No matter what we do in life -- buy a new home or car, take the family on holiday, or splurge at Jimmy Choo's -- we're best served when we establish a budget. (Unless of course you're a Trust Fund Baby, but that's a topic for another article!) The same thought process and adherence to a budget must come into play when you're ready to outsource.
Don't look at your outsourcing budget as something to keep up with The Joneses. Remember, your outsourcing budget doesn't come close to what would you spend on a full-time employee for salary and benefits. Your budget is just that: YOURS! Keep your eyes on your own paper, and don't worry about what the other business owners are spending.
The next, and inevitable, question is always, "But Lori, how do I start to determine my budget?" Good question, my Killer Sharks. The first place to start is not in terms of a monetary amount, but instead to determine what you can realistically outsource. Your mission, which you will accept, is to make a list of:
* Those things which consistently fall through the cracks.
* Those things which you despise doing.
* Those things which are best left to an assistant.
* And most important of all -- those things which you're handling right now which are preventing you from keeping your business in business.
Here's a brief list of some of the tasks and projects many small business owners need to outsource:
* Appointment Setting and Confirmations (always more professional when your Assistant calls on your behalf!)
* Calendar and E-mail Management
* Shopping Cart Management
* Article Marketing
* Website Updates (Adobe Contribute, Dreamweaver, FrontPage, HTML)
* Blog Administration
* Craig's List & Backpage Campaigns
* Proofreading
* Data Entry Projects and Word Processing
* e-Newsletter Management
These are the same things which you're doing (and not very well, I might add!) that are sucking up your precious mental energy. You're the Big Kahuna in your business and your goal is to keep your eye on the big picture and not the administrative details. Think of all the things which comprise your back office administration; chances are nearly 100% that most of that stuff can be outsourced. With this list in hand, we can then begin to determine your approximate budget each month.
The Formula
Here's the formula I use with prospects who are interested in outsourcing:
HBR X NFTQ X 30 Working Days = $X,XXX.XX
HBR = Hourly Billable Rate
NFTQ = Non-Face-Time-Quotient (guestimate of the number of hours each day you spend on your backoffice administration)
Whatever the $X,XXX.XX total is, it's too much! That's money that's not in your pocket, and that's an indication of how much of your sanity you're leaving on the floor at the close of business each day.
Take the total number from above and either use it as a baseline, or divide it by 1/2, 1/3 or 1/4, depending upon how much you want to spend each month.
Take the total number from above and realize, once and for all, that you are throwing away a significant amount of money each month.
If your budget is on the lean side, that's just fine. That means you'll outsource a combination of big stuff and little stuff and then as you begin to bring in more money and acquire more clients, you can offload additional tasks and projects to your Virtual Assistant.
Outsourcing can make a profound and positive impact on your business, your life and your sanity! However, don't feel that you've got to spend Fort Knox each month to make it happen. Crunch your own numbers, let loose of the fears you're holding onto, and do something good for your business.
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
5 Budget Gift Ideas
Many people love to say that Valentine's Day is becoming too commercial, and claim that it is just another way for card and gift shops to make money. Personally, I feel it is lovely to have just one day out of 365 where people in love are reminded to celebrate one another and the special relationship they have. After all, I think it can get to the point where we begin to take each other for granted.
There are so many little things that can make someone's Valentine's Day. You don't have to spend a fortune on Valentines gifts, even if you have the money. It's more about the token of love and the thought that has gone into it, that makes a gift truly appreciated. The fact you can do so much, even if you have no money is what's so beautiful about Valentine's Day.
So here are a few gift ideas to inspire you to make Valentine's Day a special one.
Making an effort
For starters, the simple idea of a Valentine's Day card is always guaranteed to bring a smile to your partners face on Valentine's Day morning. It needn't be big or flashy, it doesn't even have to be shop bought. What can make a token of affection into something truly special is making it unique. Why not make the card yourself? Just some coloured card, a pen and a little imagination is all it takes. It could be as simple as a drawing of a heart with both your name inside, or maybe glueing a favourite picture of the two of you onto it, which can then be framed for posterity.
If you find you don't have time to make your own card, why not try and compose a little poem or message during your commute to work, or during lunch, which you can write inside your shop bought one. The gift idea is the same - it just needs a little thought and effort.
Cook a romantic meal for 2
Can't afford a meal out in a fancy restaurant? Then why not treat your girlfriend, boyfriend, husband or wife to a night off and cook a meal for them instead? It can be just as romantic as a restaurant meal - if not more so. Think of your partners favourite foods and drink and spend a few hours preparing a delicious meal. Think delicious, sexy food such as oysters or scallops for starters, a creamy pasta dish for main and chocolate or strawberries for pudding. Top it off with a bottle of bubbly, flowers on the table and a lit candle in a bottle and bob's your uncle. Even if the meal doesn't come out perfect, the fact you put so much thought into the gesture will make all the difference. It's an ideal way to celebrate if you cannot get a babysitter either.
