A Graduate-Level Course for Assistants , Virtual Assistants & Interns

And why I say: Thanks, but no thanks!

I admit, I am not perfect and certainly not somebody who knows it all but reading the newest “training” program designed to “help” the VA industry just get’s my blood boiling…

There is no need for “my” client to send me to a course to help him write better press releases or to write a media kit for him BECAUSE that’s not what I offer in the first place. Would I be interested in offering such a service I certainly would not chose a course, which consists of a total of five (5) days training course, featuring 10 hours of live training. It took me years to perfect the knowledge I have now – how can someone in his or her right mind believe that they can learn enough to be a "Lean, Mean Publicity Machine " in just five days ???

Don’t get me wrong, I am all about learning and educating myself,which is a lifelong process, but I know where my strengths and limits are as well as I do know that courses such like the offered one by a well known publicity ‘expert’ is nothing but another way of making big bucks in a quick way. And no, I am not talking about you making money :)

If you ara a VA in the making and you come across any of those courses, think long and hard before you spend your hard earned money !

If you are business owner and you are looking for somebody who knows what they are doing without sending them to "courses" because all of the Ladies presented there are experts in their field simply visit VACOC

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 :)

On a different note -About saying “Good Bye”….for good

Tonight I got the message that a friend of ours died yesterday after fighting cancer for almost two years. Our friend was only 47 – a loving Husband and father of three; the youngest is only six years old!

Two years ago, I met my mother in law the first time on the funeral of her Husband! Just four weeks ago I had to say “Good-Bye” to my father during my visit in Germany, which took me completely by surprise and the current news brought all the sorrow ,which was quietly bottled up, to the surface again…..

Its funny how you always think people live forever –especially your parents and friends and sometimes they are gone before you were able to say what you had to say.

Please remember, no one lives forever and if you care about someone – let him or her know TODAY!!! Tomorrow might be too late.

And if you feel like it, you can always light a candle for your loved once – alive or dead on my favorite site, Gratefulness….

It gives me peace and hopefully it does the same for you!