Episode 70 [38:47m]: Play Now | Play in Popup

Today’s podcast episode is all about Business Networking and sharing his insight and expertise on all things Business Networking is Dr. Ivan Misner.

Dr. Ivan Misner is the Founder & Chairman of BNI, the world’s largest business networking organization. BNI was founded in 1985. The organization now has over 5,600 chapters throughout every populated continent of the world. Last year alone, BNI generated 6.2 million referrals resulting in $2.6 billion dollars worth of business for its members. http://www.bni.com/Default.aspx?tabid=626

Our conversation centered around business networking tips; including tips on entering a networking meeting, selecting a meeting that is right for you, making connections as opposed to just making contacts and more. . Feel free to leave your thoughts, comments or questions regarding this episode by commenting on this post. Thank you for listening!

Show Links:

BNI International: http://bni.com/
Networking Entrepreneur Blog: http://networking.entrepreneur.com/
The Referral Institute: http://www.referralinstitute.com/

A Virtual Perception podcast is sponsored by:

Virtual Assistant Forums: http://www.virtualassistantforums.com

Virtual Assistantville: http://www.virtualassistantville.com

A Virtual Perception podcast is produced and hosted by:
Darlene of True Harmony Media, LLC: http://www.yourtrueharmony.com

 

 Episode 69 [59:08m]: Play Now | Play in Popup

More than ever businesses are looking to host a Virtual Event (think webinar or teleseminar) for their business. It is no surprise, since much like podcasting, they allow a way for a business owner to showcase their area of expertise to their target audience. If you are a business owner thinking about hosting your own Virtual Event the guest in Episode 69 has some tips for you!

Lee Drozak of My Office Assistant is a Virtual Events Specialist; offering virtual event services to her clients. During our conversation Lee shared tips for presenters – including ways to add some interest to content, what to do when everything seems to go wrong and more. She also shared some greats tips for moderators, as well as, tips for virtual event attendees.  This is one full hour of great information for virtual event presenters, moderators and attendees alike and is 110% worth the listen!

Show Links:

Lee Drozak’s website: http://www.myofficeassist.org
GotoMeeting: http://www.gotomeeting.com/fec/
FreeConferenceCall: http://www.freeconferencecall.com/

A Virtual Perception podcast is sponsored by:

Virtual Assistant Forums: http://www.virtualassistantforums.com

Virtual Assistantville: http://www.virtualassistantville.com

A Virtual Perception podcast is produced and hosted by:
Darlene of True Harmony Media, LLC: http://www.yourtrueharmony.com

 

 Episode 68 [39:02m]: Play Now | Play in Popup

Episode 68 is devoted to the topic of Business Ethics. Business Ethics is important to businesses of all types and sizes. Joining me to discuss this topic is Jeannine Clontz, owner of Accurate Business Services, founder of VABizCoach.com and current President of the International Virtual Assistant Association (IVAA).  During our conversation Jeannine explains just what business ethics are, why they are important to your business, adopting a code of ethics, copyright infringement and more!

Show Links:

Jeannine’s websites:  http://www.accbizsvcs.com, http://www.vabizcoach.com
Entrepreneurial Freedom – http://www.entrepreneurialfreedom.com
International Virtual Assistant Association: http://www.ivaa.org
Copyscape: http://www.copyscape.com

Books Mentioned in the Podcast

The Book of Questions, by Gregory Stock, Ph. D.
The Principles of Information Ethics, by Richard James Severson
Business Ethics, by Thomas M. Garrett
Power of Ethical Management, by Norman V. Peale
Managing Corporate Ethics, by Francis Joseph Aguilar

A Virtual Perception podcast is sponsored by:

Virtual Assistant Forums: http://www.virtualassistantforums.com

Virtual Assistantville: http://www.virtualassistantville.com

A Virtual Perception podcast is produced and hosted by:
Darlene of True Harmony Media, LLC: http://www.yourtrueharmony.com

 

 Episode 67 [15:31m]: Play Now | Play in Popup

Well, AVP’s Summer of Success has come to a close. If you missed it, not to worry, you can find all of the posts on the website (avirtualperception.com). In this episode I share my closing words for the series, announce the winners of the two Summer of Success contests and air a bonus Summer of Success tip provided by Collette Schultz of Virtual Dream Office Services.  Collette shares some subcontracting tips and tricks for the virtual service provider.

