The Edge News & Views
Certified Virtual Assistant – It’s More Than Just a Title
August 5, 2010
#10-07-220122
As a professional serving other businesses, I invest heavily in ongoing training and education. I am constantly learning new software, applying new knowledge, or expanding upon my skills and expertise. Some of the training is paid, some free – some has a certification component, and some does not. For me, the quality of the knowledge gained is more important than the “title”.
Given that, I am excited to announce my latest accomplishment: Certified Virtual Assistant via IVAA.org. (International Virtual Assistants Association)
The IVAA Certified Virtual Assistant (CVA) Examination for Virtual Assistants evaluates the Virtual Assistant’s skills and expertise in areas vital to a professional VA practice. The applicant must demonstrate their knowledge and skill level in the following subjects:
- Word Processing
- Bookkeeping / Accounting
- Data Management
- Web Design and/or Graphic Design
- Writing and Editing
- Miscellaneous
In addition, the applicant must pass the following required tests to be considered a candidate for the IVAA CVA designation:
- Ethics Check (The Ethics Check exam must be taken PRIOR to signing up to take the CVA examination)
Digital Literacy (The Digital Literacy exam is part of the CVA examination and will be issued first. A passing grade is required to proceed on to the elective exams.)
For me, this certification represents the culmination of a year’s worth of work and dedication to my profession and to my business. In just under 12 months, The Northern Edge has grown from earning me an insignificant monthly income, to one that is greater than what I was earning at the government job that I left to pursue my entrepreneurial ambitions.
Remember Your Reasons
July 20, 2010
Image via Wikipedia
If you’ve started your own business, chances are, you have motivations beyond making money. Though, that is a valid reason too!
The decision to become an entrepreneur might be influenced by the desire to have flexibility or freedom in work schedule. For some, it’s to be able to make the guiding decisions as a leader, rather than being the follower. For every person, there’s a different reason (or list of them!)
So what are YOUR reasons? Making the choice to go out on your own was an important decision, so whatever motivated you to do it has got to be vital to your happiness and success; it only makes sense! Right? (more…)
Great Customer Service Isn’t Just Reputation Management
July 15, 2010
Image by djfoobarmatt via Flickr
Whether you are a consumer or a provider – customer service affects you – good, or bad.
There are fantastic benefits (for both sides) to companies using social media (Facebook, Twitter, etc) as part of their customer service strategies. However, an aggressive reputation management policy through social media does not make up for poor service via more traditional means (phone or email support for example).
I recently experienced a computer crash that resulted in having to clean wipe the computer and then reinstall the OS and all of my programs. I have on-site tech support courtesy of my wonderful husband, so despite the loss of some emails, I was back up and running within half a day.
Then the trouble started! <start rant> (more…)
3 Ways To Stay Busy During the Summer Slump
July 6, 2010
Finally, it’s summer and everyone from toddler to company CEO has their mind on all things outdoors. Here in Canada, I think we are particularly easy to distract since we have such a short warm season.
How then, does the small business owner stay buy during the summer slump? With vacations and more “out of office” notices, it’s hard to keep projects going.
3 Ways to Beat the Summer Slump
How do you Manage Your PR?
June 22, 2010
Courtesy sskennel on Flickr
In a perfect world, we’d all have the budgets for PR firms to handle the public relation sour businesses and gain the publicity that our businesses deserve and need. But the reality is that a large number of small businesses simply do not have the few thousand dollars a month that a PR firm charges. So, what are small businesses doing to get the media attention they need and deserve?
Some small businesses are taking matters into their own hands, and handling their own publicity campaigns. Or, in the case of some of my clients – delegating the media outreach and public relations efforts to their virtual assistant.
To be successful at handling your own PR, you need to have an understanding of the techniques and strategies that the PR specialists use to successfully get the media’s attention.
You also need time. Time to dedicate to media list development and upkeep, outreach, story pitches and you need to devote time to updating your records (pitches made, to whom, current events, responses, etc). (more…)
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