Virtual Assistant: How to become a VA

I started out as a marketing personnel for a school. I thought I would be doing that for all of my life. I came to a point in my life where I had to do something else.

An opportunity to work in Medical Billing but I have to leave the company and look for other profession.

In 2010, I was offered to work as a virtual assistant. He's an author, motivational speaker and wants to do business online. I like the idea that I would be working from home but at that time I was also working for another company. Eventually, I had to let go of the day job and go for this virtual job.

A lot of people would tell me I can get fired any time but I tell myself not until I will teach myself how to become the best VA this person can have.

As a VA or Virtual Assistant you can't possibly adapt the same working ethics that you had when you were working in an office. One reason is you don't see your boss face to face. Example of this is when you have question and you don't ask right away the boss would assume you're working okay and you don't have a problem on the task. When you're working in an office your boss can see you or your office mates can see you and would notice you're having a problem with what you're doing.

Second of all, you're working alone and the temptation of watching TV or sleeping instead of working is high. A good VA does not watch nor sleep during work time because at the end of the day you have to have a report or a list of tasks you've done because if you don't then your boss would tell you're fired and he's not paying you to do nothing. Unlike working in an office your boss can basically see you right away if you're working or not.

Third of all, you have to be open to feed backs. Often, feed backs in the virtual world is given to you every day or twice or thrice a day.

Fourth of all, you don't have to be good at something as long as you keep teaching yourself and be up to date with softwares.

And lastly, you need to have a good internet connection.

Talk soon,

Hunee

PS. I will be writing more on this topic. Feel free to leave a message or question/s

I Try to Change Me

I had been busy lately. I can not deny that. My life was focused on to saving more so I can gain more. Practically you can see it like investing on a stock. You tend to watch how the stock works and the bullish and the bearish ways that a particular stock can be. Hoping it will always be bullish and would never experienced going down or bearish. The more it is going up the more you think of not stopping it because you are gaining more. Your full attention are at the Bloomberg Channel or the newspapers. You might be good at calculating and predicting what will happen like those in the stock market, you just do not stop.

I was focused to that. I was focused on a straight path to where I want to be and would like to be at in few months or days if possible. I delayed my happiness in the hope to be better at this part of my life. I just totally lost who I was before.

It is not a bad thing to be at. I mean it is part of growing and some things got to changed. But changes in me was drastic. I do not even know if I have missed one meeting with friends, am I answering all their SMS or calls to me, or was I giving them lame excuses. Even if I have time to see them, my body do not seem to be interested in seeing them anymore because I have worked too much and the days that are supposed to be for leisure was spent in bed trying to recover the lost hours of sleep.

My point here is that if I am neglecting my friendship with you or you think I was getting this huge head on top of me and I am blabbing things that you think was not the original me, I am sorry. I also would like to point out that I would really want to grow and part of growing is to change. But if you think I was not changing for the better, an email, or if you know my number, a call will always be an option for you to tell me that I am way too much and it is not healthy.

I admit to be changing a lot. I have let go of my smiling avatar and decided to seldom use my smiling pics because I would want others to see me serious this time. I think that was wrong for me to do because before when I used those smiling pictures it just gave me a reminder everyday that I have to refocus and rethink everything before uttering something or even deciding on things. When I see happy faces it always make me think twice like, am I going to do this to give everyone happiness or just me?

I do believe that whenever you do something you do not only think of what it can give to you but what it can give to others that surrounds you. But when I decided to change, I have pushed that idea away and now I have realized that it was wrong. I have got to change to something better.

Then again I am human and I make mistakes and it is not too late for me to change that. I only have to admit that I made mistake and hopefully learn from that mistake and move on. Always better to admit mistake than not to.

BPO HR Forum

I have been writing about working at MTC Academy and its nature of business that it is a medical transcription school. Now, MTC Academy has a sister company, ZipIT Solutions, Inc., which is primarily a medical transcription service organization.

