EE Logo TM
September 2009
Executive Errands eNewsletter
The "Eyes" Have It
In This Issue
Our Favorite Things
Service Provider Spotlight - Ontiveros Painting
Social Economics
Service Provider Spotlight - Dessert Creations
News, Updates, Misc
When Service Matters
How One Phone Call Saves $$$
Quick Links
 
Join Our Mailing List
Greetings!
 
I never buy raffle tickets.  Not because I don't likeraffle tickets them - on the contrary, I am quite happy to donate to the cause.  The reason I don't buy raffle tickets is because I can't see them.  Even with my 'cheater' glasses, most of the raffle venues are dimly lit and it is impossible to read those tiny little numbers.

Have you ever wondered why it is our eyesight begins to decline as we age?  Depending on your family's genetics, middle life should fall somewhere between the ages of 40 and 50 and it is at this point we begin to notice our eyesight isn't what it used to be. 
 
eyeinmirrorFor instance, for some time now it has been necessary for me to use a 10x magnification makeup mirror, otherwise I cannot properly apply the cosmetics required to achieve 'natural beauty'.

While this exaggerated view does indeed help, it also gives me front row visibility to every crease, pore, blemish, and (real or imagined) flaw in my skin.  In my personal opinion and apparently by divine design, the gradual demise of our eyesight is actually a blessing.

aging processPeople are born, grow up, find a suitable mate and according to every fairy tale ever written, are supposed to grow old together.  However, one irrefutable fact of life is that as we age, our bodies begin the slow process of decay.

And with this process comes all the fun signs of aging - hair growing where we don't want it and refusing to grow where we do.  Our skin loses its collagen and we get to enjoy thinning, bruising and sagging (three verbs no one should ever have to use).  And we won't even go into detail about our ever-increasing inability to control various bodily functions (does anyone ever truly believe you just stepped on a frog?)
 
lady auraThe loss of clarity in our eyesight is akin to ambient light in a darkened room.  Everybody looks more beautiful.  We can't focus on the details; we see only the aura created by a lifetime of experience, laughter and tears that translates into the essence of their being.

I don't know about you, but the inability to read a raffle ticket or a menu in a dark restaurant is a small price to pay for the fuzzy ability to appreciate the genuine inner beauty of my family and friends.  And that is the best raffle prize of all.
 
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For more information about Executive Errands or to delegate tasks, please visit our website:

www.executive-errands.com 
or call us today at 760.469.2487

Our Favorite Things 

Online Computer Backups

If you own a computer, how often do you backup your harddrive?  To backup your harddrive means to make a copy of it so if you have a problem with your computer or if it crashes, you can restore your data backup pencil holderwith as little loss as possible. 
 
While you can certainly copy your own harddrive to an external storage medium, online backups simplify the process and ensure they are completed regularly.
 
Backup frequency depends on the criticality of the data you store.  For business owners, data should be backed up daily but weekly might be sufficient for anyone who uses a personal computer to store family photographs, insurance records or any other important data.
 
There are dozens of online computer backup services available - take your time to investigate each company to find a secure and reputable one.  We use the online backup service offered by our financial software provider and we backup daily - not only ourcomputer crash financial data but also all the files associated with Executive Errands.
 
So remember, the potential data loss is exactly equal to the time lapse between your last backup and the time of the crash.  The less time between those two, the less data you'll have to recreate and the fewer tears you'll shed over unrecoverable data.

Find a good computer backup service and sign up now!  And if you need help evaluating services, let us know and we'll direct you to the experts who can assist you in selecting the right company for you!
 
["Our Favorite Things" gives us an opportunity to share people, places, events and things that we truly love and that you might too.  We have no business affiliation with any company or individual featured here.  We just want to share good things with you and if our recommendations help build business for someone else or saves you time or money, GREAT!!!]
Service Provider Spotlight
Ontiveros Painting
 
As is always the case, Executive Errands brings our clients the very best in insured, unique, and reliable Service Provider services
 
Ontiveros Painting company is a Service Provider just like that.  Family owned and operated since 1993, Ontiveros painting offers a wide range of unique services.
 
While they do offer standard interior and exterior residential, HOA and commercial painting, what we really like about Ontiveros Painting (and where they really shine) is their specialty services.  These specialty services include:
 
-Faux and decorative finishes
-Wallpaper removal
-Texturing or texture removal
-Wrought iron refinishing
-Cabinet refinishing
-Cool Deck - pool deck finishes
 
Ontiveros Painting is extremely customer-focused and takes pride in going above and beyond for their clients. 
 
For example, before starting an interior painting project, Ontiveros photographs furniture and accessory placement so each item will be returned exactly as it was before the project began.  We are very pleased to bring Ontiveros Painting to our clients.
 

