Archive for the ‘technology’ Category

How Much Equipment Does a VA Really Need?

Thursday, January 5th, 2012

Reprinted by permission from WAH Adventures.  All rights reserved.

Understanding Virtual Assisting – Part 4 – What Equipment Will I Need to Get Started

If you’ve been following this series, then you’ll recall that the last two articles focused on certifications to receive and what services to offer.  Now  it is time to discuss what equipment you will need to open and maintain your virtual assistant practice.

Obviously, some of your equipment will be based on what services you plan to offer.  One of the biggest mistakes that future virtual assistants make  when deciding upon their equipment, is they buy too much.  They overspend.  You don’t need an elaborate list of equipment and software to impress  the client.

The client will probably be more impressed with your ability to curb your spending, look for creative options, and assist them with cutting  their own expenses and wasteful spending.  If the client insists on equipment or software that you don’t have and can’t afford, they can purchase it  for your use.  If they can’t purchase it, then find clients who are willing to use what you have.

Below is a basic list of equipment you will need for your virtual assistant practice.  You probably already have most of it:

  • Personal computer or laptop with at least a 1 GHz Pentium P4 processor and a minimum of 1GB or RAM with sound card speakers
  • Updated browser of your choice (Internet Explorer, Firefox, Opera, Safari are the most common)
  • Printer compatible with PC (one with a scanner and copier is best)
  • Wireless, DSL or Cable Modem connection to the Internet (Comcast, Cox, Verizon)
  • Windows XP/Windows Vista/Windows 7 – (Mac users will want OS X or what is recommended)
  • Email account (recommend having one other than a gmail account)
  • Eternal hard drive backup or an online backup (Carbonite.com)
  • Anti-virus software (Avast, Norton)
  • Anti-malware prevention software (Malwarebytes)
  • Gmail account to use Google Docs and manage mutiple projects and clients
  • Dropbox.com (free account) to share larger documents
  • Cell phone or free Skype.com account (landlines are also welcome)
  • Paper, pens, and a few office supplies

Please note that there are other service providers other than the ones listed above in parenthesis.  I didn’t want to overwhelm you with choices, but you can also check with other friends or online workers to see what they are using.

Fax machines and all other equipment are optional.  Also make sure that you have a comfortable chair and are in an area of the house where you can actually work without distractions.

Accounting software, graphic software, and everything else can be added later.  This is unless you plan on offering accounting and or graphics as your primary services.

In future articles, we’ll also discuss marketing materials.  However, I will go ahead and inform you that you can survive and thrive with a simple web site, business cards, and three FREE social media accounts (Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook).

As you can see, it really doesn’t take an excessive amount of equipment to get started in your virtual assistant practice.  The good news is that most if not all of these items will become tax write-offs for your business.

In summary, my advice is to start small, make a profit, and continue to invest in your equipment, your training, and your marketing.  A low overhead will cause a lot less stress for both you and your future virtual assistant practice.  Nothing is worse than to try to concentrate on growing a business with several maxed-out credit cards constantly on your mind.

Good luck, and I am always available for questions.

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Posted in business planning, technology, virtual assistance | 6 Comments »

Is It a Browser Add-on, Extension or Plug-In?

Friday, July 9th, 2010

When it comes to your Internet browser, do you know the difference between an add-on, an extension, and a plug-in?  Now before I put anyone to sleep, understanding the difference will speed up your computer and make your online surfing much faster and more enjoyable.

My choice of browser is Firefox, and I do have the 3.6 version.  I know others of you are equally as passionate about Internet Explorer 8, Safari or Opera, and that is fine.

While I thought that I did understand the difference between the an add-on, extension, and a plug-in, I found myself getting confused in an online class that I was taking.  I was hesitant to raise my hand or press the Raise Your Hand button as one would do in a Web-ex.  Everyone else seemed to be following along, and I didn’t want to interrupt this knowledgeable and technically fluent group.

So, I waited until after the class was over, and did my research on the subject.  Then I turned to two other team members in my virtual assistant consulting company.  I am blessed to be surrounded by a team of “cream of the crop” experts in my consulting business.  (I have a network of remote professionals that are phenomenal.)

Now after speaking to those two team members, I am completely clear on what the difference between an add-on, an extension, and a plug-in is, and when and why to use them.

An add-on can be a theme (what YOUR browser’s homepage looks like), plug-in or extension all used for better, faster, and safer browsing.  An example from Firebox would be the WOT-Safe Browsing Tool.  Add-ins are found on the main men under Tools under Add-ons.

Now plug-ins are used to link to external programs such as audio, flash or Java, which may not be supported by the current browser, or supported but slow to load.  An example would be the QuickTime plug-in.  It is found under Tools, Add-ons, then Plug-Ins in Firefox.

Last but not least, extensions offer one-click solutions to a program currently supported but needing the extension to support an upgrade to the actual program itself.  An example would be Microsoft .NET.  And of course, extensions are found under Tools, Add-ons, then Extensions in Firefox.

The great thing about Firefox is that a list of what each add-on, plug-in, and extensions are for is listed right next to the tool itself.  You only have to check the box to add or disable or uninstall if you ever choose to do that.  It is very easy to do.

