Erika's Blog - Northern Connections

Hanging out with Like-minded People

2008-05-19T18:03:00.002-04:00

On the May 2-4 weekend, I attended a Virtual Assistance conference in Toronto, Ontario. Being in a virtual business, it was great to actually meet in person many of the Virtual Assistants I have had conversations with over the internet. We were mentored by women who have been successful for several years, giving us instruction, tips and ideas for moving our own personal businesses ahead. There is nothing better than spending a few days with like-minded people who have been there, done that, and you can benefit from their experiences. I came away with renewed motivation, set up some personal coaching and signed up for technology classes in my home town. I didn't even know this person was so close to me. Often times a business person may look at the costs and decide they can't afford to attend, but personally I think it is money well-spent if it helps you in the long run to get closer to your goals.

Learning through Teaching

2008-01-27T19:45:00.001-05:00

I have been given the opportunity to teach our church women's group once a month. The interesting thing about this is I am assigned a conference talk as the topic to teach. I review the principles in the talk and then need to develop how I will teach it. It is so stimulating in that I need to research, read and ponder what would be beneficial to the women in the group. Suffice it to say, I learn so much because of the time spent gathering information, thinking of viewpoints and preparing the lesson. Today was my first lesson and was well received. Looking forward to next month already.

Why Are We Here?

2007-12-29T11:29:00.000-05:00

It has been some time since I have felt like writing. Serious family issues have taken their toll on my emotions. Our son was diagnosed with bi-polar and is being treated in hospital. Watching a loved one suffer is more difficult (I think) than suffering yourself. I thank God that he is still with us. A couple of our friends have lost their children through suicide. One family was not aware their son was experiencing depression. If you don't know what signs to look for, it can be easy to miss when someone starts to decline. Thankfully I have had my own experiences and knew something was wrong with our son but we are still fortunate that he chose to speak up and seek help. While watching Oprah yesterday she interviewed guests who wanted to end their lives, tried, but managed to survive. Two guests reported that they found Christ which has given them peace and purpose and now want to help others. I believe we are here on earth to be tried, tested, develop our faith and do what we can to serve others. I am looking forward to a great year ahead.

Staying Motivated

2007-11-11T19:28:00.000-05:00

One of the things I find really hard to maintain is staying motivated on a project. I love the planning, goal setting, organization and the excitement generated looking forward to results. However, sometimes day-to-day duties zap your energy and your resolve to keep on track. I find that I constantly need to be reading a book to keep my mind geared up and in a learning mode. If I slack off, it is so easy to fall back and give up on the progress I have made so far. Being accountable to someone whose opinion you trust is a good way to stay the course. Belonging to forums on the internet is another way to keep the momentum going by being inspired by others' excitement. Small personal rewards for achieving a milestone works too.

Success Thoughts - Increasing Prosperity

2007-11-04T16:31:00.000-05:00

Now that the hype about "The Secret" has died down, I wonder whether people are really putting the principles into practise. I read the book, but was disappointed that it was basically theory, and other's people's theories at that. Nothing new for me that I hadn't read about over the years. This weekend I was introduced to a woman who teaches and mentors where The Secret left off. I have just signed up for her introductory lesson. The concept is to stimulate your subconscious mind with positive thoughts. The subconscious mind is tuned in to the universal frequency (or power) (I call it God). By sending out your positive thoughts, you will then attract what you want in your life. I have started the homework today and will be anxious to see if it bears fruit in the next month. The program is guaranteed, so if I follow the steps I should become successful. Right? I'll keep you posted.

Crossing Paths for a Reason

2007-10-26T18:36:00.000-04:00

Recently someone has come into my life. I needed some temporary office help and this person was sent my way. She was very friendly, outgoing and humorous. We hit it off immediately. Over the past 3 weeks, we began to learn more about each other and found ways that we can be supportive to eachother with the challenges that we are facing. I was able to give her advice in my areas of knowledge and expertise and vice versa. I believe that people are put in our paths for reasons, whether they need us or we need them. Being able to render a service to someone to help them on life's journey is a special blessing.

