Small Business Labs

MAY 7, 2014

'We released our 2014 to 2018 global coworking forecast last week at the Global Coworking Unconference Conference (GCUC) in Kansas City. The number of global coworking facilities has been growing quite rapidly over the last 5 years, basically doubling in number each year.  While we see this growth slowing, we still expect the number of facilities to increase at a very strong average annual growth rate of about 30% over the next 5 years.   As the chart below from our GCUC presentation

2018 219

2018 2014 Learning 219

Office Dynamics

MAY 21, 2014

'While administrative and executive assistants have a very good feel for the skills they need to do their job effectively, I like to hear from executives and get their perspective, which is important. I often survey managers and high-level executives on the skills, attitudes and behaviors that are most important for an assistant to possess. Here are some non-edited, direct quotes from them demonstrating the skills that are important to executives.

Skills 210

Skills Training Goals Management 210

Practically Perfect PA

MAY 14, 2014

'Over the last few years I’ve written quite a bit about minimising disruptions at work, which for assistants is a particularly tricky activity. In our offices we are the fountain of knowledge and the centre of all things so it is a constant battle to get tasks completed without someone interrupting us. There are loads of techniques to try and I have listed a few here.

Staples 202

Staples Expenses AT&T Phones 202

Virtual Moxie

MAY 21, 2014

'This month, I was fortunate enough to catch up with Amy Kazor, the 2013 AssistU VA of the Year award recipient. Enjoy the interview, and getting to know this bright, talented VA! . Meet Amy Kazor.

Interviewing 185

Interviewing 2013 UPS 185

Speaker: Joe Sharpe and James Carlson

Payroll optimization can be one of the most time-consuming and complex factors of small business management. Yet, organizations that crack the code on streamlining employee compensation often discover innovative avenues for growth. With the right strategies in place, outsourcing and streamlining payroll processes can result in substantial time and resource savings.

Payroll

Office Organization Success

MAY 16, 2014

'The summer months are approaching and, for some of you, that means business may slow down a little … you might even be feeling a little panicked at the thought of your income dropping. However, with a bit of forward planning, you can sail through the summer months with very little dips in your revenue. Today I’d like to share with you three, easy-to-implement , strategies that will allow you to consistently generate revenue during slower months.

2014 177

2014 Training Stress Phones 177

The Small Business Blog

MAY 27, 2014

'You know the feeling; you’ve got so much you need to get done that you don’t know where to start. So you create a to-do list. When you get to write the last item you’re already feeling better. Just the act of writing things down has given you a sense that you have done something… Read the full article here: Overcoming The Need To Do on: THE SMALL BUSINESS BLOG.

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172

Office Dynamics

MAY 14, 2014

'The shift into a new age. America is moving out of the Information Age and into the Conceptual Age, where creative thinking will become as essential as logical thinking. The must-have skill for executive and administrative assistants at all levels going into this conceptual age? Creativity. “The Conceptual Age already is well under way. For decades, big organizations that have benefited from analytical and functional left-brain aptitudes are now finding themselves in need of softer, right-brain

Skills 195

Skills Training AT&T Learning 195

Practically Perfect PA

MAY 11, 2014

'Do you find more and more is demanded of executives and senior managers’ time? There is one key individual who is critical to their success, both on a professional and personal level, and that person is the Personal Assistant. However, with more being expected of your manager’s time, this in turn increases the expectation of what is anticipated of your job role and assigned tasks.

Assertiveness 202

Assertiveness Confidence Negotiating Skills 202

Virtual Moxie

MAY 20, 2014

'I was recently asked how responsible a Virtual Assistant should be for making sure that clients use their retainer hours, so none of them go to waste. In my view, although most VAs will feel responsible, in actuality, the responsibility for it belongs entirely to the client. Having said that, if we''re talking about working in partnerships with clients (as we always do), then I think that the invested, engaged, and gracious thing to do is let a client know when she''s heading toward the end of

180

180

Office Organization Success

MAY 30, 2014

'I am so glad I didn’t jump on the Infusionsoft bandwagon and instead stuck with my trusted 1ShoppingCart account! I’ve always maintained that 1ShoppingCart is a great all-in-one ecommerce system; you can do so much more with the system than most people realize. And these past couple of weeks I’ve been thrilled with some of the new features they’ve been rolling out: 1.

Forms 158

Forms Filing Stress Promotion 158

Speaker: Tim Buteyn, President of ThinkingKap Learning Solutions

Join this brand new webinar with Tim Buteyn to learn how you can master the art of remote onboarding! By the end of this session, you'll understand how to: Craft a Tailored Onboarding Checklist 📝 Develop a comprehensive, customized checklist that ensures every new hire has a smooth transition into your company, no matter where they are in the world.