On the first year that we've operated MTC Academy in Davao, there were a lot of curious people asking what is medical transcription. After a year and a half, people were asking where can they apply. My boss and I firmly believes that you don't give fish to people, instead teach them how to fish and so my boss initiated that there should be a transcription organization in Davao. So there is Transcription Alliance of Davao, Inc. (TADI) which is an organization of training providers, such as MTC Academy, and service providers, such as ZipIT Solutions, Inc.

Last August 29, at the Royal Mandaya Hotel, a discussion on both academes and employers on how to address a particular problem in recruitment or hiring. Although there was a drop on the number of enrollees which is mainly due to the economic problem, the real problem is job placement and why there's a little percentage of hiring?

I had my own taste of how it is to be unemployed. After so many job interviews you still don't get the job you applied for, especially the ones related to your course. At first I did not know that I have to have the basic skills. I just thought, I graduated from a prestigious school so I can easily be hired. I guess not! Because I simply don't give up, I landed on my first job after 5 years of being unemployed.

At the Jobs Fair at Sangguniang Panglungsod, last August 30-31, there are some applicants that would come to the employer's booth and would pass their resume without knowing the industry. I told myself that I was like that when I used to apply for a vacant position. Now I've realized it's a "No-No" to wear slippers, jeans, and as an applicant please let us not forget to at least look fresh and neat.

It is always good to have forums although some forums are really irrelevant.

Reflection: Wiser Thought

I was upset yesterday. It was clearly a misunderstanding, I think, it was definitely a clash of human reactions of what they want and what they don not want. Believe me or not, it took me to think about what I should and could have learned from that until 1am. I can not believe it was that long for me to realize that it was definitely non sense.

In the Office the Next Day, July 31, 2008.

She didn't say good morning to me when she came in. Or did she? Even though I was not able to set up the interview the other day, I was able to make them come again the next day to do the interview. I was glad I was able to do it. I have big ears and it can hear people talking behind my back. Not really that I have big ears physically but as a person like me who in everyday try to put that smile on her face, greeting everyone good morning, making her day as positive as possible for she know there will be a very long day of stress and pressures. I know when someone will talk something behind my back because I have somehow had a little arguement with this person. It is human nature to find someone to listen to her rant so I know she have said something, a line or two or more about how she felt about what had happened.

I expected all that to happen. I do not really feel bad when she will talk behind my back. I do not care at all for I know I have a reason why and I have the right to be upset. If that is very "not professional" or I was disrespectful, so be it. I have said my word and I have intentionally displayed that I am upset.

My thought in all of these are; you can never really dictate somehow what to do if she is not willing to do it. No matter if it will help her and the company per se, you simply could not pre-thought that she will agree with your demands even though she have wholeheartedly expressed she will help you before. Another wiser thought on what had happened, it is a typical reaction of someone who is not a pro at interviews to react as if it was the end of the world for her. Nobody wants to see themselves on tv even if she has dreamt about being on tv a hundred times, she would not be on tv when she said she will not be on tv.

Just another thought before the day ends.

I hope older people would also adjust in all situations and would not expect the younger people to adjust all the time. Education should always be a win-win education. Two people could have learned on the process. I hope.

(Cartoon courtesy of http://www.itsngenius.net/)

Good News for Employees

(Cartoon courtesy of http://www.itsngenius.net)

My Own Track to Financial Freedom?

There are so many like me who wanted to retire young and I am one of those. First, I have tried to work so hard through multi-level marketing and I have succeeded but to see those new recruits of those you have recruited before earned nothing because the company closed down, and I did not liked the end effect. I started to have my own desktop publishing with one computer but because you were new you have to invest more money to get the business going. Then I brought business to home and simply do what I do best in the field. And because it is home based business now, earnings normally go straight to the table for food.

Even though everything has to end sadly, I was able to save a sum of money which I am going to use for another business venture. I am an official loan shark. It was a good start no doubt but somehow I have to stop it because loaners never paid me back. Yes, they still owe me money. Now, I am back working. An official 8 hour work were someone will tell me what to do. I am happy I got my ever first 8 hour job.

With the 2 years of working, my savings is not that much though but what I have learned the best about working is that I was able to learn that earning is not like a dream that when you wake up it is over. Earning is both patience and hard work. Unlike multi-level marketing, earning is like an overnight dream. I always like this phrase, "Pay now, Play later."

