Vanessa Lindsay

For those of you that don't know (never assume everyone does), networking is the process of connecting with people and sharing information. It can be a simple process, but there are things to take into consideration before you begin.

Remember, networking 'virtually' can prove to be harder to master than face-to-face. I find when networking on line, my computer hinders me from seeing a person's facial expression or body language (which I have grown accustomed to reading). To avoid miscommunication, I try to read a response twice before responding to ensure I have received the message as accurately as possible.

If you've started a new business, networking is a great strategy to get involved in your industry and meet potential clients. I will caution you though, try to keep your networking 'outlets' to a minimum. Don't make the mistake I did, and join every possible networking avenue. It is impossible to maintain your image, keep abreast on the information, provide quality feedback and successfully grow your business. (Unless you never sleep)

I would suggest doing a Google search for your industry or service and research the sites BEFORE you commit yourself. Once you've found your networking site(s), try the following steps:

1. Introduce yourself.

2. Familiarize yourself with the site and what it has to offer.

3. Share your expertise and experiences.

4. Visit often

Step 4 is extremely crucial. Through networking, you are not only given the opportunity to learn and share ideas, but, you are also branding your business. You want to portray the image about your business you are willing to stand behind. Returning to your networking 'outlet' will create an opportunity for people to get to know you, your expertise and help build credibility for yourself and your business.

As a Virtual Assistant, as I mentioned earlier, I joined many forums and found it was too difficult and time consuming to return to each one daily. I began to take inventory of the people, their willingness to help, the amount of information I gained and what was in it for me. From my research, I was able to narrow down my choices and pick the forums and 'outlets', I benefited from the most and where I wanted to focus my energy.

To Recap:

1. Focus on networking your business.

2. Research networking options first.

3. Narrow your choice to what you can maintain daily.

4. Introduce yourself to your network 'outlets'.

5. Familiarize yourself with the site.

6. Share your expertise and experiences.

7. Be consistent and visit often.

Happy Networking!

To Your Success,

Vanessa Lindsay

Real Estate Professional Assistant (REPA)

http://www.NessLindsay.com

After owning my own Virtual Assistant business for two years, I've realized there are 4 crucial things to remember when running your own business.

1. Be Patient - Don't expect to open your business and be swamped with clients. Success takes time, and it doesn't happen over night. However, if you are patient and determined, you will soon see results and your hard work will pay off!

2. Be Positive - Keeping a positive attitude and moving forward are essential. You will have days when you feel like giving up - DON'T! Your business is a seed about to blossom. Keep a positive attitude, review your goals, and stay focused!

3. Be Consistent - Whatever it is you do with your business, do it CONSISTENTLY! Remember, it often takes a prospective client to see your name 7 times before they start to remember you. Work your business daily!

4. Set Your Own Pace - Through networking, you will discover there are many other professionals just like yourself in the same industry. All of which are at their own level in business and offering an array of services. Know your limits - set your own pace! Decide if you wish to work full time or part time. Once you've made the decision, work at your own pace and be consistent! Create a balance between work and your personal life - you will enable yourself to increase your productivity.

To Your Success,

Vanessa Lindsay

Real Estate Professional Assistant (REPA)

http://www.NessLindsay.com

Setting goals, working towards them and achieving them are essential in the business world.

A goal can be defined as "The purpose toward which an endeavor is directed, an objective."www.answers.com

There are two different types of goals 1) Short term 2) Long term.

A short term goal is an objective that can be achieved in a short amount of time. (approx. 0-6 months) It is an objective typically achieved in the near future.

A long term goal is an objective to be achieved in the distant future. (1-2 years or more)

By setting goals for ourselves professionally or otherwise, we give ourselves something to work towards. We create self motivation that increases our self esteem. Goals give us the ability to turn our thoughts and desires into our reality. Create a goal chart and place it in a neutral area where you will see them everyday. Writing your goals down and seeing them everyday will give you the extra "boost" you need to keep moving in the right direction!

Ensure when setting goals, they are specific, measurable and time targeted. Be sure to set goals that are achievable. When you achieve a goal...reward yourself! You deserve it after all your hard work.

