The following are questions I’m asked most often. If you have a question that’s not listed here, please contact me.
How do I know if I need a Business Solutions Specialist?
When you envision a successful business, what does it look like? More clients? More time with your family and friends? The opportunity to travel for pleasure? More time for YOU? Are you achieving the goals and dreams you had when you started your business?
Or do you find yourself feeling overwhelmed, wishing there were more hours in the day, and starting to think that you’re stretched to the limit mentally, physically, and emotionally? If you find yourself nodding your head as you read this paragraph, it may be time to consider collaborating with someone who can help you turn your vision in to a reality.
A Business Solutions Specialist can be the answer when you want continued support (but not on a full-time basis) or when you have a specific project with which you need assistance.
Why is working with you a good option?
From a practical perspective, because I’m a business owner, you are not responsible for any employee-related taxes, insurance, or benefits. And, because I run my business from my home-based office, you avoid the logistical problem of providing extra office space, equipment, or supplies for me.
For those clients who want occasional face-to-face meetings, assistance, etc., I’ve supported local clients with everyday tasks and traveled to other parts of the country to support clients with their events.
To ensure all your needs are met, I have a broad network of resources that include virtual assistants and local business owners that provide a variety of skills, other entrepreneurs, and various companies with whom I often do business. All have proven track records of good service.
What makes you a Business Solutions Specialist?
Prior to starting my business in 2006, I developed more than 30 years of employment and consulting experience as a technical writer, instructional designer, trainer and project manager. I’ve worked with such companies as Sprint Nextel, Intuit, Toshiba America, Disney Imagineering, and Harrah’s Casino.
Some of my accomplishments include:
- Establishing and managing a training department for a new technical support/customer service call center.
- Managing staffs ranging in size from 1 to 200, with a maximum of 5 managers reporting to me.
- Serving as project leader for 20+ projects, including being designated as my department’s Beta project leader for over 10 new and upgraded Intuit software products.
- Designing, authoring, and producing user manuals, training materials, job aids, etc. for domestic and international audiences.
- Planning and executing a budget of $3.8 million to within 2% of my original projection.
- Designing and writing two company newsletters distributed to a worldwide audience of 900+ readers.
There’s a lot of satisfaction in taking a problem and finding a resolution that works better for my clients. To achieve that, I sometimes work in collaboration with others and, at other times, I work on my own. I understand and value both approaches.
The bottom line for me is that I work with you to brainstorm and develop ideas to improve and expand your business, taking your vision and making it a reality.
Who is your “ideal client” for a long-term relationship?
My ideal client is most often a business or life coach who has been in business for three to ten years and focuses on working with entrepreneurs. I’m also open to considering other entrepreneurs who have the same personal and business values as my ideal client.
Some of the personal values in which my ideal client believes and practices include:
- Clear and calm communications.
- Integrity in relationships.
- A balance between her work and personal life.
- A belief in accountability for her actions.
- Living within her monetary means.
- Respectful, compassionate, and empathetic of others.
Some of her business values include:
- Being passionate about the work she does.
- Is reliable and decisive, working hard to meet her commitments.
- Appreciates input from and work performed by others.
- Avoids hidden agendas.
- Continuously seeks ways to improve her business
- She is a “what-you-see-is-what-you-get” kind of person … always her authentic-self.
- Her goal is to maintain organization and work on continually improving all aspects of her business.
My ideal client and I work to build a mutual trust and respect for one another and there is no game playing. We bring out the best in each other and are always our authentic selves.
How do we determine if we’re a good fit to work together on a long-term basis?
We have one telephone conversation that lasts about 60 minutes.
The first part of our conversation gives us the opportunity to get to know each other and see if our personalities are a good fit for working together.
During the second portion of our conversation, we discuss the logistics and standards of our respective businesses. For example, I will ask questions like:
- What are your short- and long-term goals for your business?
- What is currently your biggest obstacle for achieving those goals?
- Where do you feel you need my support the most?
- How would you describe your communications when things are going well? When mistakes are made?
In regards to working with a Business Solutions Specialist, I’ll also ask about your concerns, expectations, etc.
At the conclusion of the call, we’ll both know if we want to move forward with a working relationship.
What is your fee structure?
Long-term clients are charged a flat hourly rate. So, you only pay for the hours worked during that month. You’ll receive a weekly email from me indicating the total number of hours worked month to date. Then, at the end of the month, you are invoiced for the hours worked and any expenses incurred on your behalf.
For project work, the hourly rate is determined by the skills required to complete the project. When bidding on a project, I consider a number of things, such as project scope, requirements budget, time frame, resources, payment schedule, etc. and we agree on a payment schedule. Each week, you’ll receive an email from me indicating the total number of hours worked on the project to date.
What software do you use?
Client needs vary and often drive my use of specific software. The software I currently use includes:
Communication systems
- CommuniKate
- FreeConferenceCalling.com
- FreedomVoice
- Skype
- Spiderphone (a conference call teleconferencing service)
- Survey Monkey
- Windows Live Messenger
- Yahoo Messenger
Documentation/Information tools
- Adobe Acrobat Reader
- Information Mapping (a formatting and documentation process used to analyze, organize, and present information more effectively)
- Microsoft Office 2010 (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, and Outlook)
- Mindjet MindManager (a mind-mapping tool)
- PDF Create
- Sugar CRM (a customer relationship management tool)
- WinZip
Online tools
- Adobe Connect (an online meeting room)
- Constant Contact
- DropBox
- Groove
- MaxEmail
- Mozy (an online back-up system)
- Mozilla Firefox Internet browser
- SmartSheet
- USPS Click-N-Ship
- YouSendIt.com
Merchant accounts
- Authorize.net
- PayPal
Social media
In addition, I am familiar with WordPress and can assist clients with updates and maintenance of their websites and blogs.
