How Hiring a Virtual Assistant Can Bring You Out of Chaos

It’s often difficult to identify areas where there may be repetition or glaring gaps in how you go about operating your business every day. We are all good at some things, but trying to be good at everything often end up with us in chaos.

Depending on your individual areas of expertise, a virtual assistant can help smooth over inefficiencies and streamline your operations so that can help everything run smoother and increase productivity.

There are many ways to find a VA, such as Upwork and Fiverr are common . And can also try reaching out to your business network, associations, and industry groups to see what they do. But what you are likely to find is a mixed bag of good and bad stories. In fact, from my experience hiring a virtual assistant is often a 50/50 craps shoot at best. That is unless you go with a managed VA service.

Knowing what to pay is another big challenge. VAs either charge by the hour or a set figure that encompasses performing specific tasks. And the pricing is all over the place, but I can tell you one thing.. you generally get what you pay for. If you go too cheap, you are highly unlikely to be happy with the results. I’ve found that you should really approach hiring a VA like any other employee, complete with a detailed job description, interview, references and a trial period. If you don’t have time to do all that yourself, than a managed VA service is for you.

Not ready for a personal VA just yet? There are other ways to outsource admin needs. For example, get an 800 number so you don’t have to use your mobile number; it also makes your business look more professional. Additionally, you can set up your voice mail to transcribe messages, which then can be e-mailed or forwarded to your regular phone. This way you have a record of information that can be shared with others on your team. These are good short term workaround until you are at a point where you decide a VA is just what you need.

While you probably have the skills to do all or most of your administrative and specialized tasks, you should take an inventory of your day and decide what is the best use of your time. When we are stressed or not at optimum energy, our executive and critical thinking skills suffer. It is more important to work smarter and devote your workday to the areas of your business that require your full attention and energy.

Take for example posting on Facebook. It’s not hard. Anyone can do it. But should you be the one doing it? Do the math. What is your time worth? I bet whatever you come up with will be a lot more than the $5–$10 an hour that you could have VA doing the posting for you.

No matter what your business size, investing in a VA can be a small amount to pay in order to help maintain a stronger work-life balance that benefits both you, your company and those in your personal life.

That is where Sonic VA comes in. We can get you a VA, one that will consistently add value to your business for a reasonable price.

This is an example of what you will get. Here’s Vida, one of our veteran VAs, “Working from home is perfect for mothers like me. It gives me the opportunity to look after my little one and still earning an income. I’m so lucky I’ve found a company that provides us good compensation and benefits, very understanding with employees’ needs, and I have awesome colleagues to work with.”

Happy employees + more free time for you = big value add to your business

And that is how you get yourself our of the chaos you find yourself in when you try do everything in your business by yourself.

Daniel Meyer heads Sonic Analytics, an analytics firm with offices in Manila, the San Francisco Bay Area and Ocala, FL. With over 20 years in Big Data, Dan is one of the most sought-after public speakers in Asia and offers big data coaching and analytics training seminars on both sides of the Pacific. Dan has also recently joined the Powerteam International family as a small business analytics resource speaker.

Sonic Analytics(www.sonicanalytics.com) brings virtual staffing and big data analytics solutions like business intelligence, business dashboards and data storytelling to small and medium sized organizations looking to enhance their data-driven decision-making capabilities. We also advocate the use of analytics for civic responsibility through training, consulting and education.

As citizens of this great democracy, we need to look at the data (analytics), plan a course of action (strategy) and share our data-driven viewpoints (presentation). This approach to a data savvy work force starts in school. So, we started an internship program to empower our youth to use Analytics, plan Strategy and Present their insights… ASP!

When not training current and future analysts, you can find Dan championing the use of analytics to empower data-driven citizenship by volunteering his expertise with schools and non-profits dedicated to evidence-based social progress like Saint Leo University’s Women in STEAM 2020 Conference.

What Makes Being a Virtual Assistant with Sonic Analytics Special

It’s funny how this all started.

Eight years ago, I had moved to the Philippines to set up an analytics training company. It took a few years, but we were quite successful in becoming THE name brand in analytics training in not just the Philippines but across Southeast Asia.

