The Bilingual VA

Proactive assistance for the hispanic small business owner

What Do Climbers and Solopreneurs Have in Common? Both Need a Basecamp

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climbingpaperAs a solopreneur, unpredicable economic conditions might make you feel uneasy. You are steadily climbing, acting proactively to reach your goals, but you definitely need a shelter or base camp to ensure you’ll reach the summit.

So what would that shelter be for solopreneurs? I strongly believe the answer is organization. There are many methods and tools that will help you reach the summit. As a solopreneur, I regularly stop by my own “Basecamp.”

Basecamp is a project collaboration tool that [Read more…]

How to Convert Your Weaknesses into Strengths

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As a small business owner, you are almost certainly enthusiastic, constantly learning new things, and always seeking to improve both your business and personal skills. One challenge you may face is how to convert your weaknesses into strengths. You may have even gone through your business and/or personal SWOT Analysis (strategic planning method used to evaluate a business’ Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats). But are you taking the next step that will allow you to convert those weaknesses into strengths?

Small business owners are multi-tasking kings and queens who divide their time, energy and mental space between activities they:

  1. enjoy, know how to do and do well (strength, energizing, profitable);
  2. enjoy, but don’t do well and just muddle through (weakness, time-wasting, inefficient);
  3. do well, but don’t enjoy (weakness, energy-drain);
  4. hate doing, don’t do well, don’t have the skills, knowledge or tools to do and don’t have the time or interest in learning (huge weakness, demoralizing energy-zapper, creates procrastination).

When you spend time on business activities or tasks that you don’t enjoy, that you don’t do well, or that you don’t have the knowledge or tools to do properly, you are focusing on weakness. This creates unprofitability and inefficiency in your business and will have you putting in an enormous number of hours and effort desperately trying to keep up.

Is this a wise or productive thing to do? Wouldn’t it be smarter to stop engaging in those activities that are time and energy-draining to you? The easiest and most cost-effective way to convert those weak spots into strengths is by delegating that work. Dedicate your precious time and efforts to what you enjoy, do best and which are the best use of your time.

Your best alternative is to find someone who will work with you on an ongoing basis. This will allow you to really count on literally forgetting about your weaknesses. A professional Virtual Assistant is an effective collaborative partner who will work with you on a continuous basis so that you can focus on your strengths, grow your business and increase revenue. You’ll be increasing the hours you have to focus on your core strengths and be able to leverage the skills, knowledge and tools a professional Virtual Assistant brings to the relationship into a strength for your business. You’ll be happier–and so will your business!

Vicky Miles, The Bilingual VA

RESOURCE: For help on getting started delegating, read these past articles in the Gritty Business Buzz: “5 Steps to Start Delegating” and “Getting the Delegation Process Going.“

Marketing Tip for Men: Dare to Talk As Much As Women Do!

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marketing tips for men

As you probably know, there are tons of interesting, effective and proven marketing techniques and strategies. But for men, there’s an easy one that’s often overlooked: Dare to talk as much as women do.

Why do I say this?

Because women really care about relationships. They are naturally inclined to talk about anything and everything, and readily share knowledge and contacts with their friends, colleagues and clients. They are born networkers, and this natural disposition is definitely a marketing asset.

Once you understand the importance of relationships, of creating true bonds, establishing trust and rapport with your prospective clients will come much more easily. When relationships are established with people who have come to know and like you, more word-of-mouth referrals (often the prime source for new clients) will come your way.

Effective networking is about the relationships you create. There are many ways to network online and offline, but remember–none of the marketing techniques or strategies will be as effective unless you are out there talking to people.

Dare to talk as much as women do!

Vicky Miles, The Bilingual VA

RESOURCE: LinkedIn Answers is a great place to network. You can ask and answer questions, and recommend links on topics being discussed. You get to know people by their opnions and expertise, and, of course, increase your LinkedIn contacts at the same time.

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