by WP-Dev | Nov 19, 2019 | Entrepreneur, Virtual Assistant
5 Top Tips for All Your No-Fuss Black Friday Shopping
It’s already November, and the ads for the annual Black Friday 2019 specials are displayed everywhere! This day in the annual calendar marks spending of epic proportions and usually kicks off the holiday shopping season even in South Africa. Never one for shopping in malls or overcrowded shops, I’ve always favoured online shopping with delivery. It’s convenient, I’m not frustrated by long queues or afraid that my toddler might get lost, abducted or throw a tantrum for some toy or chocolate that is displayed right by the checkout line. I don’t have to drive so there’s no fight for parking close to the mall entrance or the constant buckling up of children when they must get in and out of their safety seats. Any mom would second me here that it’s a skill and a task best left to days when you are on vacation, relaxed and have absolutely no schedule or deadlines to keep in mind.
Shopping Online is an Acquired Skill
Despite all the benefits online shopping offers South Africans still prefer malls for their biggest shopping spends. I believe it’s because they are still a bit scared of being defrauded when shopping online. A type of fear of the ‘virtual unknown’. So, I decided to shed some light on this topic so that my virtual assistant colleagues who are planning to fill up on their technology during Black Friday can navigate any possible pitfalls successfully. Not to mention my clients shopping for their year-end gifts!
My Top 5 Check Points for Making Sure You Get the Best Deals:
Plan Your Purchases
I probably don’t need to say any more… or do I? You will be surprised how easy it is to overspend when the 60% discount banner is flashing in front of every website and online shop you open. That’s why it’s essential to determine upfront what you are looking for and how much you are willing to spend on the day’s purchases. Especially if your thinking of purchasing expensive items like electronics.
Shop Online
The most important piece of advice when it comes to online shopping? Makes sure to buy only from reputable shops. Ask for recommendations from friends and family and choose well-known brands until you can identify new reputable online retailers for yourself. Avoid the stampedes by registering a profile on your online shop of choice. Try to do this at least a week before the actual day. The reason is that you still need time to search and compare similar products. Not all retailers offer the same discount and it makes no sense to buy the first discounted product you see just to realize afterwards you could have saved an extra R1,000 on that same product.
Make a Wish List
Use the retailer’s online option to put certain items in your checkout basket or if they offer the functionality, create a wish list to store your favourite items in during your week of research. Now remember many retailers only display their discounted merchandise at 12 am when the online shops open so you may not know which of your favourite products are on sale. What I did last year when I wanted to buy some of my favourite expensive sandals was to choose which ones I liked beforehand and I stored them in my checkout basket.
Set the Clock for Eleven Thirty pm
At this point it would be noteworthy to tell you that my husband just raised his eyebrows at me when I told him I would be getting up at 11h30 that night to finalize my purchases. Well needless to say, never has a man under-estimated the powerful attraction of shoes on sale more than at that moment. When my alarm went off, I ran to the kitchen for a strong cup of coffee and by the time the online shops went live at midnight I simply opened my basket to see which of my favourites were on special and which weren’t. The shoes that were still full price were deleted within seconds and my checkout and payment completed within the next 5 min.
Use Comparison Tools
At this point I want to impose a few words of wisdom on those of you not yet comfortable with online shopping. Just because someone flashes an ‘ON SALE’ or ‘MASSIVE DISCOUNT’ sign at you doesn’t mean the item is really a great deal. You need to shop around, know your prices – the normal prices and compare these with the ‘promotional’ price. So, if you’re not a seasoned online shopper, compare prices first. If it’s not a great deal – then don’t buy it! The numbers never lie, and you can eliminate any emotional spending before it rears its head.
Bringing it Together
There are really some amazing deals to be had every year, but the secret is to be a smart shopper. You can use Black Friday deals to purchase your family’s Christmas gifts, your holiday reading list or technology and electronics for your business. What you buy is up to you, but hopefully the ‘how to do it effectively’ is less daunting after reading today’s blog. Happy shopping everyone!
by WP-Dev | Nov 14, 2019 | Entrepreneur, Virtual Assistant
Being a VA is not for everyone, and that is okay
Question to a VA: What do you do?
Answer: I am a Virtual Assistant (VA)
Question: Okay and what exactly does that mean, what does a VA do?
Answer: a VA offers multiple PA and operational support to individuals and/or companies who are in need of these services but do not require someone to be physically present at a desk. In essence, a VA works for themselves, manages their own hours and invoices their clients on a monthly basis.
Question: Sounds like the perfect position. Would you say anyone can be a VA?
Answer: The simple answer is no, not everyone is cut out to be a VA. Being a VA takes a lot more dedication, time management, change management and discipline than one may think.
