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Came across a great new iPad app for using Microsoft Office. It’s called OnLive Desktop. I really love the syncing between my iPad, computer and the Cloud, after adding to the cloud the files you want to work on everywhere. So I’m able to work on the same files on my iPad, laptop and PC.

Say you’re working on a book… You can always be at the most current place on your masterpiece on your iPad, laptop, and PC (and if you had an Android tablet, you could use it there too).

Sure makes writing a book from anywhere easier!

Although I have to admit, it was odd but comforting to see the familiar Microsoft apps on my iPad.

Hello All:

Very recently, I received an email about potential client work. I had my suspicions but thought to play them along so I responded with a request for more information and their response is below. My scam feelers went up first at the seemingly mass-sent nature of the original email. Not addressed to me personally (and the fact that the email was marked spam by my software!). Then after reading their responses I was further convinced. I’m still stringing them along but you should be cautious should an email similar to the ones below arrive in your inbox. Most often times, these unsolicited emails hope to entice you to give up all the information they request, and process the ‘payroll’ through your accounts. The poor sentence / grammar structure are also a give away. I wrote back that I required a contract and now they want to fax me one.

When an em email arrives and asks you to give all the personal information asked in the email below, its a sure sign your identity will be compromised if you do! There is no reason for a client to have that information, other than your name, tax ID and address for the 1099! Always be wary of these!

Have a great day! Kathy Ritchie, Editor, RSS Herald ***************************** Hello Job Seeker , Hello Thanks for your fast response .I am looking for a good admin assistant/personal assistant in USA for our monthly and Yearly administrative extending Business across the United State of America and Beyond.I have worked in the area of Accounting and payroll for two decades. I was able to consolidate my holdings in the US prior to 2007 and then, in anticipation of the European “meltdown”, I branched out into selected markets in parts of Europe, including Ireland, Spain and Italy, which currently offer significant opportunities due to the depressed state of the Euro at this time. I work with private and corporate investors throughout the US in the syndication of investments, both here and in Europe. .Russell Accounting and Payroll is a leading firm of chartered accountants with expertise in all areas of accountancy, including audit and accounts, tax accounting, and saving tax. Based in offices across the south-east, we work for many private clients, as well as for local businesses and organisations. Offering a comprehensive range of services, our responsive and approachable teams offer value for money and a genuine commitment to improving your overall business performance.Our Services We deliver a full range of bespoke accounting services to our clients including audit and accounts, bookkeeping and payroll, company incorporation, managing a business and both inheritance and personal tax planning. We work across the business life-cycle, from starting a business through to managing your company, planning for your future and taking care of your personal needs.

Under the direction of the manager, assist in processing weekly payroll for multi-entities in support of a 230 employee around the world population. Inspecting automated system output and standard reports, determining and correction out-of-balance conditions, and researching tier III cases for resolution. Maintaining time and attendance records and miscellaneous changes. Work independently to troubleshoot issues and conduct follow through to ensure proper controls, procedures and policies are followed We are looking for a replacement for at least the next six months. The primary responsibilities will involve receiving and organizing files, contracts, leases and purchase agreements. I estimate that the time involved for this will vary on a weekly basis, but should be no more than about 10 hours per week, at this point.

Duties and Requirements:

Available during regular business hours Organized and able to take instructions well Dependable, Reliable, Trustworthy a must Excellent English language skills (both spoken and written) Must have good attention to detail Must be a problem solver and not a problem maker Have great work ethic and attitude, as well as people skills pay-attention to detail, capable of multi-tasking, and works well under stress at times.

Benefits: - Yearly performance bonus - Paid vacation/sick/personal days - Medical benefits

Salary:$2400 monthly and Some other commission Assignment included

This position is home-based and flexible part time job, you can be in any location you will be working from your home doing all the activities.

This can act as a stable foundation to our working relationship.We have first task waiting for you to know if you are ready to work.We want to know if you own any of this office equipments list you need to start this position:

Printer: Personal Laptop/Desktop: Internet Access: Scanner: Paper Cutter: Calculator:

Please complete this questionnaire as fully as possible. If some of the information is not applicable, please indicate this with “NA”.

