Claiming your Vanity URL on Facebook is really simple, just follow the steps below:

1. Go to www.facebook.com/username
2. Login to Facebook if you aren’t already
3. Click ‘Set a Username for your Pages’
4. This brings up a drop down menu, select the page you want to create the username for – remember, your page needs to have 25 likes!
5. Enter your desired username and click on ‘check availability’
6. If it’s available, you will be shown some final terms – if you are happy with your choice click ‘confirm’ or select ‘cancel’ and try another option

So what are you waiting for – get 25 likes for your page and claim your vanity URL today!

I am also a member of several Virtual Assistant Forum, on one particular forum a VA raised an issue she was having with a potential client, as the discussion progressed, it was discovered that it actually affected several other Virtual Assistant’s on the list and although I wasn’t affected, I was blown away by the support and advice that other VA’s on the forum gave each other, I am very fortunate to belong to such a great community of Virtual Assistants that support, encourage and inspire each other!

Seriously, Wednesday morning’s breakfast was the highlight, Peter was such a great speaker and imparted such valuable information.

Hope your week has ticked along nicely, what was your highlight?

• You don’t ask, you don’t get
• At some time you have to draw a line in the sand and deal with a problem
• You can change a mindset if you have a vision and stay focused

Building a Brand / Business

1. Start with a Plan (Where do you want to be in three years? How big do you want to be?  What are the barriers to achieve this?
2. You need to have Partners (Business Partners – how are you going to deal with disagreements? Staff – when you get the right people in your team (or on the bus) you will go great places)
3. Build relationships with your Suppliers
4. Develop a ‘Yes’ face – say ‘No’ with a ‘Yes’ face (see the alarm clock as an opportunity clock)
5. Keep learning – use your car as a university (listen to CD’s / audio books while driving)
6. Relationships – get along with people
7. Stop messing with dead things
8. Vision – have a vision, without a vision you will lose focus, visualise your business and what it will be like
9. Marketing – Marketing Pie Chart (get all your collateral together and have a look at what message you are sending to your customers – is your branding consistent?).  Learn to stand out, don’t do what everyone else is doing (Great book, Purple Cow by Seth Godin)

The opportunity to grow in business is usually up to you!

Great way to start the morning and I particularly like thinking of the alarm clock as an opportunity clock!  Have you heard a speaker that really motivated and inspired you?  What was your key learning?

Here is a summary of what was covered:

What is the purpose of a meeting?
The purpose of a meeting is to exchange idea and to obtain an outcome that can be successfully implemented.

Agenda
An effective agenda provides an outline for the meeting, it provides a focus for the meeting.  Be careful not to cram too much into the agenda, there needs to be time for discussion.

Time
Start on time and finish on time, so simple yet SO important.  Try and choose a suitable time for people, if you can please everyone, then alternate the day or time for the next meeting.

Environment
Make sure the room is large enough, has adequate seating.  A u-shape or boardroom setup works best as attendees can all see each other.

Leader / Facilitator / Chair
The leader / facilitator / chair should control the flow of the meeting and ensure it meets the meeting objectives.  The leader / facilitator / chair should be motivated, enthusiastic and be a role model for the other committe members.

Group Members
Group / Committee members should prepare for meetings by reading documents and reports prior to the meeting and then after the meeting, completing any actions assigned to them.

Minutes:

• are a legal document that may be presented as evidence in a Court of Law
• comprise the official record of the organisation
• must include:
• date and time of meeting
• who attended and who put in an apology
• correspondence
• business transacted and decisions made, including the wording of all motions
• actions taken
• time of closure
• indicate action to be taken in relation to the business of the organisation and should identify who will take that action
• should be concise and record important happenings, decisions made and actions to be taken
• must be dated and numbered.  If they are computer generated, a space should be left at the bottom of each page for signature by the chairman or acceptance
• Must record the exact wording of all motions, should be written in neutral language and should only record facts, not opinions

Usually it is the secretary’s responsibility to take the minutes but if the organisation is large and the secretary is particularly busy then it is quite in order to appoint a minute secretary.

Preparing for the AGM
The President, Secretary and Treasurer all have a role to play before the AGM.  These task vary depending on the group or organisation.

The AGM should be chaired by the President and the meeting usually has the following components:

• Welcome and Apologies
• Minutes
• Correspondence
• Annual Report
• Annual Finacial Statement
• Elections
• General Business
• Guest Speaker
• Conclusion

If you would a copy of the notes, please feel free to email me and I would be happy to scan them and send them to you.

It also highlighted how important it is to have your systems and processes well documented, it just makes it so much easier for anyone to complete tasks you would normally do.

How was your week?  What made you LOVE being a business owner?

Tip: Check your local council website for course and workshops, this workshop was only $15 as it was heavily subsidised by the Council, it would have normally cost $400!!!

Professional Development is a really important part of my business and although it takes time away from being able to work with clients, the skills and knowledge that I do learn benefit my clients!

What was the highlight of your week?

This week has been a little quieter than last week, although still a little manic!  A couple of last minute client requests made things challenging but overall a good week!

Quick Tip: So simple but write you To Do List at the end of the day for the following day.  When I do this, I am more focused and productive.

How has your week been, what was your highlight?

Note: I don’t know how I could forget but I got an iPhone during the week, about time!  We are slowly getting to know each other but so far we are getting on pretty well!!