Author Archives: Dwayne Baker

virtual-assistants-can-research-for-you

Virtual Assistants Can Research For You

Your organization can benefit from the research of competing products, services, management teams and companies. However,  research that is well done takes considerable time, effort and personnel. Often, it is best to hire virtual assistants to complete the research tasks for you.

Thorough research requires significant initial and ongoing time to identify, evaluate and follow what your customers, suppliers, distributors, employees and competitors are doing. Useful research can provide ways for your organization to improve, reduce costs, increase sales and generate more profit. 

A form of research involves the monitoring of what third-parties are saying about your organization online. There are many message boards, blogs, forums and online properties such as Facebook, Twitter and YouTube in which people express themselves. Reputation monitoring and management is a form of research that virtual assistants can conduct.

Virtual assistants can also be engaged to poll third-parties with specific questions so that the feedback is more on point to what you are trying to understand better. For example, a survey can be conducted to solicit feedback about your products or services as compared to your direct competitors. The results can help improve your business many ways.

Hiring college educated virtual assistants can assist your organization with all of its research needs. At 60% less cost than a typical employee, you can get all the benefits of thorough research but without the traditionally high costs.

Save Time. Make More Money. Grow Your Practice. Let Golean Health take care of your office needs while you and your staff spend more time serving your patients.

 

good-communication-so-critical-in-virtual-businesses

Good communication so critical in virtual businesses

It was a ‘typical Monday’ today …. but a few things that happened throughout the busy day made me realize, yet again, about how important good communication for those ’sticky situations’ is in a virtual organization.

I’ve been working virtually for 6 years and have certainly run into my share of ’sticky’ situations that may have been avoided had they been in a typical office environment.

Since we rely so heavily on email correspondence – it’s absolutely critical that we remember a few key points when it comes to these challenging situations and how we handle the communication around them. Good communication with our colleagues, clients, prospects – everyone goes a long way and it will either keep or bruise your reputation. In fact, it can make or break your relationships if you’re not careful.

Those who know me well know that I’m a bit ’sensitive’ when it comes to communication. I really (really!) try to word my emails in such a way that they don’t come across as insulting, impatient, rude, or like I’m blaming or selling someone out. If I receive an email that implies any of these – I get a tad bit cranky – just as I’m sure many others would, depending on the content.

So here’s just a few tips to consider before hitting that send button in an unpleasant situation. Remember, there’s no way to retrieve those words once you have sent them …

  • If you receive an email that upsets you – close it and come back to it later. If you fire off a response before you settle your emotions, you may include things you really didn’t want (or need) to say and completely jeopardize your relationship. Take a few minutes and revisit the email later and respond then.
  • Before you hit that send button – read your email one last time. If you received this email – would it upset you? Take the time to re-read and make sure it says what you want to say without causing conflict.
  • Select your words wisely. Make sure the words you use will not make the other person feel like you are attacking them in any way. Again, ask yourself if the words used would upset you if you were on the receiving end.
  • Decide if it’s really worth a response. Sometimes it’s just not worth responding to an email. If it’s something that should be ‘dropped’, then leave it as is. You may feel like you need to put in the last word but is it really worth it? Likely not.
  • Think about other options – would it be better to pick up the phone and talk to the person instead of sending an email? Going the extra step and clarifying a situation voice-to-voice can save a relationship. Take a few minutes to think of the points you want to cover. Don’t act defensive …. talk it out and you’ll likely feel much better immediately after.

These are tips we all know but tend to forget in difficult situations. Think of them next time you receive an irritating email … it may save you a few gray hairs! 🙂

Work with a Dedicated Medical Virtual Assistant. Click here for more info.

 

virtual-receptionist

Medical Virtual Assistant: What Can They Do for Your Business?

 

The use of virtual office secretary has been widely known to many professionals. Even the medical field has shown a great interest in using virtual assistant services. They too have realized that they can gain a lot of benefits by having a virtual assistant than a personal secretary. Yet, many people can’t fully understand how a virtual medical assistant works as well as what they do. So let’s get to know them more.

What is a Virtual Medical Assistant?

