He is able to tell me what he expects from me and which tasks are a priority but leaves it completely up to me HOW I get them done as long as I get them done on time and deliver a great job :)

He think it’s great if I tell him : "Sorry I haven’t done that YET, but I am willing to look into it and if I think I can’t do it, I will know someone trustworthy who can ."

He is willing to take suggestions on how things can be done a different way without being offended.

He accepts my boundaries and understands that he might be not my only client, which does not mean that he is NOT on my priority list – the opposite. All clients are an equal priority to me.

He understands that I am not always able to pick up or return a call within a minute but he knows I will get back to him ASAP.

My client has some sense of humor and does not mind to share laughter with me.

My perfect client is someone who is willing to trust me and the best thing is – he pays me on time! :)