While in the midst of getting the business established, I got a request from a friend of a friend to help them do some outsourcing. Specifically, the requirement was to set up a team of six SEO keywording specialists to tag images on an online auction site. I shook my network and we quickly set up the team and they dove in.

We were so successful that we quickly expanded the team to 12, added a graphic designer and an e-mail marketer. All home-based workers. The client was so happy, we just kept adding. To the point where we quickly had over 30 employees on the account.

There were two things we did that made a difference. So much of a difference that are attrition has been under 10% year of year ever since. In the outsourcing industry, that is unheard of. And for home-based work, where most people work as freelancers, the “ghosting” rate is so high that it’s basically a 50/50 craps shoot if you get a good person.

So, the first of the two difference makes is the talent pool. This is true of VAs as whole, but for me it’s my secret sauce. Most of my employees, and just about all of the leadership team are stay at home moms who used to work in the call center industry. They have good English; they have worked within an American business model and they are used to structure. They also have a big incentive to work hard to provide for the family and be there every day for their kids.

The other big difference? You may have noticed I refer to my team as employees. They are exactly that. Most VA services that are work from home jobs can be kinda shady. Low paying, no benefits, inconsistent workload, poor communication loop with clients are common. By employing talent full time, paying a competitive wage, with all the benefits and perks of an office job, and following local labor laws, my team really values their job.

Here is a testamonial from one of my team, Liza, who has been with us for 6 years.

“I find working at home very practical and convenient in terms of travel. No traffic to waste time on, this is quality time spent with the family or errands. No need for expensive clothes to wear nor uniforms to iron every day. Food is easily accessible and if you have children, no need to hire a maid just to take care of them and the household chores. Homebased jobs also make working safer and more efficient. Invaluable gave me the chance to be valuable again in the comfort of my own home. There really is no place like home.”

And that is what makes being a Virtual Assistant with Sonic Analytics special.

Devouring the Thoughts of Others

It’s not secret that one of the secrets to success is being well read.

You find a lot of people who might knock an education, offering their opinion as to how they got to where they got in life with out one or making fun of those who have one who are still idiots.

There is a lot of data out there though that is indisputable, the more education you have the higher the probability that you will be financially successful. A college degree is worth a lot more in potential earnings than a high school diploma.

But I digress, the point I started to make is that you have to read a lot. One of the indisputable benefits of a college education is you have to read a lot and read a lot of things you might not normally have read. This broadens you.

I read a lot. Like a book a week at least. And I am always reading stuff online. You can never stuff enough knowledge and wisdom in your brain. It’s impossible to fill.

So where attention goes (to being well read), energy flows (you get all kinds of new ideas), and results show (you make a lot less mistakes and errors in judgement).

And that is why I read a lot. Thanks T. Have Eker for proving my point which proves your point.

Daniel Meyer heads Sonic Analytics, an analytics firm with offices in Manila, the San Francisco Bay Area and Ocala, Florida. With over 20 years in Big Data, Dan is one of the most sought-after public speakers in Asia and offers big data coaching and analytics training seminars on both sides of the Pacific. Dan has also recently joined the Powerteam International family as a small business analytics resource speaker.

Sonic Analytics(www.sonicanalytics.com) brings big data analytics solutions like business intelligence, business dashboards and data storytelling to small and medium sized organizations looking to enhance their data-driven decision-making capabilities. We also advocate the use of analytics for civic responsibility through training, consulting and education.

Like a Diamond in the Rough

I came across this article recently that really hit home.

The gist of the article was how people who are driven, passionate and successful are often alone.

There have definitely been times over the last decade that I have been my own boss that I’ve felt alone.

However, most of the time I’m not alone. I have always worked hard to surrounded myself with people who get what it meas to be successful. Ones with a great work ethic, have a vision and possess integrity.

So when I read the article, which the above quote is a paraphrase of, I felt the need to share it and explain what it means to me.

We are “diamonds in the rough”. This really says a lot. We are rare, we are valuable and we often take a while to turn from common to priceless.

I love the keywords, “honest”, “reliable” and “forward thinking”.

