To be a great assistant you need to be ahead of the curve, and that starts with technology. One of the skills that your client is expecting from you and more importantly paying you for is to guide them in all things technology.
I’m amazed though, when it comes to Virtual professionals like Executive Assistants, Marketing and even Writers how little they have used or even know about new technologies. It is almost impossible to know about every new product that is released each week, however, I’m suggesting that Assistants need to know about what is popular and effective at the moment.
Here are some suggestions for technologies that are free and easy to start looking into. I suggest setting up some sample projects and or mock situations where you could use this program for your family for example, so you get a real feel for how the product works and it’s capabilities
Start with:
Evernote – Take note of everything. Evernote makes it easy to remember things and take notes from your computer, phone and the web. Great for notes, photo memories, travel plans, saving webpages, sharing amongst friends colleagues www.evernote.com
Tungle.me – Scheduling made easy. Eliminate the back and forth of finding a time to meet; Easily share your availability with anyone; Prevent double bookings. All meetings are kept private, while only showing free/busy information. http://www.tungle.me/Home/
Basecamp – the leading web-based project management and collaboration tool. To-dos, files, messages, schedules, and milestones. http://basecamphq.com/
Shoeboxed – Send in receipts, business cards and documents using pre-paid envelopes, email or your phone and they will scan, enter data and organise for you! They can integrate with Evernote to keep everything in one place accessible from all your devices. https://www.shoeboxed.com.au/
Stay tuned, more technologies introduced in future blogs….
Lisa Cumes has been working as a Virtual Assistant for over 5 years with clients in Australia and worldwide. She is the Director of Empower Executives, a company that provides Virtual Assistant services, and Virtual Assistant placement. Lisa lives in Sydney with her 3 small children and husband. Find out more about Virtual Assistants at www.EmpowerExecutives.com.au