Teresa's Blog

Tuesday morning

Tue, 27 Jul 2010 07:09:00 GMT

It's been a busy few weeks, VAT returns and bookkeeping, answering the phones and interviewing for a new member of my team.

I have started a new person, so I hope that works out well. We will be looking out for new opportunities now for more customers, so that we can all stay busy!

Personally it has been a very strange time - I've been to my first festival, which was amazing. But I have also heard that a good friend of mine has cancer - so some real highs and lows. This has made it harder for me to post on this blog - but I will be updating everyone as soon as I can get things to say!

Troublesome Tuesday

Tue, 13 Jul 2010 19:36:00 GMT

I am finding that the phones are quieter, and there is more time to file, check e-mails and sorting out all the bits of paper that seem to accumulate.

I wonder if everyone is less busy at the moment, is this finally a reflection of the 'recession'? Maybe everyone is spending longer doing it themselves, not only tidying up homes and offices so that you don't need to move, but doing the paperwork too. Is this helping the business, or private lives - I doubt it!

I am networking a bit more - if you are local to Bury St Edmunds, or Ipswich and would like details - just phone and ask. This is introducing me to more people - but unless I say in my very short speech what they want to hear - is this worth the effort. I do think it is - when I started networking I had hardly any customers, and now I have a proper business, and looking at the places I meet new clients - they are almost all through networking, either directly or indirectly.

I don't particularly like networking, getting up early, talking to people I don't know very well, eating a big breakfast (well that's not too bad!) and talking about my business. I find this an un-natural way of sociallising, but in the long term it works. You just need to give it enough time.

I am getting together the next newsletter - and hopefully it will save readers money - lots of special summer offers to help with spending decisions.

Going back to my wine now, I probably should not post half way through a bottle.....

The time has flown

Fri, 09 Jul 2010 13:30:00 GMT

Superstition is foolish, childish, primitive and irrational, but how much does it cost you to knock on wood? Judith Viorst

St Swithins day is looming - if it is sunny then we should look forward to another 40 days of sunshine - but how are our gardens going to cope? I am sure this is just another superstition, but how many more cross our minds through most days - not going under ladders, not crossing on the stairs, don't put new shoes on the table...

I think there are some superstitions in business too, for instance I am the Only person in the world who can ..... and then there are loads of things that can finish this sentence. Answer the phone, type up those notes, send out my invoices... But of course in real life there are other people who are just as capable, possibly more so, and if you teach them well in the beginning, and systems are in place then this could leave you with free time! Heaven forbid! You could actually take a day off, sit in the sun, or go to the beach! Maybe even play a round of golf, or go riding, weed the garden, drink a long cool glass of Pimms - the possibilities are endless. But instead of thinking outside the box, you are probably still in it while the sun is shining!! Because all those little jobs still need doing.

I am sure many people think they just can't afford to ask for help - but have you asked what we would charge? For instance - have your phones answered from 9 to 5.30, Monday to Friday for £40 PER MONTH - and we will only charge you 60p for each call answered and messages sent to you direct, immediately. For a normal member of staff this would probably be cover for your phones for only 7 to 10 hours in a month - so when will your phones ring? So that you can have someone there just in case!

We will be here all summer - unfortunately! We can take your calls, check your e-mails, chase up outstanding payments - and many other tasks - just ask for help.

I've got that Friday feeling!

Fri, 25 Jun 2010 13:42:00 GMT

'When you want your boyfriend to play with you, wear a full-length black nightgown with buttons all over it. Sure it's uncomfortable. But it makes you look just like his remote control...' Diana Jordan

So it's the weekend again - and the football, tennis and the Grand Prix are all happening. Great for sports fans - and I will definetely be watching the racing and the footie! What an amazing tennis match it was that finished yesterday - the longest in history! Shame either of them had to lose really.

Had a strange week - when the England match was on the phones only rang twice in the whole afternoon, until after the final whistle blew - and then the phones lit up! I wonder what everyone was doing......

