How to Underline Blank Spaces in a Microsoft Word Document
September 30, 2009
I finally found out how to underline blank spaces in Microsoft Word 2007. It’s been driving me nuts for months and the support site just wasn’t helpful. I did this all the time with my 2003 version. Last resort (which should have been my first stop) was to Google my question and quickly went right to the answer on the Microsoft site. Here’s the secret no one wants you to know 
You can underline blank spaces by pressing SHIFT + HYPHEN (-).
That’s it! Earth shattering, I know. I do understand there are other ways, even considered better by Microsoft, but when all I want to do is a few quick, fast space underlines … voila! I was so relieved to find this today.
Has Your Client Asked You to Charge Less?
June 26, 2009
This is a comical video for anyone who has ever had a client request that you lower your rates.
As business owners, we do need to be able to identify areas where deals can be negotiated, but it is much more important to be able to identify areas where scrimping can actually hurt your business. Spend your money where you will receive the most value, whatever that may be: increased productivity, improved time management, or greater quality of life. The benefits to move your business forward will far outweigh the cost. Watch and learn. am5nr293hu
Adding To My Ideal Client Profile
June 22, 2009
Have you started developing your ideal client profile? It is important for every business owner to identify who that ideal client is and create a list or profile. At first, this was a challenging concept for me to grasp coming from the corporate world where I really had no choice in who I worked with. As a Virtual Assistant, I work with many different clients and have been continually learning who meshes with my personality. When our partnership is successful, I make note of those characteristics. Having this profile has helped me initiate conversations with potential clients as well as feeling comfortable letting clients go if our styles don’t blend.
Most recently, I added a very key characteristic to my client profile. A potential new client noted that she was direct. A bell went off in my head because I am too, but I hadn’t identified it. As a bookkeeper, I find this works very well with several of my extremely busy clients. I like to be quick and to the point in my emails. My questions are small and words few but there is no love lost in the directness of my message or their quick reply. We are not ego involved in the communication.
I struggle with email because fluffy writing does not come naturally to me. In fact, I normally don’t charge for my email time because I know this. I must carefully craft emails writing and rewriting sentences to get my message across. Just this past month, a client let me know they prefer email over phone contact and it proved to be more than challenging. I was told I spent too much time answering an email. Initially I felt discouraged but now realize that had I relayed my direct communication style to this client ahead of time, I may have been able to spend less time crafting and worrying if I was going to offend her in some way. Adding directness as a core characteristic to my client profile will definitely encourage me to seek such partnerships with my future clients. What characteristics would you include?
Dual Monitors, Oh Yea!
October 14, 2008
Recently there were discussions on several VA forums about using dual monitors. What a concept! I had never seriously considered this until my fellow VAs were raving about this setup. At one point, someone mentioned to try it “if you happen to have an extra monitor around”. I chuckled and thought, sure, who has a monitor just sitting around and then I saw it! I had an unused monitor at my archaic desktop machine in the playroom corner. I was thrilled, to say the least, and set about hooking it up.
Now as a bookkeeper, having multiple windows open at all times is an absolute must. There are statement pdf files, emails of transactions and instructions, online project collaboration notes, my time keeper, not to mention the QuickBooks software program. Even though I love my widescreen HP laptop, there just isn’t enough screen real estate to work with everything I need. I have spent a lot of effort zooming in and out, going back and forth between the windows. With my fabulous new setup, I am now able to drag the windows back and forth between monitors, keeping things in 100% view. What a boost to my productivity! I challenge you to dust off those ole’ monitors and try it out, then let me know what YOU think.
Will Big Banks Remember Small Business?
October 5, 2008
I bank at Washington Mutual and several weeks ago I joined in the panic, and transferred the majority of my business checking funds for “safe keeping” until the dust settled. As I kept tabs on the WaMu website, I was initially encouraged to discover JP Morgan had acquired the bank. I felt a little more secure reading the Chase Welcome page about how I was to continue banking as usual.
Then I began to seriously think about how the takeover will affect my banking long-term. I searched hard to find a small business-friendly bank willing to give me free checking, free online bill pay, no monthly service charge and no minimum balance requirement. I was very happy to recommend Washington Mutual as my preferred banking choice. After starting out at Wells Fargo where we hold our personal accounts, it was quickly apparent that spending $12-15 per month for basically nothing was a bad business decision. That money is better spent each month on a combination of web hosting, fax service, or online data backup.
As a national leader in business banking services and the nation’s #1 SBA lender, I really hope Chase does remember the small business community and will market to that segment, as Washington Mutual has done so well. If you feel passionate about your preferred business banking provider, please let us know.
7 Habits
September 21, 2008
I very much enjoy the FranklinCovey day planners and though I’m making strong efforts to go paperless, there is something about writing things down that helps my brain process. This year, I’ve been enjoying my classic planner theme: The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. Of course this is based on Dr. Steve R. Covey’s book of the same name. Each day I focus on the Daily Thought and a little nugget from his book. It is a great way to start my day being inspired. Here’s a little tidbit for you:
Daily Thought
I believe that you can get everything in life you want if you will just help enough other people get what they want
–Zig Ziglar
NFIB SmartBrief e-mail Newsletter
February 10, 2008
As of February 4, the National Federation of Independent Business is replacing their MyBusiness Minute and E-news with the NFIB SmartBrief e-mail newsletter. This e-news is a briefing that is published 5 times per week with wonderful snippets of the latest on economic trends, legislation, politics, sales and marketing, best practices, human resource management and consumer trends. The newsletter is designed specifically for small and independent business owners, and is a quick, easy-to-read summary of the day’s most important developments affecting your business.
As a Virtual Assistant, I find the e-news keeps me “in-the-know” on issues that are relevant to any small business, in addition to my own. This education helps me find better ways to service my clients. You can learn more and sign up here at SmartBrief.
Take care.
Quote Of The Day
August 24, 2007
“Knowing is not enough; we must apply.
Willing is not enough; we must do.”
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Time to apply what we know and do what we will. Take care.
A Virtual Assistant’s Journey
August 20, 2007
As a Virtual Assistant actively cultivating my small business, I believe learning is extremely important and crucial to success. In order to remain the experts we are, Virtual Assistants (VAs) are constantly searching to expand our knowledge. The beauty of the VA industry is that each VA has a specialty and individually strives to increase his or her level of expertise amidst the craziness of the constantly evolving technology. Our success depends on this and the quality of our services reflect this. My goal is to offer some tips and inspirations, resulting from the many hours of research and training I’ve done on my Virtual Assistant journey so far, as well as reflect the service areas of my own expertise.
It is my sincere hope to offer up some useful information. And maybe you’ll find some inspiration and peace of mind along the way. Welcome!
