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Greetings!
 Let's see a show of hands - how many of you would support a 4 hour work week? I bet every hand attached to someone reading this newsletter just went into the air!
We believe in a 4 hour work week. There's even a book about it called 'The Four Hour Work Week'. Written by Timothy Ferriss, this book provides a decent foundation for time management.
Because we deal in time, we believe it should be segmented in order to maximize your savings.
For example, it has always been my policy never to live more than 15 drive minutes from work. Why? Because 15 minutes each way equates to 2 weeks per year in driving and I'm only willing to give up two weeks of my life each year to commuting.
Some of you might say 'but you worked on the road and all over the country; how does that fit in with your 15 minute philosophy?' I would agree with your initial statement, and then add that my hotel rooms were still 15 minutes or less from my client sites. Flying time is unavoidable when you work on the road, but driving time is controllable.
 Our company does errands and facilitates services for a living so our people are constantly running here and there. How do we save time? We schedule our stops in a clockwise sequence. Why? Because most people unconsciously drive in a counter-clockwise route. By going clockwise not only do we reduce the amount of traffic we encounter, but we rarely have to make a turn across traffic, a notorious time stealer.
How else can we segment time? I believe that routine administrative functions are a waste of time. Therefore we defined and created a software system that automates not only most of the routine administrative functions of a Concierge company, but one that also has many reporting tools. Why would we want to manually research the expiration date of a vendor's liability insurance? Or manually record the hours we spend for our clients? Or process a client's monthly billing manually? We don't want to and we don't do it. It is all automated and easily we save at least 15 hours per week on these and many other necessary but time-consuming tasks.
 The best way for you to define time savers is to examine your life and segment it into smaller and smaller bites. Work is one bucket, but within work, what tasks do you do that can either be outsourced or eliminated?
Home is another bucket - are you spending your Saturday's running errands and doing chores? Assume you hired out all those activities so when you got home on Friday night, everything was already done. What would you do with your Saturday then?
Time management comes down to perception of value and self-worth. How much do you believe your time is worth? I believe my time is extremely valuable so in the work segment, I focus on revenue producing tasks - marketing, networking, and new client development. I outsource or automate all non-value-added activities.
 Don't believe me? I pay one of my employees to do my filing each week. Can I do it myself? Yes. Does it take about an hour a week? Yes. But is that a productive use of my time? No. Delegating that activity gives me four extra hours per month. That's a half day I can use for something productive, or better yet, fun.
In fact, since I ascribe to the 4 hour work week philosophy, those four hours of time not filing is the equivalent of a full week for me. Pretty sweet.
We built an entire company designed specifically to help you free up your life! Get a start on streamlining your tasks and creating your own 4 hour work week. Outsource your tasks and eliminate any that are unnecessary - that is the foundation of time management in Timothy Ferriss' book and our philosophy as well.
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Life is too short not to spend more time with family and/or to have fun. Executive Errands is your outsource source. 760.898.9604 www.executive-errands.com |
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Our Favorite Things... Garage Sale Monkey
 We actually talked about Garage Sale Monkey once before, but they have recently enhanced their services and we thought you might appreciate hearing about them again.
All too often we end up with a pile of things to donate or sell, but we don't know the value of the items or whether they're sale-worthy. And honestly, who really wants to spend the time doing the research to figure out values and options for no longer wanted items?
Enter Garage Sale Monkey's newest service: They will come and review your items and provide recommendations of which things to simply donate versus which ones to sell and they will even provide a ballpark estimate of the amount of money to expect for saleable items.
This is a FREE service Garage Sale Monkey offers - they will come to your home or storage unit and provide a professional estimation of (and advice for) your items. Sometimes, as they will quickly tell you, the sentiment of a given item is more valuable than selling it. Other times items should simply be donated.
But in those instances when you do have sale-worthy items, Garage Sale Monkey will advise you the best means for selling (Ebay, Craig's List, For Sale ads, etc) so you can get started. If you prefer, they will even help you sell which saves you time.
Again, this service is FREE. The next time you want a pile of junk evaluated, give Garage Sale Monkey a call.
For more info: Call Andy at Garage Sale Monkey www.garagesalemonkey.com ["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!!!] |
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Serviceable Product Life....
 Are you familiar with the acronyms MTTF, MTBF and MFOP? These are all related to the service life of a product. Mean Time To Failure, Mean Time Between Failures, Maintenance Free Operating Period.
