Cybertary Roseville

Our Blog Has Moved

2010-11-17T15:42:00.001-08:00

We have moved our blog! Check it out and subscribe:

http://cybertaryroseville.wordpress.com/

5 Ways to Turn Your Knowledge Into Sales

2010-11-16T12:30:00.000-08:00

As a small business owner, you are a top salesperson for your business. In some cases, in fact, you might be the only salesperson. What you might not know is that, as the owner of your business, you are also a wise expert full of wonderful teachings, and there are several simple ways to turn those teachings into sales right now.

No one likes a preachy hard sell. It makes us feel uncomfortable. It makes us get defensive. Sometimes it even makes us feel guilty. You know what I'm talking about. On the other hand, most of us love to purchase products and services that make our lives easier, better, prettier, safer, etc. Many of us, in fact, are constantly in search of the next best thing that is going to improve our every day.

What's interesting, however, is that most people prefer to find our way to products and services through information and knowledge we pick up along the way. We react positively when we hear about a great solution, rather than a great product. When we see a beneficial service working in someone's life, rather than inside a typical sales brochure, we take notice. So as a salesperson, this is the type of buyer's thinking you need to tap into and consider when creating your sales tools.

There are many ways you can demonstrate what you know and teach potential clients the things they want to do and understand. Teach them, don't sell them, about the solutions your products and service have to offer. Show them, don't sell them, how your current clients put your products and services to use in their lives. Even let your current clients do a little teaching about your company's value and service quality.

Here are 5 Ways you can package your knowledge and turn it into a useful sales tool:

Make a how-to video in your area of expertise.
Turn your best presentations into a digital format.
Write a short informational e-book.
Create a favorable testimonial video clip from one of your best customers.
Maintain a blog with a daily informational tip.

But don't stop there.

In this age of technology and incredible web-based software applications, it's so easy to create knowledge-based information products that are easy to share. These types of multimedia teaching tools (a.k.a. sales tools) will allow you to inform a wide audience of clients and potential clients. And when you make your informational sales tools accessible in the digital world, your business and brand comes in a cut above the rest.

Here are 5 Easy Ways (and mostly FREE) you can share educational sales tools online:

Turn a PowerPoint presentation into an online slideshow via Slideshare (FREE).
- Easy to add audio to make it a webinar.
- Provides easy code to embed the slideshow on your website or blog.
Start a blog for your business at Blogger or WordPress (both FREE) and write daily on your expertise.
Send out monthly educational text or HTML e-newsletters to subscribers with iContact (FREE 15-day trial and then plans start at $10/month) or Constant Contact (FREE 60-day trial and then plans start at $15/month).
Hold and record instant webinars through ReadyTalk (FREE 30-day trial and then $49/month). Then publish your webinars as podcasts or upload them to YouTube (FREE) to share online.
- YouTube provides easy code to embed the video on your website or blog.
Turn a great informational article into downloadable PDF e-book with your own PDF software or via Adobe's Create PDF (first five PDFs FREE and then $10/month) to share or sell.

You are the expert. You hold the wisdom. You know the tricks of your trade, so get out there and teach your clients. By communicating with potential clients from a standpoint of informing, you will be selling your products and services in a more positive, more value-forward way. And when your clients feel well-informed from the start, you set the perfect foundation for long-term trust and loyalty.

2010-11-12T13:17:00.001-08:00

The "thank you" note is probably the most critical yet most overlooked client appreciation tool out there. How many times have you had a wonderfully productive meeting with a potential client and forgotten to simply say "thank you" or "please keep me in mind"? Well, why not let Cybertary handle the "thank you" notes, so you can stick to giving potential clients the kind of business they can be thankful for?

Let Cybertary ensure that your potential clients and other important business connections feel appreciated and valued. Cybertary can purchase, prepare and mail personalized, handwritten "thank you" notes, as well as any other special event cards, to the critical people in your business life.

Save Time and Gas!

2010-11-10T15:04:00.000-08:00

Shop Online for School and Everyday Office Supplies

Everyone I know is feeling the pinch these days-the pinch of high gas prices and a painfully slow-moving economy. So more than ever at Cybertary, we're concentrating on ways to save you time and money. When a drive across town will run you more the $4/gallon, it's time to consider online shopping-for the busy Back to School season, as well as for your everyday office supply purchases.

