The Virtual Wire

Numbers: 1701

“To boldly go where no one has gone before.” When Star Trek: The Next Generation premiered, a very different captain was in charge of the Enterprise, and the gender-neutral “one” replaced “man” in the introduction. Interestingly, the Enterprise had always been referred to as “Her” or "She" …

But I need to leave the subject of gender neutrality or preference to some other post! This post is about boldly going—even shaping—new frontiers.

Everyone has favourite quotes, or stories, or entire movies that influence or inspire them. As you’ve just seen, one of mine is Star Trek. Star Trek has always been about brave, bold, iconoclastic individuals who are unafraid to tackle the difficult issues in life, especially when confronting something new. I think that anyone who leaves the comfort of being dry-docked in a cubicle to flying solo in their own business qualifies as brave and bold. Such people are brave because they oftentimes leave a sure thing for something that may initially seem to them fraught with uncertainties. They are bold people because they made a decision and a commitment. They are individuals because they not only couch-surfed new frontiers, from a position of relative safety, but actually plunged into or helped forge new frontiers. These people are the sole proprietors or new business owners who are creating and supporting many wonderful adventures.

My decision to become a virtual assistant was based on several key things: I was inspired by one who had ‘gone before’, I was confident, I felt I could make a difference, I had something to share, I wanted to help people (and selfishly, be recognized for that), I was bold enough to make the leap, and perhaps most important of all, I wanted to be the one person who was responsible for my career. These factors, and more, should sound familiar to readers who similarly headed to their own new frontiers.

Being inspired doesn’t have to be a one-off: I know this from talking to many of my colleagues, my clients, and even to those who are thinking about progressing to the next liberating stage of their lives. Inspired is a state of mind. It is an idea. In those two things alone (and much more) it is indefatigable and unstoppable. It can be a constant force. And when it is, it further inspires.

Years ago I signed onto my own “1701”. I’ve been rewarded countless times, and I know that I’ve both earned the rewards and been praised by others who genuinely appreciate my work. There’s no end to new frontiers; if you haven’t already, it’s never too late to sign-on and to inspire others in the doing!

Numbers: 4701

Was it only two weeks ago that E and I were on a train, on the way home from Ottawa? How many times have we been on train "4701"? Over the past few years, I'd say 10 or more times. And every time, save perhaps one, it was about the journey...

And so I'd like to use the "journey" as a metaphor in discussing numbers, and this will be the first of several posts concerning numbers (or journeys). Every journey is like a delightful new game!

Just as when (both E and I) had decided to take AssistU's Virtual Training Program (VTP), so did we make a conscious decision to board another train. In the case of the VTP, it was a journey neither of us had been on before. In the case of the train, it was one we'd taken many times. In both cases, the journey counted large. The goal of each trip was different: in the first case, to acquire real-life skills (communication, Law of Attraction, business plan creation, and more). In the second case, the goal was to arrive in Ottawa (or in some cases Montréal). In both, there was a sustained and focused effort to be awake and very conscious so as not to let the journey go unnoticed.

Every facet of the journey counts: yes, even ones that strike us as negative. Not only do we learn from all experiences, we learn--if we have the option and awareness--to avoid repeating mistakes in the future. On a personal note, I want to know what my friends, family, students, and clients (in my virtual assistance business) think of me; 'good' or 'bad'. At least then, information in hand, I can make an intelligent and informed decision about whether I need to eradicate the 'bad', or augment the 'good'.

So I want to do 4701 again, just like I want to keep on the AssistU journey. Both things are possible, though now in different ways. Do you have a number--and a journey--you'd like to talk about?

What's your main message?

In a recent conversation with my friend (and fellow teacher) Cynthia, she told me she had come to realize that she was a "bridge builder". Where she could, she tried to forge bridges and connections between people (who should be connected). I liked that. I'm an ardent--some might say intensely passionate--proponent of communication and personal connections. I thought about what she said, and then was able to tell her what one of my main messages was.

I am a barrier breaker.

I try to diminish or 'destroy' barriers that are in the way of effective connections or communications. A similar take on Cynthia's message? Yes, I think so. In describing this part of my personality, I'd say that when barriers become clear to me--barriers that have or will cause distance between two or more people--I seek to dismantle or disarm them. It's frank; granted. It's sometimes intense. But the only way to do it is to acknowledge there is a barrier, and then directly confront it. One can do so compassionately, and I'd like to think I'm in that category.

