I have been continually impressed with the growth of Key Administration since its launch date back in April of 2008. As a startup business, I worried many times, not on the concept of the business, but mainly for the 2 steps forward, one step back process we experienced over and over again, especially in the past few months. 

However the excitment of its future is becoming. Back in the fall, Key Administration prepared to launch a few sister sites to expand services offered to their ever-growing clientele. Even with all the planning, the resources, the new team members… something wasn’t “right” - something was off.

And it finally dawned on me what that something was. I was thinking too big.

Too Big? Is that even possible?

In this case for sure. So the Key Administration team has reformatted our bases to come up with sometimes even more special. In this process, our goal is to bring Key Administration up to its potential. We are not putting aside our sister site ideas - we are incorporating them into our Administration business.

So stay tuned for more exciting news including a new site launch in the upcoming weeks.

I’m getting so excited!!!!!!

IN FLANDERS FIELDS

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place: and in the sky
The larks still bravely singing fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the dead: Short days ago,
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved: and now we lie
In Flanders fields!

Take up our quarrel with the foe
To you, from failing hands, we throw
The torch: be yours to hold it high
If ye break faith with us who die,
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields

Many argue the difference between an in-house and a virtual assistant. Is one really better than the other? Which one will save you financially? Take a look at the following list of common time wasting activities employees do at work.

1. Updating Facebook, Twitter or Ebay
2. Drinking a lot of coffee, tea or water/Eating while working
3. Cleaning off desk
4. Visits to the rest room
5. Watching videos on YouTube.
6. Reading RSS feeds or news websites
7. Cigarette breaks
8. Preparing for lunch or to leave the office.
9. Talking with office mates.
10. Calling friends and family.
11. SMSing friends and family.
12. Reading and sending personal email.
13. Instant Messaging.

Are you paying for this time with an in-house assistant?
When hiring a virtual assistant, you only pay for the time spent on your projects and NOT for time wasted. Isn’t time for you to call?

(list provided by FruitfulTime Blog Post)

The global economy has depended on imports/exports from other countries for as long as it’s been possible and now with the use of technology and the Internet, it is widely known that many entrepreneur outsource their projects to India. Virtual Assistants, among many other industries, struggle with this competition. North America cannot possibly match rates from those in India.

But what does this really mean? While I understand the economy is tough - paying someone $3/hr vs. $40 is a lot more appealing (and yes I admit that many can do just as good of a job) - what is it doing to our nation?

Take a look for yourself. Feel free to determine your own interpretation.

As a virtual assistant, my tasks range from sorting emails to updating websites, to placing ads and proofreading documents. However, lately, my projects all fall in the same category:

HELP! I messed it up and I can’t fix it!

You’ve spent your valuable time trying to accomplish something you should have outsourced. You thought this would save you money but now you find yourself

1. frustrated and
2. out of time

In a panic, you call up your VA and explain you need it done ‘yesterday’. Your VA not only has to do the tasks but has to try and figure out what went wrong which takes more time > more money. Did you really save in the end? Not at all!

Virtual Assistants are available to help you to do it right the first time around. We exist to save you the headache. Allow us to set up a project management software so you may assign projects/tasks and forget them. A good Virtual Assistant should automatically pick up the task and complete it. This makes you (and your business) look good. And everything runs smoothly.

I’m famous for comparing a Virtual Assistant to a mechanic so let’s take a look at this scenario.

You have a leak > do you buy a do-it-yourself patch for $19.97? or get it fixed right away for $150? Yikes, you want to save money so the DIY kit looks appealing. But it only works for while and eventually the problem grows. You don’t have a choice but to visit your car maintenance center to have it repaired properly. Now the kicker, since you waited, the leak caused other problems and now you’re faced with replacing parts and a $500 bill. Was it worth it?

I am more than happy to help you to do it right the first time around. Do yourself a favour and save the headache - on both sides. Outsource to your VA right away.

Just like everything else, there are several Time Tracking systems on the net you can choose from. Some are free, some require a one time fee and some are billed on a monthly basis. They all come with different features and looks. Some are web-based while others are installed on your computer. Choosing the right one is really a matter of preference.

I’ve tried quite a few systems until I settled with myhours.com. I like it because of the simplicity of it. Input client, project, time started, ended, and voila! done! When it came time for invoicing my clients, every task was already broken down, all I had to do was copy the report into my invoicing program and send it out!

But today I found something even better and I can’t help but want to share it with the world. While it is quite new, it has loads of potential! Fruitful Time automatically > as in you don’t have to worry about clicking start or finish > tracks what you are working on based on the active window. I find this particularly interesting as it tells me how long I chatted with my husband on msn today! It tracks everything!

An awesome feature is the Tag Management. You can tag your documents, domain addresses you visit and msn conversation to each of your clients. And again, it only tracks the active time you worked on each (which is great since I tend to work on multiple projects at a time). This helps me be a lot more accurate on my time management. No more forgetting to stop my timer and then wonder how long I actually spent updating a website!

This software has a 30 day free trial. A business edition is suppose to be released this spring. I can’t wait! The downfall > the licencing key is only valid for one computer so I would need two: Desktop and Laptop.

Fruitful Time also offers a Task Management software that seems interesting… I’ll have to look into that one next!

Edited to add:

Yikes > After writing this post, I closed my browser, along with my FFT dashboard. I have no stats after that. The window must remain open for the application to calculate your time. Since the icon is in my system tray, I automatically assumed that it was running in the background! Now to go figure out my time LOL

Edited Jan 9 to add:

After corresponding with an awesome support team, we were able to fix the issues I was having. Fruitful Time ProductivityMeter is up and running again. The best part is that IT DOES keep track from the system tray, no need to keep the application open in a browser! Two thumbs up for the support team and the time tracking program! Thank you!

