Showing posts with label Work from Home. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Work from Home. Show all posts

Wednesday, August 1, 2007

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 :)

Thursday, June 28, 2007

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 :)

Friday, June 1, 2007

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?

Tuesday, May 29, 2007

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.

Saturday, May 19, 2007

Working from home - Dream vs. Reality

Honestly, if you ask my Husband about what I am doing, his answer will be something like: My wife stays at home.

In his mind, I go back to sleep after getting up with him early in the morning to prepare his coffee and will probably wake-up again around 10am – most certainly to let in the maid who, of course, I pay with his salary. The maid takes care of the house, gets the laundry and the ironing done, as well as taking the dogs for several walks, and prepares the food shortly before she leaves the house. If I could only train her to do the Virtual Assistance work as well :) . . . Oh no, let me correct that -- I am NOT working, not really. Working from home means sitting on the sofa, eating chocolate and watching all the newest shows and soaps. Did I mention lying at the pool as well?

Reality looks a little different though. Yes, working from home gives you more freedom and you can indeed make your own schedule BUT . . . if you want to be successful, you have to take your work seriously! You have to be disciplined, get organized and find your routine.

Remember, it’s much easier to get distracted while working from home, so make sure you have your priorities straight.

There is a time for work, for household chores, for the kids, and for the TV! Make sure you have them all separated. It’s nearly impossible trying to complete an important project while watching the Oprah show!

You have to make sure that your friends and family know and accept that while you have your “Office Hours” you will have no time for small talk, at least not more than you had while you where working at your last job.

If you have kids, make sure you explain to them that yes, you work from home now, but it’s work nonetheless. Make sure they understand and respect the hours you need to spend on work.

Know that no one will tell you how to do your job nor will anyone check whether it’s done right. It’s up to you to make sure that projects are delivered to your client on time, finished the way he needs it.

Fact is, working from home is not for everyone!