It somehow tells me to exert effort today and you will reap your fruits tomorrow. Nothing in life is worth having if you do not invest a drop of sweat on it. I am pretty diligent when it comes to savings, and if there would be extra activities I have got to think of an idea on how to earn extra for me to join and do my extra activities. I do hope I will do good on this one.

There is No Such Thing as Perfect

In my job, I could not tell whether this service that I am offering is perfect for everyone. Nor it does not assure everyone that the service given will definitely give them an easier life.

I don't believe in perfect. Most people that I knew tell me that I am a perfectionist which is really an opposite of me. Perfect is like an end. An end that you wouldn't be able to get a chance to grow and learn new things.

Just like my marketing career. If I would tell someone to buy this because this will be perfect for him, it is just the same thing as a fool for money. For if I would tell that to someone I am only after his or her money. It will not give me a chance to grow nor the product or service to improve.

If people are not perfect then how can we give perfection if the one making it is not perfect? I hope I make sense here, because me having this job is not perfect at all. I have ups and downs and it gives me sad times, bad times, and happy times.

I believe it is the circle of life that makes things go up and down. Some would like to stay on top but I prefer going up and down for it will be boring for me.

All Juiced Up! For the Marketing Department

I am all pumped up to do some action.

In this week's marketing career, I will be trying to be a web designer. My goodness! Yes, I am not trying to make myself look like a fool. I am getting others to do it for me but of course I want to learn how to.

"All juiced up!" This is the slogan that I wanted to tell my team mates. We need to shag our tails and bump our head into each other, do some hola hoops for the ideas to come out.

Annual planning is coming up and your brain needs some baby back ribs from Fwendz Diner to think. Quesidilla too and Chimichanga? I hope I spell that right.

Transcription for Employees Who are Stressed-Out from Too Much Multi-Tasking

SUBJECTIVE: 27-year-old Asian female ambulatory to clinic in no acute distress. Complaining of back pain. She wanted to apply for another job but failed to follow up on all her applications to other companies. She also complains of recurrent problems with constipation, especially over the last two weeks. She has been using Immodium. This tends to give her runny stools for a day and then she has constipation again the next day. This was not helpful. Social: She is a nonsmoker. Family history: His father does have some mild arthritis and also has hypertension and heart disease.

OBJECTIVE: She is a well-nourished, well-developed, Asian female in no acute distress. She appears somewhat sad and tearful. HEENT: Tympanic membranes were clear bilaterally. Throat was clear. Neck was supple. Lungs: Clear to auscultation. Cardiovascular: Regular rate and rhythm without murmur. Abdomen: Soft and diffusely tender to a mild degree.

ASSESSMENT:
1. Stressed out.
2. Not happy.
3. Constipation.
4. Needs a new job.

PLAN:
1. Go out this Saturday.
2. Do whatever you want to do
3. Follow up previous job applications with employers.
4. Try your luck to more companies.

Let's Make Up Some Numbers

The medical transcription industry is currently suffering from lack of skilled medical transcriptionist to do the job. Although the work does not require you have a medical background, most people think that way. Filipinos think that you need to type fast in order to do the job. They also think that since computer lessons were not taught to them when they were in college, the job is only for the young generation.

In the book of 21 Indispensable Qualities of a Leader by John Maxwell, one of the characteristics a person should have is Positive Attitude. If you believe you can, you can.

In the industry I am in, the medical transcription industry, it is not about the guts to learn how to type or if I am required to go back to a training school, it is about earning for a living. In this industry there is no discrimination, no age limit, irregardless of what is your educational background, you can be hired. If you know how to speak and write in English, teachable, committed and a person who wants to earn big in less than 5 years as a home-based medical transcriptionist.

Let us make up some numbers here. We mumble on there is no work available for us, government is not doing their part. Ask yourself, do I need to change? I would love to hear your side. Leave your comments.

