Tip of the Week: Virtually Green

Going Green

 

I recently got “tagged” by Janet Barclay, owner of  Organized Assistant who was tagged, in turn, by Sheila Sheffield of Tree Beginnings who came up with the  Green Challenge!  The challenge is to pass on three ideas about how you try to minimize your impact on the environment, then tag 5 more bloggers to carry it on.

Since January is fast approaching with a fresh New Year ahead, I have been strategizing for 2010 – what worked in 2009 and what didn’t and  how I want to move forward in 2010.  Of course, the economy and the shift in how businesses are operating in this recession plays a large part in the strategizing process and those who do not pay attention to the changes and think the old “tried and true” methods will still produce desired results, should take pause and do a little research.  Just my opinion…

Most of my strategies involve my company, but that directly relates to my personal side as well, being a small business owner and an entrepreneur.  And one big shift I have been working toward is going GREEN. 

Therefore, my three ideas for minimizing my impact on the environment are as follows:

Garbage Waste:

Like Janet, I also recycle and compost. 

On the business side, anything that is still useable, whether it be company related like office equipment, office supplies or the like, is taken to Goodwill or a company that recycles business related items.  I even check for used items that I need for my business such as a filing cabinet or office chair before I look to purchase new items.  I also reuse paper – if printing is on one side, I often print on the other side as well for unofficial documents and also use for scrap paper for writing notes.

On the personal side, I send items like gently used clothing, cooking utensils, books and appliances to Goodwill.  I buy a lot of food items in reusable containers – plastic or glass containers that can be reused to store leftovers or dry goods items that I buy in bulk from Bulk Barn.  When they are broken or damaged, they go to the recycle bin.

Car Usage:

Being virtual, I already have reduced my car travel as I work from my home office and only, when necessary, do on site work for clients.  And when I am out doing site work, I incorporate my runarounds for errands into the same trip, saving gas, time and money.  The bank, drug store and food store are not within walking distance but I do have a bus that stops right outside my door.  I shun drive thrus – no wasteful idling for me.

Hydro:

Computer on standby or shut off when not in use.  Low watt, energy saving light bulbs, LED Xmas lights, TVs and lights turned off when no-one is in a room, cold wash laundry & minimal use of dryer.

And these are the bloggers I am tagging:

• Andrea Kalli
• Kathy Colaiacovo
• Janice Byer
• Lisa Olinda
• Karri Flatla

I realize this is a very busy time of year, but would appreciate your comments and suggestions on how to contribute to going green and link love.

Diane L. Coville

ALTERNATIVE OFFICE ASSISTANCE

www.alternativeofficeassistance.com

What is a Joint Venture and How Can It Work for My Business?

Joint Venture Business

When I first heard about Joint Ventures, I was thinking in terms of big business such as a merger between two large companies.  There have been so many in the last few years.  Recent mergers or acquisitions like Yahoo and Xobit (inbox spelled backwards) or IBM and Outblaze are two examples of companies that want a share of the Social Media realm and email services geared to Social Media.

So, at first, I wasn’t sure whether Joint Ventures would even apply to my tiny business and whether I should consider it.

Joint Ventures are not beneficial for just big business.  Whatever size your business, partnerships with other businesses looks more and more inviting in challenging economic times as a means of acquiring new clients for both parties involved, and sometimes multiple parties.

Since my business is Virtual Assistance, I have heard of many joint venture partnerships amongst many VA’s who specialize in different fields – they have often evolved into multi-VA businesses.  Each individual VA – such as an Internet Marketer, a Copywriter, a Website Developer, an SEO specialist and a Social Media Marketing VA  joining together can each bring their special talents to the table to provide clients with a fantastic service in optimizing a website to reach it’s full potential on the internet.

I encountered someone a short time ago who operates a business group in the trades.  Individual men, each owning their own business – a plumber, a drywaller, a roofer, a painter, an electrician, a carpenter, etc. all worked under one roof as a “group” to provide services to their clients.

Another example might be a Business Coach who partners with a Sales Expert and a Website Developer to present a webinar/seminar or event even though they operate individual businesses.

And often experts come together in multi-speaker events taking place on-line or locally with all kinds of themes such as preparing for the sale of a house or property or environmental issues.

If you think about your business, who would you be interested in collaborating with that could benefit your business, their business and the clients?

One place to look for possibilities would be JV Village, a NING social group.  They can be found at:  http://jvvillage.ning.com/.  As well, if you belong to any Social Media networks like Facebook or LinkedIn, many groups can be found with similar businesses or opportunities for alliances.  One of my clients, who belonged to many groups, posted a discussion, looking for Joint Venture opportunities.  He received 40+ replies in 24 hours.  Not all of them were a good fit for him but it provided him many new opportunites to grow his business.  And there are local networking groups like BNI or your local Chamber of Commerce to explore as well.

