The rumor mill is churning – Apple should be announcing the next generation iPhone on June 8th. Check out this blog for predictions on features: new iPhone.
Personally, I’m still on the fence – should I get a BB, iPhone, iPod or stick with the cell phone? (Verizon EnV specifically – so much more than a phone) Don’t they all do the same thing in different packaging?
What’s your gadget of choice? Perhaps you can influence my decision…leave a comment @ setufreeva.com/blog
As business owners we attempt to keep the balance between quality and cost effectiveness – meaning, if it’s free ‘HOW GOOD IS IT REALLY?’ Now, don’t misunderstand me, I like free, but it must be weighed against quality. Which brings me to the point of this blog – “Open Source Computing” or the new buzz word “cloud computing”? I read a great article in smallbusinesscomputing.com which listed numerous open source “cloud” platforms. The author tempered his article with sage advice “this may not be the best decision for all business owners” – translation: proceed with caution. We all want to save a few bucks, but not at the cost of our reputation. My favorite – and currently only – open source platform is PDF creator – works great! And of course, it’s free!
What are your favorites? Do you use open source software exclusively, not at all, or a mixture of both? Inquiring minds want to know? Leave your comments, suggestions, and opinions @ www.setufreeva.com/blog.
Today is Mother’s Day – a time of reflection, joy, celebration and feasting. Mothers make sacrifices, dry tears (ours and their own), bring us joy, share in our joy and keep us grounded.
When I told my mom that I was building a virtual assistant business, she quickly overcame the “huh” expression and congratulated me on my decision. Does she understand the VA industry or the term virtual assistant? No – but that doesn’t stop her from supporting me – ‘cause that’s what Mother’s do!
Happy Mother’s Day!
I used to be a diehard Internet Explorer user – through pure ignorance. If you are employed, you use what is provided – because bottom-line – any security issues are theirs (read Big Corporate Machine) vs. yours (business owner).
Through education via the virtual assistant forums, I learned that Fire Fox is a more secure, stable platform…needless to say I made the switch. If Fire Fox is your browser of choice, check out these time-saver add-ons:
1.Fox marks – seamlessly sync changes to bookmarks and passwords across all your computers
2.Shareaholic – share, bookmark and email web pages via your favorite social sites
3.Fotofox – organize your pictures or create an album without interrupting your internet browsing
4.Morning Coffee – like to be in the know at the moment? Use this tool to organize the websites you view daily
5.Reminder Fox – setup alarms/alerts to highlight those important dates/events – ex: “Mother’s Day – May 10th”
6.Tab Sidebar – an alternative to the main tab bar – why? Options are good!
7.Sxipper – keeps track of usernames, passwords and personal info; add-on allows you to store this data on your computer. Personally, I’m skeptical of this particular feature – I’ll stick with the password protected excel sheet 
Do you use any of these or do you have a favorite to add to the list? Share it! Each one, teach one!
Leave a comment @ http://www.setufreeva.com/blog/
Calling all Accountants, Financial Service Professionals, IT Professionals – have you been involuntarily separated from your employer? i.e. down-sized? outsourced? laid-off? The answer for many is yes. Now that door #1 has been closed – what is behind door #2? For some it’s solo-preneurship – and it that’s your goal – you are my target audience!
I’m a Virtual Assistant with several years of corporate experience in the financial services and technology industries. Each industry has its own “language”. Financial speak: balance sheets, income statements, cashflow – elementary? Yes, but do you want to take the time to teach the difference? IT speak: critical path, milestones, QA (Quality Assurance not Question/Answer) – again elementary, but think of the time saved when you onboard someone with this basic knowledge. We can hit the ground running!
So if you’ve decided that door #2 opens to a world of self-employment, being your own boss and saying “good-bye” to corporate America – give me a call (877-330-0474) – we speak the same language!
I read an interesting article in InfoWorld that highlighted 9 websites that IT professionals should master in 2009. The article states “this list is not for geeks. It’s for IT professionals…to keep up with the latest innovations on the internet.” Amongst the list were 2 social networking sites: LinkedIn and Twitter. Social networking is here to stay…and I’m sure you don’t want to be left out!
Do you have a presence on LinkedIn? Do you need assistance maintaining your presence on LinkedIn and other social media? I’d be happy to assist you; here’s mine www.linkedin.com/in/setufree.
It’s fitting that Martin Luther King Day is in January. The year is young and we can dream BIG and have the remainder of the year to fulfill it. As a business owner, I’m empowered to dream big and set the course to fulfill that dream. For me, the dream is my corner (home) office facing the east with windows bathed in tropical sunshine overlooking tranquil sea waters..truly epitomizing my company name “SetUFree”.
Do you have a dream? Let SetUFree Virtual Services bring you closer to your dream!
Resolutions and the New Year seem to go hand in hand…I read an article by CC Holland (http://blogs.bnet.com/teamwork/?p=560) listing 9 Productivity Resolutions for 2009. As with most promises made to self – they are most effective if shared with a friend/partner. Why not partner with a Virtual Assistant today? Increased productivity is one of many benefits from this union. I can:
* balance that hectic calendar
* manage that out of control inbox
* help you achieve work/life balance
It’s not too late to put that New “YOU” resolution into effect…visit setufreeva.com
Looking forward to a productive 2009!
As we close out 2008 and look forward to 2009 – we can take this opportunity to set our “business” New Year resolutions:
1. Make your goal specific: your brain will lead you where you aim it!
2. Make your goal simple and clear: I want to increase sales by 10% per month
3. Make your goal significant: something that you really want – something that you’re willing to work hard for
4. Make your goal strategic: something that impacts multiple areas of your life and your business – more bang for your effort!
5. Make your goal measurable: in terms of dollars, hours, clients and clicks – set the goal, then measure your progress
Have you begun your New Year “business” resolutions list? Feel free to share!
I read a blog post by a solo-preneur referencing 5 tips for working with a VA to better enable clients to work with a virtual assistant (VA). In addition to the 5 tips listed, I’ll add my own:
• Expertise: clients usually have 2 or 3 major task for which a VA may specialize. For me, its organizational skills – balancing a hectic calendar, planning a gala event, maintaining/overseeing the timely completion of a project – these are things I enjoy and excel in.
• Human Capital Value: working virtually does not negate the need or desire to build a relationship with your client; the extending of great service is an extension of self.
• Outsourcing is Money-saving: VA’s add value to their client’s business; clients realize an immediate cost savings in that overhead and medical costs (to name a few) are attributed to the VA. The client pays only for the hours and/or projects needed
All the above amounts to a win-win situation! So ask yourself – do you need to be “set free”?