Part of the original plan was to grow Key Administration within the first 3 years and here we are 8 months within our launch and already we are booked solid! It is with excitement I post: We are in need of a bigger team!

Are you ready to join a dynamic business full of potential?

Key Administration is growing much faster than anticipated. What you see here on the website is only a small portion of the whole picture. 2009 is going to be exciting with endless opportunities.

We are currently seeking:

• bookkeepers
• project managers
• designers
• copywriters
• marketing specialists
• media specialists**
• and of course, other virtual assistants

Key Administration only works with the best. If you have skills and assets waiting to be utilized, we want to hear from you.

Simply go to http://www.keyadministration.com/blog/contact-us/team and follow the directions carefully. You will hear from us within 48 hours.

I thank you for your precious time. I’m looking forward to speaking with you soon.

Chantal Livingstone

** Media specialist are urgently needed for a special Key Administration project to be launched soon.

Wishing all of my American friends a wonderful Thanksgiving! May all of the blessings in life be yours in abundance.

C

As a Virtual Assistant, one of my responsibilities is to save my clients a few bucks while still maintaining high quality service. With the holidays just around the corner (40 days to be exact!!!) and our economical state on the downfall, we are all facing the same challenge; Christmas on a budget! Craft Central Station has compiled an awesome list of 101 ($10 or less) Stocking Stuffer ideas! Take a look:

1. Chocolate - any kind will do!
2. Mandarin oranges or exotic fruit such as star fruit
3. Lottery tickets
4. Lipstick - Lipbalm
5. Cozy mittens or gloves
6. Personalized or Christmas print coffee mug or tea cup**
7. Tire gauge
8. Picture frames - buy a plain wooden frame and wrap it with Christmas wrap, glue on Christmas ornaments, paint on holly leaves or apply Christmas stickers.**
9. Silly Putty - fun for any age!
10. Baseball, golf ball, rubber ball….
11. Night light
12. Christmas ornament - home-made or store-bought
13. Unique kitchen gadget like an egg slicer, grapefruit spoon, garlic press, etc.
14. Deck of cards - search for one with unusual artwork
15. Hair accessories
16. A book or magazine
17. Magnifying glass
18. Gum or penny candy - buy the stuff that takes you back to when you were a kid
19. Pot pourri - create your own easy sachet by placing pot pourri in a lace handkerchief, gather the kerchief and tie with a silk ribbon
20. Novelty shoelaces
21. Stamp pad and stamps
22. Batteries
23. Decorative wine stopper
24. Journal or diary
25. Modelling clay
26. Touque or a scarf - hand-knit or purchase in a store - you can add your own personal touch to store bought by stitching on ribbon, bows, buttons or beads
27. Yo-yo
28. Home made cookies
29. Wallet or business card holder**
30. Travel games
31. Coupons for fast food, or admission to museums or other attractions
32. Underwear or socks - be racy or pedestrian, your choice
33. Candles - and there are so many to choose from
34. Slinky
35. Popcorn seasoning or spices
36. Nail polish
37. Toothbrush
38. Airplane sized bottles of liquor
39. Packets of flavored hot chocolate or cider mix
40. Die cast metal car
41. Stationary or note cards**
42. Bath beads, bubble bath or scented soap - make your own or go shopping
43. A copy of the gift recipient’s favorite recipe - you can add some of the ingredients, too
44. Stickers
45. Pencil or pen - try a pen with purple ink, a giant pencil, a fountain pen, a twig pencil, etc.**
46. Desk or wall calendar**
47. Keychain
48. Soap dish
49. The hottest hot sauce you can find
50. Seeds - try heirloom seeds or native wildflower seeds
51. Fishing lures
52. Glasses case
53. Coloring book
54. Coasters
55. Incense
56. Paper pouches in novelty shapes
57. Craft supplies - paints, brushes, wooden cut-outs, embroidery thread, beads, doll heads, kits, etc.
58. House plant tools or decorative watering can
59. Sports water bottle
60. Vase
61. Mouse pad**
62. Exercise bands or hand weights
63. Snow globe
64. Cold mask (the kind you store in the fridge and wrap around your face to relieve aches and stuffiness)
65. Travel mug
66. Photos of the gift recipient as a child
67. Christmas theme costume jewelry
68. A tool - hammer, screw driver, pliers, etc.
69. Harmonica
70. Sewing, knitting, woodworking, needlework patterns
71. Poster
72. Kaleidoscope
73. Decorative bottle opener or cork screw
74. Silly straws
75. Flashlight
76. Address book**
77. Cedar balls for keeping closets and drawers fresh
78. Blank diskettes, cassettes, or CD’s**
79. Piggy bank
80. Kite
81. Jar of homemade jam or syrup or canned fruit
82. Decorative tea towels or hand towels
83. Hand held calculator**
84. Jigsaw puzzle or other puzzle game
85. Tarot cards - they only work if you receive them as a gift!
86. Small wooden trinket box
87. Small stuffed toy
88. Napkin rings
89. Model airplane kit
90. Personal radio
91. Sidewalk chalk
92. Personalized birth chart or horoscope book
93. Thermal lunchbag**
94. Sheet music
95. Film for the gift recipient’s camera
96. Gift certificate for fresh flowers
97. Paperweight**
98. Fridge magnets
99. Travel maps
100. Long distance calling card**
101. Bird feeder

A few extra ideas:

• makeup
• jump rope
• hacky sack
• frisbee
• shaving supplies
• jewelry
• watch
• nail clippers

Office supplies**

• Postage stamp
• post-it notes
• paper clips (fancy design ones)
• stain removing pen

Have more ideas? Feel free to add them in comments!