Savor the Success - The Premium Business Network for Women Entrepreneurs.

So, you've been a Savor lookey-loo and enjoying all the freebies here but you've been on the fence about becoming a premium member.  Well here's the thing that should push you over the fence!

Savor is launching it's first virtual mastermind group.  There's only 10 spots so, you'll have to jump that fence quickly. 

Before I tell you more, I want you to know that I don't get any money for pimping this out. I'm telling you about it because I've gotten soooo much value from my Savor membership and from all the phenomenal chicas I've met both virtually and in person.

You'll benefit from a mastermind group if:

• You are a solopreneur and could benefit from some accountability
• You'd like access to women who are further along in their business, to ask questions and brainstorm
  
• You'd love to share your wisdom with women who are not as far along in their business as you so you can save them some of the pain you learned the hard way
• You'd like supportive peers (who may even be your ta [...]

I've asked my VAs to share some tips about how they like to be managed.  Here's what they have to say .. and yes, their identies are hidden so you don't snag them away from me ;-).  These comments are from 3 types of VAs: techie, admin and sales:

• At the beginning, explain so I have a clear picture, correct expectations and can think & make decisions autonomously when appropriate:
  
  • How your company is setup
  • Your vision
    • I like to know I'm a part of a bigger picture and where I contribute
  • Your products and services
    • I like to use your product or sit in on your services or trainings so I can understand more about the business, what we offer and our clients.
• It really is all about communication. This is a relationship. If you don't tell me I've not met your expectations, I will think I have and everything is fine.
  • It is a bit like training a dog or a boyfriend. Acknowledge & reward positive behavior and you get more positive. Ignore "bad" behavior an [...]

If only it were as easy as a couple of  fingers to the forehead!

What we really need as busy entrepreneurs is a VA who is in our brains, who can follow through on directions, do what you didn't ask but should have, anticipate what's coming next and take the initiative and do that too.

There's only 1 way to get there...a SHORT communications loop!  Here's what I learned (by trial and...error).

Start by Assigning Small Tasks

You've got 2 objectives here.  You've got to learn:

• How they respond to your instructions.  How are they thinking. Are you getting it done on time and to your level of quality?
• How you are communicating. Before you give them "constructive feedback", first go back to your written instructions.  What didn't you say clearly enough?  What did you imply? (I've found this to be very enlightening...not in a comfortable way, for me!)

Give Positive Feedback First

Build up their confidence that they do have the ability to please you. Then give a course co [...]

With your virtual assistant being...er...virtual, the most important thing is to get your communication mojo happening right away.  I've used VAs since 1996 and after some successes, some...learning experiences and often "assuming" things that didn't pan out  - here's what I know for sure:

1.  Use an Online Collaboration Tool

Even if it's just the two of you, start using an online collaboration tool now and you'll avoid many hassles as you grow. (centraldesktop.com, zoho.com)

• Use it to assign tasks and due dates. It's much better than email, especially since you will be assigning more and more tasks. It's easy for things to get lost in the shuffle or for the VA to assume a priority - that you didn't.
• Use it to share documents. Now you know you're both using the latest version. This is especially critical and useful for contract templates (for clients and vendors).
  
  It's a bit of a behavior change to remember to go to the collaboration tool, instead of your documents folder o [...]

If it only took one email to schedule a meeting date & time - no problem.  But it never does. At one point it felt like all I did was passing emails back and forth to try to coordinate schedules and lock in a meeting.

So, I delegated that to my assistant and then...that was all she did.  Finally, I got wise and figured "there must be a tool for this" and voila...there is.  After a bit of research, I picked Timebridge, whose tagline is "No More Herding Cats" (feline, jazz musician or hip entrepreneur- any way the metaphor works!)

Now, one email goes out with a list of possible options. The attendees check which options work for them and then the tool schedules it...right onto my ical!  It even beeps 5 minutes before the meeting so I can get my head out of the computer and start dialing the conference call number it comes with.

The only problem now...if I get sneaky and try to schedule meetings the old way...it messes me up. Either I'm back to fielding more emails than I thought [...]

Once upon a time...oh heck, actually it's today... In the last little bit, as my companies, band, life has been growing, I've had some people that I thought would be with me till the final encore...drop off.

It's unsettling, sad and it's set me off balance a bit.  So, I called my dear friend Deborah Lynne Lombardo tonight and said: "Can I just talk for a few minutes. I just need to say this out loud..."  When I finished, here is her brilliant response:

"After a rocket launches, each stage drops off after it's done it's part. It doesn't mean that the rocket is defective...it's the design."

Now...I can get my head around that visual.  How 'bout you?

Jenn

I bet your best conversations have been when you felt connected to the person you were talking with.  But how can you create that in person - sense of connection - when you're alone in your office staring into your video camera?

First, remember, it's not about how you feel - it's about how your viewers feel. 

Second, push play for a few tips for behaviors that help your viewer feel more connected with you.

Your thoughts?

Jenn

Are you rambling in your videos?  Or afraid that you will?  Here's 2 tips that will help you get to the point faster!

Watch for our new online class "What You Say!" coming in August 2010.  It's all about discovering your message, thinking in sound bites and getting to the point.  Plus tips on how to make your voice sound interesting and not lull your peeps to sleep.

Jenn