It never ceases to amaze me about how many people do business dishonestly. Its a small minority, but some days it seems like I attract more than my fair share who are trying to sell something that is not what they promise. Overtime honesty is the best policy, you can’t sustain success if you are constantly overpromising and under delivering.

Reliability goes hand in hand with honesty, but often being reliable can take a back seat when you are overwhelmed. When you set up an offer and you don’t have the ability to meet that demands of that offer over time you are going to lose credibility with your clients and they are going to go some where else.

To be in business in 2020 and not be forward thinking is an oxymoron. With the constant evolution in technology it has never been easier to grow a business. Social media, artificial intelligence, chatbots, smartphones… you have to wonder what’s coming next. And when you do find what is coming next, you have to jump on it. Small businesses around the world are being killed by the technology gap between them and their big tech titan competitors.

So this leads me back to the central theme of joining masterminds and surrounding yourself with people who are honest, reliable and forward thinking.

As we are now 20 years into the information age, masterminds are still the best way to meet the challenge of being alone. Digital ones work too.

Keep Yourself Accountable

The best way to ensure you are focusing on results is to have accountability partners. One knowledgeable about your industry and your vision. A mastermind is the best way to surround your self with people who can help you stay on point. They should be like a board of advisors. This concept ad part of a Mastermind group, was formally introduced by Napoleon Hill.

In his book “Think and Grow Rich“, Hill described the Mastermind principle as, “The coordination of knowledge and effort between two or more people who work towards a definite purpose in a spirit of harmony…no two minds ever come together without thereby creating a third, invisible intangible force, which may be likened to a third mind”, also known as, the Mastermind.

You should be part of a mastermind where you are helping other business minded individuals level up their businesses. You should also be part of a mastermind where you are amongst your peers, other business people at your level facing similar challenges. And finally, you should be part of a virtual mastermind with other leaders in your niche.

If you own or are thinking of owning your own business, you need to learn specifically what it takes to build an even more successful company, connect with other like-minded business owners, and discover new ways to create revenue streams!

We will show you how to use the latest technology to build even more leads, sales & streams of income! If you aren’t already thinking about how to use things like chatbots, auto responders and artificial intelligence to grow a business, you are way behind the curve. We specialize in teaching great concepts on how to become an inspiring leader, utilize great systems and become 100% laser focused!

Check out this upcoming event sponsored by DMAIPH, Sonic Analytics, Mastermind PH in the Philippines:

Vision to Wealth – BGC Jan 15, 2020 Sign Up Here

Collaboration Is The Key To Massive Success!

This is key for being successful in today’s information age. We have an unprecedented number of collaboration tools like Trello, Monday and Calendy. We have access to a world of talent through UpWork, Fiverr & Sonic VA. We can talk with each other at any time, anywhere for free with iMessage, Skype and Zoom.

If you aren’t using these tools to build a mastermind, you are missing out. The concept of a Mastermind group was formally introduced by Napoleon Hill.

Check out this upcoming event sponsored by DMAIPH, Sonic Analytics, Mastermind PH in the Philippines:

Vision to Wealth – BGC Jan 15, 2020 Sign Up Here

You Are the Sum of the 5 People You Spend the Most Time With

This is key for being successful in today’s information age. We live in an increasingly interconnected world where people can share knowledge and experience in real time, from anywhere in the world at any time.

There has never never been a better time to widen your circle using online tools. A mastermind should be no exception.

The concept of a Mastermind group was formally introduced by Napoleon Hill.

Check out these upcoming events sponsored by DMAIPH, Sonic Analytics, Mastermind PH in the Philippines:

Vision to Wealth – Makati Jan 13, 2020 Sign Up Here
Vision to Wealth – BGC Jan 15, 2020 Sign Up Here

The Power of the Mastermind

As I hit the half way point of my latest trip to the Philippines, I have had the honor of delivering 3 of the 6 planned talks I have scheduled on the power of the mastermind.

At this point in my career, I’ve had enough experience with masterminds to know what makes them work and what doesn’t.

If you are surrounded by people whose only goal is to keep everyone down in the miserable place they are, you will fail. Stop taking advice from people who are never gonna be as successful as you plan to be. You need to leave them behind and get signed up to be part of a business mastermind.