Enjoy a night in and be pampered
This year, Valentine's Day happens to be on a Thursday - a very unromantic weekday. Many people will be at work during the day and it can be hard to find time for one another. With our busy lifestyle, it can be hard to get a chance to spend quality time together, just the two of you. So instead of thinking about making a day of it, how about making a night of it? Get prepared to enjoy a magical Valentine's night together. After a hard day at work, what better than a luxurious soak in a hot bubble bath? Light a few candles or get some floating spa lights, some soft music to relax too and help get you in the mood for a nice bathe together. Massage each others aching spots with some perfumed oil, whisper sweet nothings to one another and enjoy your time together.
I.O.U. tokens
A simple but effective idea that works a treat and costs you nothing at all. Simply write an I.O.U on a piece of paper or card offering to do something for your partner at anytime. It could be as romantic, sexy or simple as you like. Some examples are: I.O.U 1 massage, I.O.U the next choice what we watch on TV or I.O.U a washing up session. Alternatively you could suggest a night out for example I.O.U a visit to the cinema. This something cheap and cheerful, but it'll take you back to the days when you first started dating and holding hands. The only limitation with this Valentine gift idea is your imagination!
Games for two
Spending time together is crucial to your relationship together, and that is why I think Valentine's Day is an opportunity to bring couples closer together. How often do we get to spend time and do little things like play games or spend 2 hours exploring each others bodies and indulging in our pleasure zones. You can make up your own game, massage one another or get an adult game such as Nookii which costs under £25. The great thing is this game doesn't just last for the night, but for a lifetime, as you can use it over and over again. These games can be as fun, adventurous or sensuous as you wish. The key thing is to both enjoy it.
Hopefully these gift ideas have inspired everyone to have a fabulous Valentine's Day this year and in years to come.
There are so many little things that can make someone's Valentine's Day. You don't have to spend a fortune on Valentines gifts, even if you have the money. It's more about the token of love and the thought that has gone into it, that makes a gift truly appreciated. The fact you can do so much, even if you have no money is what's so beautiful about Valentine's Day.
So here are a few gift ideas to inspire you to make Valentine's Day a special one.
Making an effort
For starters, the simple idea of a Valentine's Day card is always guaranteed to bring a smile to your partners face on Valentine's Day morning. It needn't be big or flashy, it doesn't even have to be shop bought. What can make a token of affection into something truly special is making it unique. Why not make the card yourself? Just some coloured card, a pen and a little imagination is all it takes. It could be as simple as a drawing of a heart with both your name inside, or maybe glueing a favourite picture of the two of you onto it, which can then be framed for posterity.
If you find you don't have time to make your own card, why not try and compose a little poem or message during your commute to work, or during lunch, which you can write inside your shop bought one. The gift idea is the same - it just needs a little thought and effort.
Cook a romantic meal for 2
Can't afford a meal out in a fancy restaurant? Then why not treat your girlfriend, boyfriend, husband or wife to a night off and cook a meal for them instead? It can be just as romantic as a restaurant meal - if not more so. Think of your partners favourite foods and drink and spend a few hours preparing a delicious meal. Think delicious, sexy food such as oysters or scallops for starters, a creamy pasta dish for main and chocolate or strawberries for pudding. Top it off with a bottle of bubbly, flowers on the table and a lit candle in a bottle and bob's your uncle. Even if the meal doesn't come out perfect, the fact you put so much thought into the gesture will make all the difference. It's an ideal way to celebrate if you cannot get a babysitter either.
Enjoy a night in and be pampered
This year, Valentine's Day happens to be on a Thursday - a very unromantic weekday. Many people will be at work during the day and it can be hard to find time for one another. With our busy lifestyle, it can be hard to get a chance to spend quality time together, just the two of you. So instead of thinking about making a day of it, how about making a night of it? Get prepared to enjoy a magical Valentine's night together. After a hard day at work, what better than a luxurious soak in a hot bubble bath? Light a few candles or get some floating spa lights, some soft music to relax too and help get you in the mood for a nice bathe together. Massage each others aching spots with some perfumed oil, whisper sweet nothings to one another and enjoy your time together.
I.O.U. tokens
A simple but effective idea that works a treat and costs you nothing at all. Simply write an I.O.U on a piece of paper or card offering to do something for your partner at anytime. It could be as romantic, sexy or simple as you like. Some examples are: I.O.U 1 massage, I.O.U the next choice what we watch on TV or I.O.U a washing up session. Alternatively you could suggest a night out for example I.O.U a visit to the cinema. This something cheap and cheerful, but it'll take you back to the days when you first started dating and holding hands. The only limitation with this Valentine gift idea is your imagination!
Games for two
Spending time together is crucial to your relationship together, and that is why I think Valentine's Day is an opportunity to bring couples closer together. How often do we get to spend time and do little things like play games or spend 2 hours exploring each others bodies and indulging in our pleasure zones. You can make up your own game, massage one another or get an adult game such as Nookii which costs under £25. The great thing is this game doesn't just last for the night, but for a lifetime, as you can use it over and over again. These games can be as fun, adventurous or sensuous as you wish. The key thing is to both enjoy it.
Hopefully these gift ideas have inspired everyone to have a fabulous Valentine's Day this year and in years to come.
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