I am working on my newsletter and also tiny little tweets - I am still not sure what I should be doing with Twitter - but it is a good learning experience. I am finding it interesting looking around and reading what some other people are writing - but I think there is an art to the whole thing.

We are going to a 'posh do' tomorrow evening - which is sure to be a boozy affair - and I am looking forward to putting on my glad rags and having a boogie. Sorry kids for sounding so '80s!

Right I am off to find something to stop my legs swelling up with the bites from the mozzies that attacked me a couple of evenings ago - I am so sore and they are really swollen. I have taken anti-histamine and layered on cream - but I am in agony.

I hope you all have a great weekend

Outsource now - save time and money

Tue, 22 Jun 2010 07:10:00 GMT

A secretary is an administrative assistant in business office administration.

The executive secretary (sometimes called executive assistant, administrative assistant or associate) has myriad administrative duties. Traditionally, these duties were mostly related to correspondence, such as the typing out of letters. The advent of word processing has significantly reduced the time that such duties require, with the result that many new tasks have come under the purview of the secretary.

Wikipedia

This definition now seems so old fashioned!

I remember typing on a namual typewriter, setting out tables using tabs, using carbon paper to take 1 copy at a time, and having to type the whole letter every time for customers, for instance mailshots were not easy!

No wonder there are so few secretaries left in the workplace. Most people can manage to produce a letter on their desktops or laptops and print off a fair copy. But how long does this take? Typing with 2 fingers and concentrating on the individual letters rather than the content or the layout is not easy. Mail merge - do you have all day to produce one set of letters? And then when will you follow them up? These are 2 of our key skills - why not use them to save you time and stress? We are very good value for money compared to the effort these tasks require if you do not have the skills.

Of course secretaries then take on other jobs too - balancing the books, managing e-mails, answering the telephone and taking orders or booking appointments - all helping the business owner to to the jobs that they like, and which make them money.

Outsourcing is the key word here - try it you might like it!

Networking today

Wed, 16 Jun 2010 20:00:00 GMT

It isn't just what you know, and it isn't just who you know. It's actually who you know, who knows you, and what you do for a living.

Bob Burg

This is so true - I have started networking again, and it is really interesting how many people I recognise, who I assume know what I do - but do they really?

I need to be much clearer in explaining what we do, I think it is so easy, helping other people to run their businesses, but other people don't seem to get it. Is it so hard to grasp that we can help - that we will be cheaper than people wasting their time trying to 'do everything themselves'. Is it so hard to explain how to outsource secretarial help? I would be thrilled to get some ideas to help me push forward my business.

I also attended a really good seminar telling us about social networking - twitter, facebook, linked in - and it was really interesting. This was a taster session - and the full thing will be signing up for attendees soon - it has definitely given me some things to think about - and action. So I will let you know soon how I am moving this forward.

Damp Thursday - looking forward to the weekend already!

Thu, 10 Jun 2010 17:43:00 GMT

Time you enjoy wasting, was not wasted.

John Lennon

I seem to be a bit obsessed with time at the moment!

I have too much on my hands sometimes, but not the ability to use it in the way I would like. I have a mountain (I'm not exagerating here - I can't see a 2 seater settee that it is piled on!) of ironing to do at home, but in the office the phones have been surprisingly quiet and we are not doing any VAT returns this month. So we are completely tidy, all the filing has been done, we are scanning paperwork to clear some filing cabinets, and 3 sets of accounts are ready to deliver to an accountant. How up to date is that?

So if you know anyone who is not as up to date as we are - let them know we can help!

I have enjoyed sorting everything out, and it is very satifying getting all the fiddly jobs out of the way. I have managed to spend more time talking to the girls at work, getting to know them and seeing what their hopes and dreams are at the moment. This will help me to move my business forward, and ensuring they are fulfilled at work.

