Home Office
Tuesday Time Tip
Ok, it’s a little late in the day (guess I need some time management help today!) but here it is, this week’s time tip!
BUY IN BULK
Yes, this tip is still business oriented! When you need office supplies, buy as many as you can afford. Stock up on printer cartridges or post-it notes or even just your office coffee beans! The fewer trips you make to the store the more time you have to focus on your work. I know that it’s easy to allow “important” things to distract us. I mean, who can go without coffee when they’re tired at 2pm (or a slurpee if you’re my BFF)? If you run out of a supply that’s a necessity you’ll end up heading to the store and you may never find your focus again that day. So buy in bulk and save time!
Laurie Mapp, Owner Halo Secretarial Services Contact us for more information on virtual legal assistance!
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Networking + Learning + Fun = Conference!
This weekend one of the main themes in my twitter account was BlogWorld Expo 2008. I enjoyed all the information that was shared by BlogWorld attendees, via Twitter and of course on the many blog entries that have already been posted – and I’m sure there will be many more this week! My faves so far:
- All the coverage from Sparkplugging!
- This from Freelance Writing Jobs
- Missy Ward’s post incl the joys of BWE on crutches
- Rick Moran from Pajamas Media has a really detailed discussion on the changes in blogging, based on his experiences from BWE
I have only been seriously blogging since this summer, so I wasn’t aware of how exciting this conference would be – I sure hope to attend BWE 2009 though!
On the subject of conferences, I really believe they are a great way to do some in person networking, as well of course as learn some great information during actual sessions. What do you think are THE conferences to attend during the year? Do you prefer regional ones or ones like Blogworld that attract attendees and speakers from all over the world? Do you stick to your niche only or mix it up a little?
I think ideally I’d attend a couple of big conferences a year – one for virtual assistants maybe, or something with a legal focus, plus something like BlogWorld or BlogHer. I also need to get out and do some networking locally, and fortunately that is easily affordable!!
Laurie Mapp, Owner Halo Secretarial Services Contact us for more information on virtual legal assistance!
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Legal Trends
I found this article recently on the CBA website – A to Z: 26 Trends for the Legal Profession. It’s a fascinating read and it posed the question – which trends matter the most to you? If you give it a read I’d love to hear your opinion!
For me, a few of the mentioned trends really stood out as areas in which the contracting of a virtual legal assistant could help legal practitioners manage and grow their business.
B is for BLOGS
You need to write your own posts of course, but you can get a virtual assistant to help you with research, coming up with some topic ideas, proofreading, managing comments and spam and monitoring google alerts for mentions of your company and blog.
H is for HOME
Do you work from home or a small office? If you do, maybe you’ve realized you don’t have much room for office/support staff. A virtual assistant gives you a lot of flexibility to get help when you need it, without worry about them invading your physical space.
O is for Outsourcing
Outsourcing your administrative and paralegal work to a virtual legal assistant is a tool I really think lawyers should start opening up to. Save some money, some on carbon emissions by eliminating commutes, save your time since your VA is going to be ready to hit the ground running and get the work done!
Interestingly, the article I mentioned is not that recent, but most of the items are still applicable and often have not been embraced by lawyers. There are opportunities for those who have vision – reach out and grab them!
Laurie Mapp, Owner Halo Secretarial Services Contact us for more information on virtual legal assistance!
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How Do Mobile Offices Work
If you want to see a good example of how a business can be really mobile and paperless watch this video from over at 21quinces. I love the tablet pc (like this one I’m guessing) that the realtor in the video uses. I think I might have to put one on my wish list!
Technology seems to improve by leaps and bounds every year – and even a regular laptop nowadays can make it so much easier to work from anywhere you want. I usually run my virtual assistant business right from home, but I know that I can take my computer with me if I’m traveling and still get everything done. My faxes come straight to my computer, most of my clients contact me by email or call my cell phone, and just in case I need something from my desktop computer I have SugarSync set up on all my computers which gives me access to all of my files from pretty much anywhere.
I recommend that all solo or small businesses try to be set up to be as mobile as possible. You may not stray far, but it’s nice to know you can if the opportunity comes up to take a trip or you just feel office-bound somedays and want to head to a local coffee shop to work!