Manufacturers use calculations to estimate the serviceable life of their products in order to define warranty periods and most of them get pretty good at doing so. Have you ever noticed how a warranty runs out just before the part or product breaks? It can be quite frustrating.
Here in the desert, where our temperatures can be brutal, products can have a shortened serviceable life or product life. Items such as air conditioners, car batteries, tires, roofing materials, anything outdoors made of PVC, draperies - all these and many other items can be damaged or fail far earlier than they might in a more temperate climate.
As an example, air conditioner units typically have about a 12-15 year service life. Here in the desert, that life cycle is often reduced to 10-12 years. There are exceptions of course - if your unit is in a shaded area or you have it serviced routinely, but by and large you'll be lucky to get more than about 12 years out of it.
Car batteries are the worst. Where they might last for five plus years somewhere else, here we are lucky to get two years. Often, just one. We've learned the warning sign of a battery on life support: a sluggish ignition. If you experience a slow turn over, quick! Buy a new battery!
 All too often, we overlook products around our homes that will last longer if we take the proper preventative maintenance and service steps. For example, when was the last time you looked at your garage door springs?
Recently we've had a rash of calls for garage door problems and they're all coming out of two communities. Upon closer inspection, we realized all those garage doors are averaging between 12 and 15 years of age. Serviceable life for garage door springs? About 12 years maximum. The rash of garage door problems is going to escalate.
So take a look around your home and call us for all your preventative maintenance needs. Roof inspections, AC maintenance, Garage door maintenance, security alarm inspections, smoke alarm batteries - you get the idea.
 And don't forget that the sand and sun here can ruin or reduce the serviceable life of your windows, tile, carpet, shutters and blinds. We have service providers who can tend to all your home maintenance needs.
Let Executive Errands be your 'go to' company for home maintenance. We care for your home from the curb to the golf course. One company, one credit card, one piece of mind.
For more information or to schedule preventative maintenance services or inspections, please contact us at 760.898.9604 or www.executive-errands.com |
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Why You'll Want to Follow Us on Facebook...
Social media is so important these days and has literally changed the landscape of advertising and marketing. With one simple click of a button, companies can get their message out to the world in a fun and cost effective way. Executive Errands set a goal for 2012 to get our page up to 500 likes. Therefore, for your consideration, here are:
The top five reasons you want to 'like' us on Facebook:
- We post something new and interesting at least once per day and we're conscious of the annoyance factor of people who post company statuses over and over. Therefore we keep our daily posts to one, maybe two max, so as not to overload your senses
- This page keeps you up to date between newsletters - and with all the goings on at Executive Errands, you'll want to stay current
- New services are introduced here first - when we have a new service, we are eager to get it to you as quickly as possible
- You never know what you're going to get - trivia, time saving hints, service ideas
- We're a really cool service dedicated to customer service, yet we still have a sense of humor so you might find yourself chuckling over one or more posts
See? There are soooo many reasons to like us, so click here: 
And then click 'Like' and begin your daily dose of Executive Errands. You'll be glad you did! |
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Money & Time Saving Apps....
 Speaking of Social Media - it is EXHAUSTING trying to keep up with Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, blogs, and all your other networks. Wouldn't it be nice if you could post one place and update everything?
Now you can. Take a look at HootSuite, an integrated dashboard application where you can manage all of your social media networks in one location. It provides analytics, integrates with Google and allows team use (great for those corporate social media wizards).
The basic HootSuite account is free, although they do offer a 'Pro' version for $5.99 per month. There are apps available for your iPhone, Android and iPad.
 You can post one time and have it update everywhere. You can create a status update and schedule it to post later. If you're using social media for business, you can track all sorts of statistics!
Save your sanity and consolidate your networks - take a look at HootSuite to see if it is a good fit for you!
For more information: www.hootsuite.com also available from iTunes - it supports both iPad and iPhones
Executive Errands at 760.898.9604 or www.executive-errands.com We are here to help simplify your life! |
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Did You Know? Fun Valentine's Day Facts...
 Did you know that Valentine's Day cards are second only to Christmas in the number of cards that are bought and sent each year? It's true. Over 1 BILLION cards are sent or delivered each year. Who get's Valentines? In order of most received, these sentimental cards go to teachers, children, mothers, wives and then, egad, sweethearts. Why are sweethearts last? Isn't Valentine's Day supposed to be the romance holiday?