The next newsletter is moving on, I am still hoping that I will get useful information together for everyone who reads it - so if there is anything you think would help others please tell me. I am happy to ask the very knowledgable people I know for help with answering questions if you have them for us. Please ask - if I don't know I probably know a man (or a lady) who can!

Where has all the time gone?

Wed, 09 Jun 2010 16:14:00 GMT

You must master your time rather than becoming a slave to the constant flow of events and demands on your time. And you must organize your life to achieve balance, harmony, and inner peace. Brian Tracy

I think this should be a constant in our lives - I often start something and get sidetracked to doing something else. Outsourcing can help with this - get someone else to do it, and you can concentrate on what you want to do!

Of course there are many tasks you can outsource to us - just phone and ask! If we can we will.

I do need some help - I have spare capacity at the moment - so if you know anyone who is not coping, or has an answerphone on in office hours, or who has just had an emergency situation to deal with where an extra pair of hands may help - please pass them on our details.

I had a good day at the Suffolk Show last week - the weather was wonderful and there were loads of people there. I was on the FSB stand, talking to people and telling them all the great reasons why I joined!

Off to the Parish Council meeting tonight - so I will be busy until at least 10pm, loads of things on the agenda, so it is likely to be a lively meeting!

Kids in the middle of their exams at the moment - GCSE's, A1's and A2's - so lots of paperwork, loads of notes around the house and it seems like there are empty sweet and biscuit packets everywhere! Maybe when they have finished I will have a shout a encourage them loudly to clear up! Seems to be never ending! But I wouldn't be without them all.

I also need some interesting things to add to my newsletter as well - surely you have something interesting to say about your business or even your life!? Let me know.

I have been a bit pre-occupied lately - but back to normal again and ready to blog away, so back tomorrow - unless I become a slave....................!

June 3rd

Thu, 03 Jun 2010 06:34:00 GMT

No quote today, just something personal to me.

My Grandma died about 18 months ago - and she would have been 100 today, so it is with great fondness and sadness that I am writing this. I have also learned that a freind of mine's husband has just died, so sad thoughts all round.

But - the sun is shining - I am off to the Suffolk Show to help out on the FSB stand and I should be counting my blessings (some days this is easier than others). I have heard from my one of my sons who is travelling somewhere in China at the moment - but this is not a holiday (he keeps telling me!!!!!) My other kids are enjoying the sunshine - this is revising!

So this has all been personal today - I seem to have a busy life and sometimes I need to prioritise - back to normal next time I promise.

Tea cozies!

Wed, 26 May 2010 21:08:00 GMT

Never trust a man who, when left alone in a room with a tea cozy, doesn't try it on.

Billy Connolly

Saw this and thought it was funny, particularly as I have recently made lots of tea cozies, I am using up wool to make them to sell for a charity who helped my Aunt a lot while she was so ill.

This is how I relax in the evenings - when I am home. It is quite satisfying knitting and watching it grow, changing colours and textures and producing an end result.

I will be back later - rushing off again this morning

I have just watched the Junior Apprentice - some of those young people are scary! I should think they will be strong business people after this experience. The tests seem so simple, but there are lots of extra angles that they have to think of, just like running a real business.

Back to the glass of wine and Million Pound drop - chilling in front of the TV tonight.

Tuesday morning

Tue, 25 May 2010 07:53:00 GMT

The key is not to prioritize what's on your schedule, but to schedule your priorities.

Stephen Covey

Time management - this is the key to getting the most out of your day. But often one of the most difficult.

I do make lists of things to do, and prioritise them, but I don't then schedule the time for the highest priorities every time. The other thing that changes my lists is the unexpected that crops up that often change my day.

For instance I have scheduled a number of meetings for this week, one has changed the date - which makes it tighter time-wise for another meeting, but frees up some time for me to help a client for longer - so there are good bits and problems!

I may be doing more miles this week because of this one change - but I can work round it - the main problem will then be the time issues - I had many things dovetailed together that will now fall apart a bit! All of these meetings have similar priorities, so I can't chop out any of them, I then need to do some work as well!