A virtual medical assistant is an outsourcing professional specializing in providing assistance to physicians and other medical professionals. They have undergone special training to get them prepared in handling medical-related documents. Most of them are holders of any medical-related degree such as nursing, medical technology, pharmacy and the like. Their educational background ensures that they can meet client’s expected output as they have a strong foundation in the medical field. Being familiar with medical terminologies, and the field itself, is a big plus.

How do they help physicians?

Physicians are one of the world’s busiest professionals. They need to attend to client’s needs every day. Giving more time and attention to them can make clients feel they are being loved and cared for. This can make clients stay. Just let them know they are important and are valued, and you’ll have their loyalty for sure.

Most physicians do not have enough time to do office work, though. Usually, most of their time is spent in facing clients and attending to their needs. So they need to outsource office related tasks to someone else. This will help them focus on the core of their jobs – to take care of their clients. This is where a medical virtual assistant can come in handy. They can help doctors prepare medical reports, manage their appointments, conduct research, and call clients to follow up. They are also flexible in doing some other tasks assigned to them.

A physician can also let their virtual assistant work on the time schedule they prefer. This depends on the time and urgency of the tasks that are assigned to them. A virtual assistant can work on a flexible schedule.

So, in order for you to keep things going in your business with ease and smooth flow, you need to have someone you can trust fully — someone who can help you achieve your goal of providing client satisfaction and patient retention. Hire a virtual medical assistant now!

 

short-term-loan-payback-methods

Conscious methods to short term loans

Info Short Term Loans Unsubsidized student loans do not need a diploma for a requirements schedule. You should be students together with enrolled no less than half time so that you can get an unsubsidized student loan. The good news having said that if you will not be eligible depending on likes intended for alternative education loan possibilities is niagara sort of mortgage loan is quickly designed to most being qualified scholars regardless of will need. The interest upon these plans nonetheless begins to build up quickly, showing they are able to honestly tally up in time.

 

In the concept of home, not a single thing is much more dour title than underwriting. Chopping towards the chase, and here , you obtain authorized and also denied in your applying for ask for.

 

The monthly interest depends upon the sort of personal loan, client’s credit ratings, and also who may be supplying the resources. People that produce personal loans ought to observe their own states’ usury legal guidelines and are forbidden from receiving much more than financial institutions or perhaps banks.

 

Mortgage mortgages aren’t as common as regular personal loans, approval one is the most challenging as there are often increased sums included. Thus, whenever looking for a home loan mortgage, there are lots of records as well as proofs that you will want to demonstrate in order to get accepted. Though every bank differs from the others and for that reason, differs for consent, there are several principles or perhaps regulations that you need to stick to to be ready for your app and because the nugget of advice proceeds: far better much more than significantly less.

 

There are lots of perimeters relying on Tesco lending products that you can notice. It will be easier to encourage brief revenue immediately in addition to being prepared to be certain that these repayment times come in maintaining what you’re really searching for. You will fund a holiday and can create the settlement schedules when handy mainly because attainable. Now there are likewise postponed payment times that you’re going to take up to make certain that you only completely pay down your personal loans since simply just while practical. Along with Tesco unsecured loans, you can take advantage of loans approximately 300zero lbs as well as the quantity can certainly boost that will 2500zero weight.

 

The identity talks about private a bit naturally. Since the word The holiday season is assigned to them, folks could recognize using what it has to propose. Yuletide financial loans are usually special anyway driving them to very well liked during English. People who are within vital need of income for that festive supplements are blessed with such short term loans that they might take advantage of that will pep up the merry situations with the vital personal assistance.

 

When you can find a tendency to communicate related to gaining insurance cover and also a Tesco personal loan, there exists a inclination in order to happen to be talking about in connection with the transmission of an unique current market that may conjointly reward you once you achieve point of creating a option for the insurance cover company plus your personal loan.

 

To learn more about credit unions, click here.

 

modern-hipster-businessman-drinking-espresso-coffee

How to find a freelancer?

A freelancer, freelance worker, or freelance is somebody who is self-employed and is not committed to a particular employer long term.