Laurie Mapp, Owner Halo Secretarial Services Contact us for more information on virtual legal assistance!
***I am not paid in any way for product mentions/reviews on this blog – I just share based on my interest and/or experiences!
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The Links (Home Office Warrior)
Well usually Grant Griffiths hosts The Links, but Grant had offered up the option of someone else hosting it this week and I grabbed the opportunity – thanks Grant!!
It’s an Olympics week, and I’m Canadian, so the “links” pic above is of Chateau Whistler in BC, Whistler being the locale where part of the 2010 Olympic Games will be held.
And now, for the part you all have been waiting for, this week’s links to you simply must check out!
Posts from some of my favorite Canadians
Jordan Furlong from Law 21 says The Web Is Bigger Than You Think as he suggests that lawyers need to make changes in how they deliver their services (we suggest working from home!)
Quest for Four Pillars shares about his Last Will and Testament
Hull and Hull on their law blog feature a post about Cecil Rhodes – The Lion of Africa
Canadian Capitalist has a timely post on Saving Money on Textbooks
Great posts from all around the blogosphere
From Fresh Focus we have a post which gives us a neat-looking meeting planning tool.
From Sparkplug CEO we have 9 Blogs Gone Wrong – a fascinating look at the ever-changing world of blogging.
Inquistr has a great post concerning the growth of social network platforms – the prediction from Inquistr is that Ning is a strong contender (I just signed up for Ning myself this week and set up a small forum – very easy to do!!)
From Tina over at Home Office Warrior we have Virtual Road Warrior – a great example of how mobile you can be as a virtual assistant.
From Yellow Highlighter VA we have Are You Tweeting Yet?
Susan Cartier Liebel shares the new home page for Solo Practice University over at her blog.
WAHM 2.0 has a great post called I Need To Make More Money Now – about why virtual work still is WORK, not quick cash.
the Perlmutter & Schuelke Blog had a very interesting post on another way social networks are being used – you might be surprised!
You really should read the post and WATCH the slideshow from 43Folders on Time & Attention
A great post from Enterprise Nation – 3 reasons to have a home business
Greatest American Lawyer has a post about how RSS is Changing The Way Lawyers and Law Students Learn About the Law
And from my Twitter friends
From @lisasolomon is a post titled Scalia’s Remarks About Legal Writing
@alyssaavant shared a great post about an organizing method
Twitterer @CherylSmith999 was featured on an ABC segment on social networking and business – way to go!
@9ner suggests we check out his “answer” about how many megapixels your digital camera should have
If anyone who works from home is interested in hosting “The Links” sometime please get in touch with Grant via his blog or at twitter!
Laurie Mapp, Owner Halo Secretarial Services Contact us for more information on virtual legal assistance!
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Living in a Virtual World
I love all the recent blog posts I’ve noticed about virtual law offices. Just this morning I found Erik Mazzone’s blog, Law Practice Matters, and his post Should You Have a Virtual Law Office? I found Erik’s post through Stephanie Kimbro’s blog (I mentioned her in this previous post).
I know that for me, working virtually is a wonderful way to simplify my life. I avoid commuting and the endless meetings that sometimes seem to accomplish so little. I simply get to work on my clients’ projects and really feel like things get accomplished every day. Well, except for the days that I keep free to spend with my kids – and really that is an even better accomplishment, that I can make the time in my schedule to truly enjoy my boys!
I also know that now that I see the beauty of virtual work, I often choose to hire people who work virtually. When I needed a blog designer, I found one who worked virtually (lots of choice of virtual workers fortunately in the web design arena!) My accountant also works from home and if I need a lawyer for my business I plan to try and find one who works virtually (although so far I haven’t come across many on the blogosphere who are from Alberta should I need a local lawyer).
I find that working virtually with people really allows me to manage my time better. I can email my web designer at 11 at night and know that she will get to it within a day or so. I can get work done for my clients at 6 in the morning or 6 at night and as long as I get it done by the deadline everything is great! In the 9-5 world, there always seemed to be times when productivity would be lower (especially in that hour after lunch!) but as long as you were physically present no one really seemed to care. I’d rather take that hour after lunch for a brisk wake-up walk, or a nap if I’m exhausted, then get back to working in an efficient manner.
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