Executive Errands Logo
July 2010
Executive Errands eNewsletter
Helping Hands - When Two Are Not Enough
In This Issue
Our Favorite Things - Scott Larned
Did You Know?
Summer Safety
Special Announcement! Gold Coast Concierge Services
Special Announcement! Simply Celebrated
Sink or Swim
For Sticky Situations
New Services - Furniture Repair
Just for HOA Managers
Save The Date
A Handy Tip
Quick Links
Join Our Mailing List
Greetings!    
 
multihandsIt should come as no surprise to anyone reading this that I have a Type A personality - assertive, multi-tasking, taking on way too many projects at any given time, control-driven...you know the drill.  
 
And like most Type A people, I used to believe no one could do a job as well as I could.  However many years ago a mentor said to me 'five pairs of hands can accomplish much more than just one' and he was right.

So I learned how to coach and train people to leverage their strengths and then how to effectively delegate tasks and found I could truly accomplish way more than ever before.  That was all well and good until I started my own company.

When you start your own business, you work in semi or total isolation.  All decisions, actions, tasks, responsibility, problem solving, and brainstorming are yours alone.  Then, as your business grows, the volume of all of those duties also increases until eventually you need to delegate or risk limiting your ability to be successful.

16 yr oldUnfortunately what happens after years of being the primary decision maker is that you adopt a proprietary protectiveness about the company you created.  You literally gave birth to an idea, nurtured it along, spent many sleepless nights tending to it, your integrity is fully wrapped up in it and now, suddenly, you're going to have to let go. 
 
It's a lot like the first time you hand over your car keys to the 16 year old who just got his driver's license!

So now you have to relearn trust, coaching, team building, effective delegation and most importantly, appropriate follow-upIf you're like me, both detail oriented and a perfectionist, you're going to need some basic tools to help you get over the apprehension of letting other people do the work you've so painstakingly created.

handy tipsThe following handy tips are equally appropriate to anyone who leads people in any environment and in any way. 
They are especially good if you're an entrepreneur whose business is growing quickly:

1. Create policies and procedures.  Documentation is important if you want things completed in a specific way or in a specific sequence.  Keep the words to a minimum because most people are easily overwhelmed by too many words.  Pictures and bullets work best. 

2. Have at least one (or better two) 'right hand' people.  These are people you would trust with your own biological children (as opposed to the figurative child that is your business).  Choose people who understand and share your vision and who want to help your business succeed. 

training people3. Train, Train, Train.  You must invest the time to properly train your people and when you think they've had enough training, train them again.  Seriously.  You can never do too much training.  

4. Establish audit practices.  You can't be everywhere at once.  And you'll drive yourself crazy if you try to check all the details of every task completion.  Determine which processes are the most important and do random checks on a predetermined frequency.  That sounds like an oxymoron, but it isn't. People tend to perform better if they know you're checking, but they don't know when.

5. Create Metrics Measurements.  You need to measure the health of your business.  Metrics are key performance measurements that act as indicators to let you know you're either on or off track.  Metrics Measurements is a big topic and one for a future newsletter; for now suffice it to say that every successful company has a Metrics Measurement program in place where industry best practices are benchmarked, key processes are measured and corrective actions are implemented. 

keeping track6. Keep track of what you delegate.  This is particularly true when delegating outside the sphere of your own staff or company where you have less control over task completions.

7.  Do the appropriate follow-up.  It is a fine line between follow-up and micromanaging.  Sometimes you need to be surreptitious in your follow-up and other times you can be more direct.  The key is to do follow-up in a productive manner.  Use your Outlook calendar (or similar tool) to post reminders so your brain can forget about it now and will be prompted at some point in the future to check back in. 

Together all these tools and tips make life better for the Type A personality.  Keep in mind that most people genuinely want to do a good job and with the proper training, they can do one as well as you can.  Even if they don't do the job exactly like you would, carefully evaluate whether their "good job", is good enough because at the end of the day your lonely pair of hands simply can't do everything.

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Executive Errands
- ready to lend you a hand to help simplify your life!
 
www.executive-errands.com   760.469.2487 or 760.898.9604
Our Favorite Things...
Scott Larned
 
Whether you're male or female, most of us delegate our hair care to someone else.  And when it comes to hair stylists and colorists, trusting someone with your hair is a very big deal.
 
hair colorI've only had two hair stylists in 26 years.  Unbelieveable I know, but true.  I tell you this so you'll better appreciate how extraordinary it is that we're recommending a hair stylist as one of our favorite things (or in this case 'people').
 
