Wisconsin Virtual Assistant Services

Wisconsin Virtual Assistant: Redefining Your Services

2008-01-01T11:36:00.000-06:00

Happy New Year Everyone!

Have you refined your New Year's Resolution? Redefining your services, taking a look at your Business Plan, and Marketing Plan also links directly into defining your boundaries as a human. We all need boundaries and our businesses are no exception.

Why boundaries? Boundaries help us maximize our effectiveness and minimizing our hard work. This is the Work Smarter not Harder mentality.

What is it that you do well? What is it that you bundle into your services that you would rather not do? Why don't you like doing it? Is it because it eats up your time from doing the other things you enjoy doing? Does it keep you connected to your PC more than you want? Is it not your forte? Why do you do it then? If you identify all of those, then you will find your path to not doing it. You can phase out those services, or just stop offering them. Does it mean taking it off of your website? Then do it. It will help your sanity as well as better hone your skills in the tasks you like.

For more information on creating boundaries, look up ALANON. Yes, ALANON. Why? Because we all need to contend with boundaries. Boundaries with home, family and yes, work. ALANON helps to classically define how to deal with boundaries. I believe they might have been the first organization to do so. You can pay a coach, pay a therapist, or take a look at ALANON. All have the same advice. Define your boundaries and then work on some tools for yourself to help maintain/enforce them.

Your business will be better for it because you focus on the items you do best, not the stuff you feel you have to do.

Take care and again Happy New Year!

Very best regards,

Gretchen Koehler-Swaney
Prairie Business Partners LLC
http://www.prairebusinesspartners.com/

Business Travel: Another Example of 24 Hour Help Needed

2007-12-10T09:39:00.000-06:00

I just talked to my sister this weekend whose husband owns his own business. His drafting company requires him to travel a lot. He is currently located in St. Croix and they frequently experience loss of connectivity to the internet and even power.

His Needs: He needs to go to a restaurant and get food. He needs a rental car, and he needs cash. He even needs to turn in his timesheet! All of these are things a Virtual Assistant can do for him! Prairie Business Partners LLC in particular is his answer. He calls on the last battery power he has on his cellphone providing the address of his hotel and most immediate need: lunch. Prairie Business Partners LLC locates a restaurant for him within walking distance. Makes reservations and even prepays for him, or arranges for the restaurant to deliver if possible. Next, Prairie Business Partners LLC locates a car rental company such as Enterprise that will pick him up. Based on car requirements (compact, convertible, etc.) Prairie Business Partners LLC can even prepay or merely reserve the car for him. Prairie Business Partners LLC then locates a Western Union, American Express or other such office for cash wire. Finally, he relays his hours to go on his timesheet.

Prairie Business Partners LLC then calls CEO back and provides information and emails or faxes off the timesheet to his office in Illinois.

Why do people continue to struggle in this high pressure world?

There is help out there! We are just a phone call away!

Take care,

Gretchen Koehler-Swaney
Prairie Business Partners LLC
http://www.prairiebusinesspartners.com/

Comparison of Delta’s Sky Programs

2007-11-23T23:59:00.000-06:00

Comparison of Delta’s Sky Programs
What is Delta SkyMiles? Delta SkyMiles is Delta Airlines frequent flier program where members earn free flights when they accrue a certain number of mileage points based on actual miles flown.
Basic Way to A Free Flight: When SkyMiles members earn 25,000 miles, they get a free flight (economy class/SkySAAver). For different levels of service, members require higher levels of mileage points.
How Points Are Awarded: Points are awarded for flights on Delta and its airline partners. Also, members earn miles when using Delta business partners. These partners include hotels, rental cars, cellphone companies, restaurants, and others.
How Points Are Redeemed: Points are redeemed for free flights, magazine subscriptions, and select offers.

Delta’s SkyBonus program is designed to provide a special value for US companies that spend less than $500,000 per year on Delta and Delta Connection® flights originating in the United States and for foreign companies which spend less than $100,000 on Delta flights originating outside the United States. Companies that have negotiated discount fare agreements and travel agencies, wholesalers, consolidators, and other sellers of travel are not eligible to participate in this program.

