Why is a Logo so Important for SME?
What do your clients and potential clients think when they see your business Logo? Such an important part of your business and so I asked Mandie from tenfive designs to be the guest blogger for PA on the GO this month as who can better answer that question then a Graphic Designer!
At tenfive designs we believe that your Logo and business image are key elements in creating the right impression, with impact.
Many business owners ask….What does Graphic Design do for my Business?
As a Business owner I bet you take presentation seriously, because it is vitally important, isn’t it? Whether it be polished shoes, dressing smartly and arriving on time, we all in business strive to make the right kind of first impression on our potential clients.
Good design and visual communication of our business is often the first chance we get to make the right impression, and it’s important that we make a positive and memorable one.
Think of your own brand loyalties just for a moment and then consider why you hold them? Did you choose a product or service based on the brand you liked, how and why did you decide to choose that brand?
Most of us will realise that a good proportion of our choices will be made visually because we like what we see, or identify quickly with what is being presented.
Establish your own criteria to identify what you are trying to present. How do you want people to perceive your business, its service, or a particular product. Engage your audience clearly and quickly and most importantly, memorably!
About our Guest Blogger:
Mandie Spooner owns tenfive designs a Graphic Design Company that specialises in Business presentation and corporate image; her business is to make your business look great! tenfive designs also offer a wealth of other design and layout services.
Visit www.tenfivedesigns.com or email Mandie at mandie@tenfivedesigns.com
What is a VA (Virtual Assistant)?
Virtual Assistants are a cost effective solution enabling you to cut overheads such as staff costs (wages and entitlements), whilst still receiving efficient, accurate and professional services.
We support your business by offering help when you need it without the uncertainty of temporary staff or the expense of a full-time employee. We form a partnership to help you succeed!
Virtual assistants are independent contractors, working from their own offices and using their own equipment, who control management of the work and how it is carried out so that you can spend less time on the administrative aspects of your business and more time on growing your business.
Working with a VA provides many benefits, including:
- Pay only for time worked on a project, not a 40-hour work week.
- No insurance, retirement contributions, workers comp or other related benefits.
- No office space required.
- No training required in most cases.
- You have more time to spend on client work, i.e. making money!
Why Outsource?
Much as we all like to think we are supermen (or women!) we can’t be all things to all people and this applies in business too. Trying to do everything yourself is only likely to end in you being burnt out, or, perhaps worse, disappointing your clients.
I have many businesses that outsource administration work to me as a Personal Assistant or virtual assistant, and in turn, I have learned to let go of the reigns a little and outsource some parts of my business to others who are better able to undertake these specific tasks.
Outsourcing work is like having a skilled and valued employee on your team, without the extra costs that go along with having staff. It can help you out a those busy times where you need an extra pair of hands, frees up your time to spend on more profitable opportunities and if the person you outsource to is an expert, you are getting a higher quality of work than you may be able to produce yourself!
You can even use external people to help expand your business by using them as a contractor to enable you to offer more from your business. This again will increase your profit margin and delight your customers by providing even more services.
For my business and many others outsourcing makes perfect sense, it lets you:
- Free up your time for more profitable opportunities
- Get a higher quality of work than you can do yourself
- Expand on your services to clients by using a contractor
- Give yourself a little breathing space at busy times
I know I need to do it with my business, have you considered it for yours, I would love to hear your thoughts!
Setting up Your Home Office
It’s been over 3 years since I officially started working from home as a Virtual Assistant.
Today I finally decided to set up my ‘home office’. I cannot wait till this weekend to go to Ikea and get a real desk! What a great feeling looking forward to getting up and going to work! Yes, I know it can seem like a luxury being able to walk from the kitchen to the office, but for the last 3 years my office was IN my living room just at the entrance of the kitchen needless to say by blocking the entrance there was a lot of frustration from mine and my husband. My desk is the dining table, and my computer plays Transformers almost as much as I try to use it for work. My favourite part (not really) are the sticky fingerprints I find all over my new desktop the next morning after my son has watched his cartoons and played his games on it after dinner.
The worst part about having my desk and computer in the family communal area is when the phone rings, or a Skype call comes through. The kids think it is Oma and Opa from the Netherlands calling…and they both come running from all over the house. I try frantically to quiet down or go into the other room so mama can take a work call. Do you think a 4 and 2 year old understand this? Especially when they think it is Oma? You can see the issues I am facing.
So, with a little help from Ikea planner I’ve finally figured out what I need to set up my home office. Having attended this month’s network event at Mumpreneurs Northern Beaches Network where Penny Webb from Working Mums MasterClass told us all about how to organise yourself, your family and your business. I feel quite liberated and finally feel like a professional, even if I’ve been acting this way for the past 3 years.
Now all I need is a nameplate stuck on the door and my own assistant out at the front.
My tips for setting up your own home office
Why We Need to Network
It’s no secret that working from home can leave you feel isolated after a while. Working from home or as a sole operator seems very exciting in the beginning but somewhere along the way you begin to realise that something is missing.
What is it? What is missing? When you stop to think about it you realise that there is actually quite a bit missing.
You no longer wake up full of enthusiasm for your day and it seems to be more difficult to get started on your work. In fact, it’s hard to decide where to begin. You have some choices to make and you haven’t been able to work out what to do.
Wouldn’t it be good if you had someone to talk to? Ah, there it is. That is what is missing!
When you worked in a group environment it was so easy to take people for granted. There was always someone to talk to of have coffee with. In fact, sometimes there were too many people and too many interruptions but never once did you feel alone and isolated.
Working from home can be a very isolating experience and most of us have to make a conscious effort to go out and connect with others. That is why networking becomes a vital part of your business strategy.
Networking can save your business sanity. It gives you the opportunity to connect with other professionals in related businesses, which opens the door to new opportunities. It lets you bounce ideas off people who understand what you are talking about. It helps you create new ideas. It stimulates your mind and your enthusiasm again.
So where can you start building your networks?
In your local area attend your local Chamber of Commerce meetings. This is a great way to meet up with other entrepreneurs in your community. Find out about conferences and conventions that are being held and try to attend.
Internet networking is as important as face-to-face meetings. Not only can you attract visitors to your web site, you can take a break from the nitty gritty of your business. Look for work-at-home websites, visit these sites and interact on the message boards. Increasingly businesses are using social media sites such as Facebook to interact with clients and other professionals in the one place!
If there is nothing in your local area why not think about starting one? That is exactly what I did. Networking is quite important to me was what led me to found the Mumpreneurs Northern Beaches Network (www.mnbn.com.au) with co-founder Banika Smee.
Remember that networking doesn’t have to be formal. Meeting over a quick coffee can often be more energising and time efficient as going to a meeting. Find something that you enjoy and do it. Go out and connect with business professionals regularly. You will soon notice the difference in your business performance and your own attitude towards it.
