JANUARY 26, 2009
ISSN 1947-105X | Vol. 3, No. 4

Don't forget to add "newsletter@virtualassistantnetworking.com" to your email friends list so you won't miss future issues!

BUSINESS MANAGEMENT ISSUE

In This Issue:

• From the Editor
• Feature Article: Trust in Small Business
• Reader Raves
• Next Free Teleseminar on February 19, 2009
• VACOC News: Directory of No-Cost Software
• Marketplace
• Find a Qualified Virtual Assistant Today
• About the VACOC

From the Editor

Nothing in this life is guaranteed. However, some measure of trust and good faith is necessary for every budding business relationship. The good news is that there are some simple steps you as the client or customer can do to reasonably predict that your trust and good faith will be well-placed. Colleen Johnson is here this week with a great checklist for you.

Yours in goodness and success!

Danielle Keister
Founder & CVO Virtual Assistance Chamber of Commerce

Trust in Small Business

Trust.

A big word when you’re dealing with a small business.

So, how do you trust a small business that provides a service?

Here are some of my tips:

• Communicate. Whether it’s through email or phone conversations, you need to communicate. Discover through these communications if your styles/personalities mesh.
  
  
• Research. Do your homework and research the background of the business and the owner. Learn if the company and owner are qualified to provide the service(s) you’re requiring.
  
  
• Testimonials. See if the testimonials that the company provides are factual. If you’re on a web site or social network group, follow the link provided. Request phone numbers to contact past clients if testimonials are not provided or get the customer base from the company.
  
  
• Organizations and Affiliations. See if the company is associated with reputable organizations and affiliations. If they are, check them out.
  
  
• Credentials. Investigate the credentials thoroughly. Is the business certified properly to provide the services they are offering and at what level?
  
  
• Insurance and License. Proper licensing and business insurance helps you trust that you are dealing with a legitimate, committed business.

These are just some tips to help you trust a small business that is service based. Does that mean you will be happy with the service they provide to you? There are never any guarantees; however, these are the means and indicators that will help you find exactly what you need and make the most informed decision possible.

RESOURCE: A great place to research a Canadian or United States based business is the Better Business Bureau. They also have an online division now. Their motto? Start with trust.

About the Author: Colleen M. Johnson, MSVA, is the owner of CMJ Office, a virtual administrative and genealogy research business. CMJ Office provides top quality virtual administrative assistance for business owners, genealogy and history authors, speakers and researchers.

© Copyright 2009, The Portable Business™. All U.S. and International rights reserved. You are granted permission to republish this article only if used in its entirety with this copyright notice, title, article content, resource, author's bio and links left intact.

Let's Connect!

Reader Raves!

Regarding "The Ultimate Post Office Box" on 1/19/09: "Thanks again Danielle!! I'm truly enjoying the resources you've been sharing as you are making your transition. They are invaluable."
Karen Pina, GodsCoach.com

Next FREE Teleseminar: February 19, 2009

Join us on Thursday, February 19, for the next VACOC Guest Expert Teleseminar: "Exercising Your Brilliance for Innovation." Guest speaker Jim Canterucci believes when you're faced with a situation where you have to come up with and implement great ideas, and you can... that's Personal Brilliance. The four catalysts to Personal Brilliance are awareness, curiosity, focus and initiative. In Jim's session, based on his bestseller, "Personal Brilliance, Mastering the Everyday Habits that Create a Lifetime of Success," we will go beyond creativity to innovation. You'll benefit and so will the clients you serve!

RESERVE YOUR SPOT TODAY >>

- A D V E R T I S E M E N T -

VACOC News: Directory of No-Cost Software

You may or may not be aware that we maintain an extensive list of all the best no-cost software and online tools available on the Internet. We add to this list constantly so you may just want to download our toolbar below to keep it at your fingertips.

Download the VACOC Toolbar

The Results Are In!

The 2008 Virtual Assistant Industry Survey went fabulously and the results are fascinating. I want to thank all the participants for their efforts in promoting it and making it the best yet! All Virtual Assistants who participated in the survey and signed up to the mailing list at the end get a free copy of the survey.

If you are a Virtual Assistant and didn't participate this year, we really encourage you to take part in the next survey. You will be contributing to the effort that is helping the industry grow AND you'll get a copy of the full survey results report once the survey period is over. Only those who participate get the full survey report at no charge.

In the meantime, we offer an abridged version of the survey (about half) which gives some of the basic statistical data. Feel free to "take one down and pass it around." You may also publish the results contained in the survey highlights report as long as attribution is given to the VACOC.

- M A R K E T P L A C E -

EmailCenterPro.com, brought to you by Palo Alto Software, is the BEST web-based tool to enhance your business and help you more efficiently answer your client’s email with a secure tool. Analytics and collaboration tools help you increase your effectiveness. Set-up in 15 minutes – IT knowledge not required. FREE TRIAL.

SCRATCHING YOUR HEAD? Have you been wondering what this administrative solution called Virtual Assistance is all about? Not to worry! The Virtual Assistance Chamber of Commerce has written an online guide to answer all your questions: The Client's Guide to Virtual Assistants.

TIRED OF WADING through the thousands of Virtual Assistant sites on the Internet? Would you like qualified, competent and reputable Virtual Assistants to come to you instead? Simply submit your Request for Partnership at the VACOC RFP Center.

MAKE 25% IN AFFILIATE EARNINGS! Join the VACOC Affiliate Program and earn extra money simply by referring people to our website. Monthly payouts with no minimums required. Sign Up Today!

Are You Reading This? Place your ad and get in front of over 4000 subscribers! Great rates and price breaks for multiple ads >> 

Find a Qualified Virtual Assistant Today!

You don't have to live in overwhelm. You CAN get just the help you need without having to hire in-house staff. Find yourself a great Virtual Assistant today, and go from struggling by yourself to getting things done and thriving on the road to success.

See Your Ad Here!

ABOUT THE VACOC: Founded by industry veteran Danielle Keister in 2006, the Virtual Assistance Chamber of Commerce™ is a professional association committed to empowering business-minded Virtual Assistants grow smarter, more successful practices, and providing business owners with tools and resources to connect with reputable, qualified Virtual Assistant professionals.

To change your subscription, see link at the bottom of email notification. The Portable Business™ (formerly The Gritty Business Buzz™) is a trademark of the Virtual Assistance Chamber of Commerce™. All logos and names are the copyrights of their respective owners.

Disclaimer: Neither Danielle Keister nor the Virtual Assistance Chamber of Commerce™ endorses the accuracy or reliability of any of the paid advertisements above nor the quality of any products, information, or other materials displayed, purchased, or obtained by you as a result of an offer in connection with any ad. Please do your own due diligence BEFORE purchasing any product.

© 2007-09 Virtual Assistance Chamber of Commerce™. All U.S. & International rights reserved.