At first, online shopping seemed like a luxury to many. To others it still seems like something only technical people do. However, nowadays shopping online can be a means of saving you both valuable time and money. And let's face it-there's nothing worse than driving across town in traffic on your lunch hour, only to find out the store is out of the supplies you need. What a waste! And frankly, none of us have time to waste.

Many online office supply stores let you create and save a "Favorites" shopping list that really simplifies reorders. No more racking your brain for the name of your favorite pen or the number of your ink jet cartridges. Plus, you can often get free shipping if you order a certain amount (usually $50). Some stores even often offer Rewards programs based on volume that can add up to free supplies.

Some big names in Online Office Supplies and their current benefits*:

OfficeMax®

Free Shipping: On purchases over $50.
MaxPerks® Rewards Program: Earn a $25 reward every time you spend a minimum of $500 on qualified purchases. Additional rewards for recycling as well. See website for details.

Office Depot®

Free Shipping: Next business day on purchases over $50.
Worklife RewardsTM Program: Get 10% back on ink, toner, paper and Design, Print & Ship, PLUS 1% back on nearly everything else. See website for details.

Staples®

Free Shipping: On purchases over $50.
Staples RewardsTM Program: Get 10% back on ink and toner, case and ream paper and Copy & Print Center purchases. See website for details.

As a general cost-savings rule, always buy your supplies in bulk and at the lowest possible prices. This will save you money on your supplies and shipping. And just think, once you get all signed up to start buying office supplies online, you might get to feeling really wild and look into Online Print Services as well. It's true. You can order your copies online as well! What will they think of next?

* Benefits were compiled in a July 2008 online survey of company websites. Subject to change without notice.

Easy Remote Access: Work the Cybertary Way

2010-11-09T19:37:00.000-08:00

At Cybertary, it’s critical that we be able to take our work with us. After all, this is how Cybertaries do business. Sure, we are able to keep flexible hours, but that also means we sometimes conduct our work from a client’s office or a quiet cafe, along the soccer field, or from the road. Remote access tools allow you to work on documents as if you were sitting at your PC in your home office, or even at your client’s PC, without actually having to be there. Now these are tools many small businesses can utilize for more flexibility as well!
There are many different remote access tools available-each with their own pros and cons. The following is a short list of available remote access products recommended by Cybertary:

LogMeIn:
Also, a monthly or annual subscription-based service, LogMeIn allows you to remotely access your computer from any other Internet-connected computer in the world via a 256-bit SSL-encrypted, double-password secure connection. LogMeIn offers a “free” version that meets most remote access needs. Their paid version allows for remote printing, remote file transfer, file sharing and file syncing.
Citrix GoToMyPC^®:
This monthly or annual subscription-based service allows you to remotely access your computer from any other Internet-connected computer in the world via a secure, private connection. GoToMyPC offers a 24-bit true-to-life, full-color view of your desktop-perfect for looking at pictures and reviewing design work. It also allows you to adjust the speed and screen appearance to get the performance that best suits your needs.
pcAnywhere^TM:
A one-time software purchase that enables simple, secure connection to remote devices with encryption and password protection. PCAnywhere can also be set up for cross-patform (Mac to PC or PC to Mac) remote access.
Windows Remote Desktop Connection:
Included with Windows XP Professional, this utility enables you to connect to your computer across the Internet from virtually any computer. Both computers must be connected to the Internet through a VPN (Virtual Private Network) connection, which requires some custom setup. Note: If you’re not connecting to the host computer through a VPN, you will need to use the actual IP address of the host computer instead of the computer name.
mail2web.com^®:
If you need to access your email while on the go, mail2web.com offers free, secure and anonymous email retrieval from almost any POP3 or IMAP4 email server. No registration is required.

Installation and Access:
Most of our recommendations are easy-to-install, easy-to-access, web-based solutions that require no software or hardware to purchase. Simply sign up through the product web site, and then use your computer, User ID and password to access the tools after that.
Remote access tools will open a whole new avenue of capabilities to your business. You will be able to work more flexibly and have the access you need at your fingertips at all times.

Even Super Solopreneurs Need Help Sometimes

2010-11-05T16:21:00.000-07:00

(Your Secret's Safe With Us!)
We know you typically work independently at superhuman capacity, but everyone can use a little help from time to time. In fact, your solopreneurial ability to build a successful business in a single bound may absolutely depend on your ability to find and receive help when you need it.