Ontiveros logo

For more information about Ontiveros Painting, please contact Robert at 760.779.8659 or by email at [email protected]
 
Be sure to mention keyword "EEOP1" to receive 10% off your first project.
 
Executive Errands - your one stop shop for all areas of your life - home care, luxury, convenience
 
Social Economics
 
Socioeconomics is the study of the relationship between economic activity and social life
 
Part Three and the final installment in our special summer series called "Products, Technology and Services that Reflect the Changes in Our Lives" - is about Services.
 
As a society we have become Service-focused.  We demand the services that simplify our personal lives and we insist on exemplary quality and convenience in part because professionally we have more responsibilities, are required to work more hours and have less help than ever before.
 
Here, in no priority sequence, are our Top 5 Services:

1) Online Banking - most of us rarely even carry abanking checkbook, much less balance one.  With online banking, bill payments take literally seconds, saving us time, postage, envelopes, ink, and the cost of paper checks.  We can review our statements daily and manage our cash flow with barely any work whatsoever.
 
onlineappointments2) Service Appointments - From automobile service to dental appointments, we can schedule our own appointments online.  No 'on hold' elevator music, no cranky receptionists, no mechanical directories, just online calendars that allow us to schedule a time convenient for us.  Here's hoping the telephone, cable and utility companies follow suit soon, if yours hasn't already.

conciergedoctor3) Concierge Doctors - The word 'Concierge' has become synonymous with 'service and convenience' and now Doctors are returning to the personalized service of days past.  If you engage a Concierge Doctor, you have access to him 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. They make house calls and you can build the kind of personal relationship that could prove vital in an emergency situation.
 
mobilecarwash4) Mobile Services - Catering to our lack of time and inability to get things done, mobile companies bring services to us.  Dog grooming, screen repair, car wash, windshield repair, massage and spa services are just a few of the tasks that come to our home or office further simplifying our lives, saving us time and energy. 
 
conciergepostit5) Personal Concierge
- Engaging a Personal Concierge is like having an assistant on call.  They can help out with just about anything from general errands, filing, grocery shopping, gift wrapping, waiting for deliveries, or courier documents to facilitation of any home services you might need, all without the added expense of taxes, insurance or fringe.  Often a Personal Concierge service qualifies as a tax deduction too making it more affordable and even more attractive. 
 
In the last three months we've showcased 15 Products, Technologies and Services that reflect the relationship between economic changes and our society.  The thread that ties them all together is our lack of time and the fact our lives are in 'hurry up' mode.  
 
worklifebalanceAs a society we're rushing through our lives - spinning plates and juggling to keep everything going at once.  We're expected to be Super men and Super women, not only able to leap tall buildings in a single bound but also to maintain a decent quality of life. 
 
The work/life balance is a delicate one and we should embrace any product, technology or service that helps keep us centered and focused on what matters most - our family, friends, and community.  
 
If you, or someone you know could use more time, let Executive Errands help simplify your life. 760.469.2487 www.executive-errands.com
Service Provider Spotlight
 
Desert Properties Light Maintenance
 
We are pleased to announce Desert Properties Light Maintenance (DPLM) has joined our Service Provider network. 
 
DPLM specializes in large scale light works, assuming the maintenance for commercial buildings, shopping DPLM logocenters and HOA communities and they are also available for residential lighting projects.
 
Their services include new installation and repairs of low voltage landscape lighting and interior home fixtures as well as security lights and tennis pole lights.  And they offer monthly maintenance programs to keep your property properly lit.
 
Locally owned and operated, DPLM shares our commitment for quality, service and dependability.
 
Don't be left in the dark - Desert Properties Light Maintenance will help you keep the lights on!
 
For more information about DPLM, please contact Mark at 760.742.6789 or by email at [email protected]  
 
Executive Errands
News and Updates and Misc
 
Executive Errands is a regular monthly contributor to The Public Record, the Desert's business and public affairs newspaper.  Our articles for The Public Record are intended to offer mentoring and motivational support for small business owners.  Be sure to look for us in September! 
 
Public Record logo
 
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The September edition of the Palm Desert Chamber B2B newspaper contains an Executive Errands' article about keeping your company visible despite budgetary restrictions.  www.pdcc.org  
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The September edition of the Quorum magazine for the Coachella Valley Associations Institute will contain Executive Errands' article about adding value to your HOA dues.
 
Executive Errands is a proud member of the CAI (Community Associations Institute) and supports their efforts toward the betterment of not only individual association communities, but the Coachella Valley community as a whole.  www.coachellavalleycai.org
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Executive Errands will once again provide the Concierge Service for the box seats at the Palmgolf cart float Desert Golf Cart parade
, scheduled for October 25th
 
This year's theme is 'Playground for the Stars'This is our third year as Golf Cart Parade Concierge.  If you'd like to enter a decorated Golf Cart and join in the fun,
please contact Katie Slimko at 760.346.6111 Ext 305 
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The Rancho Mirage/Cathedral City Soroptimist Club (of which we are a member) is holding the annual Fall Fashion Show and Luncheon Fundraiser on November 14th at Desert Island Country Club. 
 
