It’s exactly a month since we started the operation declutter at the J House.  I am very proud of my progress, and while I often sort and re-arrange, this time I have really gone to town and let go of many things I thought I was attached to.

I released much artwork dating back to the mid 80s when I was 11 and wanted to be a fashion designer, thanks to a Barbie competition.  I always loved art and especially loved to draw people from pictures (mainly rock stars and fashion photos), I still love art but these days my creative outlet is graphic design, particularly photo manipulation.

A new goal for 2011 is to go back to my passion and take some time out to draw.

The art I released was all photographed, so I can still see what I created in a compact format!  My children also released an amazing amount of work that I had saved, which made the de-clutter process a quality time activity!

I released many letters and went back and released all the planning docs from my first major event – our wedding!  I was involved in every aspect and at the time it was so important to keep every bit of info and scribble.  Two archive boxes were compacted into a shoe box full of a few key treasures.

Travel docs, cards, invitations and concert tickets were  trashed, except my tickets to the only Perth Depeche Mode concert (my favourite band). And given I have changed my logo since starting my business, my previous business cards are really no longer relevant!

It has been a trip down memory lane, some good, some bad and while the past is what makes a person what they are today, it is good to let it all go and move right along!  As a colleague advised, make room for the amazing things coming up!

And on a last note, here is my star shredder who has shredded bags and bags of paper!

After inspiration from Steph Veza from Your Life Styled and  then video blog from Sara Hall of Finer Details, I have been on a huge clean up in my office.  It started with client docs, then moved on to my filing cabinets, on to other papers before hitting the kitchen and bedrooms in our home.

I attended the Your Life Styled workshop in December and took away a few great points from the de-cluttering presentation.  Steph shared her philosophy which inspired me to take a look at what I have and why I am keeping it.  Hitting the filing cabinet was a huge task.  I love filing and having things where I need them, but  I don’t unfile financial docs, therefore I realised I had every bank statement going back over 20 years, every home loan document, tax return and much more.  Much ripping and shredding of paper was to follow! With bags and bags of trash!

Next I moved to boxes of letters from family and friends, including penfriends.  I felt a need to keep every card and letter from people important to me – these have now been honoured and tossed, with just a few key items kept.  I also kept every letter from penfriends, which were close to my heart, given at one point I had over a hundred penfriends and ran a penpal club for quite a few years.  This was a passion of mine, before the internet, but I decided it was time to release these letters.  I kept the first letter from penfriends I am still in touch with and photos.

Next to be hit is my box of penpal club newsletter originals.  Correspondamania Penpal Club wasn’t run as a business, but as a service, feeding my passion ad that of the members.  The newsletter was typed, glued and handwritten early on, so the hard copies were photocopied.  I plan to scan these for storage and then tossed.

I also plan to hit a box f my artwork soon too.  Like Sara I loved art and have kept my work for years, but I think it’s now time to have a look, possibly scan/photograph some and toss.

Hope this inspires you to have a clean-up and clear out, to make room for bigger and better things this year has to bring.  I highly recommend it, the feeling is uplifting!

If you need any assistance with scanning documents or business support services please drop me a line.

For tips on getting de-cluttered and organised connect with theses Facebook pages; Your Life Styled (see upcoming workshops) or Finer Details and look into attending Sara’s workshop as part of  UWA Extension - “A Tidy Solution” on Mon 14 & 21 Feb. Read Sara’s blog here.

Don’t forget your trash could be someone else’s treasure, especially at these times with people loosing homes to fire and flooding.

Join us at AVAC

After attending the inaugural Australian Virtual Assistance Conference (AVAC) in Melbourne this year, we are looking forward to the next event 18-19 March 2011.

I value great events filled with amazing speakers, awesome content and the chance to meet colleagues in person, so for the second time we are travelling to Melbourne to attend this fantastic event, which is well worth the investment of time and dollars.

It’s important to allow some time in our busy schedule for professional development.  Coming from Perth means taking out extra time with travel and time difference but it is well worth it.  I like to take an extra day or two to catch up with family and friends and check out the shops!

This year attendees came from all around Australia and while some of us had never met each other, it was like catching up with old friends because we have known each other in a virtual capacity for quite a while!  Many of us have attended webinars and virtual events such as OIVAC or had virtual coffee catch ups thanks to technology.  I am looking forward to catching up with old friends and meeting new ones in person!  The event is aimed at virtual assistants from around the globe, not just Australia and I believe there may be a few international guests next year!

The 2011 event has a few returning speakers such as Charly Leetham, Leanne Sklavenitis, Heather Maloney and MC the very smooth and stylish Warwick Merry plus many additional speakers I am looking forward to, especially Lenore Miller, Tim Reid and Lara Solomon to name a few.

See photos from this years event here.

I like to take a day or so either side of the event, to enjoy Melbourne, catch up with family and friends and of course shop!  Working virtually, I can still work around my plans, which is what makes this industry fantastic.

Anything else happening in Melbourne around those dates that we should attend?

Hope to see you there!

PS  Next VA big event is then 19- 21 May… OIVAC is back!

Are you having problems with your Blackberry  or your recently purchased Apple?