Not quite bionic but close, Cybertary is a network of highly skilled professionals working as Virtual Assistants (VAs) to provide as needed administrative support and specialized services to businesses, solopreneurs, executives and busy people. Every Cybertary takes the time to understand your business needs so you get consistent, caring, quality work every time you outsource to Cybertary.

Your Own Superhero

Let's face it-Batman has Robin and even Superman can be taken down by even the tiniest dab of Kryptonite. Sometimes you just need to be able to call for backup. Let Cybertary be your backup in times of need. From Office Support, Accounting and Bookkeeping to Graphic and Web Design Executive Assistance and more, Cybertary can save the day in your business most anywhere you might need it.

Resourceful Like 007

No need to let on about your undercover Cybertary help. Cybertaries work in our own offices with our own office equipment, so there's no need to provide office space, no overhead and no need to pay benefits. Cybertary uses the most advanced technology tools and the most efficient timesaving office products and work delivery methods. All your work files are exchanged securely and covertly over the Internet, so no one will be the wiser. You look independently efficient and on the ball at all times.

Get Smart

No, this e-newsletter is not encoded with a secret message, and no, you can't reach Cybertary via shoe phone. However, working with Cybertary is one way to "get smart" about doing business. Outsource to Cybertary and alleviate some of the workload burden of non-revenue-producing administrative tasks. Use the extra time you'll earn to focus your efforts on building business and increasing revenues or for self-care and family-all of which are incremental to any successful business.

Save the Day (and the Dollar)

Because Cybertary works if and when you need assistance, it's a very affordable solution for solopreneurs. Cybertary works more efficiently, more cost effectively, and with a broader skill set than a regular administrative employee. And, if you're having a slow week or going on vacation, your Cybertary can take a break with you or increase availability to fill in for you so that you can truly relax. Hiring Cybertary is the perfect way to get the precise help you need when you need it without over-extending your small business budget.

Getting the help you need on the smaller stuff will provide you the time you need to focus on the big stuff-like clients, new business, family and you! Keep your solo business working extraordinarily by calling Cybertary whenever you need help.

How Stay-at-Home Dads Bounce Back From Career Hiatus

2010-11-03T12:53:00.000-07:00

BY LYNEKA LITTLE

Oct. 28, 2010

Dads Talk About Returning to Work after Raising the Children

After 19 years at a major newspaper, Ken Kaplan accepted a buyout so that he could shift his career and spend more time with his two young children, now 9 and 14 years old.

That decision made Kaplan, a Boston resident, the primary caregiver in his household of four.

"I thought I owed it to myself to have some time with the kids," says Kaplan. As the children began heading off to school, "I sort of felt like an absentee father being at work during dinnertime. For many years, I felt cut out of their lives."

As the economy continues to putter along, households are rethinking their mechanics and shifting gears, allowing more dads to embrace the role of Mr. Mom. And, like the women before them, some men have been left wondering how to return to the labor market after a short- or long-term stint at home taking care of the kids..

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the 2009 unemployment rate for women was 2.2 percentage points lower than the rate for men, revealing one of the largest work force gender gaps ever.

High unemployment has hit both men and women, with men numerically bearing the brunt of the impact as the recession continues to snatch more jobs from men than women.

In September, the unemployment rate for men 20 years old and up stood at 8.9 percent, a few paces above the 7.2 unemployment rate for women in the same age bracket.

A layoff took systems analyst Raymond Gordon, who lives in Atlanta, out of the work force in early 2009. While he searched for a job that would take advantage of his skills, he found himself building stronger ties with his two children, including a young son for whom he has custody every other week.

"The time with your children you can't get back," he says.

The number of stay-at-home dads rose to 158,000 in 2009, a bit of a jump from the 140,000 married men who spent at least one year at home in 2008 caring for children under 15 while their wives worked.
The stay-at-home ratio for moms to dads continued to shrink, moving from 38 to 1 in 2008 to 32 to 1 in 2009.

Stay-at-Home Dad Organizations Help Counter Isolation

But the new role reversal has yet to create a huge increase in traffic at the annual At Home Dad Convention, where stay-at-home fathers met for expert and academic discussions on such topics as how to discipline children and nutrition.

"We may see an increase in years to come as dads become more comfortable accepting the role that they have been put into," says Philip Andrew, a stay-at-home dad based in Lincoln, Neb.

"One thing people need to realize is when a dad goes through this transition it takes quite awhile to get through that period and be comfortable with it," says Andrew. The adjustment from full-time employee to stay-at-home dad can take one to two years.

