tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-88079671516044132422024-03-13T02:15:36.385+02:00Conors Admin ServicesFor all your admin and Virtual Assistant needs.Trish Donmallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08151728653610948512noreply@blogger.comBlogger53125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8807967151604413242.post-29619051232248229272017-06-13T10:38:00.000+02:002017-06-13T10:38:05.348+02:00Digital Dictation Part 3<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<b><span style="font-family: Helvetica-Bold; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica-Bold;">HOW
DO YOU GET THE BEST QUALITY TRANSCRIPTION?</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Remember that the recorder will
pick up background noise, so try and avoid shuffling papers or other noises
while you are dictating.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">You can pause the recording if you
are interrupted and then resume when ready without any unnecessary audio being
recorded.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">When doing addresses or anything
that may seem unclear then the use of the military alphabet, which is included
below, is a great help and will ensure that you are not misheard, eg if a “b”
may be mistaken for a “p” it is a good idea to use the military alphabet to
make it easy to distinguish which letter you want, (ie “bravo” means “b” and
“papa” means “p”.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">If the subject matter you dictate
contains any special terminology, we would work with you to put together a list
of commonly used words, phrases, names etc right from the start. This means we
can set up shortcuts to insert those words rather than having to constantly
look them up, which reduces the chance of errors being made. If the recording
is of a group discussion, each speaker should identify themselves by name
before making comments as otherwise it is not always easy to tell from a recording
who said what. The same rule about reducing background noise is even more
applicable here especially if it is a lunch meeting and there are plates
rattling!! People should avoid interrupting and talking over the top of each
other. There should be structure to the meeting.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<b><span style="font-family: Helvetica-Bold; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica-Bold;">HOW
IS DIGITAL TRANSCRIPTION CHARGED FOR?</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Conors Admin Services charges by
the audio hour. Speech is always quicker than typing, just like the speed of
light is always quicker than the speed of sound. What this means is that one
hour of dictation usually takes between three to four hours to type up, if the
quality is good, but may take longer if quality is poor. There are ways to
reduce your charges though so you get more value for money, and these are
covered below.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<b><span style="font-family: Helvetica-Bold; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica-Bold;">HOW
DO YOU REDUCE TRANSCRIPTION COSTS?</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Speak clearly, (ie try not to have
a mouthful of food or to be yawning when you are dictating).Have the recorder
near you rather than across the room from you, but by the same token not
directly in front of your mouth. If you are dictating outside please be aware
that if the wind is blowing into the microphone it makes it hard to hear the
recording, so find a sheltered spot. If the types of documents you are
dictating have certain standard paragraphs or formats in them, these can be set
up on templates. The way this saves time is that you will not have to dictate
these same paragraphs over and over and because they are already on your
template they will not need to be typed again either. Since you are charged for
the amount of time required to type the documents, the less typing there is,
the less it costs you. So just as a very short example, if you always have a standard
opening to your correspondence, your template could say: Thank you for your
letter dated [insert date]. This means you can just dictate, for example, “insert
date of 1 January 2017”. We can set up standard paragraphs for you on templates
for any of the regular information you use. We can provide you with a list of
standard paragraphs (numbered or titled for easy identification), so you simply
dictate, for example, “leave in paragraphs 1 and 2, delete paragraphs 3 and 4”.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<b><span style="font-family: Helvetica-Bold; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica-Bold;">MILITARY
ALPHABET</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">If you know anyone in the armed
forces or have watched any military movies you may have heard some of the “military
alphabet” (also known as NATO phonetic alphabet). “What does this have to do
with digital transcription?” you may ask. The reason why the military uses this
alphabet is to reduce chances of anyone mishearing communications. You can see
how this is useful for digital transcription. Here is an example: If you are
dictating something like a postcode or a reference number, it can be difficult
to pronounce similar-sounding letters clearly enough for a transcriptionist to
distinguish them. You might dictate “PS2000” but it might sound like “BS2000”
or “BF2000”. Instead of sounding like you are singing “Pop goes the Weasel” to
pronounce the “P” clearly or hissing like a snake to pronounce the “S” clearly,
all you need to dictate is “Papa, Sierra, 2000”, for easy distinction. In other
words, just use the list below to find the word corresponding to the letter you
are dictating and say that word instead of the letter. Here is the full
military alphabet: </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">A: Alpha </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">B. Bravo </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">C: Charlie </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">D: Delta </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">E: Echo </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">F: Foxtrot </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">G: Golf </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">H: Hotel </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">I: India </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">J: Juliet </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">K: Kilo </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">L: Lima </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">M: Mike </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">N: November</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">O: Oscar</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">P: Papa</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Q: Quebec</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">R: Romeo</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">S: Sierra</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">T: Tango</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">U: Uniform</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">V: Victor</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">W: Whiskey</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">X: X-ray</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Y: Yankee</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Z: Zulu</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</div>
Trish Donmallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08151728653610948512noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8807967151604413242.post-4852412819065418142017-04-26T10:02:00.002+02:002017-04-26T10:02:59.411+02:00Digital Dictation Part 2<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<strong>What Can Digital Transcription Be Used For?</strong><br />
<br />
You can use digital transcription for correspondence, reports, or
anythiing else that you may need typed up. If you keep your recorder
close at hand, you can dictate just about anywhere, even in the car but
preferably not while driving.<br />
<br />
The quality of digital recordings is much better than the old analoge
and has the advantage that it can be sent across the room, town or even
around the world any any time of day or night.<br />
<br />
<strong>What Equipment Do I Need?</strong><br />
<br />
You will need to either buy a digital dictaphone or else investigate the
options of what dictation packages you can get for your phone. Most
android and Apple phones are capable of supporting this as an option.<br />
<br />
Other than that you’ll be good to go.<br />
<br />
<strong>How To Dictate? </strong><br />
<br />
The style you choose is a personal preferrence, meaning you can either
dictation all punctuation etc or you can just dictate the way you speak.
