Susan Sez... 

Susan Sullivan, Virtual Assistant

Innovative Concepts Virtual Assistance                      Volume 1, Issue 1 Susan@InnovativeConceptsVA.com                                                    October 30, 2004 www.InnovativeConceptsVA.com           

In this issue:
From the Desk of...
The Coach/Virtual Assistant Partnership
Business Tools - Groove Virtual Office

From the Desk of...

Welcome to the first edition of Susan Sez.  I just returned from a stimulating trip to Chicago where I attended the IVAA Summit for Virtual Assistants.  I had the great fortune to meet dynamic businesswomen from across the nation working their virtual assistant practices in a number of innovative ways.  In addition to the energy and enthusiasm this trip pumped into my business, I expanded my network of referral partners, mentors and friends.

It is my hope to share with you business tips as well as personal experiences that may help you in your business via this E-zine.

Enjoy!
Susan M. Sullivan
Virtual Assistant & Marketing Partner
Innovative Concepts Virtual Assistance

The Coach/Virtual Assistant Partnership

The Coach/Virtual Assistant partnership is a unique one.  Both professionals are small business owners and many times, solo entrepreneurs who complement each other beautifully.

Whether the Coach is focusing on working with individuals, gathering corporate clients or filling their pipeline for large speaking engagements, the Virtual Assistant can be a tremendous asset to their business.

Here are just some of the ways VAs can assist Coaches:

  • Research networking opportunities for the coach to meet prospective clients.

  • Coordinate the follow-up process.

  • Provide that "finishing touch" to stay connected to the prospect until they are ready for coaching.  Add depth and create an experience of the coaching process.

  • Handle communications (e-mail, phone, monthly E-zine).

  • Proactively identify speaking opportunities.

  • Negotiation terms of speaking engagements.

  • Oversee marketing strategy.

  • Assist with enrollment process for individual or group coaching.

  • Concentrate on return on investment (ROI) so coach feels s/he's getting money's worth.

  • Create a referral program and communicate the program to warm market.  Handle all follow-up.

Coaches understand how VAs work and vice versa.  I truly enjoy my coach clients and have settled into a niche working with energetic and creative women who coach.  I have my own Business & Life Coach, Cheryl Mann, Goals InSight Coaching.  Cheryl has helped me to attain both business and personal goals; and through my personal experience, I have gained a much better understanding of how I can best work with my coaching clients for their success.

Business Tools - Groove Virtual Office

From time to time we all discover a business tool that really makes life easier and enhances communication and efficiency.  One challenge all virtual assistants face is finding the most effective mode of communication to streamline our business and stay in touch with our clients.  We all strive to close the gap of miles between our clients and us to create a sense of being in the same office, or just a computer click away.

Groove Virtual Office is software that allows teams of people to work together over a network as if they were in the same physical location.  This enables you to store your files, projects, meetings, and data in one place so everyone on your team can access and update the information in "real time."

  1. Files - Upload documents to the "files section" so all "workspace members" can view.  The file can then be downloaded to your computer, changes made, and uploaded to share revisions with your client.  No need to fill up your client's e-mail box with attachments.
  2. Project Manager - List all of your current projects.  The client can see at-a-glance the status of each task.  No more long Excel spreadsheets.
  3. Status Reports - Ability to post weekly status reports on projects completed/not completed, hours used and projections for the following week.  No need for an additional reporting system to keep the client informed.
  4. Contacts - A self-contained address book for those contacts with which both you and your client are working.
  5. Discussion - A convenient place for an ongoing discussion about projects, documents, calendar, next steps.  Again, no need for endless e-mails.
  6. Chat - This chat function is highly effective for a quick question when your client is online or just to stay connected.
  7. Meetings - Set meetings with all logistical information, create an agenda for the meeting and post minutes of the meeting with action items for after the meeting.
  8. Calendar - The client uploads their calendar which enables others to make appointments and know the client's schedule.
  9. Web Links - A place to store all relevant websites to the current projects that you wish to share with your client.

For more information about Groove Virtual Office, visit www.groove.net.
 
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Innovative Concepts Virtual Assistance provides administrative and personal support to authors, coaches, speakers and small business owners.  If you're a busy professional and may not have the space or resources for full-time support, you may consider virtual assistance, and Innovative Concepts can help!  Visit us at www.InnovativeConceptsVA.com.

If you have any questions about Susan Sez, please feel free to send us an e-mail!  We love to hear from you.

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