The so called “Perks” of the job, is that one works for themselves, has flexible hours, one does not need to rush in the morning to get dressed and out of the door in time to hopefully miss the traffic, there is no sitting in an office at a desk one does not like or with people that one doesn’t like either. This is called the “one-sided-glass” view. Here is an inside look into what being a VA is really like.
1. Mindset is Key
One may only need to dress the top half of their body, twist their hair up and you are ready to be seen via a PC camera, but one still needs to get into the VA mindset, ready to be productive and get tasks done. Personally, I always make sure I get up early, just like everyone else, get in a gym session, have a shower and get dressed as if I am going to sit at a desk with all the other VAs. Although one works from home, they still in fact work with someone else, and that someone is paying for a service. Therefore one needs to be on their A game, giving it just as much attention one would sitting in an office.
2. Always be switched on
One can never really switch off. All of those who don’t like emails on their cell phone, and when leaving the office at the end of the day get to switch off, a VA does not. A VA is continuously interacting with others, working on different projects for different individuals and/or companies. The hours in the day are filled with different tasks, in different roles. There is no time to switch off and especially for those who bill according to hours worked, time switched off is time not being billed.
3. Failing to plan, is planning to fail
As a VA, this is the most important part of the work. Every day needs to be planned out when one works on an hourly rate basis for a client. Hours need to be tracked and more importantly one needs to show that the hours put in have been meaningful and produced results. There is no room for excuses. One needs to be accountable and responsible for the tasks at hand.
4. Be a “Master Juggler”
A Virtual Assistants scope can range from being a personal assistant to one or multiple directors, managing HR, managing accounts, managing people, etc. therefore one needs to be able to juggle a number of tasks in one given day. The needs and requirements of the managing director, will differ from the sales director, the marketing director, etc.
Understanding this and understanding the different needs will allow one to be a better VA, and allow the juggling to be a mastered skill than a master disaster.
5. Know what you are good at
Being a VA means wearing many different hats but also in doing so one needs to be careful of biting off more than one can chew. I ensure that I never take on the responsibility of any task without full understanding and commitment. Faking it until you make it doesn’t work. One should be upfront about their strengths and weaknesses and rather concentrate on those strengths than filling the basket with all the eggs and never being able to finish one task to the best of their ability. Know who you are and what you can offer and stick to your guns.
6. Miss Independent
Being a VA means being independent, being able to work alone, and able to be alone. Being a VA can be a lonely job, so if you a person who doesn’t like to be alone, is easily distracted or like to be in your own space, then being a VA is not for you, and that is okay.
by VA Connect | Oct 29, 2019 | Entrepreneur, Virtual Assistant
What drives me to be the best Virtual Assistant I can be
I’ve studied logistics for 4 years. During that time, I already knew that I loved project and production management and knew what I wanted to achieve in life…… the goal was to work for myself on my own terms in this field. While growing as student and young adult, I formulated the specifics of my goals. I became driven to provide client satisfaction and problem-solving methods to my clients so that they don’t have to deal with it themselves. I wanted to add value in such a way that clients should feel I am right there beside them, loving their product just as much. And them feeling satisfied with work delivered that they know they cannot do it without me.
I always wanted to have the luxury of a great home, amazing family, and being my own boss, but having all of this meant long days and sometimes nights and missing family time. I’ve always kept one thing in mind when the going gets tough, and it’s to succeed, building toward achieving my goals and having my own business. Easier said than done. I’ve learned so much in the time being a Virtual Assistant that the qualities expected of me isn’t always the easiest:
Reliability
Updating your client on work progress and reporting back when work is expected, answering emails and calls. It does not always have to be straight away but as soon as possible. Being professional in every matter even if you feel you want to shout!
Good communication skills
Try to meet work progress and timelines at all time. If you know you cannot deliver on time, update your client.
Time management
Working for multiple clients at once isn’t always easy but setting a good time schedule that works for all is essential. Use apps available to you to manage this effectively.
Adding value
Go the extra mile to succeed in the success of your business. There will be expected of you to do tasks that you would rather someone else do. But this makes your client look up, notice and see.
Professionalism
Always stay professional even if you have a difficult client. The way you talk, and act plays a big role in how you present your business. Your business is you. How you treat anyone in life is how you will treat your client. If you lack this skill, start immediately with courses. This is probably one of the biggest money adding value next to sales in your business. If you feel upset, take time to cool down and only then respond.
Self-motivation
Providing the best work and keeping your eyes on goals can sometimes feel drained. When feeling like this, do something that relaxes you. Keeping your mindset positive and ticking off your achievements will feel like winning all the time. Balance is not always possible in this line of work but burning out has never helped anyone either. Sometimes you will meet people saying it is not worth it…but these are the people usually sitting in a job that frustrate them. At least I am doing something that I would love to do over weekends. Probably why I can work for 12 hours a day, 7 days a week and still be motivated.