So what are your main messages? What major benefits, canny or uncanny, do you freely bring to the world and the people in your world? Let us know ... that would be nice.

Does that compute?

One sunny, Saturday afternoon--when I should have been out enjoying the weather, but wasn't--E showed me a very dated article from Canadian Living. The title, "Make sure you compute", said it all ... well, it did at the time. I think I can update things a bit, as the article was dated October, 1991!

"Computer skills are now a workplace necessity." Imagine that. The heady 1980's, ushering in the era of personal computers, had just passed. In the early 1990's workplaces were in the throes of furnishing themselves with computers, or upgrading what they had, and investing in the latest and greatest software. The single most in-demand software program was (drum roll please): WordPerfect. In the early 1990's I was making a living from WordPerfect, having mastered many of its intricacies. Microsoft Word was running a close second--and oh, how a lot of marketing would soon change that--as was Excel to the then very popular Lotus 1-2-3. Around that time, I was doing nation-wide seminars on the two programs just mentioned.

Today, in my virtual assistance practice, I rely very heavily indeed on technology. I sometimes take or make telephone calls with a Bluetooth enabled headset. I use collaborative software to help manage my, my client's, and sometimes aspects of my community's files and projects; on that note, I've already said in the past that I love Groove. By the time you read this I will have learned about yet another new collaborative tool: Central Desktop (thanks Kathy). Periodically, I use tools like FileZilla (an excellent, and free, FTP client) or LogMeIn to access my PC remotely.

So I know I "compute", and that ties back into the Canadian Living article.

The question the article ended up on concerned the life cycle of one's computer skills. Though I'd argue the connection they made with WordPerfect when they said "Good programs don't die..." (not that it isn't a good program, but it has petered away to much of the world), I agree with their advice about training. If you don't specialize in one piece of software, or one suite, it's always wise to keep abreast of "future trends". On that note, yes, I'm looking ahead to the new version of Windows and of Office; both of which will be publicly available by this time next year.

The education piece

A huge part of my life, since the late 1980's, has been my other career hat: that of the trainer, presenter, and teacher. My interest in being on that end of education came about because I had a very keen interest in computers, and I had some university exposure to communications studies (public relations, public speaking, interpersonal skills, etc.). The two seemed to form the perfect blend in the late eighties. My first break was with the head office of a national drug store chain, and my first crack at teaching in a classroom environment came about with Seneca College, when I joined their continuing education faculty.

The richness in the classroom, and while spending time (and learning) with my teaching colleagues, does have its parallels; in fact, one of them is the richness I experience with fellow virtual assistants. The best place to do either is in person. Two weeks ago, I did both! I had an interesting conversation with Cynthia (a fellow teacher and friend), and many great conversations--and connections--with virtual assistants, while presenting at and attending FoVA 2009. FoVA itself, by the way, provided me with the opportunity of education and virtual assistance. Nice.

The education piece I'm speaking about can simply be called sharing. When both teachers and students are in abundance, have abundance to share, and have desire, the mix is extraordinarily rich.

Having been a trainer, presenter, and teacher for so long has brought one immensely important fact home: some teachers don't know what they are--but should--and many students, myself included, should take advantage of the teachers who are already there for them.

Say it out loud

There are so many sometimes funny, sometimes useful, and sometimes poignant truisms about what we should or should not, can or cannot do in life. One of those that has popped up for me recently is the just ask rule. Ask the universe and it will answer.

Did I say that out loud?

Asking isn't the same as whining or complaining. I've lived quite long enough, thank you, to learn that rule over and over again. Wait a tick; if I've had to learn it more than once, maybe I haven't lived quite long enough! Asking isn't the same as hoping, though hope is sometimes a good start. Asking isn't the same as demanding, or as being pushy or arrogant. Nor is asking the same as being insistent. Yikes: I've really gotten myself into it this time. It seems I know quite a few things about what asking isn't, and haven't nailed down what it is.

Asking, for me, has become a process with several logical, thoughtful steps. First, I have to admit to having a need or a desire. That has been tough--very tough--for me at times. Not that I'm without my selfish side, but rather, I guess I've been available to the many, and sometimes unavailable to me.

