Bizpro Ltd – Virtual Assistants

On the move…

Bizpro is pleased to announce our recent move into lovely new offices in Highworth, Wiltshire. After working from my spare room for the last few years it became even more apparent recently that as business was increasing we needed more space, and more help.

So, on 1st June we moved.

I really never realised quite how much stuff we had. Considering we are an almost paperless environment as the majority of our work is completed online, there were seemingly tons! What with the desks, book cases, files and folders we could have easily filled a small van, instead in the mad disbelief there ‘wasn’t that much’ we did it ourselves over several trips. Never again!

Still, it’s all in now, and starting to resemble an office. We have two new starters to help out, Louise & Emma, so a big welcome to them both, and no doubt you may end up seeing a few blog posts from them too!

The office move and new staff came just at the right time, given how busy we are, but it’s also a great test for us to make sure all our processes and procedures are accurately recorded and translate well enough for a new starter to grasp.

There are many benefits to working from home, but equally, there are many benefits to be had working from an office. I now get to close the door at night and go home, I now get my spare room back, too. All in all, it’s a great move for us, we’ve settled in very well, we’ve joined the local business group to help get established in the area, and Highworth has everything we could ask for right in our reach. Exciting times ahead! 

Bad debts. Is it a taboo subject?

I guess sooner or later it must happen to every business. The trick is how you deal with it.

This year Bizpro has had more than it’s fair share of non payers. No less than 3 clients have ‘done the dirty’ on us this year so far, and whilst that doesn’t sound like much, to a small business it can be crippling. We’re lucky in that we have a ’safety net’ to see us through the lean times, but even so, the point is it’s just not cricket!

If a client is having difficulty in meeting payment and they keep you informed, that’s one thing, and most suppliers, me included, tend to look more favourably on.

However, It’s quite another when they go completely quiet on you and ignore your calls in the hope you will go away. Truth is, it’s not going to go away. Ignoring your situation will only make things worse. I’m a lot more strict than I used to be. This is out of necessity. My payment terms have always been fairly generous for a small business at 30 days, although this will shortly be changing to 7 days. After this period is up, if I’ve not received payment they get just one reminder to pay within seven days – after that it’s straight to the filing a claim online. After all, I’ve provided the service, the client has had the benefit, the least they can do is pay for it on time. 

My advice to anyone struggling to get payment out of a client is not to put up with it! Don’t be afraid to talk money. Make your payment terms clear at the very start of any contract or relationship. Establish your boundaries, and stick to them. Remember, you’re worth it, and so is your business!

Where have we been? Where did all the time go?

It’s hard to believe I’ve not posted an entry in this blog since March – up until then I’d been really good, posting regularly every week and then bam! Things really took off and something had to give. Sadly it was the blog, but here I am ready to grovel and apologise to those that were expecting something more than just a blank screen for the last few months, and also to let you know I’m back at the top of my game, ready to unleash more useful snippets of info via the Bizpro Blog.

So, where have we been? The truth of the matter is busy. Very busy! The business exploded just as the franchise opportunity went to print, so as well as having a 40% rise in productivity, we also received over 1200 applicants to the franchise. This has meant evenings, weekends and sometimes through the night working. Not an ideal situation for any business owner, and something we consistently preach about to our clients, as a ‘what not to do’ scenario.

Normally we are consistently busier with book keeping. Right now the tables have turned and it’s more administrative enquiries we are getting. Of course we don’t mind, one bit! Bring it on, I say!

Truth is, the virtual assistant industry has exploded. More and more business owners are becoming aware of this awesome commodity perfectly within reach. They are realising the benefits of outsourcing administration, and the ease of utilising our skills.

Still, here we are back on an even keel again, and if you are wondering what happened to all the extra business, it’s still there, harvested and being dealt with by our super efficient team, who are ever ready to take on the next deluge. We’re now through the other side, with more staff and even more organised than we were before, so this time, the blog is here to stay! 

Need to know that weight in old money? This site is great for all kinds of conversions..  http://www.metric-conversions.org

Wondered what that spanish document said? http://translationbooth.com

Want to make sure you have the most competitive quote? http://www.beatthatquote.com

Small businesses can gain themselves some very big publicity by hosting events in the community. Unfortunately, most small businesses either don’t have the time or the budget to be able to pull off a bash that will get them noticed. Some firms, however, are discovering that outsourcing a bit of the work can help take the pressure off and still deliver an event that gets them the publicity desired.

Using a virtual assistant to help out with planning a networking meeting, a product release, a conference or other event can take a lot of the work out of the proposition and still gain a company some very positive public relations in the process.