Being resourceful
Being able to do whatever is expected and being able to do the work that you have never done before is always a challenge, and ALWAYS rewarding. Never have I thought I would like to do tasks required from Personal Assistants. I am terrible at being a PA. And yet, my client always treated me with respect and consideration when I made mistakes. That said, now I love handling tasks that are out of my comfort zone. Just imagine this, I have not moved to a new house in the last 14years, and last month I planned a move in 2 days, in another country!!!!! And guess what, I freaked out and thought it impossible, but I made it happen. So yes ladies, you can do it if you put your mind to it.
To bring it all together
Working, Building and learning to be a Virtual Assistant helped me understand what it was that I needed to do to have a successful business. These goals became my life lessons: Delivering quality work and excelling in my performance to become the best in what I’m doing. Setting my goals and working towards it, creating my own values and expectations of what it means to be a Virtual Assistant. Being confident when dealing with clients. Overcoming obstacles that might have been mountains in front of me but going through it meant yet another option to learn every step of the way. Mind over matter!
by WP-Dev | Oct 20, 2019 | Entrepreneur, Virtual Assistant
This is why you should regularly move the goal posts
Are you moving the goal posts?
Mention the word Goalpost and immediately a sport comes to mind. A total play on words, because even though it is termed sport or a game, it is still taken seriously. No matter what game you think of, there is a goalpost of sorts, some defining object that remains static and signifies the end objective within boundaries. And so it is in business. When you have your boundaries or goalposts in place, they need to remain static in order to realise the goals and objectives you set out to achieve.
Some may say that “systems” are the most important and yes, while they are the backbone of getting, and keeping the flow of work going smoothly, if your boundaries are not constant and clearly defined, even the best system can be pushed out of whack. Boundaries give as much structure as systems.
Clear Communication
It cannot be stressed enough how important clear communication is within the working environment. Being on the same page, following the same path and achieving the same target are vital to the success of any business, especially when working in a virtual team and relying on cyber communication. Being absolutely clear about how you work leaves no room for grey areas and instances where the overstepping of your boundaries can lead to feelings of frustration and irritation. Matters such as hours of work, channels and times of communication, prioritisation of tasks and even what would constitute an emergency should be defined, and more importantly, adhered to at all times.
Crossing the line
Whilst you may be adhering to your practices, there may come a time when your boundaries become tested and possibly even crossed. Don’t let the situation slide. Address it in the moment or as early as possible. Have a plan on how to handle it and carry it out before it loses its power and results in those feelings of frustration or even exploitation at times. Making exceptions can take you onto the downward slope.
Consistency is key
Now I’m not saying be inflexible when the need arises, but consistency is an indication of your seriousness and professional approach to your work. After all, if you don’t respect your own boundaries, you cannot expect others to do so either. Should it happen that additional hours or some urgent work become necessary, assess the situation objectively and discuss how best to take care of it, leaving everyone fully in the picture. Being flexible but consistent is the key to a great working relationship.
So, are your goalposts firmly in place, or do you have some cementing to do……
by WP-Dev | Sep 24, 2019 | Entrepreneur, Virtual Assistant
Why Heritage Day Is Important To The South African Nation
Heritage Day or Braai Day as it has colloquially become known, is celebrated on the 24th of September. South Africans are encouraged to celebrate their cultural traditions and beliefs and the rich diversity that makes us proudly South African.
The day was declared a holiday during the late former president Nelson Mandela’s tenure.
Heritage day should not be seen as a mere holiday and a day off, it should be an opportunity to embrace your cultural values and traditions.
Braai4Heritage
Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu became the national spokesperson for National Braai Day in 2007 and the name was changed to Braai4Heritage.
Archbishop Desmond Tutu said, “We’re going to have this wonderful thing on the 24th of this month when we all gather round one fire. It’s a fantastic thing, a very simple idea. Irrespective of your politics, of your culture, of your race, of your whatever, hierdie ding doen ons saam [‘we do this thing together’]… just South Africans doing one thing together, and recognizing that we are a fantastic nation.”
Archbishop Emeritus Tutu thought that the idea of using the braai to unite people was a very good one as it is common for people from various cultures in South Africa to gather together around a fire to celebrate.
Why is Heritage Day Important?
It is important for all South Africans to celebrate our culture and heritage against the background of our unique diversity. In so doing, we build pride in ourselves and our nation as we remember the difficulties of the past and share in the victories of the present and raise hope for the future.
South African Culture
South Africa has been legendarily referred to as the rainbow nation because it is made up of so many diverse cultures and religions. To name but a few in South Africa, we have:
- Zulu
- Xhosa
- Tswana
- Ndebele
- Khoisan
- Hindu
- Muslim
- Afrikaner
All of these people are united by calling South Africa their home and has their own unique culture and identity.