Equipment

The Small Business Blog

MAY 22, 2014

'How important is staying hydrated? It turns out that office water coolers can have a significant positive impact on a workplace in both the long term and the short. By avoiding dehydration, a workplace will be happier, healthier and more productive. Hydration Keeps You Healthy It’s no secret that not drinking enough water can have… Read the full article here: The Importance of Staying Hydrated in the Workplace on: THE SMALL BUSINESS BLOG.

Equipment 168

Equipment 168

Small Business Labs

MAY 12, 2014

'Each year MIT Technology Review releases their list of 10 Breakthrough Technologies. They describe these as: "advances from the past year all solve thorny problems or create powerful new ways of using technology. They are breakthroughs that will matter for years to come." Their 10 are: Agricultural Drones. Relatively cheap drones with advanced sensors and imaging capabilities are giving farmers new ways to increase yields and reduce crop damage.

Collaborate 180

Collaborate Environment 180

Office Dynamics

MAY 27, 2014

'In the 21 st century, we have so many ways to communicate. Is each communication medium interchangeable? Should you use whichever one is fastest or most convenient for you? Does it make any difference whether you IM or phone someone? And when should you use letter correspondence? When a handwritten is note most appropriate? Does the reason or purpose or event make any difference?

Skills 181

Skills Etiquette Social Media Mentoring 181

Practically Perfect PA

MAY 7, 2014

'I would imagine that most assistants have been asked to arrange a social event for their team or organisation as we do tend to be the focal point for social activities in the office. It is such a great achievement when we manage to create something that works well and everyone has a great time. The right experience can increase overall team performance, enhance job satisfaction and encourage collaboration between colleagues and teams.

AT&T 202

AT&T International Restaurants Budget 202

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Management

Virtual Moxie

MAY 6, 2014

'As much as I fear sounding like a broken record, this topic keeps coming up with my clients and in groups I belong to (and not just with VAs, in case you wondered!), so I wanted to take a run at it again. If I''ve learned anything, it''s that a person can hear about a system or a solution many times and have it strike only a glancing blow before bouncing off, and then one day, it suddenly clicks.

Calendars 172

Calendars Email Forms AT&T 172

Office Organization Success

MAY 27, 2014

'First of all, welcome to the 300+ new subscribers that have come from the 6th Annual Done-For-You Giveaway Event. I’m thrilled that you’re a part of the Business Success community, and I do hope you enjoy your time here. I’m pleased to report that it’s been an extremely productive week here this week. From getting lots of client work completed: Setting up an Expert Teleseries Planning spreadsheet for a client who wants to start this in September; Setting up ezines for tw

Training 158

Training UPS 158

The Small Business Blog

MAY 2, 2014

'Over the course of the 20th Century there were numerous jobs that became irrelevant and were eliminated by the invention of machines and robotics. Much of the manual labour that we used to do by hand is now conducted more efficiently with only minor human involvement, but as technology gets even more advanced we are… Read the full article here: Infographic: Extinct Professions on: THE SMALL BUSINESS BLOG.

167

167

Small Business Labs

MAY 27, 2014

'We think entrepreneurship is alive and well in America.  But several recent studies report that small business formation and entrepreneurship are in decline. The Wall Street Journal's  Risk Adverse Culture Infects U.S. Workers, Entrepreneurs  summarizes much of this research.  Another example is a  recent Brooking study , which states "new firm formations have been on a persistent decline during the last few decades"   So what’s going on?

Elance 164

Elance 2011 2001 2013 164

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Interviewing

Office Dynamics

MAY 14, 2014

'The shift into a new age. America is moving out of the Information Age and into the Conceptual Age, where creative thinking will become as essential as logical thinking. The must-have skill for executive and administrative assistants at all levels going into this conceptual age? Creativity. “The Conceptual Age already is well under way. For decades, big organizations that have benefited from analytical and functional left-brain aptitudes are now finding themselves in need of softer, right-brain

Skills 176

Skills Training AT&T Learning 176

Practically Perfect PA

MAY 30, 2014

'What do you enjoy? In some cases, the things you’re good at will correspond with the things you like doing – we all tend to put more energy into the tasks that we enjoy. So, it’s worth initially considering what you enjoy at work, as this may help to piece together your unique skill-set. Think about the following: What roles have you enjoyed? What factors have influenced these roles?

Skills 198

Skills Management 198

Virtual Moxie

MAY 12, 2014

'A friend asked me what I thought the ultimate in moxie is. After giving it a think, then another think, then another, I had it: I believe that being emotionally and relationally mature—having the chutzpah to stand up for what''s happening in your life and your role in it, may well be the ultimate in moxie. It''s being in a place of understanding that whatever is to happen for you and to you is entirely up to you.

