Amazon.com

And my worst experience….I tried to purchase an Apple Mac Pro with some additional software on July 29. The order was confirmed – GREAT!!

Next day we receive a message that Amazon is having” difficulty “processing our card of course only for the notebook NOT the software, which was actually charged and shipped…Hmmmm It’s impossible seeing the amount of money which is in the account but hey let us call in any event. Therefore, we did. The bank confirmed us that the amount was already authorized to Amazon not to worry seeing that there are enough funds available.
So me, naïve as I am try to communicate the very same to Amazon …and guess what??
Getting the same message – unable to process your card try again ...and as an “Idiot” I did and I have to admit a few times…NEVER EVER DO THAT!!!! Amazon will Block all YOUR funds!!!

Who would have thought that Amazon.com puts a hold on all our funds??? I actually cancelled the order yesterday, just to learn today that the item is only available now for an additional $500.00 .. Not only did Amazon put a total stop on my credit card in charging it several times BUT they are not even decent enough to tell me that the problem lies not in any missing funds but in their inability to provide you with the item ordered.

Update: After a few more calls and e-mails our funds are released this morning despite their previous info that this is NOT possible within a day :)

THE TRUTH ABOUT YOU & HAPPINESS

The good you find in others, is in you too.
The faults you find in others, are your faults as well.
After all, to recognize something you must know it.
The possibilities you see in others, are possible for you as well.
The beauty you see around you, is your beauty.
The world around you is a reflection, a mirror showing you the person you are.
To change your world, you must change yourself.
To blame and complain will only make matters worse.
Whatever you care about, is your responsibility.
What you see in others, shows you yourself.
See the best in others, and you will be your best.
Give to others, and you give to yourself.
Appreciate beauty, and you will be beautiful.
Admire creativity, and you will be creative.
Love, and you will be loved.
Seek to understand, and you will be understood.
Listen, and your voice will be heard.
Teach, and you will learn.
Show your best face to the mirror, and you'll be happy with the face looking back at you.

I just discovered this one on Maria Sipkas's "About me" page and got her approval to post this. Maria is one of the most inspiring woman I have ever met and she is the moderator of the XING Group Global Business Woman.
It touched me deeply and I hope you will enjoy it as much as I do !!!

Too old to make changes ??

I got inspired for this topic by a post on XING, which is btw a great Networking place ….

When are you too old to make changes in your private or business life ? Is there any limit at all ?

I say : NO , the only thing which might hold you back in your old tracks is most probably fear.

If you wake up and you have stomach cramps just thinking about going to work because you don’t like the job, the co-workers etc . I say its time to make a change

If you are not happy in your relationship, don’t stay just for fear that no one else might come along – try to learn to love your own company. There is nothing more appealing in anyone no matter whether you are a woman or a man than being happy and confident in your own skin.

There is no age limit nor a limit of trying when you go for a change. The most interesting people are those who tried to go for their dreams , those who overcame their fears . They felt down in between and got up again – Those people know now there is nothing to be scared off. They trust their abilities and don’t care about what others might have to say. Those are the people who will succeed in their quest eventually!

So you might not succeed in your next job or relationship …so what ? There are so many other options out there .

Think about what you really want – no matter in which area. Make a list with all you want either in your job or in your personal life and make a list with all you don’t want .

You will be amazed by how much things are coming on your mind, which you actually do NOT want but still accept .

Just remember ...Life is too short to ignore it! ”No one is in control of your happiness but you; therefore, you have the power to change anything about yourself or your life that you want to change”. … Barbara De Angelis

How to choose a Virtual Assistant

You just made the decision to hire a Virtual Assistant. What’s next? What should you pay attention too?

Here are a few tips to make the process a little easier for you:

1. Take a look at the VA's website. How is the spelling and grammar? Do you like what you see, does it "speak" to you? Is the Website neat and clear ? Remember, if a VA doesn't pay much attention to her own website, it’s likely that she won't pay much attention to your work either.

2. How does she answer her phone? Does she put you on hold to take another call? Is she answering her voicemails and e-mails in a timely manner?

3. Make sure you feel the “click” when you have your first telephone conference with any potential VA. Is the VA confident, friendly, and enthusiastic? Moreover, is she a good listener? Is she treating you with respect? Are you feeling comfortable speaking with her/him?

4. Find out what system she has in place to handle different tasks for different clients. Does she have a limit of clients she will be taking on? How does she handle and prioritize her client’s needs? What are her turnaround times?

5. You can delegate many tasks to a VA. It helps if you have a list of tasks you want her to take over from you, available during your first consultation. Discuss that list with your potential VA and determine whether she will be able to handle those tasks.

6. Ask your potential VA what software products he/she is using and how familiar she is with them. If you use any particular software for your business, make sure to ask the VA whether she is familiar with the system and if not what she suggests how to handle it. She might be offering to train herself on the software and you will have to decide whether that is suitable for you.

7. Last and least – the experience! While it's helpful to know how long she has been in business as a VA, as well as it’s certainly great to work with a “Veteran”, you might find it helpful to learn how long she has done the tasks that you want her to do. If your potential VA just started her own business, you might want to ask her about her experience prior to becoming a VA and she may have just done the very same work you need to delegate for a previous employer for many years and is therefore equally qualified to assist YOU!

Not every potential VA will be the perfect fit but be assured that YOUR perfect fit is out there!

Let me rest “my case” in adding a great resource to find the best fit for you and your needs:

The Virtual Assistance Chamber of Commerce :)

My perfect client…..

Is open to changes and don’t mind that our communication will be mainly via e-mail, IM and/or fax.

He will share his goals and visions with me and will often ask me about my opinion.

He knows which task’s are not his favorite and has no problem to delegate those.

He is able to tell me what he expects from me and which tasks are a priority but leaves it completely up to me HOW I get them done as long as I get them done on time and deliver a great job :)

He think it’s great if I tell him : "Sorry I haven’t done that YET, but I am willing to look into it and if I think I can’t do it, I will know someone trustworthy who can ."

He is willing to take suggestions on how things can be done a different way without being offended.

He accepts my boundaries and understands that he might be not my only client, which does not mean that he is NOT on my priority list – the opposite. All clients are an equal priority to me.

He understands that I am not always able to pick up or return a call within a minute but he knows I will get back to him ASAP.

My client has some sense of humor and does not mind to share laughter with me.

My perfect client is someone who is willing to trust me and the best thing is – he pays me on time! :)