In the modern world most people who in any event associated with the Internet hear or use freelance services. Now hire freelance programmers, web designers, copywriters etc. from another country in most cases more cheaper then maintain full time workers and pay them a monthly salary. Customers can be in touch with freelancers using any suitable methods of communications: text, voice and even video communication. Terms of work and payment are negotiated before work starts and can be changed by agreement between both sides. Method of payment also can be negotiated and chosen as most suitable for the customer as for the provider. So easily, isn’t it? It’s easy for both if relationships between customer and provider are long. Customers get his work done and Providers get his payment for completed work.

But unfortunately no one can be absolutely insuring about some kind of cheating from each side. For example a provider can get paid before work is done and gone, or the customer can get results of work and won’t pay the provider at all. Such risk is possible if the customer and provider didn’t know each other before, so distrust between them is justified. So as we can see direct communication is not suitable at first look.

The best way to avoid such situations is to use a third party place that can be a negotiator between Customer and Provider. Now there are several huge sites that offer such services.

If you need a freelancing human resources agency, be sure to visit Solvo Global.

man-working-on-moving-company

Hiring Out of State Movers – Do’s and Don’ts

When relocating and hiring a moving company to take you across the country, keep these do’s and don’t’s in mind. Something as simple as having a pen and paper ready to check off items as they’re unloaded from the truck will save you a lot of time and aggravation later on.

 

Do’s

  • Research the company before you sign the agreement or contract and look for companies that provide quality services. You wouldn’t go wrong with US Border Movers company.
  • Ask to see the company’s credentials and past references.
  • Make sure you know how the company calculated all the costs. Ask that it’s explained to you completely.
  • Ask to see a copy of the moving company’s tariffs. This will outline the maximum costs and how the costs are calculated according to weight and distance.
  • Ask about insurance. New federal rules state that a mover must offer you the option of purchasing insurance from moving companies, out of state movers and moving out of state companies.
  • Most insurance policies are based on weight, not value. Make sure you’re fully protected.
  • Ask that your moving charges be based on weight, not volume. Most long-distance hauls are automatically weighed than calculated per pound. Volume moves leave too much room for dispute. It’s easier for a moving company to expand the truck space required than to add extra weight.
  • Ask upfront if your mover is a broker, Florida movers, California movers, Washington movers, Oregon movers, (interstate movers) or moving company. If your moving company is a broker, find out who will actually be moving your things. Research and investigate both companies. The law states the company has to tell you whether they’re hiring another company to actually do the move.
  • Make sure the company isn’t charging you for the weight of the truck. Ask to see a weight ticket after your goods have been removed or before they start loading. Deduct this from the total weight when your items have been loaded.
  • Review all the documents the company provides and make sure you understand everything. If you don’t, ask the mover to clarify. If you’re still not satisfied, take it to an outside party such as a lawyer.
  • Have someone at your old home for when the movers pick up your stuff, and someone at the new home for when they are delivered. Everything that goes on and off of the truck should be recorded and checked off.

Don’t’s

  • Don’t hire a company that will only take cash.
  • Don’t pay for the move until all your belongings have been unloaded into your new home. If there are any boxes or items missing, don’t sign the paperwork. The move must be completed before you sign.
  • Don’t sign anything that you don’t understand. Read everything thoroughly and ask questions when you need clarification.
  • Don’t pack items that are of high value, such as important documents, jewelry or account records. Take these items with you.
  • Don’t wait until a few days or weeks have gone by before you make a claim for damaged goods. The longer you wait, the harder it will be to prove mover fault.

 

Sales and Marketing Management

The sales and marketing departments within an organization are inextricably linked.

While the marketing function within an organization aims to establish the requirements of actual and prospective customers and promoting the company’s products or services, the sales department actively sells the company’s products to customers.

The fundamental distinction between the two departments is that the marketing department’s efforts cost the organization expenses whereas the sales department generates revenue to the company.

The Sales Process

A sales event involves the customer directly, where he or she can buy goods or services directly or order a specific product via a sales quotation.

Typical sales processes involve the customer approaching a sales person with a specific requirement while the salesperson attempts to convince the customer that the specific product offered by the company offers the best value offer.

