Consistent + Professional = Results! The proof of the pudding is in the eating.
Working in this virtual internet-based world, blunders happen, links break, and typo’s happen when we’re bleary eyed from long hours. Yet our mistakes take center stage to the fresh eye; our site visitor, potential client, competitor or peer. You never know who will discover you tomorrow. It is vital to put your best foot forward at all times. A professional appearance, even when you work virtually must be a priority.
Recently, I’ve come across a couple of blunders in blogs and websites. I searched for the site owner’s direct email address to alert them to the issue. In one case, it was one of my peers. An industry leader and someone I look up to as a guide for my business. They are also my competitor. Even so, it reflects on our industry - Virtual Assistant industry as a whole. My reasoning to tell them is simple. If one of my peers discovered a blunder or a typo that I missed during proofreading I would truly appreciate their efforts to seek me out and alert me to the issue. I didn’t do it with a big read sharpie like I’ve seen my husband do on his student’s term papers. I did it with respect and from a place of good will.
The Point
Proof of the pudding is in the eating – results are what counts. In order to achieve results, a consistent and professional appearance must be maintained. After putting in long days of drafting and writing to get a project completed, go back in a couple of days and reread what you’ve done. Tweak your posts; learn from your mistakes for the next time. Create templates for projects to simplify the task. Regularly check links on your website and blog to ensure they are not broken. Ensure that you’re landing page used in various advertising campaigns are loading quickly and work in all browsers. You can work in your pj’s if you like but your work shouldn’t look as if you did.
Photo by jonno259
Disaster/Emergency Planning for Businesses - Are you flirting with disaster?
I’m travelin’ down the road,
I’m flirtin’ with disaster.
I’ve got the pedal to the floor,
My life is running faster.
……
Been flirtin’ with disaster,
Ya’ll know what I mean.
And the way we run our lives,
It makes no sense to me.
I don’t know about yourself or,
What you want to be - yeah.
When we gamble with our time,
We choose our destiny.
Are you, flirting with disaster? Have you made previsions for yourself, your family or your business if you are suddenly faced with the inability to attend to your affairs? Molly Hatchet’s “Flirtin’ with Disaster” keeps playing in mind as I give thought to this subject.
This very situation has brought reality to the forefront within our circle of friends. Our friend Alan is solo-entrepreneur; runs a small retail store. Alan is just like you and me, building a business and achieving his dreams. An avid cyclist, Alan regularly rides late in the evenings to prepare for race events. He takes all the necessary precautions that are available to him to keep safe from harm. His bike is equipped with various lights, both rear and front. He wears protective head gear and reflective clothing.
What’s under your hood? Free Tool to Audit Your Computer
Photo by sandcastlematt
Whether you’re an entrepreneur who loves to get under the hood of a computer or one that breaks out in a cold sweat when you see a Windows pop-up error message, I have a great tool for you.
Belarc Advisor is a free tool that performs an extensive audit of your pc or laptop. In just minutes an audit profile is compiled and a complete report will be generated into your web-browser.
This comprehensive audit report includes:
- List of installed hardware from processor to circuit board and memory modules to external peripherals
- List of installed software including version number, license number, installation date, location on your hard drive and even key codes
- Status of Anti-Virus Software with last known update, revision number, and date of last scan
- Installation status of Microsoft Service Packs, Upgrades and Hotfixes and includes links to those yet to be installed
- Internet Security Status Benchmark Score and Report that includes Service Packs and Hotfixes, Account and Audit Policies, Security Settings
Gone are the days of not being prepared when calling a customer support desk to troubleshoot equipment or software issues. No more searching for versions numbers and updates installed. You will have vital information needed at your fingertips to answer questions and quicken the process.
The Point
Download Belarc Advisor. It’s a comprehensive tool that provides you with a wealth of information about your computer. You will be able to see where the weak points are in your computer system and how to address them. And best of all, it’s free!
How Strong Can You Go? Best Creative Password System that will give hackers a migraine and bring out your inner child!
Photo by cuellar How strong is your password? Wikipedia defines password strength as
“a measurement of the effectiveness of a password as an authentication credential. The strength of a password is a function of length, complexity, and randomness.”
How does your password measure up? Have you created a safe barrier between your proprietary information and the outside world? Remember that just like the constant evolving technology, hackers are developing their skills just as fast if not faster.
Creative Password System – Mnemonic First Letter Phrase
Password Protection – How do you protect and manage the data that is safekeeping your proprietary information
Photo by elbisreverri Today, protection of proprietary information and personal data is mandatory. Throughout your workday, you enter websites, programs and systems that require passwords to gain access – administration panels for web hosting and blogs, web-based emails and applications, data storage, newsfeeds, social networks and forums.
Passwords are the gatekeeper of your critical business information. What systems do you have in-place to protect and manage your passwords? Are you able to remember each login and password to various sites and applications? How quickly are you able to access a protected site or an account that you seldom access?
Three systems to protect your passwords, logins, and account information:
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