So my process begins by admitting to a need; a genuine need. Then there's some work involved in determining the length and breadth of that need. I guess I'm defining it at that stage. Then there's the acid testing, sometimes doubt-infested stage of the process, where I wonder if it really was or is something legitimate. Is it even important? If I get past that stage (and no, that stage doesn't always appear in the process), I then need to define and expand upon the need. What is it, exactly? Could I define or explain it if I had to? Then I ask myself, before saying it loud (after all, I may not need to say it out loud), if it's anything I can do for myself. Do I have the power within me, or the talent, or the raw ingredients, to just do it for myself? If I do, by any conceivable manner, then the process is over and I go off and do it if I can.

If I can't do it alone, or need assistance, then comes the hardest part. At that point, I better consider asking, or consider abandoning my 'need'.

Perhaps the real need is to ask?

I may still be left with choices, but the choices are sublimely and subtlety easy: I can "ask the universe", or I can ask someone I know. Chances are, I do know someone who I could ask, and who might even have it within her power to answer, or better still, to help. Even if the help means a lot of hard work for me, it's still help; and it's powerful. Ask turns into action!

I'm getting much better at asking "out loud" ... whether of the universe, or of a person I know. In turn, I'm gaining clarity and insight, and yes; answers and help, followed by actions.

Choosing an online e-mail marketing provider

To date, for clients in my virtual assistance practice, I have used three online marketing/list services: 1ShoppingCart, Constant Contact, and iContact. I have also had a passing glance or brief exposure to AWeber and Volusion (shopping cart software). To a certain extent, I know my way around Constant Contact, and iContact (this does not make me an expert), but frankly, admit to struggling a bit with 1ShoppingCart.

Each e-mail marketing/shopping cart product just listed—and there are more than those!—has its own unique feature set, strengths, and weaknesses. As I said, I’m not an expert, but to my knowledge no one product “does it all”.

I’ve done a lot of investigation into 1ShoppingCart, and traded my share of support e-mails with them (which I think they’re very good at). My research and limited experiences tell me, for example, that 1ShoppingCart is more difficult to use, but is perhaps the best product for e-commerce, and is very good with autoresponders and e-mail marketing. If you don’t need the e-commerce component, AWeber probably comes out the winner, and is reportedly easier to use. Constant Contact does not have a ‘native’ shopping cart built into it (they have a shopping cart interface called ShopSite™), but they have recently added online survey capability. I used Constant Contact for a client when I first started my VA practice, to create and distribute newsletters and 'e-vites'. iContact is easy to use, in my opinion, comes with hundreds of templates, and is a less expensive than Constant Contact. Unlike Constant Contact, iContact’s survey feature comes with the base price. AWeber also has autoresponders (something that iContact and 1ShoppingCart have, but that Constant Contact lacks).

Regardless of where you’re approaching this from, I highly suggest that you do two things before you make a decision on which solution or system is right for you.

First, do your “due diligence”. Read through the features of each product offering to find out if they have what you need (or perhaps answer the needs you never knew you had). Second, if possible, get advice from someone who currently uses one or more of these products; I think the VA community is a great starting place for that!

Mixing, mingling, and learning with my peers

It's coming up fast: the second annual edition of FoVA (the 2009 edition of the Forum on Virtual Assistance). The first conference was held in Toronto, Canada and this upcoming one will be held in very scenic Niagara Falls, beginning June 3, 2009.

I thought the first one was a feat in logistics, considering it's a conference of and for virtual assistants. Way to go Barb! In 2008, I was honoured to not only participate, but to sit on a panel of experts, and talk to the subject of education, training, and standards in our industry. This year's edition has expanded in terms of days held, half and full-day seminars, workshops, and social events. This year I'm presenting a 90-minute session on Windows Vista and Office 2007 tricks, short-cuts, and other fun stuff. But there's so much more happening than that! There are many other experts that will be there: you really should check it out! I'm thrilled that two of the people directly responsible for my virtual assistance training and mentoring will be there: can't wait to see you, Stacy and Dawn! And friends and colleagues I've talked to, corresponded with, or worked with (hey Pam, Barbara, Michelle and many others I know and admire) will be there too. Incredible. Incredibly inspiring!