Thank you again to all of the business professionals that participated in the series. You rock!

Summer of Success Contest Winners:

Top 5 Tip Contest Winners are:
Janine Gregor
Lisa Olinda
Kimberly LeRiche
Tahneesha Smith
Lily Chambers

Beach Bag O’ Fun Contest Winner is: Deb Frawley

Congratulations everyone!

A Virtual Perception podcast is sponsored by:

Virtual Assistant Forums: http://www.virtualassistantforums.com

Virtual Assistantville: http://www.virtualassistantville.com

A Virtual Perception podcast is produced and hosted by:
Darlene of True Harmony Media, LLC: http://www.yourtrueharmony.com

 

 Episode 66 [9:58m]: Play Now | Play in Popup

This podcast episode includes a Summer of Success tip in AVP’s Summer of Success series provided by Lily E. Chambers of The Virtual Office Goddess. Lily shares information on how to work with a Virtual Bookkeeper, including what accounting software can be used, how files can be shared, services that can be provided and more. Be sure to leave any questions or comments you may have about today’s episode. Thank you for listening!

About Lily E. Chambers - Lily is the owner of The Virtual Office Goddess, LLC. The Virtual Office Goddess provides bookkeeping and office support services to small businesses.
Visit Lily’s website: http://www.virtualofficegoddess.com/

A Virtual Perception podcast is sponsored by:

Virtual Assistant Forums: http://www.virtualassistantforums.com

Virtual Assistantville: http://www.virtualassistantville.com

A Virtual Perception podcast is produced and hosted by:
Darlene of True Harmony Media, LLC: http://www.yourtrueharmony.com

 

 Episode 65 [20:44m]: Play Now | Play in Popup

In life, we all have lessons we learn in order to progress along our life’s path. Some of the lessons are easy and others are hard. When you are running your business, especially for the first time, there are again, many lessons to be learned. During the first two years of my business, I have learned a few lessons and in this episode, I share five of the most important ones with you.

Lesson 1: I don’t have to be everything to everyone.
Lesson 2: Take time for myself
Lesson 3: I don’t have to do it all.
Lesson 4: It’s okay to say “No”
Lesson 5: Trust in myself, in others and that everything is going to be “okay”

Listen in to hear how I learned these lessons. Hopefully you will take something away from this episode, whether that be the knowledge that you are not alone or perhaps you will learn through my experiences. During the first part of the episode I say that hopefully you will learn from my mistakes, but in actuality they were not mistakes. The following quote sums it up nicely:

“There are no mistakes or failures, only lessons.” ~Denis Waitley

Leave your thoughts, insights or your own experiences about the lessons you have learned by leaving a comment on this blog posting.

A Virtual Perception podcast is sponsored by:

Virtual Assistant Forums: http://www.virtualassistantforums.com

Virtual Assistantville: http://www.virtualassistantville.com

A Virtual Perception podcast is produced and hosted by:
Darlene of True Harmony Media, LLC: http://www.yourtrueharmony.com

 

 Episode 64 [31:13m]: Play Now | Play in Popup

During one of my recent visits to VirtualAssistantForums.com, I came across a post where a Virtual Assistant mentioned that they were recently profiled on a website called VAProfiles.com. Curious, I headed over to the website to see what it was all about. VAprofiles.com is a blog created and managed by a Virtual Assistant, Christine Bearse of Essentially Virtual. As stated on the site, VAProfiles.com: “…provides profiles on Virtual Assistants with a peek inside their individual personalities and working styles.  If you are looking for a VA, you will find more info here about hobbies and interests than services and pricing.  For networking purposes, sometimes it’s easier to connect with someone if you find out what you have in common first.  All Virtual Assistants profiled here also have a listing on the VA Contact page and a link to their website in the links section.  So browse away and get to know your future VA.”

Because we seemed to shared a common goal – to highlight Virtual Assistants and the Industry – I knew I had to sit down and chat with Christine to learn more about her business and her blog VAProfiles.com. So, in today’s episode I do just that. During my conversation with Christine, I learned why she started her  VA business, how being she handles being a WAHM (work at home mom), why she started her blog and more.