To Your Success,

Vanessa Lindsay

Real Estate Professional Assistant (REPA)

http://www.NessLindsay.com

"Single tasking is the act of concentrating on finishing one task as a time. It is the discipline of focus, of actively ignoring all the distractions that we have placed around us. It is the opposite of multi-tasking, the opposite of trying to do many jobs at once."

In today's society, business professionals tend to multi-task. We as a society need to convert back to single-tasking humans. As we continue to multi-task, we are hindered from seeing results. We may feel we are making progress while we are in the "zone" of our professional work environment. Yet, at the end of the day, we are left feeling like we didn't get much of anything accomplished.

Single tasking will:

· Increase productivity

· Create immediate results

· Lower stress level

· Enhance working environment

· Develop positive, pro-active attitude

· Give a sense of accomplishment

Ok, so now we know we need to single task, but how and where do we start?

Here are four essential steps to single tasking:

1. Make a list of all your tasks.

2. Prioritize your tasks in order of importance.

3. Get to work! Start with your first to-do and work until this ONE task is complete.

4. Check off your completed task and then move to the next.

I encourage you to try the steps above, the results speak for themselves!

To Your Success,

Vanessa Lindsay

Real Estate Professional Assistant (REPA)

http://www.NessLindsay.com

When the word delegation is spoken, one might feel fear or possibly anxiety. The thought of delegating a task, can often lead to unwanted stress or even conflict among fellow employees. One's resistance may stem from their need to control - wanting a project done their way or simply their inability to ask for help. Delegation does not have to evoke these feelings. It does not have to create conflict and/or anxiety.

Delegating should be viewed as an essential part of the business world, as it is an important milestone in becoming a successful manager. Whether you have a standardized office or a ‘virtual' office, there is always room to delegate tasks to another professional.

Successful delegation can lead to a win-win opportunity. The employer can increase their time to focus on other important matters, while the employee can display their talents and create an opportunity for growth within the company. The key to successful delegation derives from a positive, trusting attitude and knowing whom and when to delegate.

Before delegating a task, one must first explore these essential steps:

1. Knowing what and how you are going to delegate.

2. Selecting the appropriate person for the job.

3. Follow-up.

Let's explore step 1 and 2 by systematically implementing the S.M.A.R.T. acronym.

S - Specific :

State a clear objective. Be clear on who is going to complete the task at hand. When do you want the task completed? Be specific and set a date. How will the task be completed? Where will the task be completed?

It is not necessary to have a long objective; the key is to be clear. Use one sentence to answer each of the questions: Who? What? When? Where? How?

M - Measurable:

It is extremely important to measure the progress of the employee's actions. Ensure they are working according to the time-line set out in the objective. Certify the task at hand as explained in the objective can be measured.

A - Attainable:

When delegating an assignment to a fellow employee you MUST ensure they are first willing to accept the job and then determine if they are qualified to complete the task. You don't want to assign a task without first doing a background search. If you are delegating outside of your office, check for references, and/or past projects the individual has completed.

R - Realistic

As with any job, ensure the task at hand is realistic. You can't expect someone to complete a task that you yourself know couldn't be completed in the time-frame set forth or outside their limitations.

T - Time- bound:

Complete a realistic time-frame for the task to be completed. If the task is complex, you might want to have a time frame created in steps. Once each step is complete, have the person check in with you before proceeding to the next step. If the task is something simple that won't take very long, then perhaps steps are not necessary and a check point will be upon completion of the entire assignment.

Now that we have explored delegating by using the S.M.A.R.T. acronym, the next step is just as crucial as it involves follow-up.

Following-up with the employee you delegated your work to is just as important as the step you took to get the job done. Hold a meeting and discuss the job, review it to ensure it was completed to your expectations. Ask the person how they felt about doing the task and if they would be willing to do similar jobs in the future. Having an open Feedback meeting will be beneficial to both you and your employee.

Once one is comfortable with delegating, it is simple to find appropriate professionals. As the Virtual Assistant industry continues to grow at a rapid rate, it has now become easier to find an appropriate and qualified assistant to delegate tasks to. As mentioned earlier, delegation does not have to be a stressful, time consuming event. Take the necessary steps above and learn how quickly and easily delegating can be!

To Your Success,

Vanessa Lindsay

Real Estate Professional Assistant (REPA)

http://www.NessLindsay.com