After four years here with the same salon and frustrated because my hair was never done properly, I finally agreed to meet a new stylist.  His name is Scott Larned and he works out of The Bungalow in Rancho Mirage.  This guy is phenomenal!
 
On your first visit he really takes time to discuss what you want and to figure out exactly the best color formula for your hair.  Besides the fact he does a great job with cut and color, the thing we like best about him is this: 
 
hairstylistWhen you make an appointment with Scott, you get his full attention for the duration of your appointment.  He doesn't leap-frog other clients in between, he stays and talks with you while your color is processing and he washes your hair himself, complete with a great head massage.
 
It is amazing to find someone who gives old-fashioned customer service and who has reasonable pricing (in fact he charges exactly what I was paying at the other salon).  By the way, The Bungalow is a quaint and fun place to have your hair done!
 
After several appointments, it's now safe to say I've had THREE stylists in the last 26 years!
 
For more information or to make an appointment, please contact Scott at 760.902.8606 or by email at [email protected]
 
Scott Larned - one of Our Favorite People!
 
["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!!!]
Did You Know?
 
Everyone knows Executive Errands has a vast network of licensed, insured and local Service Providers. 
 
And everyone knows to call us for their home services, but did you know we also offer specialty services?
 
We can arrange or assist you with all of the following:
 
--Catering or planning any size party
 
--Pet sitting services
 
--Moving services - one item or a houseful
 
--In home facials and massages
 
--Private car services
 
--Computer tech support and tutoring
 
--Custom gift baskets for any occasion
 
--Delicious cupcakes and fruit platters
 
--Notary Service - the first signature is Free
 
--Gift shopping and wrapping
 
--Personal Chef services
 
--Home Theater support for new & existing
 
--Photography - professional, mobile
 
--VHS conversions to DVD
 
--Flowers, Balloons and Candy
 
Executive Errands - we  are a complete Personal Concierge service attending to your every need. 
 
www.executive-errands.com  760.898.9604  
Summer Safety
 
Empty StreetSo now the Desert is nearly empty.  It's odd to drive down the street and see so few cars out and about.  The lack of traffic means there are thousands of unoccupied homes --and empty homes are a vandal's dream.
 
We'd like to tell you that if your home is in a gated community, it is safer than one that isn't, but it wouldn't be true.  Yes, most communities have at least one manned gate, but if you have unmanned transponder gates, access control is difficult
 
If your community has cameras, have you ever wondered: who is watching them?  Are they catching images on tape 'just in case'?  Manned gate people, if they're watching the monitor when the breach happens, will probably go investigate, but again, it isn't their job to protect your private residence
 
GuardsDepending on what your community has hired them to do, the gate people's primary purpose could be any one of the following:
 
--to act as 'greeters' for people entering the community
 
--to be 'limited access control officers' which means they verify people coming onto the property
 
--to be 'patrol officers' which means they patrol the community and watch for moving or parking violations or obvious breaches
 
--to be 'guards' which means they are usually armed and honestly, there are very few communities that actually pay for (or want) armed guard service
 
GateSo what does that mean for your home?  It means you need to take the necessary steps to ensure your home is properly protected. 
 
These steps include having weekly absentee home checks to keep activity in your home and to have someone local who is regularly checking your home on your behalf
 
For example, do you have adequate exterior lighting to deter vandals? Did you leave lights on timers? What happens if the bulbs burn out while you're gone?
 
What if your smoke alarms are constantly beeping? Or trash blows in places where the common area gardeners don't work?  Did you turn your air conditioner up so high it rarely kicks on?  It takes just one little thing to let thieves know your home is empty.
 
And we hear this all the time: Homeowners who say they've been leaving their home empty without home checks for years with no problems.  We say GREAT!  You've had good luck so far and we hope it continues.
 
securityHowever the one time you have a problem may be costlier than you ever imagined. So when you choose a company for absentee home checks, please make sure they are professionals, that they carry both the proper licenses and insurance, and that they will allow themselves to be listed as the 'additionally called' for your home security system.
 
When you live more than an hour away, or even if you're on vacation for a week, you need someone local you can trust to make your home security a priority
 
Let Executive Errands give you a hand by keeping a safe eye on your home!  760.898.9604 or www.executive-errands.com 
Special Announcement!
 
Gold Coast Enterprises Property Management and Executive Errands have partnered to provide Concierge services as Gold Coast Concierge Services.
 
goldcoast1Gold Coast Property Management is responsible for 44 communities and approximately 4,000 homeowners in the Coachella Valley. 
 
