Biz Blog

I’ve always been a real advocate of Microsoft office. It’s superior layout, ease of use and sheer ability puts it streets ahead of the competition, or so I thought until two days ago. Being a software geek, I’ve always insisted on MS office and have had the complete package installed on all of our laptops & desktops.

You can only imagine my horror when it came to setting up my new net book, it doesn’t have the memory to support such a large set of programmes so I had no choice but to look for alternatives. I’m now the proud owner of a net book with OpenOffice installed, and I am amazed! So far so good, it installed very quickly, has a lot of the functionality I would expect of MS, similar layout so the easily confused, (such as myself on a bad day), can navigate around easily enough, and the best bit of all, it’s free! Yes, completely free! I’m very impressed. Not only does my shiny new net book have a writer, it also has the software for spreadsheets, presentations, databases. What more could a busy VA want?

Of course, one of the most important things is that it’s all still compatible with MS. After shelling out for all that MS software I’m certainly not going to give it up in a hurry!

Want to know more? Find it here

I’ve just taken delivery of my new toy, and it’s not even Christmas! I’ve recently been travelling into London quite a lot for one of my clients, so I bought a Samsung NC10 notebook so I can utilise the time spent on the train by updating my blog and writing articles for both Bizpro and my clients.

Netbook

I’m very pleased with it, with a 10.2 inch screen, and weighing in at only 1.3kgs, it’s a perfect size for on the move, and it’s not so heavy to be troublesome either. I can even fit it into my handbag so no one need know I am carrying a netbook!

It’s completely versatile and does pretty much everything I need it to. I have wi-fi internet access for my emails, forums and blogs, and I’ve uploaded openoffice onto it so I have access to a writer, spreadsheets, presentations etc. It even has a webcam! Coming in at under £300 I would say it’s my gadget of the year, and it means that my time is utilised more effectively, and my travel time is put to good use..

This new netbook typifies the service Bizpro are offering. We’ve offered various services for some time now to help busy business travellers; not least of all our specialised phone service which enables callers to leave their dictation whilst on the move, travelling between meetings, etc.

Definately worth a look!

For any job you do, whether in work or home life, having the right tools for it certainly makes life easier, if not quicker. It makes sense to look at the bigger picture when faced with a job that you either don’t have the right tools for, the right training, or the right frame of mind. Sometimes, it can be much more cost effective to pay someone else to do the job for you, especially when they seem to have all the right tools, training, and experience, etc. However, sometimes things aren’t always as they appear and sometimes you can be temporarily blinded by your own need for that person to be able to do the job. So how can you safeguard against this? How can you tell you have the right person for the job every time? How do you check their credentials?

It’s an interesting point, and something that I’m careful about myself. I like to think I’m a reasonably good judge of character, but I’ve had my fingers burned, too (albeit rarely, thank goodness). In business, I am a firm believer in testimonials. They are possibly the most powerful tool you can get which validates your business and your work. They’re certainly not fool proof, (personally, I would always be aware of testimonials whose author would only put their initials to the statement), but if used correctly, they are valuable. I make it a point in my business to ask for testimonials from my clients, if they are happy with the service they have received. On the same side, if they are not happy, I would also like to know about it. Far better for you to be made aware of your faults so you can take steps to remedy them, than it is for everyone else to be made aware of them!

I use feedback forms for training, and feedback forms for my work. Any feedback or testimonial is worth its weight in gold as I know how constructive it can be for a business to know where they are falling down, and where they are exceptional. Likewise, I always try to leave a testimonial or feedback for my suppliers too.

As for the right tools for the job, if we didn’t have them, we wouldn’t be here. ;o)

It’s finally here!

Bizpro has a funky new look and a great new website to go with it. It’s a vast improvement on the last one, more user friendly and packed with lots of useful tips and information too!

Designed and produced by the fabulous Duncan Michael MacGregor from Duck on Water; a very patient and understanding web designer who has amazed me with his knowledge of websites, gadgets and his ability to know exactly what I am looking for and what looks good.

It would be good to get your feedback and comments on the site, so feel free to let me know!

Bizpro’s new testimonial video is now live, and I have to say I am very pleased with it!

It’s a great way of letting visitors to your website know what your clients have to say about your business, and it can also provide inspiration to them, helping them to decide how they can free up more time by utilising the services of a Virtual Assistant.

Of course this video wouldn’t have been possible without the wonderful testimonials from 3 of my most valued clients, so I am very grateful to them, along with the wonderful Julian Wellings of JW Films, www.jwfilms.co.uk who has put it all together so wonderfully.