Dealing with Family Health Issues

2007-10-16T15:13:00.000-04:00

The interesting thing about life is that whenever you think things are going rather smoothly, something always comes along to challenge you. If you can take a moment to look at life objectively, you will find that we are not meant to live in a status quo environment. Our mortal existence is to develop character through trials. In our family we have been dealing with ill and ageing parents which is difficult but inevitable. Then along comes some unexpected trials that stretch your endurance even further. I am thankful that I have an eternal perspective and the knowledge that all good things in life are counteracted by negative occurrences, just to keep you grounded. I ask for help and guidance daily and that's what keeps me going.

Communications 101

2007-10-11T14:48:00.000-04:00

In my last blog I talked about building relationships, either family or work-related. I volunteered to be on a communications committee recently to see where improvements can be made in the corporate environment. It was interesting to note that there is always much to do to make communications better. Front line workers often feel undervalued when their opinions are not listened to. Management may feel that they don't have time to relay important information down the line, or don't know who really needs (or wants) to know about high level issues. We often get deluged with emails in an attempt to keep staff informed. The real communication skill is not sending out newsletters, or fyi emails. It comes down to whether someone feels they are being listened to, understood and cared for in this busy, rushed world we live in. If you can master that, your staff will become truly engaged in their work and want to go the extra mile.

Building Relationships

2007-09-29T22:03:00.000-04:00

Our eldest son has just returned from being away in California for 2 years. We have not seen him during that time, just emails and phone calls. For the past 4 months that he has been home, we have noticed some changes in him, some good and some not so good. Our family dynamics seemed to be the same, but there is something that is not quite right. Developing open and honest communication has become a challenge. You really need both parties to want to participate and make it work. If one party decides to distance themselves, it becomes virtually impossible to come to an understanding and work to resolve any differences that exist. It is the same in business relationships, friendships or casual acquaintances. True and meaningful dialogue is the basis of any good relationship, but it also takes skill. You don't want to offend. Speaking with a caring voice and putting yourself in the other person's shoes will go along way to making sure there is no breakdown that will take a lot of effort to patch up when feelings are hurt.

I'm on Page 2

2007-09-28T11:41:00.000-04:00

I took the advice of my Business Coach and made some changes to my web site title and keywords. I also started writing articles and publishing on the internet. Between this and some backlinks from organizations that I joined, I was surprised to find my web site on page 2 of Google search. That is very exciting. Now I need to keep up the efforts to remain there and get even higher rankings.

Do You Need a Strategic Plan?

2007-09-20T09:29:00.000-04:00

I am sure most business owners know what a strategic plan is, but I wonder how many actually have one and use it to plan their growth. A strategic plan should be a living document that gets revised regularly as demands change. It is not a document that gets prepared once and then sits in a file to be looked at again in a couple of years. I am currently a part of a team developing their strat plan for the first time and it is quite a learning experience for the group. If you haven't had experience in this before, it takes a bit of time looking at indicators and establishing milestones to ensure the results accurately reflect progress being made. Projects need to be planned and tasks assigned to staff. To get all staff to buy-in to the strategic planning process, it's a good idea to involve them in the decision making and also encourage their ideas and input. Our group has indicated they have gained from seeing other's programs and the benefit of working together as a team to move in one direction. There is lots of information available in preparing your Strategic Plan. If your are planning growth, you will need one so you don't veer off course.

Fall Purge

2007-09-16T07:29:00.000-04:00

Can't believe that Fall is upon us. I don't know about you but I find it a little depressing. I am definitely a summer person. Would love to live in California, but that's a dream that may or may not come true one day. When Fall hits, I want to start purging and tossing out unnecessary items that have been cluttering the house and office. I like to make a list of projects that need to be done and posting them in a visible spot. Then I make a priority list and decide what can be accomplished first. I tend to want to get smaller projects out of the way first so that you can see success and become motivated to tackle the larger ones as momentum builds. Enlisting your family or co-workers is a great way to start the ball rolling. Working in teams is much more fun than trying to go it alone. There are great tips on the net for getting organized. My associate Janet Barclay at http://www.organizedassistant.com/ is a Professional Organizer who has some excellent advice at her web site. For anyone needing to outsource administrative tasks while you work on your organization plan, give me a call or see my web site http://www.erikamartlew.com/.
Happy de-cluttering!!