We’ve been in the game a while and so are happy to insert punctuation
as necessary. Due to our excellent English skills as well as the
reflections in your voice we’ll know what to do.</div>
Trish Donmallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08151728653610948512noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8807967151604413242.post-88737658960649049392017-04-21T10:54:00.001+02:002017-04-21T10:54:16.795+02:00What Is Digital Transcription<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;">In simple
terms it is the electronic typing of the spoken work, often done remotely. This
unfortunately often makes people worry that they won’t be able to do it as it
is too technical. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;">Contrary
to this however the process is actually very simple and straightforward.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;">Once upon
a time the secretary would have taken the dictation in the form of shorthand. This
then moved on to using analogue cassette records (which a lot of people to this
day still use). Well digital transcription is just the same as using the old analogue
machines.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;">Just like
we all, well those of us of a certain age anyway, used to use vinyl records and
cassette tapes to listen to music, then we moved to CDs and now we use MP3
players or phones/tablets more often than not. This is basically the same
evolutionary process as the dictation process has taken. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;">The disadvantages
of the old analogue dictations are many, from the tapes loose quality or become
mangled and played back on often and therefore quality deteriorates. If the
person transcribing is not close at hand then it needs to be either couriered
to them or they need to come and collect it. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;">With
digital dictations the process is actually much easier. Once the recording is
finished, the audio file is uploaded onto your PC or laptop via the USB port
and it can then be emailed or uploaded to a secure site for the safe arrival at
the other end. The documents are then emailed back to you once finished.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-ZA; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;">The advantages are numerous, starting with the
decrease in the amount of paper that is used and the best one is that you can
send work at any time of the day or night. Even when you’re travelling and are
halfway around the world your transcriptionist can still receive and process
your work.</span></div>
Trish Donmallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08151728653610948512noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8807967151604413242.post-8364161581889019012014-08-22T12:15:00.000+02:002014-08-22T12:15:00.605+02:00Ever wished for a different day<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
I did this the other day. Sitting
working during the first week of the school holidays while my
daughters were having breakfast I heard a dripping sound. On further
investigation I discovered that my geyser had sprung a leak. Needless
to say, the recycled paper and cardboard insulation, which seemed
like a good idea at the time, was sodden and before I knew what was
happening I had a big hole in the ceiling.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
This brings me back to a post a couple
of weeks back about employees paying attention and being the company
that they work for. After numerous phone calls, my landlady having a
go at the insurance company for lack of response from the builders I
finally have a bedroom ceiling back and the walls painted. I'm still
waiting on the carpet people to come and replace the carpet however.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Why am I writing about this you may
ask?
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Well in true fashion instead of getting
upset about this bump in the road, I decided to look on the positive
side instead. If the geyser had decided to burst a week earlier I
would have been doing the school run and the water would have had
another hour to run before being shut off. My neighbour was just
leaving for work when I went out to shut off the water and very
kindly did it for me. My husband came home from work to take the
girls off to various activities and left me able to clean up as much
of the mess as possible without being asked a million times by my
3-year-old why there was a hole in my ceiling.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
So three weeks of mess and chaos with
the school holidays and my bedroom is finally a bedroom again, albeit
without a new carpet at the moment but I'm hoping that that will be
sorted with the Insurance shortly.</div>
</div>
Trish Donmallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08151728653610948512noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8807967151604413242.post-77026467767813747022014-08-18T12:14:00.000+02:002014-08-18T12:14:00.255+02:00Everything or Somethings<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Something that is often asked by people
investigating the options of being a Virtual Assistant is whether or
not they should offer everything or choose a niche and stick to it.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
There are advantages and disadvantages
for both sides and the final decision is really down to you.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
What I would suggest those is that you
start with a small list of jobs that you really enjoy doing and don't
include anything that you find tedious or bothersome. If there is
something that you want to learn and are willing to take a hit on the
earnings to use it as a learning experience (only with the consent of
your client of course) then that can also work.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
What I can tell you though is that a
long list of services is no guarantee to getting work, in fact
sometimes it can actually be detrimental. If you're looking for an
accountant or bookkeeper would you really want someone who listed
amongst the services they offered, typing, research, diary management
etc.? While in some cases the answer may be yes, its also just as
likely to be no.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Whatever services you decide to offer
remember to factor into your time a couple of times a year the time
to review what services you offer, what you don't want/like doing any
more as well as new services that you have been asked about. The life
of a VA should never be boring!</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
</div>
</div>
Trish Donmallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08151728653610948512noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8807967151604413242.post-82794988108568466102014-08-15T12:07:00.000+02:002017-04-20T18:38:52.914+02:00Diary Maintenance<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
One of the hardest things about running
a business is maintaining the diary to ensure that everything happens
as and when it should.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Remember that this doesn't just include
appointments for work, but also deadlines, quotes and invoices,
payments as well as the necessary evils of ensuring your paperwork is
up to date and any necessary forms and payments submitted to the
relevant people on time.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
In this modern day and age it is
actually very easy for a virtual assistant to be able to assist you
with this. The diary can be created online in Google Calander and
then you and your assistant, and anyone else who may need it, can
have access to it. You can also link various calenders together so
that a workforce can see what is happening as well as add meetings,
appointments and reminders or each other.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
If you're a small business struggling
with meeting all your targets and deadlines you might want to
consider hiring a virtual assistant who can help you. Add to diary
maintenance call answering and your office truly has become mobile.</div>
</div>
Trish Donmallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08151728653610948512noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8807967151604413242.post-9575520869365769492014-07-07T20:51:00.003+02:002014-07-07T20:51:40.926+02:00Accessing the Power of Gratitude<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-language: EN-US;">The practice
of gratitude as a tool for happiness has been in the mainstream for years.
Long-term studies support gratitude’s effectiveness, suggesting that a
positive, appreciative attitude contributes to greater success in work, greater
health, peak performance in sports and business, a higher sense of well-being,
and a faster rate of recovery from surgery. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-language: EN-US;">But while we
may acknowledge gratitude’s many benefits, it still can be difficult to
sustain. So many of us are trained to notice what is broken, undone or lacking
in our lives. And for gratitude to meet its full healing potential in our
lives, it needs to become more than just a Thanksgiving word. We have to learn
a new way of looking at things, a new habit. And that can take some time.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-language: EN-US;">That’s why <i>practicing</i>
gratitude makes so much sense. When we practice giving thanks for all we have,
instead of complaining about what we lack, we give ourselves the chance to see
all of life as an opportunity and a blessing. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-language: EN-US;">Remember that
gratitude isn’t a blindly optimistic approach in which the bad things in life
are whitewashed or ignored. It’s more a matter of where we put our focus and
attention. Pain and injustice exist in this world, but when we focus on the gifts
of life, we gain a feeling of well-being. Gratitude balances us and gives us
hope. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-language: EN-US;">There are
many things to be grateful for: colorful autumn leaves, legs that work, friends
who listen and really hear, chocolate, fresh eggs, warm jackets, tomatoes, the
ability to read, roses, our health, butterflies. What’s on your list? </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-language: EN-US;">Some Ways to
Practice Gratitude </span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 22.5pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-language: EN-US;">•<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Keep a gratitude journal in which you list
things for which you are thankful. You can make daily, weekly or monthly lists.
Greater frequency may be better for creating a new habit, but just keeping that
journal where you can see it will remind you to think in a grateful way. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 22.5pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 22.5pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-language: EN-US;">•<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Make a gratitude collage by drawing or
pasting pictures. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 22.5pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 22.5pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-language: EN-US;">•<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Practice gratitude around the dinner table or
make it part of your nighttime routine. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 22.5pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 22.5pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-language: EN-US;">•<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Make a game of finding the hidden blessing in
a challenging situation.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 22.5pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 22.5pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-language: EN-US;">•<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When you feel like complaining, make a
gratitude list instead. You may be amazed by how much better you feel. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 22.5pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 22.5pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-language: EN-US;">•<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Notice how gratitude is impacting your life.