A stay-at-home dad for 10 years, Andrew was catapulted into that role after his employer went bankrupt and day care became a problem. "We sat down to figure out how to work this out, and [how to] get rid of day care costs, then we jumped right in," said Andrew. His period of adjustment lasted a year. "I really ... enjoyed being around my daughter, but I did struggle a little bit with the isolation."

It's a problem many men may experience after losing the built-in social network provided by a company and colleagues. "You may face some pressure from parents and grandparents who don't think a dad should stay at home," says Andrew. But "a lot of my friends were very supportive of me, and I was still able to keep in touch, and I'm still in touch with them until this day."

For both Andrew and Kaplan, their wives became the top wage earners, and the men were offered the opportunity to reconnect with their families.

For Gordon, the decision to start a franchise allowed him more flexibility in his family life. "If I just tried to do it on my own, it would be tremendously difficult. By starting a franchise, I had a process to follow instead of spinning my wheels," says Gordon, who is now a CEO and owner of Cybertary, a company that offers virtual administrative support. "Due to the nature of Cybertary, I can pretty much entirely fit my schedule around my son's. My home is my office, so when [my son] has activities that I need to participate in, I have the flexibility to participate in those activities, and I can just make up the time as needed," says Gordon.

But not every dad is looking to become an entrepreneur.

Turning Parenting Skills Into Assets

In between car pooling, caring for his father, taking on big home-improvement projects, juggling chaotic camp schedules, cooking and freelancing, Kaplan networked and took informal meetings to hone his skills in an industry that has experienced year-to-year change.

In September, an employer sought him out for a temporary job. Did his time spent with his kids win him the position? "I don't know if my being at home was an asset [during] the interviewing process, but I was able to talk about it in who I am and what I do," says Kaplan. "I had no compunction about telling them. My impression was anyone I spoke to understood what it was that I hadn't had in my life, and what it was that I was getting in my life."

What definitely helped was Kaplan's freelancing and gaining new skills as the media industry evolved.
After a break from the work force, most career experts say it important to discuss how you spent the time away and to continue to network.

"You can address it in your cover letter. If it's appropriate, talk about what you've been doing in that time off," says Charles Purdy, a senior editor at Monster+HotJobs. "Just because you weren't getting paid doesn't mean that something isn't valuable."

Thanks to activities his children participated in, Andrew took on two part-time jobs as his kids got older, dipping his toes gradually into the work force. After enrolling his daughter in the Pioneers Park Nature Center many years ago, Andrew became a volunteer for the organization, which led to a job as a nature teacher.

"You can't isolate yourself from the public," says Andrew. "You need to get out, get involved in local parenting groups, get involved with your local Parent Teacher Association. You're networking with other people. Instead of cold calling people, you have someone who knows you and maybe works with you on the local PTA."

http://abcnews.go.com/Business/role-reversal-unemployment-creates-stay-home-fathers/story?id=11983642&page=1

Attend our Free Event Tomorrow (Nov. 3)!

2010-11-02T08:21:00.000-07:00

Is Business Ownership Right For You?

If you’ve ever considered starting a business, you don’t want to miss this FREE event!

Join us to learn more about:
• What it takes to be your own boss—even in this economic climate
• How to evaluate and choose the right business opportunity that “fits” you.
• Financing options and where to find funding
• Resources to help you succeed

Hear the first hand experience from a local franchisee of Cybertary and how they left the corporate world behind to start their own business.

Appetizers and refreshments provided.

When:    November 3, 2010
                6:00-7:30pm

Where: Folsom Chamber of Commerce
               Ambassador Room
               200 Wool Street
               Folsom, CA 95630

Sponsored by: Cybertary & The Entrepreneur's Source

Please RSVP: Stephanie Craft, 530.389.2700, esource@hughes.net
OR Tina Angell, 916.303.4550, tina.angell@cybertary.com

2010-11-01T07:13:00.000-07:00

Gain Freedom by Delegating

2010-10-29T12:53:00.000-07:00

If you are besieged by time zapping tasks, read on to find 10 things to delegate that will allow you more freedom:

Bookkeeping: Entrust your bookkeeping to that special number cruncher
Scheduling and Contact Management: Hand over office, event and calendar scheduling to a detail oriented guru
Contact follow-up after events: Allocate pre, during and post event follow up to an event pro
Web updates: Designate managing web edits and updates to the techno gang
Get Marketing: Let Cybertary create your marketing tools and implement regular marketing mailings for you!
Article submission: Utilize a Cybertary to submit articles for you
Website optimization: Dole out anything web centric to the web gang
Blog posts and optimization: Hand off time zapping blog posting to a Cybertary
Reports, Graphs and Charts...oh my! Pass on reporting and tracking to a detailed, administrative type
Phone calls: Let a Cybertary handle the phones while you optimize handling your callers!

