Archive for the ‘Business Management’ Category

I am having such a great time listening and sitting at the feet of the experts this week during List Attraction Week.

One of my favorite calls was yesterday with Kim De Young – How to Leap Your List by Creating a High Traffic Blog.   There were three golden nuggets that I pulled from this call that I feel is important to share with my Online Business Manager clients and audience.

Why does every business owner need a blog?

1. to get your message out
2. build your list
3. educate your audience
4. establish your credibility and your expertise

Thank you Kim DeYoung for sharing.

PS: Copyblogger.com is a great resource to come up with great headlines.

Come and join me for List Attraction Week, March 8 – March 12, 2010.

Today, I want to share with you an excellent way to keep on top of the operations of your business.  Most small business owners have reached a level of disorganization in their business and regret it when they are under pressure to meet critical deadlines.   This state is not because they are necessarily disorganized people, but just very busy people, and perhaps think that some day they will sit down when they have time and document everything. Read the rest of this entry »

Who is your target market?

It is extremely important to do your research regarding this area of your business.  I know it’s not fun, but it is critical to your business success.  Too many times business owners will think and say to others that my products and services can be for anyone.  Believe it not the more narrow your target market the more successful you will be in your business.  You will waste precious energy and marketing dollars while trying to market to the whole world.  If you have a nothing to small marketing budget you will need to spend as wisely as possible.  Some questions you will want to ask yourself:

1. What skills/knowledge/expertise do I have to offer?
2. What professions are in need of what I have to offer?  How am I solving their problems with my services?
3. What type of industry would benefit and be willing to pay for my services?  If an industry does not need your expertise or are not willing to pay for it, you may be better off finding another industry that does.
4. What kind of clients do you want to work with?
5. Do you prefer to work with men or women? What age group?  Do you work best with people that are older or younger than you?

With a clearly defined target market you can speak and market directly to those you want to attract to your business.  Then your business will begin to grow.

Listen: My Podcast Alley feed! {pca-b46d4047eb3d243ba12fa6248d064774}

We have all experienced it and we don’t like it – bad customer service.  For instance, you are receiving no attention or respect from the cashier at your local grocery store, you are patiently waiting for someone to call you back from a voice message you left days ago or you’re trying to make contact with someone regarding an online purchase that does not meet your satisfaction.  We are faced with what appears to be a new casual level of customer service; it makes no difference whether the transaction is online or offline.  We all complain about this lack and we usually don’t complain just to ourselves.  In comparison, when we experience great customer service, we rejoice and tell others.

A much overlooked marketing strategy for business owners striving to differentiate themselves from the rest of their market is this small but powerful concept – provide excellent customer service.  Develop the old, but tried and true mindset of dealing with present and potential customers – “the customer is always right”.

I pride myself on the fact that I strive to provide excellent customer service in everything I do from the initial phone call inquiring about services at VBS Virtual Assist to the extra mile taken when completing a customer’s project.

A successful business owner understands and accepts that change is necessary for growth of their business.  Therefore, constantly reviewing where you are in your business and making small course adjustments are essential to maximize your performance.  Ask yourself the following five questions with regularity and discipline and you will have a better perspective of your challenging and complex market.   READ MORE…

Do you and your business do “the right thing” when faced with a difficult decision? It’s a simple question, which many business owners struggle with. Conducting good business practices and being a good employer is more than your product or people, it is the guideline and foundation in which you do business. The bottom line is the impression your customer, client or business prospect received from their experience with you and your business.

Set a higher standard for yourself and your business.  Be ethical – keep your word and don’t venture into gray areas. Protect your personal and professional reputations – Have dignity and pride in your work.  The upside of good ethical business practices – You are already ahead of some of your competitors!

The next time you are faced with a difficult decision, “Do the Right Thing” and do it with extreme pleasure!  This will pay you and your business back ten-fold. Why? Each customer, employee, or client has the potential of telling at least 3-12 other “potential clients” how well you treated them.

Remember – Being ethical rewards your company with more business.  Thus, allowing for your business to grow and prosper.

Managing your business can be an overwhelming task if you do not have the most effective business strategies in place. Online business management can be a life line for your business and help revive your businesses growth potential. Many business owners are turning to Online Business Managers (OBM) to help manage their day-to-day business affairs. An effective support team will enable your business to achieve the next level of success. Online Business Managers make it possible for you to delegate your everyday tedious tasks to an experience qualified team of professionals. READ MORE

I am thrilled to announce that I am participating in the Online Business Management Certificate Program. I read “Becoming an Online Business Manager”, by Tina Forsyth last year. I love the book and I love the OBM Model. I have been working with a couple of clients on the OBM level and look forward to perfecting my OBM skills in this certification process.

Brenda M. Violette, Online Business Manager

VBS Virtual Assist, LLC

Last year I attended my annual Women of Faith conference and I was joined by several of my closest friends and traveling companions. We decided to drive to Boston and so our adventure began. One of my friends brought her new GPS (Global Positioning System) that she had received as a Christmas present. I was so impressed with the precise directions that this micro computer gave us. This GPS was wonderful; it gave us directions on where to turn and it even told us how many feet we needed to drive before reaching the turning lane. Better yet this little navigation device spoke to us in a gentle, soothing, and kind voice; which allowed us to stay focused on our destination. The GPS even informed us when we made a wrong turn. There was no condemnation, just a lovely voice informing me that there was a recalculation and now I will simply have to take another road to reach my desired destination. Wow! I like that kind of back seat driving! READ MORE…BUSINESS PLANNING AND GOALS