Write about it, sing about it, express thanks for gratitude.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-language: EN-US;">As you
practice, an inner shift begins to occur, and you may be delighted to discover
how content and hopeful you are feeling. That sense of fulfillment is gratitude
at work.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-language: EN-US;">Author’s content used with permission, © Claire
Communications</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></div>
</div>
Trish Donmallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08151728653610948512noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8807967151604413242.post-11423478859450873782014-01-23T09:00:00.000+02:002014-06-05T11:15:42.333+02:00Challenges II<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
This topic is
especially close to my heart as I have in the last few years had
incidents where colleagues have called for urgent help but then for
whatever reason have not paid.</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
In the last few years I
have on numerous occasions helped colleagues out at short notice when
they have had deadlines that were virtually impossible to achieve
without assistance. No problem I can pull the odd late night or early
morning, or even work on Christmas eve, to help them achieve their
deadlines. All hunky dory or so you would think.</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Of those colleagues I
have helped, some I haven't billed of my own choice. The one from
Christmas Eve for instance. I did the best with the transcript I
could but wasn't happen and was not going to be able to make the
deadline. I sent back what had been done with time for her to
complete the file even if it was going to be late. As my Christmas
gift to her, and because I was not happy with the state of the file I
elected not to bill her. She appreciated the gesture too, especially
as it was Christmas Eve and I had spent time working rather than with
my girls.</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
On the other side of
the coin are those wonderful colleagues, where everything is going
great until time comes to pay the bill. I have one outstanding from
18 months ago and one from six months ago. Now while I am
understanding when you get in trouble financially what I do think is
that it really should be done to the contractor to have the courtesy
and manners to keep me in the loop on a fairly regular basis about
when I might possibly expect payment. What I don't expect when I am
following up for the umpteenth time about when I might possibly get
paid, bearing in mind that I think 18 months is a lengthy period of
time to be understanding, is the same old sob story expecting me to
be sorry for you and telling me how its not your fault that you owe
me the money as you were advised to withhold work from the client and
therefore didn't get paid. I've heard it more than once, I've been
sympathetic and now I'm just feeling plain irritable. As for the
second one, well they've just vanished off the face of the earth. All
emails bounce and the one number that she advertises just goes
straight to voice mail.
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
I know, why haven't I
written the debts off? Well why should I, like any other client you
undertook to pay me for work which I did, why should I not be paid?
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
All that said, to me
the most valuable aspect of working for colleagues, whether its for
payment or not is communication. But then that goes for all clients
as well. And remember communication is a two way street.</div>
</div>
Trish Donmallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08151728653610948512noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8807967151604413242.post-9187578439870874122014-01-20T11:45:00.004+02:002014-01-20T11:45:47.304+02:00Challenges<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
There are so many
different types of challenges when running a business.</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
There are the easy
(well relatively) challenges like the blog challenge that I am
currently participating in. It challenges me to write two blog posts
a week, which I have managed so far (but I will give you that we are
only in week three).</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Then there are the
challenges of the actual business and family.
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
My daughters are all
back at school now which is great, but brings a bunch of challenges
with it. They are at two different schools but have three different
finishing times. Then you need to add the after school activities. My
eldest is easy as her sport starts straight after school, wonderful
from a working mom point of view. My middle daughter however has a
break between when school finishes and the activities that she has
chosen start. So its fetch her, bring her home, get her changed and
fed, and then back to school again to do sport. Fortunately my
youngest doesn't have any after school activities at this stage
because I'm not sure I could fit any more into the schedule.</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
I then help out at the
school my eldest two go to for a couple of hours on a Wednesday and
Friday morning, and once a month in the morning at my local hospital.
As well as all of this I run the house and have to ensure clean
clothes and food on the table three times a day.</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Then of course, around
all of this there are the challenges of actually running my business
and meeting the deadlines of my clients. I am fortunate in that my
clients are very understanding but I still work hard to ensure that
work is not returned late.</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
And as you can see
there is a very good reason why I don't seem to be able to keep
normal working hours.</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
However, I am no super
woman and there are things that do slip through the cracks when
everything gets hectic. That said, I thoroughly enjoy everything that
I do and wouldn't change it for the world.</div>
</div>
Trish Donmallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08151728653610948512noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8807967151604413242.post-18977577981287469362014-01-17T08:30:00.000+02:002014-01-17T08:30:00.134+02:00Be The Business<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
How often have you
phoned a company for assistance and because of the poor response you
got from them never used them.</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
This happened to me a
couple of years back. I urgently needed to have a security gate
replaced just before Christmas. I phoned the supposed best provider
in my area. There response was that the factory had closed and
therefore there was no point sending out one of their guys to look at
my requirements until after the New Year.</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
This was most
definitely not the answer I wanted to hear. Having just suffered a
burglary and having young children in the house with a husband that
often works late at night I wanted safety and security and I wanted
it now, now in four to six weeks time.</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
The upshot was that
when they phoned me in the New Year to make an appointment they had
lost their client as I had gone to another other provider who
understood my concerns and was willing to assist me despite it being
a week before Christmas.</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
How many of us have
done a similar thing to potential clients and as such lost not only
that particular client but also other potential clients due to word
of mouth.
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Whether you are the
owner or an employee the client really should be king. Treating
clients badly is never a good idea, even employees need to remember
this as without the clients there is no need for them.</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
What potential client
have you helped today?</div>
</div>
Trish Donmallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08151728653610948512noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8807967151604413242.post-91480789589235348472014-01-14T08:00:00.000+02:002014-01-14T08:00:00.637+02:00Backup, backup, backup!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Its a common refrain
when there is a problem with a computer or smartphone these days.
