As a woman who grew up in the 60’s and 70’s, I remember the commercial “I can bring home the bacon and fry it up in a pan”. Excellent concept, it made us FINALLY feel “equal”. However, shortly after, reality hits like a ton of bricks. How equal are we really?
When the working mother comes home from work, she STILL has dishes to do, dinner to cook, homework to check, laundry to do, lunches to prepare, picking up the everyday messes all normal households have. The family is so used to "mom" handling it all that they don't think she could use a hand at home (from the kids AND hubby). So as a result, she ends up working more than 80 hours in a week!
Before you women get too upset by this article, consider all of the facts first. Sure, we CAN do it all, but the question is at what price?
Statistically women are still paid far less then men in the exact same field. Why? Who knows? Women have to work twice as hard in the workplace to earn the respect of our colleagues.
That being said, Mom then gets the pleasure of coming home and putting in another 8 hours worth of work doing the household chores and trying to spend a little quality time with the kids. Our weekends are spent trying to do the majority of household work we didn’t have the time, or the energy to do during the week. Add in the kids’ activities to keep up with along with chauffeuring each one to different events. IF we have the time, we also have to do the marketing and personal errands that had to be put off during the week. If married or with a “significant other”, you then must add in time to keep up with your appearance and be ready for romance at the drop of a hat. WHERE do we get all of this energy? When do we have time (or the energy) to go outside and toss a ball with our son or spend the day being “girly” with our daughters?
Many who do work claim its “quality” over “quantity” that matters. Though true enough, how much “quality” can there be in fifteen minutes a day (if you’re lucky). When do you get that one on one time? Unfortunately, you don’t and even worse, the kids notice this. You have to ask yourself this...how will they remember their childhood? Will they remember that few minutes here and there you gave them? No, more than likely they will only remember how little you were home, and when you were...how busy or tired you were. I understand many do not have the option of being a stay-at-home mother, however, if you are willing to go without the new car in the driveway or the designer clothes, it can be done. What’s even sadder is when I hear moms in tears because their child turned to drugs or gangs or ended up getting pregnant at 16. I feel like saying, what did you expect? When kids are raised on the streets or by other friends, it’s inevitable. I’m one of those moms that kids talk to, and the biggest complaint is how little mom and dad are home, or even when they are, they are too tired or too busy. It makes the kids feel as if they are invisible.
I’m not sure about you, but I know by the time the day has ended, I’m too worn out to care if my hair is fixed or my makeup looks nice...or be thrilled when hubby gets “that gleam” in his eye.
For those of you that can pull this off, I applaud you. I know of some very powerful women who do find balance, when possible their offices tend to be out of their homes. However, those are few and far between who can actually find a good balance where the family doesn’t come in last.
This brings me back to the original question (and something to consider)... sure, Supermoms do exist and it can be done...but at what price?
Til Next Time - Deb
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Being Creative in Business
Being Creative in Business...
We have all been hearing about this “new depression” a lot lately. How can we not? We are flooded daily with it. No matter where we turn; TV, Radio, Newspapers, Magazines….even the corner market, it is all people are talking about.
Many companies, especially small businesses are having to close their doors due to rising expenses of day to day operations, this tax, that fee…it can be maddening! Owners are trying to think of more and more ways to cut corners so they can survive while keeping as many employees as possible. Methods used today were not even considered say five years ago. That would be to go “virtual” or locally outsourcing some of the work. When you consider all the expense an in-house employee costs the company, its well worth considering.
The age of technology has never been stronger, or more advanced than today. Many positions companies handle in-house could be easily outsourced, saving the company money while at the same time allowing owners to not only focus on more important tasks at hand, but in keeping their doors open saving many employee’s only source of income.
It’s very simple...think of the overhead expenses of in-house employees; supplies, office equipment, furniture, liability insurance, workmen’s comp, taxes, SS, benefit packages (the list goes on and on and on). All of this on top of the employee’s salary. Outsourcing to a “Virtual Assistant” for administrative support, marketing, copy writing or any of the other various duties they can take off your plate, you no longer have all of those expenses and more time to focus on other things. Businesses “contract” out to Virtual Assistants to do the work, paying only the rate and expenses for duties actually performed. No longer having to worry about someone out sick, time wasted at the coffee machine today, smoke breaks or most importantly…the added expenses. Virtual Assistants are relatively new to this area, which is why I began “Virtual Reality” out of Chesapeake.
Employers often think of the negative side. They worry if the work is actually being done…or most often they are not quite ready to turn any control over to an outside source. The thing you must remember is this. The Virtual Assistant is also a business. If you look good, we look good! It is that simple. It is wise to only select someone willing to sign a non-disclosure agreement, as this is what protects both parties. Also make sure they have a legit business license, showing they are as serious about their reputation as they will be yours. Ask for references and follow up with them.
The key issue is to choose someone you can trust and would be willing to hand over some of the decision making to. It truly ties their hands if they have to be constantly asking for your approval. It also is very frustrating for the VA. You hire us to save you time, not make it one more person you have to watch over. Trust us to do our jobs so you only have to worry about yours. We ARE competent and experienced, that’s why you chose us right? Once you decide to take that plunge, you will not regret it.
