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Inspiration, Incoming

Kim — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 06:42:42 +0000

Virtual assistants, virtual workers, home office pioneers- your space is really your space, and these are some inspirational home-work spaces. Check it out!

WebWorkerDaily » Archive 5 Inspirational Workspaces «.

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The Essential Mobile Office

Kim — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 03:13:18 +0000

From Laptop Hobo, a list of basics to do business any time, anywhere. Just in case you were feeling your office was underequipped.

Hardware:

Laptop (preferably “ultra-portable”)

Back-up medium (external drive or disks)

Power-surge protector

Mobile/cell (tri-band) phone w/Bluetooth

Bluetooth, Wlan capabilities

External mouse or trackball

Headset (for telephony access)

Carrying case (preferably a hard-shell case)

Non-Hardware:

Dial-up access (Access the Internet via standard telephone line or mobile phone.)

Telephony account (Computer to computer/land-line service, such as Skype.)

Hi-speed Internet access (Know where the cyber cafes are, or order it for your flat.)

Your laptop’s original back-up program disks.

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Telecommuting trumps temping

Kim — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 08:04:31 +0000

I’m still amazed corporations aren’t luring top talent like this in droves- staffing firms can serve a purpose, but focused virtual workers and virtual assistants are infinitely more economical for big and small companies in this economic flux period. And, as the writer below keenly observes, perhaps when the dust settles we’ll all be left with more efficient employment options.

If you haven’t sourced a good Virtual Assistant yet, now is a great time to find someone who truly can service the needs of your business.

It all makes me wonder: As the recession continues, might we see more telecommuters? These are talented, hard-working people flocking to temp agencies. It woudn’t be surprising to see many of them decide to go into business for themselves, and to set up their home offices. Many might turn themselves into freelancers, hiring themselves out for consultants for businesses that have already slashed their payrolls of full-time employees.

And when the recession ends, these workers might decide that they like the life of a work-at-home telecommuter. They might realize that going into a traditional office every weekday is a drag.

I certainly hope so. The more employers who understand the benefits of telecommuting and employees who work from home, the better.

via Chicago Telecommuting Examiner: Temp jobs on the rise. Will we see more telecommuters, too?.

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Tools of the trade: Netbooks?

Kim — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 01:49:07 +0000

Ever since I first laid eyes on a white Asus netbook earlier this year, I fell in love with the concept of using a smaller laptop in exchange for fuss-free travel.

Me too. While my beloved white iBook is fantastic when it works, it breaks when you look at it funny and feels like a brick in my bag. I’ve been back and forth with Netbooks because of the tiny screen, but I’m more and more convinced I need one of these things sooner rather than later.

Further selling points for me are that so many Netbooks run on Linux (I wish more laptops would come customizable with that option) and they come in a rainbow of colors you can match to your wardrobe palette. Sweet.

Click the link below to read a quick rundown on which common netbooks sport which features.

An Introduction To Popular Netbooks.

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Why You Need a Virtual Assistant

Kim — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 16:12:05 +0000

Via Tess at the VAF comes this article about Virtual Assistants and small business.

For small businesses that are drowning in paperwork or administrative tasks, the traditional choice has been to hire a part-time or full-time assistant, or else slog through unassisted. But in these work-from-home days of the Internet, there’s a third option: hiring a virtual assistant.

I’ve worked as an Executive Assistant in a few small businesses, and the benefits of going virtual would have had a huge impact on the quality and efficiency of the work I did in all of those situations. The flexibility of a virtual assistant is indescribable for smaller companies that need a vast array of ever-changing tasks completed.

…(VAs) disseminate her weekly two-minute audio tips, improve her site’s shopping cart and search engine optimization, and write pitches. The Internet marketing work she never seems to have time for is finally getting done. And, though a Web developer might also have been able to improve her SEO and shopping cart, working with a VA has a different quality, she notes. “A Web developer wouldn’t do some of the stuff my assistant does,” she says. “Plus a Web developer might not always be available or have the same mentality about getting things done that a virtual assistant does.”

via Why You Need to Hire a Virtual Assistant — virtual assistants — internetGIRLfriday –.

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Organize your Inspiration with Polyvore

Kim — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 07:31:54 +0000

Polyvore is a site that can suck hours from you with its sheer possibility. Above and beyond the fun of compiling infinite cool outfits is a neat little quick and dirty tool for short and long term planning.

Personally, I’ve used it to visualize a room before I change it around or decorate. I’ve also used it to create ideal rooms and workspaces as an incentive or as a tool to clarify inspiration. Use it to make a visual for your most important short and long term goals- a position, a place… and of course, what you’ll be wearing. Polyvore can also be used to pull together visual elements for a presentation, much like a sketchpad or collaged storyboard. (Click the pic to try it out!)

Polyvore.com

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