People are always saying they meant to backup but were busy.</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
While everyone gets
busy if you run your own business then ensuring that you backup
regularly is not only a good idea but absolutely essential. You need
to be able to access your client files in the event of a computer
crash, or even because of Mother Nature, be it storm, flood, fire or
anything else.</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
I regularly back up to
the cloud as for me that is the easiest. I have it set to back up
automatically. That said if your backup is automatic you do need to
check on a regular basis that it is in fact backing up what it is
meant to be backing up. This applies not only to the cloud but also
if you use conventional media. Computers are like children! You can't
just set it and leave it alone to get on with it, you do need to
check back regularly to make sure that everything is happening as
needed.</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
It is down to you
whether you back up to the cloud, conventional media (an external
hard drive, etc), or whether you back up to both. What ever you
decide is best for your business then just remember to ensure that
they are actually doing what you want them to do and backing up what
you want.</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
My choice was the cloud
as I can access my files from my smartphone so even if I am out of
the office I am able to help my clients out if they need something
urgently. From that point the cloud works great for my business. I
will however be investing in an external hard drive this year to have
a second back up as you can never be too careful.</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
So the all important
question now is when did you last backup your computer?</div>
</div>
Trish Donmallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08151728653610948512noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8807967151604413242.post-13744410111934018402014-01-10T08:27:00.003+02:002014-01-10T08:27:59.959+02:00Adapted Working Hours<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
I think a lot of people
that consider setting up their own business believe that they can
conform to normal business hours where they live. While it is nice in
theory I don't think that it really works in practice, especially not
for service based industries.</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
As a working mom with
three children I find that my time is often called upon by both
family and work commitments at the same time. The advance of being my
own boss of course is that I can, within reason, accommodate both the
demands of work and family when then clash. I can take time off from
work to go and watch my daughters in their school sports day, or help
out at school when they need help, but by the same token when I am
swamped with work I am able to spend the time I need working.</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
My regular clients
understand that while I hit deadlines on a regular basis every now
and then there may be a time when I need to stretch the deadline an
hour or so.</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
On the flip side of
that my daughters all understand that I may need to put in some hours
when I normally wouldn't. This may mean that I need to work in the
afternoon when they are home or on a weekend, although I do try not
to. By not working in the afternoon it does mean that my conventional
working day is foreshortened. I therefore need to make up those hours
and this means either working at night once they are asleep or
alternatively getting up early before them.</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
I am fortunate in that
the majority of the work that I do does not require constant
communication with my clients so these unusual business hours are not
a problem. I do however keep my phone with me at all times so if they
do need to contact me urgently then I am available even when out of
the house.</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
I would love to hear
how other working business owners deal with their working day?</div>
</div>
Trish Donmallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08151728653610948512noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8807967151604413242.post-72508438587581403532014-01-10T00:00:00.000+02:002014-01-10T08:34:23.019+02:00Additional Services Not Normally Offered<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
As a
Transcriptionist/Virtual Assistant I am kept busy with work that I am
comfortable doing. There are of course calls from people that require
services that I do offer as well as ones I don't. The question is
always how to deal with such instances.</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
For those services that
I don't normally offer, if that is all a client requires, I will pass
on the lead to other Virtual Assistants that offer those services. If
a client requires services that I do and don't offer then the
situation becomes more complicated. For me, and often for the client,
the easiest way to handle the situation is for me to take control of
all the work and subcontract out the work that I don't do.</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
The advantage of
subcontracting out the work of course is that I can ensure my clients
are attended to in the manner that they are used to, with work being
completed on time and to a high standard. I can also ensure that the
deadlines are adhered to and that the relationship I have with my
client is maintained.</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
The major advantage to
the client of course is that they only have one invoice to deal with
at the end of the month, as well as having one point of contact for
any questions they may have.</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
I would love to know
how others handle the work that is out of their comfort zone.</div>
</div>
Trish Donmallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08151728653610948512noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8807967151604413242.post-23596432354559222552013-04-29T21:18:00.000+02:002013-06-04T21:48:58.836+02:00A Day in the Life of a VA with children<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
I often hear people say that they want
to work from home to spend more time with their children, then when
they do they are discouraged as the “extra” time they have at
home doesn't always turn into more family time. I know there are
quite a few out there that will relate to this.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Before we get into my typical day let
me tell you a bit about me first. I am a working VA that started with
one part-time client 11 years ago while working a full-time job. I
have now been working from my house for the past 9 years full time. I
have three darling daughters aged 9, 6 and 2. While the elder two are
at school in Grade 3 and 1 respectively, I have the 2-year-old at
home with me (I must be nuts).
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
My general day starts with getting my
daughters up and ready for school. During which time if I’m lucky I
manage to get that most important first cup of coffee for the day in.
After the school run its home and down to work. With the help of
Disney Junior and Dora the Explorer I usually manage to get a couple
of hours of work done between playtime with my 2-year-old (enforced
playtime as deemed appropriate by my daughter if she thinks I'm
working too hard). Depending on the day of the week depends on the
afternoon school collection routine but its usually fun as school
doesn't finish at the same time for my daughters. So I stop work to
go fetch my Grade 1, then its home and time for lunch. After lunch
its usually time to go and fetch my Grade 3. Then home again, and
homework and playtime. This obviously includes reading for both of my
school going children so work time in the afternoon is often
interrupted unless its urgent. Then its time to get supper ready,
which means the help of at least one of my children as my two eldest
have cooking classes once a fortnight at school and so are always
very keen to help. After supper, its time to sit and relax and watch
some TV before the bath and bed routine. Finally when all my girls
are asleep, usually by 8, its time for a quick and quiet cup of
coffee before tackling any of the work that is outstanding from the
day and getting ready for the next day.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
There are some days when I try and work
out how I have achieved so little on my To Do List but then those are
usually the days when school commitments are high.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Deadlines are deadlines and its not the
clients problem if you have an issues or problems so if necessary
late nights or early mornings can be called for.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
For those that think working at home
compared to working in an office is a piece of cake I do beg to
differ. I find I now work harder and longer by the time I throw the
school commitments into the mix. Having said that though I wouldn't
change any of it for all the tea in China. I love my work and I love
my family.</div>
</div>
