Managing your client expectations

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Managing your client expectations is of utmost importance if you want to offer an efficient and professional service. Believe me I know! Recently I had a situation where I was waiting for confirmation from a supplier whor kept giving me different dates on delivery. To say this was frustrating is an understatement, as the delivery was related to work I was doing for one of my clients; thankfully my client understood the situation in this instance.

 There is nothing worse than your expectations not being met. In my business as a Virtual Assistant I am dealing with clients on a daily basis who expect work to be returned to them within reasonable time and completed professionally.  It is therefore important to understand your clients business environment and thus you will have the ability to understand their expectations. 

 I am sure you will agree it is important to feel that as a customer you have been acknowledged. This means that as a service provider you reply to emails and voicemails in a timely manner, if you cannot deliver straight away you need to be in a position to let your customer know when you will respond. This is easy to do and your customers will appreciate the feedback. Some information is better than none! 

 If you need admin support then we have the service to assist you http://www.virtualofficeworx.com/services

Let your VA take the strain away

 

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In today’s business environment life is busier than ever, and resources are shorter than ever. To survive entrepreneurs and businesses are always looking for ways to scale back on costs.

A concept that is growing rapidly here in Ireland is that of using a Virtual Assistant as oppose to employing a full-time PA/EA. Here we will list some the benefits of using a Virtual Assistant Service.

1. Have your written documents completed on time every day/week in a professional manner that makes you look good.
2. Get your weekly/monthly receipt reconciliation done in a timely manner! Let’s face it most of us dread this job
3. Have your databases kept up to date
4. Divert your phone to a pleasant and professional individual whilst you are in meetings or away
5. Have your social media looked after, Facebook, Twitter and Website
6. Have your research done for you while you concentrate on sales and business development
7. Outsource your email marketing campaigns
8. Save time to concentrate on your meetings and networking in the knowledge that your administrative work is being looked after in an efficient way
9. Ensure you are getting all your admin needs looked after in a timely way and that all your Revenue returns are filed promptly
10. Outsource your filing; faxing, emailing, bookkeeping, meeting planning the list is endless.

These are just a few of the tasks that every business owner is faced with on a weekly basis. The average business spends 5 – 10 hours per week on admin, and that’s just the average. Depending on your business you may spend more time! Why not give your business a new lease of life! Hire a VA, free up more time for sales! In addition to this you don’t have all that goes with a full-time employee such as training, PAYE, holidays or sick-pay.

For a professional and efficient service www.virtualofficeworx.ie

Is Minute taking important?

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Yes! Recording the minutes of meetings is vital and should be done to the highest standards to maintain good business communications. They are also required by law in circumstances such as limited companies or companies with shareholders.

So how can you be sure that you are taking minutes properly and what should be included?

Depending on the business you are in, minutes should take up two pages at least. Having said this there is no hard and fast rule as to a word-count!  Essentially what you are trying to achieve is to capture the essence of the meeting, what was discussed and what decisions were made.

What does the format look like?

• Title – this is the name of your company or organisation/association
• Date
• Venue
• Record the start and end time of your meeting

What should be included?

• Agenda
• Attendees (Order of importance i.e. Chairperson, Directors, committee members, and secretary)
• Apologies: After the meeting send minutes.
• Minutes of the previous meeting

• Discussion Topics
• Decisions made
• Proposed
• Seconded
• Include a summary of reports presented at the meeting

From taking minutes over the years it has become clear that the best time to type your minutes up is straight after the meeting! This way it is all fresh in your head and you are more inclined to record accurately.

With developments in IT over the years some people may allow you to record minutes, but this is not always the case! Therefore make sure you have a cup of coffee and are well tuned in to take the best overview of the meeting!

Should you outsource for the good of your business?

Should you outsource for the good of your business? A question that is discussed at many a boardroom meeting. In the current global econoomic climate where cashflow is tight and costs are high, many businesses have turned to the idea of outsourcing certain business tasks.

There are many advantages for businesses who outsouce! For many businesses cashflow is tight and the opportunity to employ full-time staff for certain tasks is just not an option. 

Buy My Dress Events are going Nationwide!

 Virtual Office Worx are proud to announce that we are the official organisers of this years "Buy My Dress" Charity dress sale in Castlebar, Co Mayo. The event is being held in various locations Nationwide.

The idea behind the event is simple. Ladies if you have pre-worn dresses in your wardrobe that you no longer want then please dig them out and donate them to a very worthwhile charity!

Your dresses will be sold at a Dress Sale in a town near you. All the proceeds will go to Down Syndrome Centre. 

For more information on these events and drop off points for your dresses log onto www.buymydress.ie

Do you want to run a successful event?

Photo from Dublin Convention Centre : http://www.theccd.ie/

Running a successful event takes time, consideration and careful planning.  There are many factors to consider; many make the common mistake of thinking it's easy and will all fall into place! Organising an event takes time and maticulous planning!

Once you have decided to run your event and have defined its objective, you need to set a date, choose a venue, design invites, include presentations... to mention just a few things! The list is endless.

If your business lacks the expertise or resources to run a successful event, a professional Event Planner can be hired to tailor-make an event plan from initial concept to final delivery.

Virtual Office Worx offers extensive experience in the organisation of  a wide variety of events, incentives and meeting planning projects.  We will ensure of the audience agenda!