We’ll talk a little business but mostly it will allow us to get to know each other face to face as opposed to our typical virtual relationship. They don’t have an opportunity to talk to one another, they only see names assigned to tasks on the workflow platform I use (affiliate link). I want this weekend to bring the team closer; some business changes are coming and it’s important we’re comfortable communicating with one another.

People are the most important asset to any company, they can make or break the client experience and possibly the business itself.

As I work with Dan Walker, I’m realizing I need to improve communication and expectations with my team. I need better processes in place so they are more clear on procedures. It’s very difficult for me to communicate when my own performance comes intuitively; I am not a natural-born teacher. I’ll be spending some time understanding their expectations, explaining mine and discovering ways to improve the entire CyberCletch work experience.

Photo Credit

I spent the evening before and after in a suite with four women I got to know last June during the FoVA conference in Niagara Falls. A couple of other Michigan VA’s joined us on Friday night during our wine and food session.

We had two speakers on conference day. Lauren Pibworth spoke about the importance of branding and image and Pam Ivey provided ideas on generating a passive income.

My take away from this weekend was a stronger team; for which I am very thankful. I wish ALL my team members could have attended but some of them are located in other states and one has an ocean between us. Perhaps one day we’ll figure out how to gather face to face, but in the meantime, we’ll focus on what we do best: virtual business relationships.

Thanks to the speakers, Pam Ivey, who hails from my old hometown of Wasaga Beach and to Lauren Pibworth who lives in the same city my children were born (yes, it IS a small world). Also thanks to everyone who had a hand in the organizing of the event, including Tamara Jaros and special thanks to Kristi Pavlik who had two hands AND both arms involved.

Yesterday several members from the Michigan Virtual Assistant Association (MIVA) spent the day in BIGGBY Coffee locations throughout Southeast Michigan. For a suggested donation to Operation Kid Equip (OKE) patrons could request a free 25 minute consultation with a virtual assistant.

The purpose of the Michigan Virtual Assistants organization is to promote Michigan VA’s and to create an environment for networking and information sharing between VA’s. They also have a registry available to businesses and entrepreneurs looking to hire a virtual assistant.

The BIGGBY Coffee located at 1952 Telegraph Rd in Bloomfield Hills was my host for the day. I was very impressed with the staff; they were friendly, helpful and more than accomodating to all patrons. Great customer service seems to be the norm rather than the exception of this fast growing, social media savvy, homegrown chain of cafes.

I set up my table and spent the day working and chatting with the other VA’s via skype instant messaging. I had a couple of appointments show up, far fewer than I’d hoped. I did get to meet with a lawyer I had previously met through Motor City Connect. The other guest was an entrepreneur who owned a renovation company. We talked and then I designed him a graphic for his postcards and placed it on his thumbdrive. I also saved his logo in a variety of formats that he was better able to manipulate.

Another of the day’s highlights was when Menachem Kniespeck of Operation Kid Equip stopped by to introduce himself. Menachem cofounded OKE to ensure every child has the school supplies necessary to learn and succeed with their educational endeavors. The organization is working hard towards building chapters throughout Michigan and the United States.

Although the official VABlitz is over, you can still have great coffee at BIGGBY (locations here), you can still donate to OKE (help here) and you can still call me to schedule a free 25 minute consultation! (248-654-1550)

Looking for a Virtual Assistant’s Virtual Assistant.

The ideal candidate will be familiar with and have current programs where applicable:

• Real Estate Sites/drip email campaigns
• Constant Contact
• The Adobe Suite, particularly photoshop, indesign, dreamweaver, Acrobat (pdf creator)
• Microsoft Office Professional, particularly Publisher
• Familiar with Central Desktop and FreshBooks or at the very least technically savvy enough to understand them quickly

This person should have their own business, be entrepreneurial and a self-starter. Above all else they need to have a strong, consistent work ethic and understand the importance of a deadline.

At this time the hours range from 1-6 hours per day M-F but I expect the hours to become consistent quickly.

If you’ve got the skills, programs and the right attitude (or know someone who does!) please contact me immediately.
Send contact information, qualifications and why you’d be a good match to info(at)cybercletch.com. Have references ready to be supplied upon request.

The Forum on Virtual Assistance (FoVA) was a VA industry conference held at the Niagara Fallsview Marriott. It was several days of great information and networking with the best Virtual Assistants in the business. The video includes some fun outtakes from my flip camera taken during a wine tasting event at the Hilton. Since we were tasting Ontario wines, I’ll be posting the informative videos over on my Canadian site in the upcoming days.

If you are one of these awesome VA’s, please be sure to leave your contact info and twitter name in the comments!

A year ago I found myself in turmoil about the direction of CyberCletch LLC and decided to attend the Michigan Virtual Assistant’s Conference in Ann Arbor to help find clarity. I had a wonderful time connecting with the VA’s there and found myself the winner of a ticket to attend another conference in Niagara Falls.

I’ve just arrived home from the Forum on Virtual Assistance (FoVA). I hope to never miss it again! So much fun to network with the brilliant VA’s across North America.

Barb Lang did a fabulous job organizing the huge undertaking of multiple speakers, meals, and events, I can’t thank her enough for submitting the ticket I won.

There was a smaller turnout due to the economy but this made for a very intimate conference experience. I managed to talk to almost everyone in attendance. The speakers were exceptional women who have been creative trailblazers in the industry. They’ve all approached their businesses from different perspectives and the sharing of their learning experiences was extravagant.

My professional takeaway from the conference:

• I face the same challenges as the other multi-VA companies, which made me more determined to find profitable solutions.
• I am now looking at my systems from a whole new angle and have been shown additional benefits to ensuring the tiniest detail is in place and recorded.
• I began to consider passive income as important for my company.
• Mary Lou asks really tough questions.

The biggest takeaway was the relationships I formed.  Any one of the Virtual Assistants I met would provide excellent services in their specialties, the depth of commitment to their client’s success was apparent. We’re not just outsourced support staff. We’re partners. We run our own businesses and realize  our success is based on creating a positive experience with our clients, in whatever field we choose. We all run our businesses differently by providing a variety of services. Some of us train other Virtual Assistants and some of us only work for Virtual Assistant companies in team enironments (Multi-VA). I’m looking forward to reading the books written by the authors in attendance.

Bottom line? Virtual Assistants are not just pencil pushing clerks. We’re dynamic, intelligent and have chosen to manage our businesses, our way.  The future is bright.

Thanks to the speakers I was able to experience, I wish I could have listened in on all the sessions:

Michelle Jamison
Mary Lou Ashton
Kristi Pavlik
Pam Ivey
Frances Palachuk