Grace S Long - VA Extraordinaire

Microsoft Office Excel Tip - Navigating Complex Spreadsheets

2008-09-04T20:36:23Z

Have you ever tried working with an Excel workbook with various spreadsheets? I normally come across this situation when putting together a business plan and finance data on Excel and naming it according to the information on your spreadsheet corresponding to Assumptions, Financials, Break-even point, etc (as shown below). However, you will note that as you get your business data onto your workbook, you get to the point where you can no longer see the worksheet beyond the 8th spreadsheet as shown...(read more)

Make IT Work For You

2008-07-31T06:58:50Z

Small business owners, entrepreneurs, solopreneurs, and even corporate executives more often than not have some sort of computer system, desktop or laptop which they use for business. The latest technology kits are virtually within reach at continuously lower costs than they were 5 years ago. IT hardware packs a lot of power in smaller physical cases while software is becoming ore powerful and easier to use every year. But have these companies taken advantage of information technology to get...(read more)

Creating Effective and Efficient Relationships

2008-07-31T05:48:32Z

Relationships of all kinds are often perceived as very delicate things, that require extra effort to maintain. However, a relationship can also be something that can provide security and can also be long lasting despite many trials. Building effective and lasting relationships is a necessity for several reasons. The well being of the people in an organisation depends on how efficient and effective that group or organisation works. The group or organisation is also dependent on how the members work...(read more)

Reduce Stress and Be Happy

2008-07-31T04:59:00Z

Anything taken too much is bad for the health. A little stress is actually good, as it could serve to help you function at your best. However, stress that seems a little too much could take a physical, as well as mental, toll to your body. Stress should be managed in order for depression or anxiety to be prevented. So how should you do it then? The following are tips and advice to help manage stress. Write it out, schedule it out. It is best to write down everything that seems to be overwhelming...(read more)

Microsoft Office Tips and Tricks Gadget

2008-07-28T21:02:15Z

The Microsoft Office Tips and Tricks Gadget was created by developers at Windows Live Gallery and is released as part of the Windows Vista Sidebar Gadget which is available for download here . It delivers a new tip or hint every day for using Microsoft Office. Click the Gadget and a flyout will appear giving a complete description of how to use the new technique which will make your life a little easier when you use Microsoft Office and its applications. Try it, it is very useful....(read more)

Marketing and Attracting Clients

2008-07-25T21:16:50Z

When establishing a VA practice, what seems to be the most important activity that a VA needs to spend time on - is it improving your skills and getting a VA certification - or is it marketing and attracting clients? This is one of the many question many VAs or would-be VAs are asking themselves. In my opinion, learning and improving skills is a must-do activity. It should be incorporated as a process in our business plan as a progressive entrepreneur seeking and using feedback strategies to learn...(read more)

What is a Virtual Assistant (VA)?

2008-07-14T11:11:00Z

For those of you who are not familiar with the term "virtual assistant," I define it succinctly as an experienced, highly trained and independent professional who provides a wide-range of business support services virtually from her/his own office with the use of the most recent technologies in terms of software from various vendors such as Microsoft, electronic devices such as fax, electronic mail and voicemail, and other web-based technologies to effectively support business owners, corporate...(read more)

Silverlight v2 on my Blog

2008-07-14T10:55:00Z

It would not be too difficult to guess who finally brought my blog masthead to the 21st century with the installation of Silverlight. Yes, you guessed right it is none other than, Tim Long , my husband, in-house systems administrator, programmer, and software engineer all rolled into one. The first time I ever saw a Silverlight demo was early last year at Dave Overton's blogsite and at the Silverlight portal which for an advanced user and geek like me who loves and appreciates technology is totally...(read more)

8 Weeks to the International Entrepreneurship Educators Conference 2008 - Fit for the Future

2008-07-08T12:29:00Z

One of the topics I am most passionate about is entrepreneurship and education. It is always most refreshing to be informed of new trends in education and what we can do to help government and educators to address the needs, challenges and opportunities to develop entrepreneurship education. The third International Entrepreneurship Educators Conference is scheduled on 8th-10th September at the Brittania International Hotel overlooking one of the world's iconic business districts, London's...(read more)

Back in the saddle

2008-07-07T11:08:00Z

Hello everyone. It has been quite a while since my last post. I have undergone and overcome several challenges in the interim and now I am back filled with awe, excitement and positive energy. I have been through several trainings on Microsoft technologies and personal development - all of which has opened new opportunities for me and my business. I have also this week finished a diploma in NLP in London. That was an awesome experience - another journey into what lengths I will go into to make changes...(read more)

Metacognitive Pattern Indicator by Nigel Brown

2007-01-26T14:42:00Z

Today we had the opportunity to take the questionnaire developed by Nigel Brown. It was interesting to note that the results did show a picture of bits that I know is true about me. However, because of the way some of the questions are phrased it seems to want you to answer the question in a certain direction which is totally not the way I would have answered it if it were asked differently.

At any rate, I did have a word with Nigel about this and he mentioned that he is giving the questionnaire a second looking over in the light of the various comments he had already received from previous cohorts who were the subjects of the same questionnaire.