Virtual Assistants are being used worldwide to help alleviate some of the pressures. They have allowed businesses, who otherwise would have had to close their doors, to remain open. You can find articles and discussions on “VAs” from Entrepreneur.com to Good Morning America. All of which agree is the newest method of doing business that makes practical sense. Especially now when so many are having to downsize or risk going under.
Consider any position or duty you may currently have that is online or via phone as a “virtual” opportunity to save money! Whether it is the entire position or just removing a few things off someone’s plate that slows down their progress on more important tasks at hand, it saves time and money that can be better spent on other things. Bookkeepers, accountants, administrative assistants, personal assistants…you name it. Technology has never been better, utilize it do not fear it!
You can chose your new VA from anywhere in the country considering everything is done thru other mediums. Though it will take time to get used to the idea of being able to pick up the phone, email, or fax your instructions. It will also take a little time for you and your new VA to get used to one another; what procedures you prefer or how you would compose correspondence. Once you settle in, you will have peace of mind knowing things are being handled in a way you would yourself. While watching others close their doors, you will find comfort in that your business is secure and money is being spent wisely.
If you are curious as to how a VA would benefit you, please refer to my website at
http://avirtualreality09.biz
I’m sure once you have had the opportunity to go over my site, you will understand the true value a VA would add, not only your business but your personal life as well.
That’s what we do......make real life easier...............
We have all been hearing about this “new depression” a lot lately. How can we not? We are flooded daily with it. No matter where we turn; TV, Radio, Newspapers, Magazines….even the corner market, it is all people are talking about.
Many companies, especially small businesses are having to close their doors due to rising expenses of day to day operations, this tax, that fee…it can be maddening! Owners are trying to think of more and more ways to cut corners so they can survive while keeping as many employees as possible. Methods used today were not even considered say five years ago. That would be to go “virtual” or locally outsourcing some of the work. When you consider all the expense an in-house employee costs the company, its well worth considering.
The age of technology has never been stronger, or more advanced than today. Many positions companies handle in-house could be easily outsourced, saving the company money while at the same time allowing owners to not only focus on more important tasks at hand, but in keeping their doors open saving many employee’s only source of income.
It’s very simple...think of the overhead expenses of in-house employees; supplies, office equipment, furniture, liability insurance, workmen’s comp, taxes, SS, benefit packages (the list goes on and on and on). All of this on top of the employee’s salary. Outsourcing to a “Virtual Assistant” for administrative support, marketing, copy writing or any of the other various duties they can take off your plate, you no longer have all of those expenses and more time to focus on other things. Businesses “contract” out to Virtual Assistants to do the work, paying only the rate and expenses for duties actually performed. No longer having to worry about someone out sick, time wasted at the coffee machine today, smoke breaks or most importantly…the added expenses. Virtual Assistants are relatively new to this area, which is why I began “Virtual Reality” out of Chesapeake.
Employers often think of the negative side. They worry if the work is actually being done…or most often they are not quite ready to turn any control over to an outside source. The thing you must remember is this. The Virtual Assistant is also a business. If you look good, we look good! It is that simple. It is wise to only select someone willing to sign a non-disclosure agreement, as this is what protects both parties. Also make sure they have a legit business license, showing they are as serious about their reputation as they will be yours. Ask for references and follow up with them.
The key issue is to choose someone you can trust and would be willing to hand over some of the decision making to. It truly ties their hands if they have to be constantly asking for your approval. It also is very frustrating for the VA. You hire us to save you time, not make it one more person you have to watch over. Trust us to do our jobs so you only have to worry about yours. We ARE competent and experienced, that’s why you chose us right? Once you decide to take that plunge, you will not regret it.
Virtual Assistants are being used worldwide to help alleviate some of the pressures. They have allowed businesses, who otherwise would have had to close their doors, to remain open. You can find articles and discussions on “VAs” from Entrepreneur.com to Good Morning America. All of which agree is the newest method of doing business that makes practical sense. Especially now when so many are having to downsize or risk going under.
Consider any position or duty you may currently have that is online or via phone as a “virtual” opportunity to save money! Whether it is the entire position or just removing a few things off someone’s plate that slows down their progress on more important tasks at hand, it saves time and money that can be better spent on other things. Bookkeepers, accountants, administrative assistants, personal assistants…you name it. Technology has never been better, utilize it do not fear it!
You can chose your new VA from anywhere in the country considering everything is done thru other mediums. Though it will take time to get used to the idea of being able to pick up the phone, email, or fax your instructions. It will also take a little time for you and your new VA to get used to one another; what procedures you prefer or how you would compose correspondence. Once you settle in, you will have peace of mind knowing things are being handled in a way you would yourself. While watching others close their doors, you will find comfort in that your business is secure and money is being spent wisely.
If you are curious as to how a VA would benefit you, please refer to my website at
http://avirtualreality09.biz
I’m sure once you have had the opportunity to go over my site, you will understand the true value a VA would add, not only your business but your personal life as well.
That’s what we do......make real life easier...............
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