This video may help solved your problems… great advice from two well-informed experts…

As 2010 draws to a close, we would like to wish our clients, colleagues and friends a Happy New Year.  We know 2011 will be an awesome year, with more success, more happiness and more fulfilment.

Social media has played a big part of business this year and will continue to expand our communication and operation, to build relationships, resulting in quality contacts,  joint ventures, more clients and more opportunities to expand and grow.

This year we have made some amazing connections via Facebook and Linked In, attended some fantastic workshops such as Kylie Bartlett’s How to Flirt and Convert with Facebook, Sue Papadoulis’s  How to Increase Sales by Generating Free Publicity – Perth Seminar and assisted with many of our client’s events, such as Your Life Styled, Australia India Business Council, Perth Press Club and Project Management Institute.

So, it seems fitting that to wish you all Seasonal Greetings, we share this video with you, which we just love!

Seasonal regards

Jo Saunders

Here’s a new Mailchimp feature for your business to use to increase sales using their trusty iPhone and Mailchimp.

If you have your Mailchimp account integrated to your social media you can spread the word even further!

Send your list an email including a QR Coupon which can be printed or just shown at purchase.  This is scanned and the app checks how many uses are left for the discount.

Facebook is doing everything so well, so why not add email to tie everything together?!?!  This could really knock Gmail out of the water….

Texts, chat and email together in one simple conversation. No need for subject  lines and any formalities, it’s simple. Its a central place to control private conversation extending the current Messages option.  Having an @facebook email address will make it easier for friends not on Facebook to contact you. It means they can email you directly from their preferred email client and you can manage all messages in one location. Will be interesting to see how it is rolled out, and if folders will be introduced to the structure, for easy management.

Watch the video which explains how the Social Inbox will work (Thanks to Joel Seligstein):

http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=10150330530405484

Your email address will match your public username, for example:

Profile: facebook.com/username
Email: username@facebook.com

Read more at the Help Centre:  http://www.facebook.com/about/messages/#!/help/?topic=new_messages

Request you FB address and read more here: http://www.facebook.com/about/messages/

Will you ever need to leave Facebook!???

Once this take off,  Facebook ads will be an even bigger part of  marketing strategy, to ensure you are playing where the eyeballs are looking!

If you are wanting to learn more about Facebook and how you can take your Facebook Page to the next level, this is the workshop for you!  I attended and learnt so much – I have a huge list of things to implement, which I am getting through!  You may want to spruce up your page or learn more so you can add on the service to help others, whatever your reason, you will leave with lots of tips, tricks and marketing/sales tools for your page .

It’s great value at only $297 for 2 people for a whole day plus lunch and breaks!  So treat a friend or go halfs!

Bring your laptop, work along, ask questions and leave, armed with lots more knowledge!

“The internet, social media and in particular Facebook have transformed the way businesses communicate with their consumers. My Facebook ‘Flirt and Convert’ marketing system shows you how to leverage the power of Facebook to build a personal link with your market. Forget old advertising tactics that don’t work online. Adopt the ‘new economy’ rules and start a profitable relationship with your buyers and those who influence them!”

Book now – you don’t want to miss this!

See you Wednesday Nov 17!

Cheers

Jo Saunders

The local library is not just a source of books, now we have access to other mediums such as DVD, CD and external info via free internet.  Another great service of the library are events / info sessions at a very low cost.

Cyber safety is a big issue of the moment and City of Stirling have it covered.

Securing Your Personal Computer
What are some practical things you can do to make your home computer safer for your children and less vulnerable to Internet threats? Join Richard Bone, President of the WA Internet Association who will outline a range of ways you can make your computer and your internet and wireless connection more secure; from the setting of passwords and installing of security software to recognising and preventing malware, spam, scams and fraud.
Wednesday 17th November 2010,  6.30 to 7.30pm
Scarborough Library
Tickets: $5.00 per person, includes light refreshments.  Bookings essential: 9341 1744.

See more about Cyber Safety here: http://www.stirling.wa.gov.au/Home/Library/Whats+On/Cyber+Safety.htm

eBay Intro Workshop
Often have people asking how to sell on eBay and while it’s not hard, it is easier with someone to show you how!

“This introductory talk will give you an insight into this fascinating 21st century phenomenon and an understanding of how it works.  ‘Everyone’s doing it’ so don’t be daunted – come and be informed about the world’s most popular marketplace  Cost:  $5.00 per person.  Bookings Essential

Girrawheen Library
Tuesday 2nd November, 6:00pm – 8:00pm
Contact 9342 8844    GirrawheenL@wanneroo.wa.gov.au

Clarkson Library
Thursday 4th November, 6:00pm – 8:00pm
Contact 9407 1600

Yanchep/Two Rocks Library
Saturday 6th November, 10:00am – 12:00pm
Contact 9561 1110

Wanneroo Library & Cultural Centre
Saturday 6th November, 2:00pm – 4:00pm
Contact Wanneroo Library on 9405 5940

They also run free computer classes.  So why not check out your local library!

If anyone wants to get completely up to speed with Faceboook, you MUST attend this amazing, interactive feature-packed full day workshop.  It is worth every penny and the bonus is you book a place and can take a friend FREE!

Book your place here.