Association Management Monday: Give Us An 'R' for REFERRAL!

Every Monday, we share with you information about managing non-profit associations.  This week, for "Association Management Monday," impact Virtual Services has a proposal for you... a cheer if you will.  Give us an 'R' and we'll give you one too!


Think Fast Thursday "THINK FAST!"  It's what they would say in the 50s when someone was about to throw something your way.  So.... THINK FAST!  impact Virtual Services is HIRING!  We are looking for the very best of the best to bring on as Virtual Executive Administrators with expertise in non-profit management, association management, support for small and medium-sized businesses, support for entrepreneurs and social media mavens!  Oh-Daddy-Oh, if you think you've got what it takes... CLICK HERE!

2 Tips for Working With an Off-site Assistant

hover2Having faith in someone or something is defined as having confidence and trust without proof. But how does this translate to an employee/employer relationship? With many organizations and businesses taking advantage of Independent Contractors and Virtual Assistants, it is worth considering how you will measure the success of someone working for you…when they aren’t in front of you. Gone are the days of the mighty boss hovering over their employees as they work. Frankly, that’s just a waste of time!


Set up a system to track progress, but don’t rely on it completely. Your Assistant shouldn’t spend too much time documenting activities, but they should keep records. There are numerous reasons why this information can come in handy. Not only is it a way for you to track projects without speaking with your Assistant on a daily basis, but it is also a great way for them to keep themselves accountable. That is something everyone needs, not just a Virtual Assistant. Our team uses MyHours. It’s an online program that easily tracks time, projects and clients, PLUS the information can easily be exported for regular evaluation.

Having a comprehensive plan for how to communicate can also help things run smoothly. Many people need a steady stream of communication in order to build trust, and there is nothing wrong with that. Clients vary from requesting monthly meetings with their VA, to weekly, to a quick overview email at the end of the day. If a VA is required to reply within 24 hours, this needs to be a clear expectation.

Like any employee, there will likely be a transition when starting to work with a VA or offsite Assistant. Systems will be put into place, adjusted, and evaluated. But in no time, your VA will be getting more done for you than you ever imagined! You’ll wonder how you survived without them, and what took you so long to hire your VA! Just remember, you hired them so you could get more work done. Don’t waste your time checking in constantly, unless you have concerns that need to be addressed. You have just given yourself the gift of time, now what are you going to go do with it?

Conquering Anger in the Workplace




angerSigns to look for:



Do Your Employees Give Their All?

If you find yourself wondering if it’s impossible to make everyone happy, you may be surprised! Experts actually say that the answer is yes, you can make all of your employees happy! Really???? As I had even questioned this, it sparked my curiosity on how a business owner could better the attitude of not only their employees, but ultimately, the end-all success or improvement of their business. Sure, easy solutions may be bonuses, gift cards, raises, etc., but in a very difficult economy, these things are not always the easiest to do.

We all have our favorite employees that we depend on. It seems these members are loyal, dedicated, and no matter what, always step up to the plate. On the other hand, there seem to be those employees that no matter what, they’re just dissatisfied. When you think about why this might be, you may realize that there are some outside factors which cause this poor attitude. Is it possible if you start treating disgruntled employees like everyone else (fairly!), their attitude could change? If so, how can this be accomplished?

Six of the best ways to uplift workplace attitude:

  • Encourage employees! When doesn’t someone want to be told they are doing good work and can do even better? We all want praise. It’s what keeps us positive and upbeat and working towards goals. Managers should expect the best, not the worst, and with this they need to inspire their employees and set the best examples.
  • Trust seems to be the key to any successful relationship! Why wouldn’t it be the same for a boss/employee relationship? Managers should seek out the problems of their employees. If you recognize what is bothering someone, you may better understand how to work with them. It might be as simple as a schedule adjustment that makes all of the difference. As Managers become more uniform in how they are treating their employees, a trusting relationship has the potential to grow into consistent work behavior.
  • Development of your employees is a key factor in positive employee attitude. We all want to be challenged, learn new skills, and grow as individuals. As a Manager, if you take an interest in your employee’s interests, they may have the inspiration to not just learn a new skill, but to develop a life-long career.
  • Communication is the key to success. Great communicators share ideas, they don’t leave individuals out of the loop. They are also great listeners and can provide articulate questions. When employees feel they know what is going on, whether it be a new benefit coming their way, an invite to a holiday party, or just a change in the upcoming work schedule, this can build confidence in their attitude and make them feel comforted in knowing they are not just the work force, but a part of a team.
  • Honesty is also so very important. If someone is not up to speed with a task, be upfront with them. More importantly, Managers should be tactful in how they address these issues. Maybe confront the employee with “you’re doing great, but I did notice you are missing this step.” It is quite possible that they don’t even realize they are doing something wrong and will be appreciative you told them the correct way to finish a process. As well, send praise their way if they do something that is considered an over-achievement. It never hurts to get a “that-a-boy or girl.”
  • Lastly, connect with your employees, ALL of your employees. As we all have our favorites that we take to lunch, or talk with socially, spread the love. Talk with all of your employees and try not to show favoritism. Set goals to find out little things about each and every one on your staff. Not only will the employee appreciate you taking the time to get to know them, but you will see a difference in the success of their role.

When you start to think about these things, a third of our lifetime is spent in the workplace. We can either make it a positive adventure or we can focus on the negative. My advice to you is to start looking at how you treat your employees. Do you have a favorite? Is there someone you could talk with a little more? Is there something going on outside of work that is affecting someone? By focusing on these small steps, it just may be the huge turn around to making a difference in the attitude of your workplace.