What are some of the differences between Delta SkyMiles and Delta’s SkyBonus?
1. Individuals who are frequent flyers participate in the Delta SkyMiles and Companies participate in Delta’s SkyBonus.
2. If Companies are enrolled in Delta’s SkyBonus, the company’s members do not have to be enrolled in Delta’s SkyMiles.
3. If a Company’s members are enrolled in Delta’s SkyMiles, and participate in Delta’s SkyBonus, the members can participate in the benefits of being in Delta SkyMiles.

Happy Travels!

Gretchen Koehler-Swaney
Prairie Business Partners LLC
www.prairiebusinesspartners.com

Business Travel and Being Civil

2007-11-23T23:20:00.000-06:00

Did anyone watch NBC News on November 19, 2007 "Skivvies are the new civic duty." TSA is now telling us how to pack. I've had enough.

I've had a recent discussion with a long time Psychologist about Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. I believe - and I'm not a psychologist - that when we travel whether for business or not, we are actually exposed to such trauma that we are challenged as human beings to remain civil.

For instance, I was recently in Phoenix's Sky Harbor Airport traveling alone with my 3 kids who each had their own bag to carry and put on the conveyor belt, etc. I was, of course, in charge of everything else including all of the car seats, stroller, and toys necessary for a successful trip (not to mention the safety of my 3 kids). As soon as we were approaching the metal detector, we began placing all of our paraphernalia on the belt when a loud rude TSA agent starts yelling “Place all of your items on the belt; place all of your items on the belt; place all of your items on the belt.” Since I was doing just that I ignored her. When her nagging rude voice wouldn’t stop, I looked up and she was looking in my general direction and it appeared she was addressing my 7 year old who was wrestling with his bag, coat, and shoes. While I was helping my daughters disrobe, her caustic rudeness grew louder and louder. I finally said, “Layoff he’s only 7!” She immediately responded “Ma’am I am addressing you.” I replied “Yes, and I am addressing you.” After we finally made it through metal detector Hell and I gave her the dirtiest look I could muster – God forbid any civil bone in her body allow her the decency to help me with all of my stuff. She then decided I needed to have the hand wand. During this adventure in mindless gerbil activity, I proceeded to witness another traveler steal another person’s sweater off of the conveyor and then another passenger drop her coat. I dragged all of my stuff out of the way and had my daughter catch up to the coat dropper and to the sweater stealer I grabbed the arm of the person whose sweater it was and said “She is walking off with your sweater I believe.” Nice security. Boy do I feel safe!\

This in tense lack of civility can only be called trauma and yes, indeed, since I am still talking about it, I must have experienced Post Traumatic Stress Disorder in albeit a much smaller dose than from a war, but still a shock just the same, as that psychologist agreed.

We all go through it. From the airport vendor who doesn’t give you the right change, to the rude Frenchman who cuts in line, to the McDonalds employees giving away the store for $5.00 no matter what your order. Where are these people coming from? We all stand in horror as we watch it happen to other people and wonder how that is possible. We hear about folks stuck on the tarmac for hours while the toilet facilities get over run before the flight even leaves the ground. What an intense feeling of entrapment that must be! How is that okay? The only way that will change is if we make a stand and disallow that sort of rudeness to prevail.

What can we do? We must attack this problem on two fronts: 1. Standing up for ourselves at the ticket counters, the lunch counters and the security lines. We cannot fight rudeness with rudeness however. When every fiber of our being seeks to scream, dump our baby formula on the floor and go into hysterics (so we can be cuffed, led to a room and left to die) and the like, we have to draw on our reserves and be the better people but demand civility: civility in ourselves, civility when dealing with each other and with those TSA agents who could give a crap - they are being paid no matter what they say anyway. 2. Writing the airlines, TSA, our Representatives and anyone else who has an address as well as participate in our ultimate power: voting. Isn’t it interesting that the civil liberties being taken away are actually causing us to be less civil? We need to take them back by being more civil. Folks, we have been tortured long enough!

Travel safe!

Gretchen Koehler-Swaney
Prairie Business Partners LLC
www.prairiebusinesspartners.com

Business Travel - Pack Like a Pro

2007-11-23T23:13:00.000-06:00

Traveling for business is a pain and with the additional requirements of the TSA, here are some tips for packing well.

1. Wear your business suit on the plane and then take it off once you get to the hotel.

2. Bring wrinkle resistant shirts and pants. Folding shirts: button shirts every other button; hold up by the shoulders and fold back the arms; fold back the shoulders then fold back the shirt tail and then once more and set aside. Pants: Hold up pants by the cuffs (this makes the pants straighten out with the weight of the heavier part of the pants). Meet seams including inseams and outer seams. Fold over pants in half. Fold pants in half again.