The sales process will terminate successfully when the salesperson manages to make a sale. Making a sale refers to the situation when a potential customer becomes an actual customer.

Sales Process Training

Training the members of the sales team are crucial to empower the staff with the essential skills and closing sales techniques that assist them to close sales and turning a potential sale into an actual sale. Training sales staff usually involves training the sales team about the products or services they are selling and be in a position to explain complex and technical issues to the prospective customer.

Product Marketing Process

The product marketing process is a vital element in an organization whose aim is to attract customers since the marketing of products or services can ultimately determine their success and failure in the competitive market.

One of the most salient activities in the marketing process is the advertising and the promotion of a product or service. The aim of an advertising campaign is to entice a potential market into actual demand.

Market Research Services

The purpose of the marketing research process is to identify new markets and prospective customers and analyzing the demand for a product or service in the business market. The information collected from an effective marketing campaign will determine how a marketing strategy to promote a new or existing product is carried out in different locations and to attract new customers.

The market research also yields significant benefits in identifying purchasing trends. For instance, in the last years, the Internet witnessed a steady increase in online shopping since more and more customers prefer to purchase products online.

Sales and Marketing Skills

To summarize the aims and functions of the marketing department is to promote products and services based on thorough marketing research into customer demands. The sales function is to support the marketing department and it ensures that customers are provided with a quality product in a timely manner.

Neither function operates in a vacuum and both functions rely heavily on each other to achieve sales and marketing effectiveness in an organization.

Recession Proof Your Small Business

 

Recession Proof Your Small Business

Will your small business survive should a global economic downturn happen again? Will it thrive when the economy dips?

Reconnecting with the Customer

When things are tight, companies should be reappraising their markets and really looking at who they are selling to. Businesses owners should be reconnecting with their consumers and figuring out how to add value to the customer experience.

Small businesses cannot compete with large and overseas companies on price so they need to think of ways that they can add value in other ways. This could include diversifying their product range or streamlining the way that they deliver their goods. Customer loyalty schemes are also an effective way of adding value without cutting prices.

Getting to Grips with Cash Flow

small business accounting and bookkeepingCash flow is something that many small business owners have problems with, even when the economy is booming. However, when the economy is struggling, it is even more vital that business owners get to grips with this aspect of business management.

Business owners can regain control of their cash flow by ensuring that their invoicing process is quick and efficient and by requesting deposits for bigger jobs. There are also a lot of extremely cost effective services available, which can assist businesses with tasks such as managing their debtors’ ledgers.

Looking after Employees

It is not only the financial side of things that can cause headaches when markets are cooling. Deterioration in employee motivation, largely due to job uncertainty, can also have serious repercussions for a company’s productivity.

Firstly, employers should think long and hard before slashing personnel numbers. Companies may find it much harder to hire quality staff after the economic slump is over if they become known for having a high turnover. Layoffs will also affect the motivation and morale of the remaining employees.

Keeping the lines of communication open with employees is also recommended. Being as honest and transparent as possible will reassure staff members, who may be feeling insecure, and will put a stop to any rumours flying around the workplace.

In addition to this, business owners should make sure that they give employees positive feedback. Verbal acknowledgment for a job well done, along with non-cash incentives for more senior staff members can make a huge difference to employee motivation. Alternatively, if employees are not performing to their full potential, a good and simple performance appraisal, encouraging input from both employer and staff member, can be useful.

The Key to Surviving an Economic Downturn

Periods of economic decline can be stressful and challenging for small business owners. However, there are many things that can be done to ensure that companies remain intact and profitable during these times. If business owners stick their heads in the sand and consider themselves too busy to make improvements, it is unlikely that they will survive a significant slump in the economy. However, if the head of a company takes the time to review and improve every aspect of their business, from the operations to the advertising, they will give themselves a fighting chance and may even come out of the downturn a better and stronger company than they were before.

Business Structures: Partnerships

Before getting into a business partnership arrangement, a meeting of the minds must exist before signing a contract. Business partner roles must be clearly written in the contract. Each partner must fully understand their responsibilities as they apply to their situation.