They also have a large portfolio in Orange County and we hope to be able to extend Concierge services to those communities at some point in the future.
 
Concierge services are a great amenity to add for any community.  This soft service increases the percepton of value by homeowners for their assessments without increasing cost.
 
For more information about adding Concierge Services in your community, please contact us at [email protected] or by phone at 760.898.9604
 
We are excited to provide Gold Coast Concierge Services and look forward to a long and mutually rewarding relationship with both Gold Coast Property Management and their homeowners.
 
Gold Coast Logo
Special Announcement!
 
For several years we've had a dream of offering affordable all inclusive weddings, vow renewals and commitment ceremonies for the mature couple.
 
weddingringsIt seems that nearly all wedding event planning and marketing is aimed at the first time, young bride but there are lots of us baby boomers who fall in love too and who would like to celebrate in an affordable way.
 
So this month our dream came true and we are introducing Simply Celebrated, our take on all inclusive weddings
 
Specifically designed with the mature couple in mind, these events include everything - venue, photographer, flowers, cake, champagne, music and food and at an astonishing price.
 
Right now there is an increasing trend for vow renewals and Simply Celebrated is an easy way to do them in a beautiful location and without a lot of fuss or work on the part of the loving couple.
 
logo simply celebrated
 
Another situation we considered are the older couples who fall in love but don't marry lest they lose social security or retirement benefitsSimply Celebrated lets you have a commitment ceremony without surrending your income.
 
And these events, while originally intended for wedding type ceremonies, also lend themselves to intimate holiday parties, birthdays and anniversary parties, again with little work on your part.
 
Please see our website at www.simplycelebrated.com We hope you find this new take on event planning as exciting as we do.
 
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Sink or Swim
 
Last month we promoted our energy saving digital variable speed pool pumps - however there was a misprint on the price.  The last issue said they were $1379 installed when it should have said $1479 - our apologies.
 
In addition, if the pumps are installed for commercial pools, there is a fixed county tax fee of $400 per pump.  This fee does not apply to residential pools.
 
The good news is the utility companies are still offering rebates!!! 
 
plantAnd we also want you to know the pool company we work with is environmentally and socially conscious.  For each pool pump replaced with an energy saving digital variable speed pump, they plant a tree.
 
When equipment, like heaters, are replaced, they recycle as much as they can and donate the proceeds to the YMCA.
 
We share a commitment to make a difference in the World - and when you use our pool service - whether for maintenance or for repairs, you do too!
 
To see our client testimonials, please visit our website at www.executive-errands.com
For Sticky Situations....

wd40During the summer months, we try to do something different, interesting or fun with a three month summer-only column.  Last year we made socioeconomic observations, but this year we are going to offer something that takes far less brain power.
 
As everybody knows, the two tools no home should ever be without are duct tape and WD-40.  Uses for duct tape are limitless, but did you know there are at least 40 practical uses for WD-40?  Amazing!  So this summer, for the months of July, August and September, we are going to share ten of our handiest tips each month.  Who knows, maybe you'll discover a way to use WD-40 that is new, helpful and cool.
 
But first, here is the history of WD-40.  It was created in 1953 by three technicians (and the only three people at the company) at the San Diego Rocket Chemical Company.  It's name comes from a project that was intended to find a "water displacement" compound. They were successful with the fortieth formulation, thus WD-40.
 
wd40groupWD-40 was being used for missile parts and the workers kept stealing it for home use.  Eventually, the manufacturers realized there might be a commerical market for their new product so they put it into aerosal cans and the rest, as they say, is history.
 
Each year about 2.5 million gallons of WD-40 is manufactured and the recipe is known to only four people, one of whom is the brew master.  
 
For July, the 10 practical uses of WD-40 are:
 
-Protects silver from tarnishing

-Cleans and lubricates guitar strings

-Gets oil spots off concrete driveways

-Gives floors that 'just-waxed' sheen without making it slippery

-Keeps flies off cows (wonder if it works for dogs?)

wd40big-Restores and cleans chalkboards

-Removes lipstick stains

-Loosens stubborn zippers

-Untangles jewelry chains

-Removes stains from stainless steel sinks
 
Just those ten hints alone are enough to make you want to buy a can!  Enjoy! - Ten more suggestions are coming next month.
 
For more information about Executive Errands please contact us at 760.898.9604 www.executive-errands.com 
 
New Services...

