by deniseaday on August 16, 2010
Here’s a handy email reminder tool I’ve been trying out since last week: Followup.cc (Thank you, WebWorkerDaily.)
Whenever you have an email containing an action item for later – whether a reply or some other type follow-up – you can forward it to [VALUE]@followup.cc. You’ll receive a reminder email at the designated day and/or time. If you’ve left the subject line intact, the reminder will attach to the same email thread.
There’s even a SNOOZE BUTTON! Say, for instance, you’ve got to work on that deliverable but just can’t get to it for another couple of hours. Simply click on the appropriate link in the email to snooze your reminder.
You can set reminders for a whole group, too – fellow panelists or board members, for example. But I would do so sparingly and carefully lest you invite their wrath.
How to set it and forget it:
- skim the email message
- optional, but my recommendation: capture your next action in your other systems as needed (calendar, project, task list, etc.)
- send off your reminder to followup.cc
- archive your message
Here’s a list of all the nifty features: http://www.followup.cc/faq.php
All you have to do to get started is sign up for a free account (choose your time zone) and add all the email addresses you’ll be sending from.
Want us to set this and more up for you in your Gmail (our specialty)? Give us a shout.
To your productivity and peace of mind,
Denise
by deniseaday on August 10, 2010
More from IVAA Live Summit 2010 (#IVAA10)…
I know this post – any post for that matter – is long overdue. But I just had to come back and wrap up the series by talking about the most important part of this conference by far: the people.
I often tell my clients, prospective clients and others that the virtual assistant industry is one of the most collaborative and supportive there is. So true. I was embraced from the time I started my business in 2006. My very first client was a VA colleague, and we worked together for almost three years. Near the beginning of our partnership I had the pleasure of meeting her in person at a VA conference in Dallas. All the wonderful people there made me realize that I’d chosen a pretty awesome profession.
Fast forward several years of business building and hard work without attending another VA conference until the IVAA Live Summit this spring in Phoenix. Boy, what I’ve been missing! Not to get too cumbaya, but it was one big smile and hug after another. Funny (interesting) to see who had changed since Dallas and who seemed exactly the same! Connecting and reconnecting with the folks I collaborate with in the forums and in serving our clients was fun and very gratifying.
The summit committees put together a great experience, including a (yummy) Welcome Evening Reception and Dinner with Strangers outing for organized networking. These two events, coming together for the hotel breakfasts, talking between sessions, and the many other spontaneous gatherings and conversations were my absolute favorite aspect of this conference. I’m still blown away by the camaraderie. Some of these are friendships that will last a lifetime.
Also striking was the high level of professional respect all around. I never felt an ounce of competition. It was all about how we could help and learn from each other. A common attitude of abundance. We impress upon our clients that “your success is my success”. This is true between virtual assistants as well. The more we help one another, the more successful we are and the better off our clients and the industry as a whole.
To wrap up and look ahead: I found out it takes a small village of volunteers to pull this off, so am serving on the 2011 Program Committee under Chairperson Carla Wilson. I can’t wait for next year’s live summit in May in Portland, Oregon!
If you want to know more or get involved, just let me know.
by deniseaday on May 18, 2010
More from IVAA Live Summit 2010 (#IVAA10)…
Marsha Petrie Sue, also our opening keynote speaker, was the perfect close, driving home the ideas of personal leadership and responsibility.
My key take-aways:
R&D – You are the company. Invest at least 2% of gross income in yourself yearly. Polish, improve and learn new tools to keep growing. This assuaged my last bit of guilt about spending on the IVAA conference, a very worthwhile investment.
Marsha went on to talk about good communications. This is HUGE for VAs – it makes our virtual mode of work possible.
Assertiveness (not aggressiveness) Model when dealing with challenging people
Have you ever tried to change another human being? I have — only to conclude it makes for great first marriages! – Marsha Petrie Sue
Assertive behavior allows us to stand up for our rights, while still valuing the rights of others. To say no – when that’s what’s called for to meet goals or establish boundaries – without feeling guilty and without losing a client. Tips for being assertive:
- Acknowledge or confirm the want, need, issue or conflict. Ask questions and dig deeper, if necessary.
- Use “I” language (I think, I want, I need, etc.).
- Provide two alternative solutions whenever you can. Let them choose.
It’s about mutual respect and that win-win situation.
Communication Styles
Marsha explained several general styles and recommended that we identify both our own and the other person’s, then flex our style to match the other’s more closely for better communication.
- People People – slower paced and people oriented.
- Party People – faster paced and people oriented.
- Planning People – slower paced and task oriented.
- Point People – faster paced and data oriented.
Aday VA clients, and their clients in turn, tend to be point people. I’ve personally “flexed” my style over time so as not to take offense at seemingly curt communications or to give them too much information or too many choices. I keep the niceties brief, summarize the data, and bottom line the results. More than 2-3 lines in an email is pushing it. Clear and concise! They’re appreciative and this people person is happy, too.
Listen Empathetically, Not Autobiographically – it’s not about you, so don’t make it so.
And finally, my action item…
Success Journal – Keep a notebook to jot down even the smallest of successes. This serves several purposes:
- Boosts self-confidence and motivation.
- Some positive self talk when we’re down. Wipe out our toxic thinking with reminders of our achievements.
- A handy record of our accomplishments. We have to take the lead in promoting ourselves. Be ready.
Related resources by Marsha on the above and more:
“Building Respect With Difficult People and Toxic Behavior”
“Smart Techniques to Encourage Cooperation”
Tools for Success
Take It. Leave It. Change It. – Marsha Petrie Sue
Next up: Good times, good people and a look ahead.