Experts recommend that the members of any business partnership agree first on who will handle management duties, financial responsibilities, advertising, marketing, even equipment concerns. This will corner any future concerns which might arise over who is responsible for what duties.

The percentage of the profits each will receive also must be written into the contract. A specific clause in the contract should state how the partnership will terminate or what terms should be present to end the business.

Now, let’s take a look at another form called limited partnership. In a limited partnership the business partners only risk an agreed upon investment in the business. This is a popular form of partnership with much lower risk factors.

Business partners should seek the services of an attorney to draw up the partnership contracts. This will protect all members of the partnership in the long run.

Business Partnership Advantages

Partnerships are more flexible than dealing with corporations although less flexible than a sole proprietorship.

The business partnership pays no federal or state taxes. The profits obtained from the business go directly to the partners in the business.

Business partnerships like proprietorships pay no state or federal tax. Although, partners are required to pay personal tax on all business profits.

Money to invest in the business is easier to obtain for a partnership than a sole proprietorship because there are multiple partners with money to invest in the business.

The experience of all the business partners only adds to the advantages.

Business Partnership Disadvantages

If one partner dies or wishes to leave, the partnership will terminate. Buy out issues might arise. This is one reason why buy out issues should be covered in a written contract before entering into the partnership.

Business partnerships often find it difficult to obtain financing as easily as a major corporation.

Each partner is liable for the business debts incurred by other business partners or the business transactions. So if one business partner makes a bad decision which cost the company plenty the other partners will also be liable for the debt.

Issues pop up suddenly when the partnership terminates. This concern must be covered in the contract agreement. And the contract signed by all business partners.

In conclusion, a business partnership might be the best alternative for you if the advantages outweigh the disadvantages in your business situation.

Lessons About Value and Today’s Customer

What do customers really find valuable? Where is the assurance they will know a good deal when they see one?

It wasn’t too long ago that historical relationships dominated. In business, trusted brands always prevailed. People typically went for brands they have known for years. When it came time to buying something, they always went back to the same old stores without considering other alternatives. Today, these historical relationships have diminished dramatically. Instead of historical relationships, what is driving success today is the ability to demonstrate superior value.

Clear Value at the Source is Not Necessarily Clear Value to Customers.

There are numerous examples of companies that invest substantial time, resources, and effort to provide their customers with what they see as premium quality and service. Often though they see their customers yawn in response. The only value that counts is value that customers are prepared to pay for.

In the retail book industry the business was once populated by independent bookstores that were generally owned and run by people with a passion for books. They selected books they thought their customers would appreciate and provided a high degree of personalized advice and attention.

This worked until lower priced and more convenient alternatives presented themselves such as Amazon.com. The independents were providing value in their own eyes but not value that their customers were prepared to pay for. When lower cost alternatives presented themselves, they fled.

In the Absence of Apparent Value, Price Prevails.

The domination of Amazon and retail chains have had corresponding effects. In each case, customers took a very hard look at the value they were getting from who they were doing business with and, in the absence of a clear reason to pay a premium, shifted allegiance to new, lower cost relationships. If it was cheaper, they would go there.

Value Winners Today can be Value Losers Tomorrow.

In the past, independent financial advisors were very successful. The share of mutual funds held by the banks declined though and during the same time period, the mutual funds sold by independent financial advisors who were not limited by their firm and free to sell any fund they chose to rose. Much of that change arose from the fact that the banks offered little or no advice with only marginally competitive products.

Despite the advantage of incumbency, customers moved away from banks as advisors who went after their business attracted them. These new players offered them superior advice and service and better performing alternatives.

Today these banks are going after these clients. They have introduced dedicated financial advisors who are well qualified and trained. They now have the ability to sell outside funds as well as the banks’ internal solutions, which, in response, have become more competitive.

Only Concrete Value is Seen as Real.

Customers are increasingly resistant to paying for value unless it is clearly visible. Even with all kinds of systems in place to provide high standards of service there will be no benefit unless customers notice them clearly.

Lessons About Value and Today’s Customer

The first step to having customers perceive value is to actually deliver value. Once that’s done, the next step is to communicate that value in an understandable way. The customer needs to be very clear about the value being provided.