Some may ask what value is a conference of and for virtual assistants (and I would add, associated colleagues and vendors)? Others may wonder why or how we can have a multi-day conference in such hard economic times. I would answer all such inquiries with two questions. One: is it wrong to to support your colleagues, friends, and industry? And two: what better time to spend [reads, invest] a little money than in bad economic times?

Right now, careers and businesses and lives are not in a 'business as usual' mode. We know this, and if you haven't been directly affected or impacted by it (I have been), you know someone who has. So if you're a virtual assistant, or directly associated with this field--and if you can afford to--right now is the perfect time to bolster the industry. Being part of a conference, contributing your energy and ideas, and pitching FoVA is a big way to bolster the industry. Whether or not you're able to attend our event this year, I urge you to take a serious look at it. Look at the commitment. Look at the people coming, and look at the talent.

Ours is an industry that holds onto its values, and that will not quit. We're growing. Come grow along with us...

The VA as Captain and First Officer

Okay, so I’m an unabashed Star Trek fan; a Trekker versus a Trekkie. E and I, and my brother-in-law, went to see the new Star Trek movie this weekend. (Our movie going triad is a tradition, by the way). I’m giving it a 9 or 9.5 out of 10. On a serious, inspirational note, it got me thinking…

As a virtual assistant (VA), I’ve often considered myself Captain of my ship. If I had a navigator, well, I’d instruct him where to steer the ship. If I had a communications officer, I’d make sure she kept me in constant contact with my extended ‘crew’ (HQ, and the many colleagues I work with). If I had a First Officer, well … wait a sec; I do. It’s me. Now that’s strange. Or is it?

Number One, as s/he is sometimes called in the world of Star Trek, advises and informs the Captain. My alter ego? Not sure about that, but I can safely say there’s more than one Captain in my world. There’s me, as the Captain of my VA ship, and there are the Captains I have partnered with and serve alongside; they are my clients. I think, then, that Number One is busy in two worlds; advising himself (in my case), and providing expert advice, help, and assistance to other Captains who in turn have their own ships.

From one “Captain” then, to others, I’m compelled to say, and genuinely mean the following: I respect you and your businesses. Whether my ‘ship’ is as large as your own, whether our approaches differ, and whether I defer to your expertise or put my own out there for you on full thrusters, I admire you for what you’ve done with your life and career. No easy feat: and I should know. Whether ships in the night that are aligned, even in their individual purposes, or emblems of ideas put into practice, there is much to be said about what we’ve accomplished on our own, and together.

As they’re sometimes wont, our respective ships may occasionally experience erratic behaviour. While I can’t guarantee how quickly I can put them back on course, I can say “Aye. I'm workin' on 'em.”.

Listening between the lines

One of the most interesting things I find in both my career worlds (virtual assistance, and teaching) is nuance and subtlety. I think of myself as a fairly aware person most days, but still catch myself saying "what just went by?" sometimes. Was I listening carefully? And don't I tell my students ad nauseum (okay, maybe not that much) to 'pay attention'?

People can say an awful lot in a very few words. And people can hide (secrete?) a deeper meaning in a well crafted sentence or two.

Recently, I had a conversation with a good friend. Everything was going well until, on my asking her for clarification, she revealed the 'world'--forward and backward through time, and many nooks and crannies never before fully explained--in two or three sentences. She hadn't intended to do that (in my opinion); it was simply a very honest exchange. I haven't stopped thinking about that conversation...

One of my VA clients is a woman of few words, sometimes, and often says a lot in a few words. On occasion, I struggle to ensure that I caught everything that was said: even in the unsaid. Ultimately, I'll ask for clarification if I need to.

I've gotten into the habit of thinking that when someone seemingly casually mentions something, well, it was only the mention that was causal. They want that thing! This is either me being proactive, or me being psychic (don't get reimbursed for that, but it helps), or a bit of both. And using the time honoured technique of echoing back, I can usually find out if I was right. In any and all cases, if I read something that might be there, I began to prepare for that eventuality.

Most intelligent, thinking people listen between the lines. It shows that they are listening. It shows that they care. It shows that they're fact gathering, ready to ask questions, and/or ready to act.