Trish Donmallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08151728653610948512noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8807967151604413242.post-37314833001747824622011-04-30T14:33:00.001+02:002011-04-30T14:33:44.315+02:00Business Plans for Smaller Organizations<div class='posterous_autopost'><p>Being a small business person, whether you are the Biographer or Test pilot, requires you to have more reason to be organized. While a certain amount of spontaneity is valuable and expected of a small business, a fair amount of structure is unavoidable if you will attempt to compete with what the company down the street has to offer. You should therefore really plan the scope of your business and write it down. This not only will give you a concrete idea of what your challenges are, but also what your progress is, what the vision for your business is, and how close you are to achieving them.</p> <p> </p> <p>The first thing is to remember to get all the significant facts down on paper. This gives you a place to anchor your business, and something definite to revise if things need to be changed later on. The initial plan can make sure that you, your hired workers, and your investors are all working toward the goal you want. </p> <p> </p> <p>The initial step in your business plan is a description of your business. This includes what you do, services that you plan to provide and what any products you plan to produce. In a word, this will verbalize the scope of your small business. While this can be enlarged later, you'll find that this setting down of your limits and terms is incredibly helpful for more development. This is also a good place to include what type of goals you have. While they can be general goals that you want to stick to, you should enlarge on it with some rough financial figures that you are want to achieve.</p> <p> </p> <p>You small business plan next should have to do with the market, both where it stands, your market projections and the way you envision your place in the market. Why is your service necessary and how is your product going to affect the market itself? How are you going to advertise your business and what sort of impact will it have on various different types of consumers? This section essentially �proves� your business has a reason for being and gives evidence for why it should be funded, so take your time and put a good effort into it.</p> <p> </p> <p>Finances are the next part that you tackle. Include license fees, emergency funds, general expenses and anything elseyou can think of that will require money. Because just about any bankers and investors will want to study your business plan primarily for this section, this is of utmost importance for you to work on. If you need to, look at examples from similar businesses to see what has worked. Put down an accurate view of your current business status, but remember to look to the future.</p> <p> </p> <p>One final thing, consider management. Who is running things, and what are their responsibilities? This is a good way to keep things organized and delineate responsibilities. Like the parts of the plan that I've described above, it can be modified, but the vital thing is to have it there in the first place.</p> <p> </p> <p>Take all the time you need to make sure that your small business plan is top notch, and you will discover that your business will start carving out its place in the market with a great deal more speed.</p> <p> </p></div>Trish Donmallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08151728653610948512noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8807967151604413242.post-91015132895675625082011-04-27T19:23:00.001+02:002011-04-27T19:23:13.665+02:00Freedom Day in South Africa<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br />
In South Africa today is a very important day in history. 17 years ago today we as South African's united and voted in the first True, Free and Democratic elections. You would think 17 years down the line a lot had changed. Unfortunately this is not the case. In fact if anything things are a little worse.<br />
<br />
While the number of people living in poverty and shacks may be slowly decreasing, and that is way to slow, we still have people using drop toilets etc which is a scary and sad fact. What's more concerning is the number of youth that have no idea why we celebrate today and what its significance is. This saddens me as the likes of Tata Nelson Mandela gave up 27 years of his adult life in a struggle for which these youth now take for granted.<br />
<br />
WE need to remember the importance of Freedom Day, as well as the majority of our other public holidays that are related to our history.<br />
<br />
Nonetheless I hope you all had a very happy Freedom Day if you are in South Africa, and hope you have a good Worker's Day on Monday.<br />
</div>Trish Donmallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08151728653610948512noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8807967151604413242.post-4387333207399414652010-11-19T17:42:00.001+02:002010-11-19T17:42:03.100+02:00Dream Your Life<div class='posterous_autopost'><p> <div style=""> <div><span style="font-weight: bold;">Impossible is Just a Word</span></div> <div>Everyone, at some point of his or her life, has dreamed of being somebody special, somebody big. Who hasn't fantasized about being the one who hits the game-winning homer? Who hasn't dreamed of being the homecoming queen? And how many times have we dreamed of being rich, or successful, or happy with our relationships?</div> <p /> <div>Often, we dream big dreams and have great aspirations. Unfortunately, our dreams remain just that – dreams. And our aspirations easily collect dust in our attic.</div> <p /> <div>This is a sad turn of events in our life. Instead of experiencing exciting adventures in self actualization, we get caught up in the humdrum of living from day-to-day just barely existing.</div> <p /> <div>But you know what? Life could be so much better, if only we learned to aim higher.</div> <div>The most common problem to setting goals is the word impossible. Most people get hung up thinking I can't do this. It's too hard. It's too impossible. No one can do this.</div> <p /> <div>However, if everyone thought that, there would be no inventions, no innovations, and no breakthroughs in human accomplishment.</div> <p /> <div>Remember that scientists were baffled when they took a look at the humble bumblebee. Theoretically, they said, it was impossible for the bumblebee to fly. Unfortunately for the bumble, bee no one has told it so. So fly it does.</div> <p /> <div>On the other hand, some people suffer from dreaming totally outrageous dreams and not acting on them. The result? Broken dreams, and tattered aspirations.</div> <p /> <div>If you limit yourself with self-doubt, and self-limiting assumptions, you will never be able to break past what you deem impossible. If you reach too far out into the sky without working towards your goal, you will find yourself clinging on to the impossible dream.</div> <div>Try this exercise. Take a piece of paper and write down some goals in your life. Under one header, list down things ‘you know you can do’. Under another header, write the things ‘you might be able to do.’ And under one more, list the things that that are ‘impossible for you to do.’</div> <p /> <div>Now look at all the headers strive every day to accomplish the goals that are under things ‘you know you can do’. Check them when you are able to accomplish them. As you slowly are able to check all of your goals under that heading, try accomplishing the goals under the other header-the one that reads ‘you might be able to do.’</div> <p /> <div>As of the items you wrote under things I could do are accomplished, you can move the goals that are under things that are ‘impossible for you to do’ to the list of things ‘you might be able to do.’</div> <p /> <div>As you iterate through this process, you will find out that the goals you thought were impossible become easier to accomplish. And the impossible begin to seem possible after all.</div> </div> </p></div>Trish Donmallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08151728653610948512noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8807967151604413242.post-45885431102817829242010-11-15T10:25:00.001+02:002010-11-15T10:25:17.096+02:00Life Mapping - A Vision to Success<div class='posterous_autopost'><p> <div style=""> <div>A map has a starting point. Your origin is who you are right now. Most people when asked to introduce themselves would say, “Hi, I’m Jean and I am a 17-year old, senior highschool student.” It does not tell you about who Jean is; it only tells you her present preoccupation. To gain insights about yourself, you need to look closely at your beliefs, values, and principles aside from your economic, professional, cultural, and civil status. Moreover, you can also reflect on your experiences to give you insights on your good and not-so-good traits, skills, knowledge, strengths, and weaknesses. Upon introspection, Jean realized that she was highly motivated, generous, service-oriented, but impatient. Her inclination was in the biological-medical field. Furthermore, she believed that life must serve a purpose, and that wars were destructive to human dignity.</div> <p /> <div><span style="font-weight: bold;">Destination: A vision of who you want to be</span></div> <div>“Who do want to be?” this is your vision. Now it is important that you know yourself so that you would have a clearer idea of who you want to be; and the things you want to change whether they are attitudes, habits, or points of view. If you hardly know yourself, then your vision and targets for the future would also be unclear. Your destination should cover all the aspects of your being: the physical, emotional, intellectual, and spiritual. Continuing Jean’s story, after she defined her beliefs, values, and principles in life, she decided that she wanted to have a life dedicated in serving her fellowmen.