Another Reason to Give Skype a Try

I received an email the other day from Skype.com and thought I would share it with you. It said from now until the end of the year, you can use Skype to call any US or Canada number (landline) from your Skype application for free. Check out their website for details. www.skype.com

I have always loved that any and every day, Skype to Skype calls are free, but they are really outdoing themselves here! I don't have to tell you what this can mean in savings when it comes to your long distance bill. :)

If you don't have Skype already, you might want to give it a try. It's pretty popular- and for good reason!

Unethical Requests for Service

As a Virtual Assistant, if it hasn't happened to you yet, it probably will. At some point, you will be confronted by a request to do something unethical- perhaps not illegal, but something that really goes against your values. Because these situations can often catch you off guard, it might be helpful to develop a strategy for handling them before you find yourself in an uncomfortable situation.

Here are a few tips:

• Choose your clients carefully. If a potential client seems "shady", choose to protect your reputation and gracefully decline to provide your services. Choose clients that have a similar sense of business ethics to your own.
• Share your business values with potential clients. If you let them know right away that you are an "above board" type of person, chances are that you will attract like-minded clients while warding off those whose practices could really hurt your reputation.
• If you are asked to do something that appears to be questionable, ask questions until you can determine whether it is legitimate. If you need to, consult with an experienced industry professional.
• If you are asked to do something that is obviously unethical, refuse to take the assignment. Be firm and direct. (i.e., " I am declining this assignment because I feel it is an unethical request.")

Effectively dealing with unethical requests doesn't have to be difficult or intimidating. By choosing to stand firm, you not only protect your own reputation but the entire VA industry as well.

Looking for a Book to Help You Get Started as a Virtual Assistant?

If you have ever thought about becoming a Virtual Assistant but just weren't sure about whether to take a Virtual Assistant course, this book is for you. It is the same text that we use for the CertifiedVP PRO eCourse, so you can benefit from the same knowledge.

After reading it, if you decide that you would like to test for the CertifiedVP Certificate, you can do so for a small fee. Either way, the knowledge that you gain from the book, available both in print or as an ebook, is yours to keep!

Virtual Assistant PRO:The Starting Point in The Virtual Industry

Well, LogMeIn Then!

If you are like many other VAs I know (myself included), when you get too far away from your PC, you start to feel a little edgy. Having access to my computer files no matter where I am is very important to me. That's why LogMeIn is such phenomenal software. Literally from anywhere with an internet connection, I can securely log into my PC and control my computer, access files, check my email, etc.

Sure, there are several similar applications out there, but LogMeIn offers their basic package, LogMeIn Free for- you guessed it- FREE. I'm not just talking about for a limited time, either. And if that isn't enough to just make you jump for joy, then perhaps I should mention that the paid subscription package that they offer costs considerably less than that of their well-known competitors. LogMeIn Pro, offers file sharing, file transfer, file sync, the ability to invite a guest to your PC, and a whole host of other goodies at a price that will make you wonder how the other guys sleep at night.

Whether you opt for LogMeIn Free or LogMeIn Pro, I can't imagine that you will find a better bargain for a such a quality application. Visit www.logmein.com and see the other products that they offer, too.