CMJ Office Blog

The 2008 Virtual Assistant Industry Survey is officially underway! The official survey period is August 1-31, 2008 and is sponsored by VACOC.

This year’s theme focuses on how the media portrays our industry, what they’re getting wrong and what they’re getting right, as well as our qualifications standards and the issues that often face our profession.

The main collective group that the VACOC is looking for to fill this survey out is the “stand-alone administrative VA”.  I have come back to this thread to update this information as many seem to be confused when they are bumped from the survey.  No disrespect is meant.  The survey was just established for virtual assistants that are operating an administrative heavy and one-owner virtual business.

http://www.virtualassistantnetworking.com/survey.htm

Hopefully, the above is clear.

Colleen

What I would give to taste my paternal grandmother’s peanut butter cookies again!

She died when I was just 11 years old but I remember them. They were the very best. It was a very special treat to get one of these famous cookies.

Why?

I believe my uncle would always eat them up before we got to them. He loved anything peanut butter.

I have discovered quite a bit about my grandma Degnan since her death. There is still a lot to be discovered. For instance, I did not know that her mom was from Ireland and her dad was from England. My father, her second born son, was named after her father. This was a complete shock to my family. What made it more special was that I had continued that link. I had named my second born son after my father not knowing that there was also a connection to my great grandfather. It was very special to this history buff to discover that gem.

Through my research I also uncovered that my grandmother was named after her paternal grandmother, Julia Sherwood Bench. Also uncovered was the disease that plagued her, diabetes. It runs back through the years in the Bench family from England and now plagues my father. It’s amazing the light records can shine on your family history.

Now, if that light could shine on my grandma Degnan’s peanut butter cookie recipe, I would be soooooo happy. I’ll keep searching.

Colleen

What happens when life and business collide?

Ugh! This summer has been super crazy. Starting a home business was an awesome idea for me. It has kept me home with my children and allowed me to keep busy while providing a much needed source of income to the family.

My business started picking up over the winter which was terrific. However, summer vacation collided quickly this year with my home business. So, what’s a mom to do with her children while running a business from your home office?

Great question! Try out some of these ideas:

1. Set up fun craft stations at the kitchen table (coloring books, connect-the-dots, coloring pages from fun web site, etc.)
2. Hire a neighborhood teen to play with the kids while you work
3. Have special quiet reading times established
4. Remember you can always throw in a movie
5. Grandparents - I can’t use this option as all our relatives are living at a distance
6. Older children can be bribed (sometimes) to watch the younger siblings at play
7. Video games, TV and electronics are wonderful tools for entertaining and sometimes keeping peace
8. Outside play – my mom used this all the time and she wasn’t working from home

There are always going to be those days that drive you up the wall. In the long run, a mompreneur can handle these situations with ease. Of course, I’m writing about this at the end of the summer and counting down for school to start. I love that Staples commercial! Although, I still have one small child remaining at home with me.

Colleen

You need not worry about asking a stupid question at VAnetworking. The main motto within the forum is, “There are no stupid questions”.

Everyone at VAnetworking remembers when they first began their virtual business. With that memory, the group is extremely supportive and generous with information, expertise and tips.

One would think that it might get competitive but I have not witnessed this. There are many niches and backgrounds from every corner in the world offering many perspectives. You can feel at ease to ask any question on any topic. What might be a problem for you, will be someone’s strength and vice versa.

So, ask your question at VAnetworking and enjoy the knowledge that you will gain.

Colleen

Are you in business virtually?

Do you miss the real world water cooler or cubicle chit chat?

Are you lonely sitting in your home office?

Come and check out VAnetworking. You will discover a great group of virtual colleagues to shake that lonely feeling away.

I swear that you just cannot find a better gathering of professionals on the web nowadays. Friendships form quickly here. Even though you’re a virtual business owner, you don’t need to suffer from virtual loneliness. Simply join VAnetworking and feel the warmth. You will uncover excellent information and supportive peers.

So, come on over and discover your new virtual friends at VAnetworking.

Colleen