</div> <p /> <div><span style="font-weight: bold;">Vehicle: Your Mission</span></div> <div>A vehicle is the means by which you can reach your destination. It can be analogized to your mission or vocation in life. To a great extent, your mission would depend on what you know about yourself. Bases on Jean’s self-assessment, she decided that she was suited to become a doctor, and that she wanted to become one. Her chosen vocation was a medical doctor. Describing her vision-mission fully: it was to live a life dedicated to serving her fellowmen as a doctor in conflict-areas.</div> <div><span style="font-weight: bold;">Travel Bag: Your knowledge, skills, and attitude</span></div> <div>Food, drinks, medicines, and other travelling necessities are contained in a bag. Applying this concept to your life map, you also bring with you certain knowledge, skills, and attitudes. These determine your competence and help you in attaining your vision. Given such, there is a need for you to assess what knowledge, skills, and attitudes you have at present and what you need to gain along the way. This two-fold assessment will give you insights on your landmarks or measures of success. Jean realized that she needed to gain professional knowledge and skills on medicine so that she could become a doctor. She knew that she was a bit impatient with people so she realized that this was something she wanted to change.</div> <p /> <div><span style="font-weight: bold;">Landmarks and Route: S.M.A.R.T. objectives</span></div> <div>Landmarks confirm if you are on the right track while the route determines the travel time. Thus, in planning out your life, you also need to have landmarks and a route. These landmarks are your measures of success. These measures must be specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and time bound. Thus you cannot set two major landmarks such as earning a master’s degree and a doctorate degree within a period of three years, since the minimum number of years to complete a master’s degree is two years. Going back to Jean as an example, she identified the following landmarks in her life map: completing a bachelor’s degree in biology by the age of 21; completing medicine by the age of 27; earning her specialization in infectious diseases by the age of 30; getting deployed in local public hospitals of their town by the age of 32; and serving as doctor in war-torn areas by the age of 35.</div> <p /> <div><span style="font-weight: bold;">Anticipate Turns, Detours, and Potholes</span></div> <div>The purpose of your life map is to minimize hasty and spur-of-the-moment decisions that can make you lose your way. But oftentimes our plans are modified along the way due to some inconveniences, delays, and other situations beyond our control. Like in any path, there are turns, detours, and potholes thus; we must anticipate them and adjust accordingly.</div> </div> </p></div>Trish Donmallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08151728653610948512noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8807967151604413242.post-66178968871928291532010-11-12T14:06:00.001+02:002010-11-12T14:06:26.974+02:00Don't Steal My Information<div class='posterous_autopost'><p> <div style=""> <p>It’s important to take the precautions to protect you and your products from information theft these days, because it’s getting easier and easier for people to share digital products. Information theft is a type of computer security risk and it’s defined as stealing an individual’s personal or confidential information. When this is stolen this can cause as much damage, or possibly more then hardware or software theft. Business or home users are both at risk of information theft. One example is a malicious individual stealing credit cards so they can make unauthorized purchases on another person’s account. If information is transmitted over a network then it has a very high chance for malicious users to intercept the information. Every computer in the path of your data can see what you send, and they can also see what you send. A lot of companies try to stop information from being stolen by applying some user identification and authentication controls. These constraints are best for protecting computers along a company’s premise. However, to protect information on the Internet and on networks, companies use a handful of encryption methods.</p> <p><span style="font-weight: bold;">Encryption</span> refers to the process of converting data into an unreadable form. One type of encryption software is <span style="font-weight: bold;">Obfuscated code </span>which is a programming language that is extremely hard to read. Encrypted data is like any other data because you can send it through a lot of options, but to read it you must decrypt or decipher it into a more readable form. Throughout the encryption process, the unencrypted data or input is known as plaintext and the encrypted data, or output is known as ciphertext. To encrypt information, the programmer converts the plaintext into ciphertext using some type of encryption key. An encryption key is the programmed formula that the person who receives the data uses to decrypt the ciphertext. There are a variety of encryption or algorithm methods. However, with an encryption key formula, you will be using more then one of these techniques. Some business use available software, while others develop their own. When an individual send information online such as through an email for example, they will never know who might intercept it, or to whom it could possibly be forwarded to. That’s why it’s not such a good idea to send confidential information online. However, an individual can help protect themselves by encrypting the information, or signing it digitally. Some very popular email encryption software is known as <span style="font-style: italic;">Pretty Good Piracy</span> (PGP) and<span style="font-style: italic;">Centurion Soft Secure Protection</span>. Pretty Good Piracy is known as freeware, which means that individuals can use it for their personal needs but not for commercial purposes. You can download this for no cost. A digital signature is a type of encrypted code that a individual, website, or company pastes to an electronic document to make sure that the individual is who they claim to be. The code will most likely consist of the user name and a hash of usually part of the message. A hash is a type of mathematical formula that generates content from a specific message, so it is different from a message. The recipient will have to generate a new hash from the received message and compares it from the one with the digital signature to make sure that they match appropriately. The main purpose behind using digital signatures is to make sure that it’s not a deceiver participating in the transaction. So, digital signatures help narrow down e-mail scams. A digital signature can also make sure that contents of a message have not been changed. A lot of web browsers use encryption that is regarded as 40 bit encryption, and this is a very low level. A variety of browsers also offer 128 bit encryption which has a higher level of protection because the encryption key is longer. Some important places that require extremely hire security like banks, and online retailers needs at least 128-bit encryption. A website that successfully uses encryption methods to secure information is known as a secure site. A secure site uses digital certificate with security protocol. The two most popular security protocols are secure sockets layer, and secure HTTP.</p> <p>A <span style="font-weight: bold;">digital certificate</span> is a notice that verifies that a user or a website is for real or not a scam. A lot of ecommerce websites will usually have digital certificates. A certificate authority (CA) is an authorized company or individual for that matter that has the ability to issue and verify digital certificates. There are several of websites that offer a digital certificate. Some popular ones are Verisign <a href="http://www.verisign.com/">http://www.verisign.com/</a>, Godaddy<a href="http://www.godaddy.com/">www.godaddy.com</a>, Digicert <a href="http://www.digicert.com/">http://www.digicert.com/</a>, and Thawte<a href="http://www.thawte.com/">http://www.thawte.com/</a>.The digital certificate will usually contain information such as the username and the serial number of the certificate. By the way, the information in the digital certificate is also encrypted. Next, the Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) provides encryption of every detail that passes between a server and a client. SSL also requires the client to have a digital certificate, so the web browser can communicate securely with the client. The web pages that use SSL will usually begin with https as opposed to http. SSL is available in 40 and 128-bit encryption. Secured HTTP (S-HTTP) allows individuals to choose encryption for data that pass through a client and a server. When using S-HTTP, the client and the server must have a digital certificate. This makes S-HTTP more difficult to use then SSL, but on the other hand, it is more secured. Companies that have to use verify a client such as online banking companies use S-HTTP. Also, mobile users can also access computer networks through a virtual private network. When mobile users successfully logon to a main office using some type of standard Internet connection, a <span style="font-weight: bold;">virtual private network</span> (VPN) allows the mobile user to secure the connection. VPNs encrypt data as it passes from a notebook computer or any other mobile device so it won’t be intercepted. Regardless of your security method, I will highly recommend using the most powerfulness safeguard which is a <span style="font-weight: bold;">backup</span>. It prevents data loss from several of sources such as system failure for one. A backup is simply a backup of a file, program, or desk that can be used in place of the original if its loss, destroyed, or corrupted. If the files are destroyed, then you can replace them by restoring it, which copies the backed up files into their original position in the computer.