It's survey time again!

Last August, the Virtual Assistance Chamber of Commerce conducted its first annual survey of the Virtual Assistant profession. Over 3,000 Virtual Assistants worldwide, primarily from the United States, Canada, United Kingdom and Australia were personally invited to participate, and the response was tremendous!

The survey yielded over 71 pages of data--it's the best representative cross-section taken and most in-depth, comprehensive information available in the industry today. AND... everyone who participates gets a FREE copy of the survey results. You don't even need to be a member!
Participation is completely anonymous to ensure the highest level of participation and the most candid, forthright responses. The survey is open to anyone who:

-self-identifies as a Virtual Assistant;
-has an open practice (not closed or in planning stages);
-has at least 5 years secretary/administrative assistant experience of some form;
-works for themselves and is not a member of a virtual staffing agency;
-and offers primarily services that are administrative in nature.

There are 97 multiple-choice questions in the survey, and three optional free-form questions. The survey is very fast-paced, should only take you 20-30 minutes tops to complete. Survey sections include:

Individual Demographics
General Business Demographics
Experience & Credentials
Clients/Target Markets
Hours
Pricing
Employees & Subcontractors
Services
Marketing
Training & Continuing Education
Success, Profitability & Entrepreneurship
Industry Organizations
Industry Training Programs
Professional Standards & Ethics
Be part of history! And don't forget to tell your colleagues!

The VACOC is contacted constantly by the media for information on Virtual Assistance. The information collected by our survey has been absolutely instrumental in creating more awareness about the Virtual Assistant profession, getting more accurate articles written about the Virtual Assistant industry, and creating a more informed, better educated marketplace--all of which helps YOU get more clients.

By participating in this survey you become part of that history and play an instrumental role in helping us make Virtual Assistance a household term. Visit the survey page here at http://www.virtualassistantnetworking.com/survey.htm.

The more Virtual Assistants participate, the better results and exposure for the Virtual Assistant industry overall!

Let your opinion count !

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