How many times have you nicked or broken a piece of furniture and either replaced it or lived with the damage?  It is no longer necessary to do either.
 
furniture repairExecutive Errands just added a wonderful furniture repair service to our vast list of services.  We have fixed some pieces of furniture for our client's that we initially believed were beyond repair. 
 
As an example, we had a client with a broken dresser drawer front.  When we first saw it, we thought, "ut oh, this one is bad" but you know what? It is so beautiful now, one would never guess there had ever been any damage.
 
It is truly amazing just how great this service is.  If you have fine furniture or even favorite lower end pieces, whether they are nicked or gouged or broken, we can help make them look like new again.  And the cost is quite reasonable especially when compared to replacement.
 
For more information or to request a referral for furniture repair services, please contact us at 760.898.9604 www.executive-errands.com
 
Just For HOA Managers...

lighted palm treeIf you're looking to update your community's tired Holiday decor or maybe you're considering decorating for the first time, now is the time to schedule a meeting with our commercial Holiday decorator.
 
She has years and years of experience and has decorated some of the most well known places here in the Desert and in Los Angeles. 
 
Her resume includes The Riveria in Palm Springs, Desert Island in Rancho Mirage, The Ahmanson in Los Angeles, The Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles, Thunderbird in Rancho Mirage, and the Westin Mission Hills Resort and Spa.
 
Technically not just for HOAs - homeowners can have commercial grade decorating too! 
 
For more information or to request a referral, please contact us at 760.898.9604 www.executive-errands.com 
 
Save The Date...

golfcartMark your calendars - the Annual Palm Desert Golf Cart Parade is Sunday, October 31, 2010 and as always will be parading down El Paseo boulevard.  This year's theme is "Halloween Extravaganza!"
 
This will be the fourth year in a row Executive Errands has provided the Concierge service for the Silver Circle box seats. 
 
To reserve your seat, to enter a golf cart or for more information, please contact Katie at [email protected] or 760.346.6111
 
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Soroptimist logoThe Cathedral City-Rancho Mirage (CC-RM) Soroptimist Club's annual Fall Fashion Show and Fundraiser is scheduled for Saturday, November 13, 2010 at the beautiful Desert Willow Golf Club.
 
Soroptimist, for those of you who may not be familiar, is a charity devoted to helping women and girls. 
 
All the funds the CC-RM Club raises goes
to the House of Hope in Desert Hot Springs and other local charities.
 
Please mark your calendars to attend this very special and enjoyable event.  The theme is Holidays in the Desert and in addition to the Fashion Show, there will be fashion related raffles plus unexpected and exciting Live Auction items.
 
For more information, please contact us at 760.898.9604 or 760.469.2487  www.executive-errands.com
A Handy Tip...
 
For the first time ever, I now live in a community where the trash cans must be kept in the garage.  In this heat and as you might imagine, it is an unpleasant situation.
 
coffee groundsAfter washing the cans and trying multiple air fresheners, all to no avail, a good friend (Mary) suggested an unlikely remedy - coffee grounds. 
 
Just sprinkle some coffee grounds - I use them right out of the container unbrewed - all over the bottom of the cans and amazingly - no more odors!  Works like a charm!
 
Thank You Mary for giving me a helping hand!
 
hands neededThe main article this month, about the need to delegate tasks, was inspired by a friend of mine.  He is young and brilliant and has built an extremely successful business, but he has just about reached the point where if he doesn't release some of the tasks he's still trying to do himself, he will either make himself physically ill or start losing business - or both.
 
My friend is teetering on the precipice of giant success - too much work for one man to manage, but how can he let go when he still wants to be involved in everything?
 
team buildingIt is such a difficult crossroad.  Yet there comes a time in the growth of every company where the founder can only take the business so far on his own.  
 
To get a company to its next level, one needs professionals.  People with experience in big company mentality.  People who have 'been there, done that'.  People who respect what you've accomplished and who want to assist you in achieving goals on a grander scale.
 
I'm sure he'll find the professionals he needs.  He's smart, dedicated, and tenacious.  It is exciting to watch his rise to the top!
 
ladyFor the rest of us, when you find yourself overwhelmed with too much to do and too little time, Executive Errands are the professionals you need to help simplify your life. 
 
Delegate your tasks to us
and you can rest assured they will be done quickly, efficiently and thoroughly.  Our hands are always ready to supplement yours. We may even qualify as a tax deduction, depending on what you're delegating and why.
 
Until next month, we hope you had a wonderful Fourth of July weekend. Try to stay cool and thank you for your loyalty to Executive Errands!

Leslie Spoor
760.469.2487
 
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