How do you define Success?

2007-09-05T18:42:00.000-04:00

You may have heard the saying "no success in business makes up for failure at home" (or something like that). I've been thinking about success lately as I started out my home-based business. I also look at people I work with who put their jobs ahead of their family time or leisure time. Their families beg to schedule time with them. Working can definitely be more interesting and stimulating. It is much more exciting than trying to converse at a 3-year old level, or bake cookies. I stayed home for 13 years raising my children. It is not easy, but the rewards are well worth it. Now I am working full time and working part time at a home-based business. My philosophy is that your family comes first before all else. Otherwise, why did anyone choose to have children just to have them raised by day care staff and babysitters, and then wonder why they have problems. I firmly believe a parent's job is to raise good, responsible, respectful kids, and that means sacrifice (personal time, material things, etc.). Business success is secondary. What do you think?

Being Thankful

2007-08-25T20:54:00.000-04:00

I went to a business breakfast meeting a while ago and just recently found the notes that I took during the keynote speaker's presentation. She had us write down 3 things that we are thankful for. I wrote "my family, a good secure job and living in Canada". When I think of what people in other countries are going through, it's easy to be thankful for what we enjoy, or sometimes take for granted. If you can start you day with positive, happy thoughts, giving thanks to God, it will be a better day. I have learned to slow down, stay in the moment as much as possible, and absorb the good things around me. Whether it be good people I work with, a comfortable home, the love of my family, or the health that I enjoy. I certainly could be in better health, but I'm reasonably satisfied with where I am right now. Someone said "when one person shines, we all gain". We can be enriched by others talents and gifts and share in their experiences. Take a moment each day and be thankful. It will make you shine.

You Have Networked - Now What?

2007-08-12T19:42:00.000-04:00

The best way to begin networking is to ask questions of the other person and their company. Learn what you can about them and their interests. When asking for their business card, ask who would be their best client so you can help them get referrals. Develop a data base of all the contacts you make with notations that remind you of your meeting. Cultivate a business relationship over a period of time. Keep in touch by sending them something of interest or value so they know you are thinking of them. Developing a business relationship will lead to opportunities for both parties. Wouldn't you refer someone that you know and have dealt with in the past? The same will happen to your business. Guess what? By fostering a strategic business friendship, you will be "top of the mind" when the opportunity for that referral comes up. Peter Drucker said 30 years ago, the purpose of business is "to create and keep a customer". That is still true today. Eventually your networking efforts will pay off.

How to Get An Endless Supply of Referrals

2007-08-09T12:20:00.000-04:00

I just finished reading a book called Endless Referrals. It was written a couple of years back, but the practises are common and have been used for a long time. The main thought is that the average person knows 250 people who they come in contact with throughout their lives. The first step in gaining referrals is to develop a relationship with your circle of people. As you offer to do things for them, without any expectations, you will build trust and a mutual friendship. Over time and as your circle comes to know, respect and trust you, referrals will start to come in from those you have helped. You now have access to their circle of 250 people. You can see how the ball starts to roll and your network expands. However, the main concept is to be a genuine, caring giver first. Then it becomes human nature that those you have helped will want to help you too by sending business your way.

www.erikamartlew.com

Back On Line

2007-08-05T14:40:00.000-04:00

It has been a very stressful week. My web site (and subsequently, My Blog) have been down. It took me several phone calls over the course of a few days to the domain registrar as well as my host server to figure out how to get back up, which we managed to do today. YAY!!! I am so relieved. There is nothing worse than feeling disconnected and wondering if people are trying to view your site only to get a Parked Page message. Thank goodness I have lots of patience. Godaddy sent me a customer survey to complete, and they are certainly going to get my 2 cents worth. Anyway, hopefully all will be well again in my world and I can continue merrily blogging and writing articles.

