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 :)

Relief for Germany's Small Businesses IS Within Reach

Shooting the breeze :) ...

Usually I am not the one who likes to talk a lot about myself nor have I ever thought about having an article published about me ..But seeing that a lot of events came together recently and a very dear friend of mine, Danielle Taylor owner of Taylor-Made Virtual Assistance,has taken the time to write and publish the following article about me and my services, I do not want to miss the chance to publish the very same here as well :

"The high costs of operating a small business in Germany can be alleviated" says Silvia Shields. Ms. Shields is a professional Virtual Assistant. Her business, Just A Phone Call Away, may be the answer to any number of cost issues that cause German business owners to lose sleep. And, because she is a German native with over 20 years experience working with German companies, Ms. Shields understands very well the nuances of the laws governing the way businesses operate in the country.

Outsourcing, more commonly known as consulting, is a cost-effective, efficient and proactive solution that has long been used for project management, customer service and subject matter expertise. The same concept is now being successfully applied to the administrative functions every company requires. Virtual Assistance is a growing industry that has benefited from an infusion of highly skilled, expert administrative professionals who understand the need for cost-effective administrative support to small business owners who, before now, could not afford it.

The most recent German Labour Cost Survey1 shows that 74.8% of compensation to employees is the result of gross salaries and wages and only 56.7% of that amount is paid in direct remuneration to those employees. Further, employers are paying social contributions of 24.6% and statutory social security contributions of 13.7%. These labour costs are some of the highest in Europe.

By outsourcing the administrative functions to professionals such as Ms. Shields, companies are better positioned to offset their high labour costs that, particularly for small businesses, could result in a less advantageous position with regard to compliance with Basel II regulations. This solution becomes viable when small businesses reap the rewards of becoming more financially solvent through outsourcing; therefore, receiving a higher ranking with regard to credit worthiness and the ability to generate cash flow to cover all operations.

Ms. Shields benefits her clients by providing administrative and back office accounting support without the burden of governmentally mandated employer taxes, severance packages, health insurance, office space, training or equipment. All of these tasks are performed virtually with the use of the latest technology and regular communications with her clients.

Relief is within reach, and now Just A Phone Call Away.

References

1 Statistisches Bundesamt Deutschland, 2004. Labour Cost Survey; Detailed Structure of Labour Costs in Industry and the Services Sector in 2004. 2004 Labour Cost Survey.

About the Author: Danielle Taylor is a professional Virtual Assistant and avid writer. She operates Taylor-Made Virtual Assistance and provides specialized administrative support to authors, chefs, event planners and alternative health professionals.


Thanks Danielle :)

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 :)

Have your choice.....

You've probably heard the old adage: "Fast, Cheap, Good. Pick Two."

1. If you want it fast and cheap, it's not going to be good;
2. If you want it good and cheap, it's not going to be fast;
3. And if you want it good and fast, it's not going to be cheap.

According to the triangle you can't have it all- what is your preference?

The $8.00/hr Virtual Assistant

I come across plenty of ads on craigslist.org and other places for a Virtual Assistant or an Administrative Assistant on a contract basis – the job requirements go from simply taking or making phone calls to a list a half-page long.

What really blows my mind is if the qualifications and knowledge request is as long as half a DinA4 page, how can the pay offered be only $8-15.00/hr?

Here is a great example :

“QUALIFICATIONS:
• Must have Microsoft Word experience and knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite
• Types at least 50 wpm with tremendous attention to detail (grammar & spelling)
• Relevant degree or equivalent
• Minimum of 2 years working experience in a business environment with a customer service focus
• Professional and polished image a must
• Excellent written and oral language skills
• Ability to multi-task with confidence
• Familiarity with Website maintenance
• Understanding of and adherence to standard business protocol
• Can establish, develop, maintain and update filing systems
• Research various topics and collect information to support various projects, at the President’s request
• Create PowerPoint presentations, and occasionally work with the Designer to put together client materials and information
• Can manage the backend operations for teleclasses
• Prepare frequent web statistical reports as requested
• Has a computer at home for 'home work'
• Has dependable transportation

“The starting rate is $12-$15/hour and bonuses are possible. The person will be paid as a 1099 and will have a current/valid business license within Scottsdale, is bonded and has their own liability insurance. There is no benefit plan. Start date is June after 6/11 (hopefully sooner if we find the right person right away).”

How can they expect someone in his or her right mind, with a solid education AND business knowledge to accept work at pay like that? How is it that they want to “hire” the person on a contractor basis? This is an oxymoron in itself, by the way.

Now for anyone out there who is thinking about signing on as an independent contractor for a low hourly rate, I would like to ask you to have a look at the free service-pricing sheet offered by the Virtual Assistance Chamber of Commerce. It is a great tool to discover what you need to charge to cover all your costs including insurance and taxes.

If you go to through the process, you will quickly realize that a rate of $8-$15/hr is anything but realistic, especially if you have to pay your own taxes, insurance etc.

Most of the important

things in the world have been accomplished by people who have kept on trying when there seemed to be no hope at all.

~Dale Carnegie ~

This is one of my favorite inspirations :)

I got tagged ....What is my secret on being productive ?

This ultimate guide to productivity meme was started by Ben Yoskovitz at Instigator Blog followed by Vickie Turley of A Balanced Alternative. Now my fellow VA friend, Karen Del’Marmol of KDM Business Support tagged me and Tracey Lawton - I guess it's my time to explain how I stay productive ...

For me, it's important to have an outline on what I intend to accomplish each day.

The outline will be drawn out the minute I wake up and includes all tasks for the current day, starting with my work schedule ending with some time for myself:)

After I had my coffee, took our dog for a walk and went through my e-mails, I start with the work I need time and concentration for. I prefer to do the time consuming and tedious tasks early in the morning, seeing that this is my personal most productive time of the day. If those tasks are accomplished, I am happy and deal with everything else which comes along.

And I follow one trait I claim on my German upbringing : If there is a task I can do today I will not postpone it :)

And just for the books - most times my outline works out perfect :)

Now it's my turn to tag someone...and the lucky winner's are : Victoria Miles of VA Argentina and Christina Haas of Zenith Business Solution.


Now, here are the rules of this project from Ben’s Instigator Blog forwarded to me by Karen Del'Marmol:

1. Write a post on your best productivity tips. Challenge yourself by picking your single best productivity tip (although this isn’t a requirement; you can give us more if you want).

2. Include links to other people that have written posts, or include their tips in your post with proper attribution.

Note: I’m not asking that you link to everyone in the group writing project meme; pick the ones you want to connect with. You certainly can link to everyone, but it’s not a requirement. I like leaving more decision making power in your hands so this isn’t just a link grab, but you’re thinking about what your audience & community wants to read about.
A link back to this post is appreciated though, to help spread the word!

3. If you use Technorati Tags then tag your post “ultimate guide to productivity”.

4. Tag others in your post to spread the meme. Tag as many people as you like!

5. If you link back to Instigator Blog and email me at byosko@gmail.com, I’ll make sure to include at least 2 links back to you. But this isn’t a requirement, it just helps me keep track of what’s going on.