Now as a recap for those who hadn’t heard of the term business mastermind before, a mastermind group is a peer-to-peer mentoring concept used to help members solve their problems with input and advice from the other group members.

The concept was coined in 1925 by author Napoleon Hill described in more detail in his 1937 book, Think and Grow Rich. Find the book, the audiotape or do a google search. If you truly want to Think and Grow Rich, it all starts here!

So to help me build my first mastermind in the Philippines I’m looking for Filipinos from a certain mold. These are exactly the kind of people you will meet at my talks.

I will be giving a talk on Sunday to an audience of mostly accountants, bookkeepers and financial experts at the NETWORK, LEARN AND HAVE FUN

𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐧: 𝐉𝐚𝐧𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝟏𝟐, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟎 ( 𝐒𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐲)
𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐞: 𝟏𝐩𝐦 𝐭𝐨 𝟒𝐩𝐦
𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞: 𝐖𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐞 𝐈𝐧𝐜.
𝟐𝐧𝐝 𝐟𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐫, 𝐁𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂, 𝐌𝐞𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐚𝐥𝐤 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐱, 𝐌𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐜𝐨 𝐀𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐮𝐞, 𝐏𝐚𝐬𝐢𝐠 𝐂𝐢𝐭y

Then on Monday I’ll be in Makati @ Warehouse 8 for the next Vision to Wealth meet up.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/82517816009

And finally at our 3rd Vision to Wealth meet up in BGC on Wednesday.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/82519206167

The goal at these events is not just to sign them up to be in my mastermind, but to get each one to a point where they can run their own mastermind as well.

Finally want to share feedback from a couple of recent events, where I had a chance to share my story, talk about masterminds and build a team of like minded entrepreneurs who are ready to level up.

A.I. for Marketing — Makati

“I had so many Aha moments and insights from the Mastermind event, I felt I need to google the words I took some notes during the discussion.”

Vision to Wealth — Ortigas

“I would like to thank you for such a paradigm shifting night for me.”

Making a Mastermind Successful — Part 2

At this point in my career, I’ve had enough experience with masterminds to know what makes them work and what doesn’t. As we launch Mastermind PH next week, I want to make sure everyone who signs up is signing up for the right reasons.

Having spent most of the past decade doing business in the Philippines, I’ve got volumes of experience to draw on.

Mastermind PH marks my 7th business venture in my adopted country since 2011. The first one failed spectacularly, the next two based on learning the ropes through hard knocks did ok. But by the 4th go around I got the formula right and enjoyed massive success.

So lucky #7 will have every reason to succeed. Why do I feel so confident? Because it’s a business mastermind forged out of everything that came before it and everyone that contributed (good & bad) to getting me to where I’m now at… the sweet spot.

I’m also in the right place at the right time. A lot of great ideas and business plans here in the Philippines misfire because of not being in the right place at the right time. Over the years spent here, having worked with the hundreds of businesses and the thousands of Filipinos in my circle, the biggest challenge to success I see is the broke brother in law concept. If you are Filipino, it’s a concept akin to the “crab mentality”.

So to help me build my first mastermind in the Philippines I’m looking for Filipinos from a certain mold. The goal is not just to sign them up to be in my mastermind, but to get each one to a point where they can run their own mastermind as well.

I’ve learned from two of the best in the business, Bill Walsh & Michael Silvers. I’ve set up a couple of masterminds in Central Florida. I know Napoleon Hills concept down. And I’m part of one of the biggest, baddest, most accomplished mastermind groups out there, Powerteam International’s Win Global Mastermind.

So to summarize my point… the 3 biggest reasons I know Mastermind PH will be a huge success; adaptability, market awareness and being surrounded by people who make me better.

You Should Be In 3 Masterminds

This is key for being successful in today’s information age. You need to part of not just one mastermind, but three.

The concept of a Mastermind group was formally introduced by Napoleon Hill.

Check out these upcoming events sponsored by DMAIPH, Sonic Analytics, Mastermind PH in the Philippines:

Vision to Wealth – Ortigas Jan 8, 2020 Sign Up Here
Vision to Wealth – Makati Jan 13, 2020 Sign Up Here
Vision to Wealth – BGC Jan 15, 2020 Sign Up Here