I am so relieved that I now understand the difference between an add-on, plug-in, and extension.

So why would anyone care about all of this?  Well, when you are self-employed and your own computer guru as well as the other hats you have to wear for your business — you’ll care.

The good thing for me is that I have a team of experts at Gemstone Business Solutions that I can ask.  I never really have to worry about who I’ll ask or whether or not I can find my answer somewhere online.  This has taken a tremendous amount of stress out of my life and business.

Do you have a team of experts for your business that you can regularly rely upon?  What do you do if you have a technology-related question?

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Posted in Business Research, small businesses, technology, virtual assistance, virtual assistant consulting practice | 16 Comments »

On the Sticks of Hope

Wednesday, August 23rd, 2006

Whether you like your ice cream in a cone, on a piece of pie or on a stick, consider helping Nestle do something really special. Nestle will donate 25¢ for every virtual popsicle stick received. Check it out.

Last week I wrote a blog entry on kids.icecream.com, and since then I have had more time to investigate some of the other links on this fun, playful web site. One of the links, Sticks of Hope, really stands out.
 
Normally I prefer to write my next blog entry as something entirely unrelated to the previous week. This keeps the variety going. But since I have had time to read about and even email my own virtual popsicle stick to a sick child, I want to go back and revisit last week’s blog.

The Sticks of Hope campaign kicks into action after you click on the kids.icecream.com link from last week’s blog entry. As soon as you see the laboratory pop up, it is on the left hand side on the kid’s computer. Mom and dad’s computer is smaller and on the bottom. But watch and wait! When the kid’s computer flashes “send an email,” click on it. The “Sticks of Hope” message will pop up.

A statue will be built right before your eyes with Nestle popsicle sticks. Then a chance to email a sick child at the City of Hope Cancer Center will appear. You or your child can click on a list of the children at the top center with their pictures and stories. Keep watching the computer screen for your virtual popsicle stick.

This remarkable campaign is to raise awareness of kids with cancer at the City of Hope Cancer Center in Duarte, California. Duarte is 20 miles northeast of Los Angeles. Founded in 1913 this cancer center is known for its compassion and frequent visits from Disney characters.

As one nurse, Sandra Johnson, says, “City of Hope. The name says it all.”

So won’t you and your child take a moment to write a message, poem or joke on a popsicle stick and email it to one of the many sick children? You can always go back to your ice cream cone tomorrow. Or if you’re like me, straight out of the carton with a spoon is just fine.

Other related articles may be found at sticksofhope.com or at www.dailycandy.com.

Leisa

www.GemstoneBusinessSolutions.com

 

 

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Posted in Business Research, technology | No Comments »

I Scream. You Scream. We All Scream for E-Cream

Monday, August 14th, 2006

I don’t know about you, but with the Dog Days of August, my mind is constantly thinking about air conditioning, swimming pools, and ice cream. So imagine my excitement the other day when I logged into my inbox to find an online coupon for Nestle’s Double Fudge Frozen Bars from a ten-year-old friend of mine. Yippee! I love anything double fudge–especially ice cream.

The hyperlink in the email really sparked my curiosity, so as the Virtual Water Fountain moderator I had to investigate. So I clicked on kids.icecream.com and was thrown right into what looked like a mad scientist’s laboratory. Over the top of the mad scientist himself, was an arch displaying eight Nestle flavors. I could point my browser to any one of the flavors and get the name to come up on his x-ray machine.

What the heck! I clicked on the ice cream sandwich on the far right. Whoa! A little Swiss town scene popped up complete with a mountain ram standing on top the Alps and a snowboarder gliding down the mountains on guess what? An ice cream sandwich. No, excuse me. It was an ice cream miniwich snowboard named after the Miniwich Mountain also included in this animation.

Not big on winter sports, I clicked on that Double Fudge and was taken to a downtown Main Street scene only to find a fudge volcano ready to explode! The hot fudge was destined to soon go all over the already fudge-paved street.

I won’t spoil it for you, so I’ll let you click on the other six and see which you scene you get. I will tell you that the Scaredy Pops has a favorite cartoon character in it, and you’ll be surprised at the cute mammal selected for the Splash Pops. But beware, you’ll need a secret one of these to view the Superman Sticks.

Over to the right of the icy arches of the lab are two computer terminals—one for kids and one for moms and dads. While the adults can examine the nutritional information on all of the ice cream products, kids can decide whether they have a recipe that could qualify them for the title of Flavorologist. There are some pretty neat prizes for the winners. In fact it looks like the coupon that I received was part and parcel of a big winnings from my kid friend.

Well, all of this talk about ice cream—I mean e-cream—has got me really wanting to dive into one. Let’s see, I was going to have Double Fudge, but after clicking on the Flavor Finder at the bottom of the screen and putting in my zip code, this could get sticky. No pun intended.

Yes, yes, yes! There’s a store 12 minutes from here that sells the Double Fudge. Then again after 12 minutes in a hot car, will I long for the Swiss Alps? Decide your own fated flavor at kids.icecream.com.
 
Leisa
www.GemstoneBusinessSolutions.com

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Posted in Business Research, technology | No Comments »