First Name Last Name Street Address Apartment or Unit Number City State Zip Year of HS Graduation How Many Years Have You Lived At Your Current Address Home Tel Mobile Tel Marital Status Number of Years At Your Most Recent Job Highest Level Of Education Languages Spoken Spanish, English Do You Participate In Sports? No If Yes, Which One(s)? Do You Have Two Professional and One Personal Reference Available? Do You Have Reliable Internet Access? Do You Use Any Instant Messaging Service (Yahoo, AOL, For Example)? What Is Your Most Significant Professional Accomplishment?

For the moment, We are estimating that the monthly wage of $2400. If things work out, after a trial period, we can look at bonus arrangements, where indicated and, certainly, if the work load increases, the basic weekly rate can be adjusted.I await to hear back from you as soon as possible with the information above so we can proceeded with the next step .

Thanks Russell Accounting and Payroll Russell Stillwater Payroll@russellaccountingandpayroll.com

On 2/13/12, Kathy Ritchie wrote: > I would appreciate more information. > > > > Thank you. > > > > From: Rusell Accounting and Payroll > [mailto:payroll@russellaccountingandpayroll.com] > Sent: Sunday, February 12, 2012 1:04 PM > To: kritchie@thebestva.com > Subject: [SPAM] Personal Assistant Needed > > > > Hello, I’m Russell Stillwater from Rusell Accounting and Payroll ,The > Owner of the company .We got your email from a career site and we will > like to know if you are available for a personal assistant opportunity > in our company . The ideal employee will have the following > attributes: 1.) Attention to Detail 2.) Organizational Skills 3.) > Excellent Written & Communication Skills 4.) Must be able to work in a > fast paced work environment 5.) Must have excellent computer skills in > Microsoft Office (Word, Excel,PowerPoint) BENEFIT $400 per week You > will be working from home ,we are going to be passing instruction on > how to go about each assignment via phone and email .I await to hear > back from you if you are available for more details >

At the start of every year, most of us make resolutions or have thoughts about making some changes to our lives. From telling ourselves that we need to lose weight or eat healthier, to quitting smoking or any other life-changing task, we all wish we co... Read the rest of this entry »

Recently, a potential client indicated he thought my rate (which has not been raised in several years) was too high. When I asked him what he thought would be appropriate, he replied, “Fair market rate”. He indicated that at my rate he could hire someone to come into the office for 20 hours monthly at less than half the cost…

Not possible… Not even remotely possible. I tried to explain that with a virtual assistant, he wouldn’t be paying my taxes, insurance, workman’s compensation…. He wouldn’t have to provide space or equipment for me…he wouldn’t have to pay for someone to schedule me, to do the required accounting for my pay, insurance, taxes, and so on… And he wouldn’t have to contend with in office distractions that inevitably occur with a group of people all working together.

Fair market rate…

The cost for in office personnel is far higher than the cost of a virtual assistant. But sometimes there will be those who just cannot understand this. There is nothing you can say to convince them that they will save time and money…

Remember, the bottom line isn’t always what it seems, especially when you’re not looking at all the pieces of the puzzle. Cheaper doesn’t always cost less.

Great new interview featuring my friend and mentor:

Key Challenges Companies Face

Well worth watching. Visit his site today.

As the song says, “Letting go is hard to do…” It’s especially hard knowing when to let a client go. Other than the obvious issue of non-payment it can be difficult to determine when or even if you should terminate a contract.

For me, several things must combine before I will terminate a contract.

• First, a sense of unease, a nagging suspicion that things are not right
• Second, abusive emails, disrespectful phone calls, unreasonable demands (biggie)
• Third, disloyalty
• Finally, when the use of a subcontractor is involved (in some cases this is MY assistant working to cover a client’s needs) and there is disrespect to that subcontractor.

I don’t like letting go of clients, I prefer to try and talk to them first. Sometimes though, it is necessary. As a fellow business owner, same as the client, I don’t have to continue working with someone who makes me uncomfortable, such as being rude, obnoxious, off color jokes, or just plain disrespectful. I don’t have to continue working with someone who isn’t nice to my assistant.

Working in the virtual environment is difficult enough since it’s a huge measure of trust between clients and virtual assistants. If there is anything that makes either in the partnership uneasy, talk it over, get it out in the open, and then, if you can’t come to an agreement, don’t just take it, protect yourself. We work hard enough everyday, we don’t have to be miserable too.