I was lucky that yesterday I was working in an air-conditioned office - so I got a lot done, it should be a lot more comfortable today. Seems a shame to moan about the weather already this year - 3 hot days and I am wilting!

So off to work - first meeting of 3 today!

Sunshine again! And I missed it!

Mon, 24 May 2010 16:12:00 GMT

Positive things happen to positive people.

Sarah Beeny

So lets be positive!

I'm positive I have worked really hard today!

I'm positive I need some more clients - so can anyone help me? I am looking for more people who need their phones answered, more people who are buried in paper! Do you know anyone who you could point in my direction?

I am doing more networking and becoming involved in different business groups to increase my profile. I am writing these daft blogs, and I have changed my website. I am also working on different advertising leaflet approaches. All these things take time -

So I am also positive I am going home to sit in the garden and drink a chilled glass of Chardonnay!!

I like this positive thinking!

Beautiful day today

Fri, 21 May 2010 10:32:00 GMT

If you do things well, do them better. Be daring, be first, be different, be just.
Anita Roddick

I like this quote, on a beautiful sunny day it is really inspiring.

Working on the nitty gritty of your business can make you loose touch of the overall picture. Why you are working, who you are working for, and doing what you love.

I am helping some people to work towards their own goals, I just need to sort out my own!

Where am I now, where do I want to be, and how will I get there?

This is important in many areas, the business, myself, financially...

So shall I try to be more daring, different, first ... you bet!

Meeting Important people

Wed, 19 May 2010 12:09:00 GMT

Being powerful is like being a lady. If you have to tell people you are, you aren't.
Margaret Thatcher

I had a lovely evening yesterday - I was invited to a reception celebrating being invovled in Suffolk. Some of the food and wine were sourced in the county, the entertainment was local and all the people there are making a difference in Suffolk in various ways.

I was surprised how many of the people there were ladies, holding powerful positions, and many wearing chains - not chained to the kitchen sinks, but chains of office! I was there representing Ixworth, so this is an honour in itself.

I am working on the next newsletter again now, so if you have any words of wisdom to impart - please let me know as soon as possible - all contributions gratefully received.

I am networking again tomorrow morning - if you would like an opportunity to tell a group of business people about your business - and are happy to travel to a meeting at 8 in the morning in the middle of Bury St Edmunds - let me know and I will invite you to the next one. I have met many interesting and useful people at meetings like these - it is amazing how quickly you can build up a group of contacts who can help out in many different situations.

I will blog again soon - it does always depend on time, and sometimes I am not sure if I have anything interesting to say! But that doesn't stop me very often!!!

Looking forward to today

Tue, 18 May 2010 07:49:00 GMT

Never trust a computer you can't throw out a window.
Steve Wozniak

I really understand this quote at the moment! 2 computers have successfully killed themselves in the last 5 days, luckily we save the data onto a central computer - but we have still had to load all the programmes, e-mail settings etc.

I am off to a clients today - hoping to submit the end of year payroll and his VAT return - unfortunately this does depend on the Government Gateway and the broadband connection, so I am keeping my fingers crossed that it will go smoothly today.

With another of my hats on I have been working hard in the Village over the last few weeks, some of the projects are coming together properly now which is very satisfying. We are working to get a new play area in the village, and the bids for the money have been sent off now, so we can only wait and hope that the money comes through. This is a big project, and will make a huge difference to the younger people in the village - so this is exciting. This is definitely a case of Team work, coming together to get a huge project off the ground. There are still some issues that are moving too slowly, but hopefully they will continue to go forward.

The phones are ringing a bit more now in the office, maybe this means that my customers are starting to get busier after a quiet winter. This could really be a sign that the recession is not biting so hard now, or that people are realising that they still need to have maintenance work done or sprucing up their homes despite the Press telling us all the doom and gloom stories.

So off to Norfolk now to interact with the Gateway!