Do you have an example of a Joint Venture opportunity which has been beneficial to your business?   I’d appreciate any feedback.

Diane L. Coville

ALTERNATIVE OFFICE ASSISTANCE

www.alternativeofficeassistance.com

Tip of the Week: Are Baby Boomers your “Ideal Client”?

  

The Baby Boomer Market

 

 

 Last week my blog post, entitled “Who is Your Target Market” addressed the importance of identifying your target market and how to direct your marketing efforts to them directly.

In many cases, Baby Boomers, are the ideal client for some products and services.

Recently, a survey was sent to my email focusing on Baby Boomers and their wants, needs and interests.  I filled it out and was provided with the results.  I found it very interesting and would like to share those results at this time.  As well, I have asked for permission from the lady who conducted this survey  to share this information and she graciously approved.  She asked that I share the link to her website and invite others to do her survey themselves.  She will be happy to provide the latest results of this on-going survey to all participants whose birthdates are between 1946 and 1964.

Her name is Elizabeth H. Cottrell and her contact info is below:

Her website:                            http://www.heartspoken.com/

The link to the survey:            http://bit.ly/8OkAO

And the survey results so far are:

How concerned are you about your financial future?

Concerned to the point of anxiety:      25.2%

Very Concerned:      29%

Concerned:      24.3%

Somewhat Concerned:      15.9%

Not Concerned:      5.6%

How concerned are you about your children (or grandchildren) being able to live as happy, independent adults?

Concerned to the point of anxiety:      5.9%

Very Concerned:      25.5%

Concerned:      21.6%

Somewhat Concerned:     23.5%

Not Concerned:     23.5%

How concerned are you about handling issues that face your aging parents (housing, caretaking, driving, estate planning, end-of-life decisions, etc.)?

Concerned to the point of anxiety:     4%

Very Concerned:     22%

Concerned:      28%

Somewhat Concerned:      19%

Not Concerned:     27%

How concerned are you about environmental issues and sustainability of natural resources?

Concerned to the point of anxiety:     8.4%

Very Concerned:     29.9%

Concerned:      27.1%

Somewhat Concerned:     19.6%

Not Concerned:     15%

How interested are you in cultivating and expanding your spirtual development?

Not at all interested:     12.1%

Somewhat interested:     24.3%

Very interested in spiritual development within current faith:     24.3%

Very interested in all aspects of spiritual development:      39.3%

Please tell us what other media you’ve viewed/used for informationn or entertainment in the last 3 months?

Video/CD/DVD:     77.6%

SmartPhone:     14%

Radio:     74.8%

Internet:     99.1%

Television:     91.6%

Social Media:     81.3%

What are your primary non-employment activities, interests and/or hobbies?

Writing:      71.7%

Woodworking/Carpentry:     3.8%

Walking/Hiking:     47.2%

Travel:     38.7%

Tennis:     3.8%

Spending time with Family:     57.5%

Speed Reading:     1.9%

Relationships/Dating:     5.7%

Reading:      77.4 %

Political Activities:     12.3%

Photography:      23.6%

Outdoor Activities:      31.1%

Musical Activities:     24.5%

Golf:     11.3%

Genealogy:      4.7%

Gardening:      34.9%

Entrepreneurial Activities:      57.5%

Education/Learning:       48.1%

Crafts:      19.8%

College-level Coursework:     9.4%

Collecting:     4.7%

Charitable Activities/Volunteer Work:   26.4%

Camping:      7.5%

Birding:      4.7%

Art:     17%

Amateur Radio:     0%

Many Baby Boomers cherish this time in their lives to learn new things and take on new challenges.  In which of the following areas would you most want to increase your knoweldge or expertise in the next 5 years?

Other:      35%

Writing/Self-Publishing:     69.4%

Spiritual Development:      39.4%

Self Help:       21.1%

Relationships/Dating:     6.5%

Public Speaking:      19.1%

Philanthropy:     11.8%

Personal Finance:      32.6%

Personal Development:     50.5%

Nutrition:      38.3%

Leaving a Legacy:     18.2%

Learning New Skills:     31%

Learning a New Language:     16.8%

Investment Strategies:     18.7%

Home or Small Business Opportunities:    42.9%

Health/Fitness:      40.8%

Grandparenting:      10.8%

Estate Planning:     6.6%

Environmental/Sustainability Awareness:    18.3%

Business/Entrepreneurial Models:     58.8%

Diane L. Coville

ALTERNATIVE OFFICE ASSISTANCE

www.alternativeofficeassistance.com