Soroptimist logoFashions are provided by Coldwater Creek and CBS2 news senior meteorologist Patrick Evans is the Master of Ceremonies.  Along with lunch and the fashion show, we'll be offering both a raffle and a Live Auction!
 
Proceeds from this event benefit House of Hope and other Coachella Valley charities.
 
This event is sure to be one of the most memorable of the Season.  If you would like more information or to attend this event, please contact Cardinal Ambrose at 760.399.2192 or by email at [email protected]
 
When Service Matters.....
 
It was Vincent Van Gogh who said:  "How can I be useful, of what service can I be?"
 
When it comes to services, Executive Errandscust serv checklist strives to provide customer service that goes beyond the usual, regular and customary.  No matter how big or small the job, you can rest assured our inhouse staff and our network of fully vetted and insured Service Providers will help simplify your life.  
 
These are some of our services (don't see something you need? Please call to ask)
 
--Absentee Home Checks - we treat your home like it's our own.  With our 30+ point checklist, we'll monitor your home inside and out whether you're gone for the weekend or for months at a time
 
--Mobile Services - Everything mentioned under the socioeconomics article are available through us - let us arrange them for you!
 
cust serv list--Household Maintenance - windows, carpets, tile, handyman, plumbing, AC checks, landscaping, pool maintenance - we've got you covered
 
--Luxury Services - limousine, party planning, caterers, inhome massage or facials, photo-to-CD conversions, gift baskets, flowers
 
--Errand Services - shopping (groceries, gifts, daily needs), dog walking, DMV assistance, drop off/pickups (cleaning, prescriptions), post office assistance, filing, typing, etc.  If it needs to get done, we can help!
 
We want to make a difference and help improve the quality of your personal life.  Executive Errands 760.469.2487 or www.executive-errands.com
One phone call can save $$$
 
Competition for your loyalty is fierce and it is in your best interest to check with your regular service carriers at least once, if not twice yearly tophone call see if they are offering new programs, new service bundles or reduced rates.
 
Companies to check include your cable or satellite provider, your insurance carriers (home, auto and health), your cell phone provider and your credit card companies - even your newspaper may offer discounted rates rather than lose your subscription.
 
When these companies offer new promotions or discounts, they rarely communicate it to their existing customers so unless you ask, you may be paying way more than necessary.  We recently had an instance where one phone call to the cable company resulted in a $19.99 monthly reduction.  That's nearly $240 per year.
pennies 
You may need to do a little comparison shopping - especially for insurance if you've been with the same broker or carrier for a long period of time.  It's amazing how much money one can save by simply asking: "what can you do to better this?".
 
Checking your service plans should be a scheduled activity just like setting your clocks for DST, changing your smoke alarm batteries and having the AC serviced.  And if you don't have time to do it yourself, we are happy to do so on your behalf.
  
Executive Errands - we're here for you! 760.469.2487 www.executive-errands.com
Check out www.urbandictionary.com if you've never heard the expression 'stepped on a frog'. You'll find the explanation there along with lots of other hilarious words, phrases and colloquialisms adopted into the English language. 
 
And if you or your friends have your own made-up slang, you can add it directly to the Urban Dictionary because this dictionary is user-managed.  It's fun, it's creative, it's FREE - have a go at it! 
 
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concierge to do listSummer is nearly over
and we're gearing up for Season which promises to be our most successful yet.  There are lots of exciting events and changes in progress so look for announcements in the near future. 
 
Executive Errands
is dedicated to providing the highest quality services, a wide variety of services and to do what we can to improve your work/life balance and the quality of your personal life by freeing up your time. 
 
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Thank you to all the people who take the time each month to send their comments about this newsletter. You are all very kind and we appreciate hearing from you!
 
Have a safe and family-oriented Labor Day weekend! 
 
 
Sincerely, 
 

Leslie Spoor ICEA
760.469.2487
desert welcomeExecutive Errands and Desert Welcome have partnered to extend our 2 hours Free 'new home buyer' gift certificates exclusively through Desert Welcome's elite Realtor Welcome program.  This gift certificate will be Homeowner specific, each one individually personalized to the homeowner from the realtor in order to help make the realtor gift baskets extra special. 
 
Desert Welcome has been providing service to Desert communities since 1988.  Executive Errands joins a select group of other Partners who add value to the Welome gift basket.  For more information about Desert Welcome, the Realtor Welcome program or to get a gift basket, please contact Greg Jones at 760.413.7747 or by email at [email protected]