</p> </div> </p></div>Trish Donmallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08151728653610948512noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8807967151604413242.post-2819053571269868672010-11-11T06:38:00.001+02:002010-11-11T06:38:39.440+02:00The 11th Hour, of the 11th Day of the 11th Month - Lest We Forget<div class='posterous_autopost'><p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: 16px;">Why are they selling poppies Mummy, selling poppies in town today?</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px;">The poppies, child, are flowers of love, for the men who marched away.</span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: 16px;">But why have they chosen a poppy, Mummy? Why not a beautiful rose?</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: 16px;">Because my child, men fought and died in the fields where poppies grow.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: 16px;">But why are the poppies so red Mummy? Why are the poppies so red?</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: 16px;">Red is the colour of blood my child. The blood that our soldiers shed.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: 16px;">The heart of the poppy is black, Mummy. Why does it have to be black?</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: 16px;">Black, my child is the symbol of grief, for the men who never came back.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: 16px;">But why, Mummy are you crying so? Your tears are giving you pain.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: 16px;">My tears are my fears for you my child, for the world is forgetting again.</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: 16px;">Author unknown.</span></span></p> </div>Trish Donmallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08151728653610948512noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8807967151604413242.post-63290102229455166972010-11-05T14:48:00.001+02:002010-11-05T14:48:05.422+02:00The Difference Between Adware, Spyware and Anti-Virus<div class='posterous_autopost'><p> <div style=""> <div>With the festive season getting ready to loom large again, I thought it would be a good time to go over the basics of Adware, Spyware and Anti-Virus protection.</div> <div>Adware, spyware and computer virus share some similarities, one of which is that all three are major nuisances for computer users. Let's differentiate the three.</div> <p /> <div>Spyware is software that does not intentionally harm your computer. What they do is that they create pathways wherein someone else aside from the computer owner can communicate with the computer. Normally spywares record the various types of web sites you visit which are later used by web advertisers to allow them to send you unwanted emails and pop-ups.</div> <p /> <div>This is why spyware are usually frowned upon and greatly avoided. They are more intrusive than adware. Spyware have their own separate executable programs which allow them to record your keystrokes, scan files on your hard disks and look at other applications that you use including but not limited to chat programs, cookies and Web browser settings.</div> <p /> <div>The spyware then will send the information that it had gathered to the spyware author. The agent will then use this information for advertising and marketing purposes. They even sell the information to advertisers and other parties.</div> <div>Adware, on the other hand, are more legitimate form of freeware. Similar to spyware, adwares are advertising materials which are packaged into a software or program and are installed automatically once that particular program or software is added into the computer system. Some forms of adware, on the other hand, download advertising contents as a particular application is being utilized. It is quite unfortunate that most of the adware programs take the form of spywares that is they track and report user information to program authors.</div> <p /> <div>Some signs of spyware infections include pop-up ads that seem to be not related to the site you are viewing. More often than not, spyware pop-ups are advertisements about adult contents. Also if you notice your computer slowing down, there's a big chance that spywares and its other components have found their way in your operating system. When the Windows desktop also takes a longer time to load, its best to scan your computer for possible spyware infections.</div> <p /> <div>Meanwhile, viruses are destructive form of software. They were purely designed and created for one purpose alone: to wreck havoc to your computer. They destroy whatever they come in contact to and will initiate self replication and infect as many components of the computer's operating system or network as possible.</div> <p /> <div>Nowadays, a lot of anti-virus software also provides spyware and adware scanning and removal utilities. Some programs, however, are focused on located and deleting or destroying spyware and adware programs. Whether is an anti-virus software or a anti-spyware dedicated scanner, they both search your computer and identify any spyware and virus installed on your system.</div> <p /> <div>They then remove it as well as their components located in the system registry among other places in your computer. It is therefore, good to regularly update your virus or spyware scanner to ensure that your computer is protected from the thousands of spyware and viruses in the internet. Never be fooled from ads that claim that their products only contain adware.</div> <p /> <div>These adware maybe spyware in disguised and are just waiting to be deployed for them to gather your information. Learn to setup firewall systems and always block pop-up blockers to minimize computer infection and ensure the security of all your computer files.</div> <p /> <div>Adware, spyware and computer virus share some similarities, one of which is that all three are major nuisances for computer users. Let's differentiate the three.</div> <div>Spyware is software that does not intentionally harm your computer. What they do is that they create pathways wherein someone else aside from the computer owner can communicate with the computer. Normally spywares record the various types of web sites you visit which are later used by web advertisers to allow them to send you unwanted emails and pop-ups.</div> <p>This is why spyware are usually frowned upon and greatly avoided. They are more intrusive than adware. Spyware have their own separate executable programs which allow them to record your keystrokes, scan files on your hard disks and look at other applications that you use including but not limited to chat programs, cookies and Web browser settings.</p> <p>The spyware then will send the information that it had gathered to the spyware author. The agent will then use this information for advertising and marketing purposes. They even sell the information to advertisers and other parties.</p> <p>Adware, on the other hand, are more legitimate form of freeware. Similar to spyware, adwares are advertising materials which are packaged into a software or program and are installed automatically once that particular program or software is added into the computer system. Some forms of adware, on the other hand, download advertising contents as a particular application is being utilized. It is quite unfortunate that most of the adware programs take the form of spywares that is they track and report user information to program authors.</p> <p>Some signs of spyware infections include pop-up ads that seem to be not related to the site you are viewing. More often than not, spyware pop-ups are advertisements about adult contents. Also if you notice your computer slowing down, there's a big chance that spywares and its other components have found their way in your operating system. When the Windows desktop also takes a longer time to load, its best to scan your computer for possible spyware infections.</p> <p>Meanwhile, viruses are destructive form of software. They were purely designed and created for one purpose alone: to wreck havoc to your computer. They destroy whatever they come in contact to and will initiate self replication and infect as many components of the computer's operating system or network as possible.</p> <p>Nowadays, a lot of anti-virus software also provides spyware and adware scanning and removal utilities. Some programs, however, are focused on located and deleting or destroying spyware and adware programs. Whether is an anti-virus software or a anti-spyware dedicated scanner, they both search your computer and identify any spyware and virus installed on your system.</p> <p>They then remove it as well as their components located in the system registry among other places in your computer. It is therefore, good to regularly update your virus or spyware scanner to ensure that your computer is protected from the thousands of spyware and viruses in the internet. Never be fooled from ads that claim that their products only contain adware.</p> <p>These adware maybe spyware in disguised and are just waiting to be deployed for them to gather your information. Learn to setup firewall systems and always block pop-up blockers to minimize computer infection and ensure the security of all your computer files.</p> </div> </p></div>Trish Donmallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08151728653610948512noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8807967151604413242.post-41130527421093711252010-10-29T19:30:00.000+02:002010-10-29T19:30:12.702+02:00Halloween is Almost Upon Us<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font: normal normal normal 13px/19px Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0.6em; padding-left: 0.6em; padding-right: 0.6em; padding-top: 0.6em;">Firstly, to all my American clients I would like to wish you all a Happy Halloween for Sunday, and not forgetting All Saint's Day on Monday, which should go hand in hand.<br />