AT&T 162

AT&T UPS 162

Office Organization Success

MAY 21, 2014

'Are you overwhelmed by all the different list management choices out there, e.g. 1ShoppingCart, Infusionsoft, Aweber, Constant Contact etc.? Want to know the best way to create your free taste and automated follow-up emails? Would you like to brainstorm your next product launch campaign? Need help planning out your marketing calendar so you know exactly what you’re promoting and when?

Constant Contact 158

Constant Contact Calendars Promotion Email 158

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Policies

The Small Business Blog

MAY 1, 2014

'In the accounting world, there are a lot of software choices that can make or break any business. Some software stands out from most choices, however. Good accounting software is highly beneficial to a business, and enables accountants to help the businesses they represent in a number of ways. There are a few programs offered… Read the full article here: Benefits of Using Accounting Software for your Business on: THE SMALL BUSINESS BLOG.

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164

Small Business Labs

MAY 5, 2014

'The U.K's unemployment rate has fallen to 6.9%. This is the lowest level in 5 years.  A big part of the decline is due to the growth of self-employment. According to government figures , the number of self-employed workers has increased by more than 600,000 since 2010, accounting for more than a third of the 1.5 million new jobs created since 2010.  Because of this surge about 4.5 million Britons are currently self-employed.

2010 161

2010 161

Office Dynamics

MAY 5, 2014

'What a beautiful time of year for all of us to enjoy. Spring should be in full bloom for those of you who live in the Midwest and East. I love to see trees and flowers come into full bloom. What about you? Are you coming into your fullness through learning and growing? Are you further ahead in your knowledge than you were 3 months ago? 6 months ago?

Learning 164

Learning 2014 Purchasing Stress 164

Practically Perfect PA

MAY 2, 2014

'About 10 years ago I used to manage 12 Committees as part of my role at the time. I absolutely loved the job but it did mean that I had to write 48 sets of minutes each year. These minutes were just from the main Committee meetings – I also had to attend and minute other meetings throughout the year. It was a constant challenge to ensure that the minutes were accurate and delivered in a timely fashion.

Dropbox 197

Dropbox Keyboards PDF Agenda 197

Speaker: Tim Buteyn, President of ThinkingKap Learning Solutions

💢 Do you find yourself stuck in never-ending review cycles? Are you wondering if your Subject Matter Expert actually got that last review request? Are you having trouble trying to decipher impractical or conflicting feedback? 💢 If any of these scenarios sounds familiar, you may benefit from a crash course on managing SME relationships!

Collaborate

Eco-Office Gals

MAY 23, 2014

'All of our wordpress sites are under constant attack from hackers looking for loopholes into our websites. Hackerbots don’t care about traffic or ranking, they are programed for one thing only – to find weak spots in our platforms. Some of you have experienced the misery of compromised sites, it’s not fun or cheap and if you haven’t I promise you don’t want to.

2014 157

2014 Gifts UPS 157

Office Organization Success

MAY 9, 2014

'I’m a huge fan of lifelong learning and am continually investing in myself and my business through training courses and other programs … whether those are free or paid training programs! Today, I want to share a fabulous training resource with you, and one that’s free for you to attend too. It’s the… “Grow and Monetize Your Business” And it’s being hosted by the Expert Telesummit Speakers Bureau.

Training 157

Training 2014 Social Media Gifts 157

The Small Business Blog

MAY 20, 2014

'What would happen to your business if it were to suffer a major loss of data? It isn’t an exaggeration to suggest that many businesses would have trouble bouncing back from this scenario. Depending on the type of data that was lost, it could even potentially bring about the demise of the business. Imagine for… Read the full article here: Infographic: Data Loss on: THE SMALL BUSINESS BLOG.

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Small Business Labs

MAY 14, 2014

'The Sleeter Group recently released a study looking at what small businesses want from their accountants. You need to be registered on the Sleeter site to get the full report.   But if you're reading this blog, you'll likely find much of interest on the Sleeter site so I recommend you go ahead and register. A key finding we found interesting is the services small businesses want their accountants to provide beyond tax preparation and bookkeeping: 57% want more business planning an

Management 159

Management UPS 159

Speaker: Tim Buteyn

Let's set the scene: you’ve identified a critical performance gap in your organization and need to close that gap. A colleague suggests training, but you suspect there’s something going on that training can’t address. How can you determine if training is the right solution before you commit your budget and resources to a new training program? In this webinar, you will learn how to determine if training is the right solution using the Behavior Engineering Model.

Training