Ok, maybe we'll forgive the lack of cards going to sweethearts since men purchase 73% of the 189 MILLION roses sold for Valentine's Day (nearly 110 million of those are in the three days leading up to and including V-Day). How is it that red roses became the universally accepted symbol of love? Well, it's because red is the power of romance and love and allegedly the rose was the favorite flower of Venus, the Roman goddess of Love and Beauty. However, give me an orange rose anytime. So much prettier (and smells better) than their tired red cohorts.
 Ever wonder why chocolate candies come in heart shaped boxes? That's because the heart is considered to be the center of all human emotions. In ancient times, it was believed that if Eros (aka Cupid) would shoot one of his arrows into your heart, you would fall hopelessly in love. Personally, I think you'd fall hopelessly dead..... Just sayin'....
Now when it comes to romantic birds, there are two that come immediately to mind - Love birds, brightly colored birds from Africa, are known to huddle closely together (are they truly romantic or just cold?) and the Dove, which mates for life and are probably the most commonly thought of bird when it comes to Valentine's Day and weddings. I used to have a bird, Mojo. He was a white canary and while he did try to mate with his image in the mirror, traditionally canaries are not considered love birds.
 So there you have it. Some useless but semi-interesting trivia about the origins of Valentine's Day and it's commercial impact. As a romantic, I keep hoping to get my own valentine someday but until then, I am rooting for the rest of you. Take a few minutes to hold your significant other's hand and appreciate them for the joy they bring into your life. Happy V-Day!
==========================================760.898.9604 or www.executive-errands.com |
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Ever Dream About Being Your Own Boss?...
 If you have ever thought about starting your own Concierge business, but are overwhelmed at the sheer volume of options and decisions, now there is help!
Introducing Concierge Business Solutions, a turnkey business opportunity to help you launch your own Lifestyle Management company.
The Concierge Business Solutions system includes a proprietary software application that automates all the administrative functions of a Concierge service, a website, all our marketing, documentation, and forms templates plus a fair amount of business consulting to help you hit the ground running.
Why start from scratch when you can use a proven formula? Your company will be based on Executive Errands' business model yet still your own. We'll provide recommendations to help you tailor your company in support of your geographic and target client demographics.
We are especially interested in assisting people build a Concierge company in cities where our clients have other homes. If we can help create a similar quality Concierge service in their second home town, then we may be able to simplify their life on two fronts.
This is not a franchise opportunity; rather it is a business op and licensing agreement. Concierge Business Solutions gives you the keys to a better future.
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Concierge Services... It's Tax Time!
 It is tax season and that means our accountant friends suddenly find themselves without a social life (or any other life for that matter). Theirs is a series of numbers and endless days until late April. But we want to help.
Introducing Executive Errands' Tax Season Survival Kit - need food? Coffee? Clean clothes? What about the errands that pile up while you're heads down in the office? Yes, we can help with all those tasks.
And guess what? We're pretty sure you can expense our services and deduct them from your own tax return! How great is that!?! Actually, we may well qualify as a tax deduction for anyone who uses us as a personal assistance service.
Now we realize that it is unlikely our accountant friends will even see this offer because they are all too busy, but if you know an accountant, bookkeeper or Quickbooks expert, please share this opportunity. Their life doesn't have to stop just because it is tax season. Let us help simplify their (and your) life!
For more information or to set up a Tax Survival Kit, please call us at 760.898.9604 www.executive-errands.com |
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Announcements!
 We are very pleased to announce that Executive Errands and Michael's House, an alcohol and drug treatment center in Palm Springs, have formed an agreement for us to provide Concierge services to their clients.
Michael's House is a division of the Foundations Recovery Network based in Tennessee. Michael's House is nationally recognized for providing effective drug and alcohol rehabilitation treatment for individuals and families suffering from the disease of alcoholism, substance abuse as well as co-occurring disorders. This for profit program has two residential treatment facilities in Palm Springs and a third is due to open soon. Executive Errands provides a means for in-residence clients to obtain sundries and daily needs items like toothbrushes, deodorant, nicotine products, nail clippers, socks, shoes - anything they might have forgotten when they checked in or suddenly find they need.  Executive Errands donates time to support Soroptimist House of Hope, a non-profit drug and alcohol recovery program in Desert Hot Springs.