As we all know Halloween is celebrated by children who get to dress up deliberately to scare themselves and their friends and go trick or treating for sweets and other goodies to eat and for most children this is where Halloween ends.<br />
While once upon a time the idea of trick or treating alone may have been a good idea, in today's modern world, unfortunately we need to provide some protection to our children.<br />
Some sensible tips when choosing you're child's costume are as follows:<br />
<ul><li>Make sure that the mask is not going to restrict the child's breathing.</li>
<li>Make sure that the costume is not so long or tight that they can't move quickly and safely if the really need to.</li>
<li>Ensure that they can see clearly, as due to the excitement of trick or treating they may forget to look when crossing the road.</li>
<li>Remember to make sure that they are visible to traffic, especially if you happen to live in the Northern Hemispheree where it's starting to get dark earlier.</li>
<li>And if you ask me, the most important one, make sure that a responsible adult is either in tow or nearby to keep an eye on the children and ensure their safety, even if it is just from cars and barking dogs.</li>
</ul>If you happen to be driving on Halloween please also play your part and keep a look out for children who have lost their road sense for the night.<br />
All that being said there are plenty of people who don't celebrate Halloween and they should be allowed to have their views respected. If you know of someone in your area that doesn't celebrate Halloween encourage your children to leave them out of their trick or treating route and everyone can be happy.</div>Trish Donmallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08151728653610948512noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8807967151604413242.post-23274616062092414222010-08-25T17:55:00.000+02:002010-08-25T17:55:32.007+02:00New Member of UKAVAConors Admin Services is proud to announce that it is now a member of the United Kingdom Association of Virtual Assistants.<br />
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Please check back as we will be updating the site regularly with new details.<br />
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<a href="http://www.ukava.co.uk/"><img align="left" alt="UK Association of Virtual Assistants" src="http://www.ukava.co.uk/ukavalogo1.gif" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: verdana;">An accredited member of the <a href="http://www.ukava.co.uk/"><strong> UK Association of Virtual Assistants.</strong></a></span><br />
The one-stop information resource for virtual assistants and their clients.<br />
<a href="http://www.ukava.co.uk/">http://www.ukava.co.uk</a>Trish Donmallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08151728653610948512noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8807967151604413242.post-62292568692978788532010-08-13T09:57:00.002+02:002010-08-13T09:57:52.013+02:00New Risk in Elective Surgery<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font: normal normal normal 13px/19px Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0.6em; padding-left: 0.6em; padding-right: 0.6em; padding-top: 0.6em;">For those of you considering having elective surgery this is something that really needs to be considered before you take the plunge.<br />
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It has been reported that Brits who have gone to India and Pakistan to have elective cosmetic surgery are returning home with a gene that can turn a common or garden bug into a superbug. The resistant gene has been identified by the medical profession as NDM-1. The gene has the ability to alter bacteria and make them resistant to nearly all antibiotics. It is most common in the E.coli bacteria, or on other DNA structures that area easily copied and passed onto other types of bacteria.<br />
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While the numbers of people currently identified with the gene remains very small the real threat of this bacteria altering gene is likely to spread worldwide with people all over the world looking for cheaper and quicker options to have elective surgery.<br />
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To read more about this superbug go to <a href="http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/197509.php" mce_href="http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/197509.php">http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/197509.php</a></div>Trish Donmallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08151728653610948512noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8807967151604413242.post-67926795078443583622010-03-08T09:24:00.000+02:002010-03-08T09:24:28.690+02:00If you take us seriously, we'll take you seriously.Michele Johanson (http://goodhopetranscription.weebly.com) runs a transcription business from home,and, when not pounding the keyboard for her daily bread, writes articles on the more domestic arts, cooking and gardening in particular. Thank you to Michele for the following informative article. <br />
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One of the drawbacks of working from home is the difficulty of getting serious clients who are willing to pay what you are worth.<br />
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I enjoy working from home as a transcriptionist and I have good and loyal clients who make it possible but how does one deal with the demands of people like this? <br />
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This was posted on Get a Freelancer today:<br />
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“I need only serious transcribers who can finish up the project by today. There is totally 3 hours of audio. You can be a team or person. But you must follow the below points strictly and there wont be any excuses:-<br />
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You must finish the project with in 5-6 hours It should be with 100% accuracy<br />
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Pay will be $7 or $8 per audio hour depending on quality (If you are not accepting for this bid, then please dont apply). The completed file should be proofread, spellchecked, formatted, grammar checked etc.<br />
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There will be a continuous flow of work if you finish this successfully. Note that turnaround time is very important. Once you place your bid be online. I will hire within 2-3 hours and you should have me the files back within 5-6 hours.”<br />
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Downloading 3 hours of audio could take several hours alone. A professional transcriptionist allows approximately four hours to complete one hour’s worth of audio, and that’s just the typing. Spell-checking and proofreading is a given and is included in the rate but could somebody please tell me how to check the grammar on audio? Surely the whole point of transcription is to produce a verbatim report? I do tweak here and there, particularly if I’m transcribing a foreigner, but limit it to replacing words like ‘choosen’ with ‘chosen’. If a client specifically asks me to fix the English I have more leeway, but even then I make an effort to stick to the original.<br />
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The above-quoted job provider is particularly arrogant and unrealistic but unfortunately there are many people that think that because we run our businesses from home we are not doing a “real job” and want to pay accordingly, or not at all. The following quote was taken from clientsfromhell.wordpress.com: “ … and by the way, I can’t afford to pay you for this job, but you will be paid in karma — which is so much better and more permanent anyway.” Better for whom? Can you eat karma?<br />
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We do real jobs and provide real quality. We pay our own overheads and work long hours and stick to our deadlines. <br />
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Sadly, there will be takers for this position but they are unlikely to have English as their first language and the job provider will get what she is paying her two dollars (or less) an hour for. I would love to see what she ends up with.<br />
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michelejohanson@yahoo.com<br />
<a href="http://goodhopetranscription.weebly.com/">http://goodhopetranscription.weebly.com/</a>Trish Donmallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08151728653610948512noreply@blogger.com0