3. Packing your suitcase: Shoes go on the bottom. In between the shoes, put in socks and underwear to make a flat surface; layer pants or sweaters or jeans (heaviest on the bottom); then layer shirts or lighter items on top; lingerie on top (slips, nylons, light nightgowns and the like).

4. Shampoo, toothpaste, deodorant, and other liquids downsize and put into small bottles put them in a plastic zip top bag. Put this in the inside zipper section of your suitcase, it will be protected from leaking on your clothes by the zip top bag, and the zipper section.

5. Necessities while traveling: Downy Wrinkle Release, and your own Personal Assistant for those emergency times.

Today, it is easier to get through Security without a carry-on. Check whatever you can. The probability of the airline losing your luggage is pretty low. If the airline does lose your luggage, at least you have your suit (remember you are wearing it). Underwear and deodorant are easier and cheaper to replace than your suit.

Happy Traveling!

Gretchen Koehler-Swaney
Personal Assistant to Business Travelers
Prairie Business Partners LLC
http://www.prairiebusinesspartners.com/
847-476-2183

Business Travel 24/7 Emergency Help

2007-11-16T08:20:00.000-06:00

How long does it take you to setup ground transportation from one hotel to another in your business travels? 4 hours? 2 hours? How much do you want to spend? Have you been tracking how much it should be costing you?

A virtual assistant can be doing all of that for you. At Prairie Business Partners LLC we are gathering that information all the time in our service for our clients. We are gaining more and more of the latest industry knowledge every day that makes us the best when it comes to knowing how much you should be charged, the type of service you can expect and we'll get you there with your proposals and PowerPoint presentations completed.

What about that newsletter you've been needing to start? Prairie Business Partners LLC can help with that as well. Virtual Assistants can help you with those items taking up too much of your time already.

Contact Prairie Business Partners LLC today at http://www.prairiebusinesspartners.com/ .

We're there for you 24/7!

Safe travels!
Gretchen Koehler-Swaney
Prairie Business Partners LLC
www.prairiebusinesspartners.com

Virtual Assistant Emergency: Emergency 24/7 Services

2007-11-16T08:07:00.000-06:00

Dear Client,

In this post, I'll share with you some ideas to give your Virtual Assistant.

1. Corporate Holiday Greeting Cards. Have you finished yours yet? Have you asked your VA if your VA has done his/her own yet? You may be surprised to hear the answer. Did you even think that your VA might be doing Corporate Holiday Cards? Yes, Virtual Assistants are running their own businesses and as such have to foster relationships like all other Entrepreneurs and Business Owners. Your VA will probably have great ideas on where to find inexpensive well-made Holiday Greeting Cards.

2. Corporate Gifts. Where are the best places to purchase Corporate Gifts? What are the newest trends in Corporate Gifts? Your VA knows! Ask!

3. Personal Shopping. Just tell your VA what you need and she'll get it delivered to you! She could probably even do your Christmas shopping for you.

4. Emergencies. Yes, even corporate executives have emergencies. Your rental car isn't available and you need a ride from one hotel to another. Call your VA and she'll find you an inexpensive limo service to take you point-to-point. While you wait.

Missed a deadline? Did you know that there are On-Call Virtual Assistants who run on adrenaline alone and love deadlines? Prairie Business Partners LLC is one (shameless self promotion). There are so many others that only you in the situation you find yourself can think of. How can you be more efficient? How can things be more efficient for you? Don't think of the technology; that is what the VA is there for.

Your job is to get your tasks done and achieve your goal: Success!

May you have an extremely productive day!

Take care,

Gretchen Koehler-Swaney
Virtual Assistant, Project Manager and Business Analyst
On-Call Virtual Assistance; We're Ready When You Are 24/7!
Call and see! 847-476-2183
Prairie Business Partners LLC
http://www.prairiebusinesspartners.com/

Business Travel 24/7 Virtual Assistant

2007-10-22T21:12:00.001-05:00

Business Travel is a growing industry. In many cases travel is a necessity with many jobs. The battle for the business travel dollar is a big one for many hotels and one thing that hotels can use to differentiate from other hotels is by providing 24/7 business services through the hotel.

Business services such as powerpoint presentation support, proposal creation and proposal management, word processing, event management and project management are all key in making sure business travelers stay productive and keep earning money while they are on the road.