Interesting Heritage Facts
South Africa has eight places declared as World Heritage Sites, these are:
- The iSimangaliso Greater St. Lucia Wetland Park
- The uKhahlamba Drakensberg Park
- Robben Island
- The Fossil Hominid Sites of Sterkfontein, Swartkrans, Kromdraai and environs
- The Mapungubwe Cultural Landscape
- Vredefort Dome
- The Cape Floral Region
- The Richtersveld Cultural and Botanical Landscape
Purpose
The purpose of Heritage Day is to expose people to the differences, to enable us to understand, respect and appreciate other cultures. There are positive things in every culture. If we can adopt or even just accept what is good in other cultures, we will grow as individuals and contribute to a more unified South Africa.
Conclusion
South Africa has its ups and its downs but one thing is always certain. When needed our rainbow nation comes together as a force to be reckoned with. Happy Heritage Day, South Africa.
by WP-Dev | Sep 20, 2019 | Entrepreneur, Virtual Assistant
Mom guilt, we’ve all been there!
Where is “there” you ask. “There” is the in between sweet spot where you have a flourishing career on the one side, you are the boss, the main tool in the shed, and the go to woman for everything, and then the other side where you are supermom, mom in a million, mom there for every step, every meal, every bath, every laugh, every new obstacle faced and overcome. It’s the sweet spot. The one I am still searching for.
I still look back and have a good laugh, before my little girl was born my maternity leave was two weeks. Yes, two weeks. I had no idea why everyone looked at me like I was crazy. I was going to be the woman who had her baby, had two weeks at home but then would be back on my feet, working from home or the office, baby in routine, sleeping well and this new bundle of joy would be slotting into my well planned out mommy and work sweet spot. Well two weeks, became one month, and one month turned into three months and three months turned into five months. And then I was ready to roll out on my own. Dress for success, leave my baby at home with the nanny and go out and conquer the world. And then there was a feeling, a feeling I had never felt before, what could it be? Enter mom guilt.
Up to this point, I had focused on spending time with the nanny so that I felt comfortable to leave my little one at home, prepped every evening for the next day to ensure nothing was forgotten and every meal planned. My super-nanny was amazing, and my baby girl was so happy, she wouldn’t even notice if I left home for a while. But still I would sit at work, or during the day find myself feeling guilty for number one enjoying the time to myself, for being able to sit and get my work done and not just be a mom for the day. And secondly for not being at home, worrying that she was going to do something, and I wasn’t there to see it, for not being the one feeding and changing and putting her to sleep. I started to question if I was being a good mom. If I should look at rather being a stay at home mom and rather not have to deal with my own guilt.
While dealing with my mom guilt and on my way to resignation station, I started trying to find a balance, finding the sweet spot as I put it. When does work come first and when does my child and family come first? And the simple truth is that my family will always come first but I also come first, me, myself, mom. I enjoy my job and working with people and enjoy adult conversation. I also have to have a place. And that place is during the day while doing my job or running errands for my family and in the mornings and afternoons with my little girl.
Being a mom is not easy, it is probably the hardest task I have ever encountered and the toughest full-time job, I cannot resign from. When things get tough, I have to dig in my heals and carry on. If I have to give anyone advise on how to deal with mom guilt it would be:
Number 1: don’t feel bad about having mom guilt
It is going to happen, and it does not make you any worse of a person or mom. Its normal to feel sad that you are not with your little one.
Number 2: enjoy your time away
I have found that being away for a couple of hours, allows me to cherish the time that I am at home more, and I am happier for it. I allow myself to give 100% at work and then 100% at home.
Number 3: give yourself enough time at home
Two weeks is not enough time, believe me, you need a good solid five months at home to get to know your little one, be with your nanny and your little one together and build up a relationship between the three of you, and by the five months mark you will be ready to step back into the world as you, not as a mom, but as you.
Number 4: know that your little one will always be number 1
No matter where you spend the day, you are going home to your little one and your family at the end of it all. That is where your heart will always belong.
Number 5: someone else’s opinion doesn’t matter
I am of the opinion that others make us feel more guilty than we need to. Try not to listen to what others think and what they have done. You know yourself and you know your baby. If you are not comfortable with something, don’t do it. If it works for you and your baby, then it’s the right thing to do.
Number 6: take time
Time is all the medicine you will need. Take each day as it comes, and you will find your rhythm.
So I missed resignation station and went straight onto finding my sweet spot. Some days are better than others but each and every day I get up and try my best. I still evaluate my days and weeks and if something doesn’t work or doesn’t feel right, I don’t force it, I merely try it a different way until it fits.
You do you, Mommy, everything else will slot in as it needs to, and soon you will be finding your own “sweet spot.”