Rate this Book: " Guerilla Marketing" Part 2

Traditional marketing identifies the heavy weapons of marketing: radio, TV, newspapers, magazines, direct mail, and the Internet. Guerrilla marketing identifies two hundred weapons of marketing and many of them are free.

It is not that hard to find time to search what are those freebies that we can get outside without spending too much money on marketing our products or services. The author kept on saying be creative. Think of what is outside the box and how you can do that? Imagine yourself as the customer, and think of ways to suggest to give a better service or improve the product. Entrepreneurs right now does not mean owning a business of two or more. Entrepreneurs right now only has 2-3 employees maximizing time to built a name or a service that would stand and perhaps give a lasting impression that this idea of an entrepreneur will work. In order to do that, you got to arm yourself with inexpensive materials of marketing.

Rate this Book: "Guerilla Marketing" by: Jay Conrad Levinson

This book was like a slap on my face. Then again, I am in the Philippines and not in the United States. As you go on further with the book, it will leave you say I DID THAT!

Take this one:

Marketing is every bit of contact your company has with anyone in the outside world. Every bit of contact. That means a lot of marketing opportunities. It does not mean investing a lot of money.

The author is right on that part. Yes, it is every bit of a contact. How do you make him a market if he's not welcome to the idea you are selling. The author said:

The first time a man looks at an ad, he doesn't see it.
The second time, he doesn't notice it.
The third time, he is conscious of its existence.
The fourth time, he faintly remembers having seen it.
The fifth time, he reads the ad.

Marketing is not-to-ever-quit-system. I say this book is a very good book and I recommend this to everyone who is losing faith with their job or their business. Don't mind his examples just get the energy the author has put on to this book.

I'll give you updates on this book. Meanwhile if you have some questions about what the author say about the traditional marketing and the guerrilla marketing, post your questions and comments. I would love to read them

Need Help in Getting the Job that Pays A Lot? Find the Time to Get Back to School

In the current situation, many of my fellow Davaoeños think that after college it is so much easy to find a job. I made a few friends in the nursing course department and they are so eager to go abroad as long as they keep their grades high and they will get a job in a hospital. I made friends at accountancy course department as well, and they all think the same. No doubt, a college degree is getting a chance to land a job. Let me say that again, a chance to land a job. Why did I say chance? Getting a chance because you are not the only graduate of that course.

In my j0b as a marketing assistant, I go to schools and conduct career orientation on the medical transcription industry. When I was at this school, the orientation was conducted for the Business Administration Graduating Students, these soon-to-be-graduates assumes they can have their business after college. I don't blame them that's how schools taught us to think which is really right.

First thing you should do is find a job that will help you raise up the money. The next question to that is how can you raise such funds when you are earning the minimum wage and it is just enough to get you through the 15 days.

So you made a plan. Save now and do business later. The next question again, how long?

Some with enough savings thought of getting a masteral degree. Others apply for work outside. Others worked for an industry that is not really in line with their course.

My point is find a time to go back to school wherein it does not cost you that much and you are sure that you can get a job after. Whatever course that be, make it a point that you are no longer wasting your time and money on something that you will have to wait for years before you can get a decent income. That's my point of view, what's your point of view? Leave your comments.

Criticisms....????

How do you deal with criticisms? Does it bother you? Do you take it out with someone? Do you go out and get a drink or something? Do you take it calm and easy? I bet you don't. Nobody wants to be criticized. If you were criticized and you get it into your emotions immediately for sure you will do something worse that would make you lose your job.

People criticized for the best of us. Either it can be so soft like most Filipino would say, "Huwag naman masyadong obvious." or it can be straight to the point.

Here what I got from Lifehack.org that offers seven (7) tips in dealing with criticism.

One suggestion on that article was to put a smile on your face. I am having a hard time doing that but it is worth a try. How do you handle criticism? I would love to hear your side. Leave a comment.

Hiring: Davao Based IT Staff

MTC Academy Davao is looking for another IT Staff.

Please click here for info.

Job Vacancy in Davao

Now here's a great way to help our fellow Davaoeños. Click here for Jobs in Davao.

Soon I'll post some job vacancies of other companies as well.