Prairie Business Partners LLC is there to help you while you are on the road. Differentiate your hotel services with Business Travelers when you provide business services at your hotel 24/7.

Business Travel 24/7 Virtual Assistant

2007-10-22T21:01:00.000-05:00

Business Travel is hectic enough without having to worry about your work getting done.

Are you a Road Warrior? Do you travel extensively for work? Then you need to know Prairie Business Partners LLC. Prairie Business Partners LLC provides technical proposal management, power point presentation creation and word processing services for you when you need us.

Have you ever used Shipley's, that proposal management powerhouse that will come to your company to help you put out your proposal fast? Prairie Business Partners LLC will provide you with that type of robust services while you are on the road. Prairie Business Partners LLC provides 24/7 services when and where you need them.

If you are staying at the Amerisuites in Schaumburg, IL, you are already exposed to the type of services we provide.

Feel free to contact us at http://www.prairiebusinesspartners.com/.

Virtual Assistant and Why We Work for Ourselves

2007-10-19T00:05:00.000-05:00

I was asked one time to collect my experiences in the work place and create a book about why Virtual Assistants work, well, remotely. My goal would be to educate folks with a little humor to help drive points home hoping folks will learn from my mistakes.

I think I'd like to start off this series by rewinding to my first job out of college and my boss' boss to help paint a picture of why I thought working for myself can't be all that bad. First some background: I was working for a US Navy Contractor in Virginia and I supported a Surface Combatant. This was in 1989 and yes, this was before women were allowed on ships, before the Internet, and before anything was virtual. Back then, Business Support included putting on my pumps, another dose of lipstick and running to "The Navy" to deliver a report or letter. Yes, you are getting the irony here, I was required to support the technical equipment of a ship I wasn't allowed to board to even see what the equipment looked like.

So my Boss' Boss, we'll call him "Napolean" for obvious reasons, was tired of my boss being gone to the bars for lunch because he would come back to the office drunk. Everytime my boss would go out for lunch, I knew "Nappie" would come after me. This went on for about 3 years. The first year I didn't say a thing. The second year I cried (I was only 22 afterall) and the third year I yelled. One time, "Nappie" had gone too far and after answering his questions more professionally than I thought was in me, I knew that was it.

The next day a port hole/mirror on his wall found itself just slightly higher up on the wall so he couldn't reach it to look into it. I saw him the next day in his office, in the dark staring at that mirror wondering what had happened. Revenge can be a good thing.

A Road Warrior Dream

2007-10-12T22:43:00.000-05:00

Being a Road Warrior is a hard life. Changing planes with a 2 hour lay over just to save the company some money. Trying to check on emails in the airport lounge, or better yet, at the gate with your laptop wabbling on top of your knees. You are trying to get some work done. If you had an administrative assistant, this wouldn't be so hard. Wait! You do have an administrative assistant. She is Virtual and she assists business travelers, or Road Warriors like you complete your work on time.

All you have to do is send her an email, the rough draft of your slide presentation. Ask her to add the contents of an email you are forwarding on later in the right spot in the presentation, send it to Kinko's on Wells street in Chicago, across from your client and ask them to make 70 copies, print double sided, bind it, put on a cover and deliver it to your client. It should make it to the front desk before you do. Now you can put your headphones on and sleep on the plane. All you have to worry about now is what are you going to do with all of your free time in Chicago? Hmm...

Virtual Assistants and Business Travelers

2007-10-12T22:36:00.000-05:00

In Corporate America, how many times do we email the person in the next cube? How many times do we dial in to a meeting that is taking place just down the hall?

In this line of thinking, then, we are all there virtually, we are participating, it is just virtual. How much, then, is this a stretch to become a Virtual Assistant?

So why do we email the person next door? For the paper trail, right? If that person says he never got the email, we can quickly pull up our Sent messages and show that the communication existed.

What then is the difference if the person is next door or in the next state? The work gets done, the communication takes place.

Something to think about Virtually.

Gretchen Koehler-Swaney
Prairie Business Partners LLC
www.prairiebusinesspartners.com

Hotel Business Centers - what is the point?

2007-07-06T03:03:00.001-05:00

When a hotel provides a "Business Center" what is the expectation? That people who travel for business forget their PC and will use those in the Business Center? How many people actually use the Business Center? I've got to know!