Our association with Michael's House allows us to continue serving these people who are desperately trying to change their lives and to improve the lives of their families. We are extremely honored to be able to provide a much needed service and to help in this small way to ease the battle for recovery. For more information about Michael's House or the Foundations Recovery Network, please visit www.michaelshouse.com or www.foundationsrecoverynetwork.com Executive Errands 760.898.9604 or www.executive-errands.com |
 It's almost time!!! The Dancing With Our Stars event is right around the corner! Sunday, February 12th at Agua Caliente is the place to be for an evening of dancing competition and exhibitions.
We've been working so hard - for the last month Gary Butler (of Asphalt MD's) and I have been dancing up to two hours per day. It's been intense! We are having a ball practicing and can't wait for the event itself, but we aren't doing this just for fun. We are trying to raise public awareness and funds for Soroptimist House of Hope (SHOH), a non-profit alcohol and drug recovery program for disadvantaged women in Desert Hot Springs. To learn more about SHOH please take 5 minutes to watch this video:  | | Soroptimist House of Hope |
To help us raise money, you can vote for us or you can attend the event (or both)! Proxy votes are in increments of $20 and the event cost is $90 ($20 of which goes to SHOH).
Please help us raise funds for this little charity that does such big work! If you'd like to buy a vote, please call at 760.898.9604 or you may send a check made out to SHOH to PO Box 2782, Palm Desert, CA 92261. Please put 'DWOS' in the memo line! More information about the event is available at www.dancingwithourstars.net ================================================================  We're also collecting household goods, knickknacks, and other yard sale worthy items for the ongoing Soroptimist House of Hope yard sale.
This is a wonderful way to touch the lives of disadvantaged women in a personal and intimate way by donating items that convert to cash for a local agency. You know exactly how you're helping when you donate to a program right in your backyard. You may download a donation form for tax purposes here: SHOH Goods Donation Form
We pick up your items (or facilitate a pickup) free of charge and we get no fees from the sale of these goods. All proceeds are for SHOH.
To schedule a donation pick up*, please call us at 760.898.9604
*No clothes or exercise equipment, please |
 1) If you enjoy this newsletter, then this is a reminder that all of our newsletters are available at our archive by clicking here: EE Newsletter Archive
3) If you'd like an electronic copy of our Homeowner Reference Brochure, please give us a call at 760.898.9604 |
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 Do you know what I most like to do? Mentor other companies. I love that, I truly do. For some inexplicable reason, it is easy for me to see waste in a process and to redefine that process to improve efficiencies or productivity. It usually doesn't even matter what type of company it is, the waste just stands out like someone put a highlighter over it.
It is also easy to visualize action plans when others are at a loss for how to meet their goals and objectives. Back in my consulting days, my first (and favorite) question to ask the people who worked for my clients was this: If you could have anything you wanted, what would make your job easier?
Often they would profess that 'this or that' couldn't be done, but after some encouragement they would finally say what type of reporting tool or process or gadget would help them to do their job better and/or save them time.
In every case (and I say this with some amount of ego and pride) I was able to get them what they needed. Want something automated? I can define the technical requirements so a programmer can create it. Need to alter job descriptions to best leverage your employee's strengths? Done. Need policies and procedures designed to insure consistency and future continuity in a process? You got it.
 And finally there is education. I am a firm believer that people all want to do the best job possible, but sometimes they operate at a C (or worse) level because they simply don't understand the inputs and outputs of the work they do. When you provide the proper education and training, work habits and decision making always improve.
I tell you all this because when your goal is a 4 hour work week, you need solid goals, automated tools, efficient processes, and ongoing education. Before you can eliminate waste or streamline processes, you need to know where your opportunities are.
 You can always outsource tasks but even then, the tasks you outsource should be value-added. There is no sense or value in busy-work. On the home front, you should schedule preventative maintenance everywhere possible because a little money now saves a ton of money (and time wasted on emergencies) later.
Routine chores should be outsourced because your time is more valuable spent elsewhere. Even if your priority is not to spend time on revenue producing activities then by all means spend it on nurturing your relationships and your psyche.
My family is the nearest and dearest thing to my heart but after them comes my love of making life better for others through charity, through mentoring and through time saving activities intended to free up their lives. Get down to 4 hours per week! You'll love it!
Don't forget to 'Like' us on Facebook!
Until March,
Leslie Spoor, CCS
President, Executive Errands
760.469.2487
CL #944447
We value our clients' privacy. Therefore we do not, distribute your email address to anyone, ever.
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