Show Links

Essentially Virtual
VAProfiles.com

A Virtual Perception podcast is sponsored by:
Virtual Assistant Forums: http://www.virtualassistantforums.com

Virtual Assistantville: http://www.virtualassistantville.com

A Virtual Perception podcast is produced and hosted by:
Darlene of D. Victoria Virtual Assistance: http://www.dvictoriava.com

 

 Standard Podcast [54:53m]: Play Now | Play in Popup

In Episode 63 of a Virtual Perception I speak with Cliff Ravenscraft, a podcast consultant and producer who recently started working with a Virtual Assistant. I first learned about Cliff when I came across his podcast called “Virtual Assistant  Podcast”, a podcast where he talks about his experiences working with a Virtual Assistant in his business, as well as, provide answers and insights to those looking to work with a VA… by way of research, personal experience and with the help of others.

During our conversation, Cliff explained how he came to learn about the VA Industry, how he went about contracting with a VA and the qualities and skills which were important when deciding who to work with and why.   It was interesting and insightful to hear what Cliff had to say about the VA Industry and why he started his podcast.

Show Links:
Virtual Assistant Podcast

Some other podcasts Cliff mentioned during our conversation
http://www.gspn.tv/passion
http://www.gpsn.tv/passion2
Weekly Lost Podcast

A Virtual Perception podcast is sponsored by:
Virtual Assistant Forums: http://www.virtualassistantforums.com

Virtual Assistantville: http://www.virtualassistantville.com

A Virtual Perception podcast is produced and hosted by:
Darlene of D. Victoria Virtual Assistance: http://www.dvictoriava.com

 

 Standard Podcast [47:40m]: Play Now | Play in Popup

In today’s episode of A Virtual Perception, Sharon Williams owner of The 24 Hour Secretary and founder of the OIVAC (Online International Virtual Assistant Convention) makes a stop on the podcast as part of her annual Blog Hopping and Podcast Tour. Sharon conducts the tour each year in the days leading up to the OIVAC as a way to promote the Virtual Assistant Industry and the convention that takes place from May 20th – May 22nd.

Sharon and I talked about her business, about the OIVAC – how it began and what we can expect from this year’s event, as well as, the importance of networking with fellow Virtual Assistants. Listen in to the episode to learn all about the OIVAC, why it can benefit you and your business and also learn what special milestone Sharon will be celebrating this coming November.

Please share your thoughts, questions for Sharon and comments about today’s show.  Simply leave a comment on this blog post.

Thank you for stopping by the show Sharon! I look forward to coming to this year’s convention. Oh and speaking of which, you can save 10% off of your registration fee if you register before May 12th! Use the links below to visit the OIVAC website.

Show Links:

Online International Virtual Assistant Convention
International Virtual Assistant Day Information and Creed
Blog Hopping and Podcast Tour Schedule
The 24 Hour Secretary

A Virtual Perception podcast is sponsored by:
Virtual Assistant Forums: http://www.virtualassistantforums.com

Virtual Assistantville: http://www.virtualassistantville.com

A Virtual Perception podcast is produced and hosted by:
Darlene of D. Victoria Virtual Assistance: http://www.dvictoriava.com

 

 Episode 62 [37:29m]: Play Now | Play in Popup

Niche. Some say “nitch” and some say “neech”. No matter how you pronounce it, the meaning is the same: a place, employment, status, or activity for which a person or thing is best fitted. So, in relation to your business.. a niche is an area in which you are best fitted and more often than not, it is an area you are also passionate about. In today’s episode Craig Cannings of VA Classroom and I talk about Virtual Assistant niches, including Internet Marketing, Social Media, Virtual Event Specialist and even Copy writing. Craig provides some great insight on some of things a Virtual Assistant might want to consider when determining a niche for their business.

Show Links

Craig Cannings – http://www.vaclassroom.com, http://www.vaclassroom.com/testimony.aspx

Sponsored by:
Virtual Assistant Forums: http://www.virtualassistantforums.com

Virtual Assistantville: http://www.virtualassistantville.com

Produced and Hosted by:
Darlene of D. Victoria Virtual Assistance: http://www.dvictoriava.com