NeW@Glam Thursday 18th January 2007

2007-01-19T12:18:00Z

This is the first event of the Network for entrepreneurial Women for this year held at the Glamorgan Business Centre of the University of Glamorgan.

Tim and myself arrived promptly at 6:00 pm and was able to meet all those present. There were only a few at the start but the rest came in towards half past six. This gave both of us the opportunity to have a chat with several people such as Hugh and Niluka from the Rhondda Cynon Taf ICT Centre, members of Cohort 5 of the MSc Entrepreneurship (Female Entrepreneurs) scheme, and Lecturers. It was lovely to find that Charline Evans whom I met 3 days before made it to the event and promptly introduced her to Chris Atkinson and Dr Muir. It is nice to note that Charline developed an interest in the MSc course and is now scheduled for interview.

Paul Jones' findings on his research 'E-business Usage within Welsh SMEs - the reality' has been an eye opener though not exatly a surprise. It has actually reinforced my own research and readings when Tim and I started TiGra Networks that micro-businesses comprise the main bulk of SMEs in the UK. And that this is the market segment that most need our services.

The GTI+ project as presented by Pam Voisey is also a very useful resource for entrepreneurs and graduates of the University. One thing for sure, I will certainly take Pam's offer on all that GTI+ can offer me as an entrepreneur.

Opportunity Wales was represented by Philip Lee, Head of Web Services. We had a short presentation describing the various services Opportunity Wales offers - e-commerce advice and reviews, a client directory, forum for e-commerce communities and an events/training calendar to mention a few.

Niluka Eratne, ICT Advisor, from the Rhondda Cynon Taf ICT Centre also enumerated the services their organisation provides for small businesses - impartial advice on hardware and software issues among others.

My immediate thought about these support services is that they are great. However looking deeply into each initiative one thing that keeps niggling in my mind is that despite the fact that all these services are supposedly free due to being funded by local government or some other organisation, there seem to be an underlying issue about advisors who privately run businesses of their own. For example, Opportunity Wales, provides impartial e-commerce advice to SMEs, but Mr Lee himself runs a successful web development company. It would seem that these services offering free advice and support are themselves a direct competitor to small businesses such as my own. The SMEs coming to these advisors for help are a ready market for their own personal businesses. Just think about it, these advisors are employed and draw a salary from the organisation they purport to belong to. They are supposed to give impartial advice e-commerce or otherwise. Yet they do have their own business providing the same service. So what is to stop the SME who is seeking support to simply ask for their services outside of their office?

I admit I may have a bit of bias because in my own experience of trying to avail of these free support services, I have not yet encountered one that has really provided me and my business with what I really need and asked for. At the end of a few sessions, a recommended next port of call would be to book a few extra hours or days of sessions to sort out problems or issues that will be chargeable at an additional cost because you have already exhausted the total number of hours provided for free. Well sorry, thanks but no thanks.

Women in Small Business and Podcasting

2007-01-18T00:52:00Z

While trawling the web for useful information and reading materials, I stumbled upon this blog which focuses on interviews and practical advice for small business, startups and entrepreneurs using a technology called podcasting. Before I try to explain the technology of podcasting, this blog tackles some interesting topics on entrepreneurship and some of those interviewed had some comparisons of the US vs UK entrepreneurial culture.

The podcasting technology is increasingly becoming so popular due to the proliferation of the iPod and MP3s. Just download the file to your computer and listen to them or download them to your iPod or MP3 player and listen to your favorite radio show or interview on the go. It can be audio or video or a mix of both.

Wikibooks defines podcasting as "the publishing or distribution of radio-style programmes on the internet. Podcasts are in MP3 or a similar file format. Podcast producers make their programmes available with RSS feeds, a tool that allows listeners to select programmes they wish to download, or to set software to automatically download new programmes as they become available." Podcasts are normally accessed by subscription whether paid or unpaid.

Podcasting is used in various ways these days by people who wish to provide a more personal method of communicating with their users to describe a product or discuss an idea. What better way to use technology that is already available at your fingertips! Podcasts may be distributed through your mobile, telephone, Skype sessions, and the web.

More recently in America, podcasts are being used by teachers to deliver college lectures. What a great idea! As a student myself, it is more convenient to listen to my tutor deliver a lecture on my MP3 player than reading a book in a car, a bus or on a train. And it would also allow students who had missed a class to catch up. With all the multimedia equipment we have in our university wouldn't it be cool to try it out?

What is an enterprising economy?

2007-01-17T21:52:00Z

From the term, it is my understanding that an enterprising economy refers to the business environment within a specific geographical area where conditions are created not only by entrepreneurs themselves but also by the public and private sector to encourage small businesses towards innovation by recognising opportunities to grow and rewarding participation in entrepreneurial activities.

Which Superhero are you?

2007-01-17T17:06:00Z

My husband, Tim , has mentioned this quiz and here are my results. Your results: You are Supergirl Supergirl 100% Green Lantern 100% Wonder Woman 95% Superman 85% Spider-Man 65% Robin 60% Batman 50% The Flash 35% Catwoman 35% Hulk 30% Iron Man 30% Lean, muscular and feminine. Honest and a defender of the innocent. Click here to take the "Which Superhero am I?" quiz......(read more)