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You can't do today's job with yesterday's methods and be in business tomorrow.
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VAF Interview
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I was recently interviewed by Virtual Assistant Forums. I hope you find what I have to say about starting a new business interesting.
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Create An Interruptions Log
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You have a busy life. Are you a WAHM? Do you run a small business? Maybe you go to school in addition to working full time. Whatever your situation, you are probably interrupted frequently and can't seem to understand where the day goes. I recently read an article titled 10 Time Savers. I found one tip extremely interesting. Run an interruptions log. What a great idea. Keep track of every interruption you have and rate them by importance. After a week or so, figure out a way to eliminate the worst interruptions. Of course, keeping a log is an interruption in itself, but it will pay off in the long run. I can't wait to see my results and would be curious to know what your interruptions are.
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Do You Have A Will In Order To Protect Your Family and Business?
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As a husband, a wife, a parent, you have a lot at stake. If you are a business owner, you have even more. Where will everything go if anything happens to you? 55% of adult Americans do not have a will. Are you one of them?
If you do have a will, congratulations! When was the last time you updated it? Since the time you wrote your will, you may have new stocks, bonds, 401K plans, art or collectibles. Does your will reflect all your assets? Take time to update your documents so nothing gets left out.
You have spent years acquiring nice things for your home. You and your children have sentimental connections to specific items. Does your will reflect this? Be specific as to who gets what. Don't assume the executor of your will will know who to give your things to.
And speaking of who is in charge, make sure you have designated the proper beneficiaries. If you made your will years ago when your children were small, chances are you will want to change your beneficiary to your children as opposed to a guardian.
If you do not have a will, consider getting one. There is do it yourself software available. There are also many lawyers that specialize in wills and estate planning. Be prepared when you go speak to a lawyer to avoid multiple meetings that will cost you more money. I have attached a will preparation checklist to help you get ready. It is quite extensive, but you have a lot at stake.
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Decisions, Decisions!
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For some of you, your cell phone is your lifeline to your business. You need a strong reliable signal and applications that will keep you informed to what is relevant. How do you decide what phone to buy?
SERVICE
Compare service maps of the providers in the areas where you live and do business. There are new providers available, so make sure you do your research and decide what type of coverage is best for your business.
MODEL
Do you need a Smartphone? Or will a regular cell phone work for you? This really depends on how connected you need to be. If you are in your office eight hours a day, you probably will have a computer in front of you and, therefore, don't need a phone with a data package.
PRICE
This is a deciding factor for some of us! A data package with Verizon or AT&T could double your monthly cost. Add extra for GPS. Add extra for Text. A little research could save you money, but it might be worth spending the extra for your business. MetroPCS offers a package for $40.00 all inclusive. This is worth checking out if you do not need nationwide coverage, as they are a small company and have fewer tower locations.
OPTIONS AND APPLICATIONS
Again, what is the purpose of your phone? Do you want to be able to use Facebook and Twitter while you are on the road? Do you want to be able to connect to eBay? Do you want games and a camera and GPS and weather and stock reports? The list of applications goes on and on and only you can decide what is important.
I know I am not giving you any answers here, but buying a new phone requires you to really think about how you are going to use it, what coverage you need, and how much you are willing to spend. This comparison chart could help you decide. Let me know what kind of phone you have as I am still in the decision phase.
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Thanks for another great month. And it was an exciting one - with my interview with VAF, a few new great projects to work on, and, on a personal note, a new grandson. Life is good!
Until next month.
Sincerely,
Pam
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