Managing your Emails

2007-07-26T09:51:00.000-04:00

I wanted to share with you how I manage to keep my Inbox down to about 6 emails, tops.
1. I do a quick scan as I open my emails to see if there is anything urgent.
2. As I open and read each email, I take action immediately. I don't read it and then go on to the next email. I decide whether it requires action from me or is it an information email.
3. If it requires a response, I do it right away. If I cannot respond right away, I leave it in the inbox for now.
DON'T OPEN THE NEXT EMAIL UNTIL YOU HAVE DEALT WITH THIS ONE.
4. If it is an information email, I decide whether I may need to refer to it in the future. If so, I save it in one of my personal folders. If I don't think I will need it again, I delete it.
DON'T OPEN THE NEXT EMAIL UNTIL YOU HAVE DEALT WITH THIS ONE.
By the time I have read through all my emails for the day, I should only have the action items left in my inbox that I can't respond to right away until I have gathered more information.
So that's my method. It has worked for me for years. People are amazed that my inbox is not overflowing like theirs is. Saves me a lot of stress and time in not having to re-read messages.
Try it and let me know if it works for you.

Visit my web site at www.erikamartlew.com

Business Coach - Expense or Investment

2007-07-13T10:33:00.000-04:00

As I have been growing my Virtual Assistant business over the past few months, and getting very overwhelmed and stressed out with demands, I decided it was time to hire a Coach. I was fortunate to be able to find exactly the support I needed in marketing my services and especially learning how to optimize my web site and learn more about internet marketing. My coach, Tawnya Sutherland, from http://www.mediamage.com/ has been invaluable in helping me move along and to focus on specific areas. Through our weekly teleconferences, she gave me expert advice, suggested areas to work on, provided constructive criticism and feedback and steered me to helpful resources. Hiring a Business Coach should not be considered an expense, but an investment in yourself and your business. You will see immediate results.

Erika

For all your Virtual Assistant needs, visit my web site at http://www.erikamartlew.com/.

Building Stress Resistance

2007-07-06T13:35:00.000-04:00

I attended a seminar yesterday on Adrenal Fatigue. When I ask friends it they have ever heard of it, the answer was "no". I found out about this 21st century epidemic from a newsletter I receive on women's health issues. What an eye-opener the seminar was. We learned about how constant stress (whether good or bad) can eventually fatigue your adrenal glands which can lead to all kinds of problems, including energy production, electrolyte balance and fat storage. The adrenals are responsible for producing over 50 hormones, one of which is cortisol. You've probably heard about that I'm sure. It controls our immune system. Some people who end up off work with a stress disorder, may find out that they have adrenal fatigue. It is becoming a common problem because of our busy lifestyles, lack of relaxation, sleep deprivation, poor eating habits or excessive caffeine intake, which all combine and have a cumulative effect on our overall health. The good news is that simple changes can work to build stress resistance and help the adrenals function properly. For more information, a suggested book is "Adrenal Fatigue, the 21st Centure Stress Syndrome" by James L. Wilson.

Visit my web site at www.erikamartlew.com

6/13/07
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Increasing Sales Through Great Customer Service

2007-06-26T09:36:00.000-04:00

It goes without saying that to develop a good reputation which will result in repeat sales and loyal customers, providing excellence in customer service is key. Word of mouth referrals are often a business's best source of gaining new customers. Then it is up to the business to keep those new customers by developing a trustworthy relationship with them. Get to know your clients and develop a level of trust through honest information exchange. Customers need to feel welcome and know that their business is appreciated. Listen and respond to their needs, perceiving what they are trying to accomplish through an open and candid conversation and then remove any barriers to meeting those needs. Knowledgeable customers are willing to pay for excellent service and will go to the businesses that provide it. When you create a positive atmosphere in your business through friendly and courteous service, your business will flourish through repeat sales and long-time customers.

Erika is a Virtual Assistant who provides help to small businesses and entrepreneurs.
Visit my web site at www.erikamartlew.com