Windows 7 and the Virtual PC

I bought a new computer in October and guess what? A program I use (ACT! 2000) and Vista did not play nice. So, I had to install ACT! on my husband’s computer, ask the client for a complete sync and jump from one computer to the next. Which was not too bad, but if the husband was using his computer, it caused some scheduling issues. For some reason, he did not appreciate me dumping him out of his chair so that I could access the computer.

Well, my husband is an engineer and bless his little heart, he is always looking for ways to make life easier for me. (Too bad that has not included winning the lotto ‘yet’.) We upgraded to Windows 7 but still had that issue – mainly because I did not try to see if ACT! 2000 would run on it. However, the husband found a solution! We had to upgrade to Windows 7 Professional, but the solution is pretty slick so far.

Microsoft has a download that creates a virtual pc on your computer that runs XP. We have installed it, installed ACT! 2000, and I decided to use Outlook Express (since that was on the virtual pc) to sync updates. Yeppers! All works, except the printer. I just have to install the drivers on that virtual pc to get those to work I believe.

So, all-in-all, a decent solution to a Vista nightmare. And, my husband gets his computer back.

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No, Wait! If You Order Now – Get 2 for $19.95 Plus S&H!

I was reading a blog post by a colleague, Carol D’Annunzio, today about another blog post recommending that other business owners ‘test drive’ a virtual assistant.

Carol makes excellent points about virtual assistants being business owners – not employees, we don’t work for a ‘wage,’ and we certainly should not be willing to be test driven. A lot of new virtual assistants feel they should lower their rates to get clients, give away some hours, compromise standards – all to get a client. It reminds me of the guy on tv who pimps a product and then says, “Wait! Order now and you get two for the price of one! All you pay is extra shipping and handling!”

When virtual assistants use these marketing techniques, I think it comes from a place of fear or desperation. How do I know? Well, been there, done that, have a T-shirt. Oftentimes, a business owner does need that first client or perhaps their business is the primary source of income for a family. However, I would recommend strengthening standards and expectations instead of lowering them.

Why?

Most VAs are strong believers in the Law of Attraction. You attract what you are putting out in terms of clients, business, and more. I have proven to myself time and time again, that if I stick to my standards and expectations – guess what? I attract the best clients and they seem to come out of the woodwork. Working with my coach, Stacy Brice, has helped me develop a client base of the best clients. And, she challenges me to stick to my processes.

I have a consultation process for potential clients. When I stick to it, I actually attract clients who are a great fit for my business. The process entails 1) a short 10-minute call to see how well we like each other’s voices, 2) assessment questions, and 3) one or two 60-90 in-depth telephone calls that get into how the client runs their business, how my business works, and the details of working together.

I will not be test driven by a potential client. I think that is disrespectful – would you consider test driving a plumber? A lawyer? A doctor? I think not.

Remember – you are a business owner and by that alone, you can determine how you run your business, how you will permit others to treat you, and what processes and standards you put in place for your business. That does not mean you won’t change or morph along the way. I would hope you do as you learn what you like, don’t like, will accept, won’t accept and more. A static business is not a growing and successful business.

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Is Your Business Held Together with Duct Tape?

I love duct tape. I love WD-40. I love Liquid Nails. I once remodeled a bathroom with Liquid Nails and lots of muscle.

Duct tape comes in very handy around my house. It can hold everything together and WD-40 can make things move easier. Households are a great place to use duct tape. But, should you hold your business together with duct tape or Liquid Nails? Should you grease the wheels with WD-40? Maybe not.

Think about your daily processes and standards. Do you find yourself under the gun and patching things together just to get things done? Do you find yourself placing a piece of tape here? There? At least until you shore it up with cement or super glue? In the words of Dr. Phil, “How’s that working for you?”

I do find myself doing this at times and find that although these are great products for holding things together – it is only a temporary fix. I am working on putting some stronger standards in place. These standards include: coaching with Stacy Brice, an accountability partner – Kathy Watkins, an assessment for potential clients, and a mastermind group. These commitments are helping strengthen standards, achieve goals, and get rid of the duct tape!

I could call these my own version of WD-40 – smoothing the processes and getting rid of the gunk that makes the processes stick. I am seeing progress – which is a good thing, of course. The goal is to recognize the gunk or duct taped process and grease the wheels with WD-40.

What in your practice can use less duct tape?

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