10 Ways to Use Your iPod for Business

2010-10-28T15:33:00.000-07:00

iPods at work aren't just for tuning out your co-workers anymore. Many highly regarded companies are promoting efficiency in the workplace by using iPods as training tools, sales instruments, mobile learning devices, promotional incentives, communications pods and more. Using audio and video files and an array of available adapters and docks, the iPod can be greatly utilized for business. Their small size and great capacity (the Nano, available in 4GB and 8GB models, is just 6.55mm thin and the Classic, with up to 160GB, still fits in your hand) make them ideal for business people on the go.

Here are ten ways that small business owners can jump on the "iPod for business" bandwagon and make their work lives more efficient, which, as you know, only makes your entire life that much more fun too:

Record preparatory notes for a client meeting or upcoming speech and listen to them on the go.
Take recordings of meetings or seminars on the road and share them easily with co-workers.
Carry photos, video presentations of your products or services or beneficial podcasts in your pocket to client meetings; no more whipping out the laptop at a crowded bar or restaurant.
Listen to recorded meeting minutes and more at the gym or on a walk in the park-no more missing out on exercise in the name of work.
Provide training and sales support via uploadable MP3, and it might save you money on paper, binders, shipping or even a trip to deliver it.
Review critical client information, audio books or other subject matter while you travel.
Practice a second language on the move; in no time, you'll be prepared for your international business trip.
Provide hands-on training, when you can't do it in person, via MP3 recording and an iPod; the trainee can simultaneously listen and physically practice the task hands on.
Provide an iPod loaded with a sales presentation to potential clients or as a gift to loyal customers. You can even get your logo embossed on them.
Along with any and all of the above, use your iPod as a portable backup device for important data files. Your calendar and address book, although not editable, are viewable on the iPod, and you can set them up to synchronize with your computer.

Of course, as with all mobile technology, make sure to keep client and corporate privacy and security in check when using an iPod for business. With the appropriate controls in place, the iPod really can serve as another tool to make small business ownership more efficient and increasingly more mobile.

Converting Business Cards into Useful Data

2010-10-27T14:55:00.000-07:00

Do you have a pile of sticky notes with client contact information scribbled on them or business cards taped to your computer monitor? Now is the perfect time to get them all organized into a contact database. A contact database can be created with a contact management tool such as Outlook, ACT, and Excel or by utilizing a card scanner to scan your company contacts business cards into your computer.

What if you don't have a database at all? You can purchase a mailing list from a source such as http://www.infousa.com/, and receive hundreds of contacts that match your ideal client demographic, at a surprisingly low cost.

Cybertary can also help you create a database from scratch with some very targeted internet research, or convert an existing paper contact list to something electronic. And frankly...once you go digital, you just can't go back to paper.

Now that you have a digital database, what do you do with it?

Cybertary can scan all of your client's business cards using the CardScan application and help you turn your pile of contact information into an organized digital file. The file can then be imported into a contact management tool of choice. If your company utilizes Outlook and PDA's then the client contact information can also be synchronized with your PDA.

The CardScan program is useful for businesses large and small. This application will scan business cards and store an image of the front, the back and any notes jotted down on the business card and store the image with the contact information. Cybertary utilizes this program to scan business cards and can also use the program for your business. A data file can be created and made ready for your company to import into any contact management solution. For more information about the product line from CardScan visit the website at http://www.cardscan.com./

Synchronizing your Pocket PC or Palm PDA with Outlook or ACT is another contact solution. In addition to synchronizing your contacts you can also synchronize other information such as tasks, appointments and e-mail messages. Synchronizing with a PDA can help you work more efficiently by having all of your data in one place. Plus, many PDAs now incorporate a telephone, which allows you to dial directly from your contact listing. Now, that's slick!

CompanionLink Software can also be utilized to synchronize your contacts from any type of contact application with your PDA. For more information about this useful application visit http://www.companionlink.com/

If your company stores client contacts in Excel the information can be imported into Outlook or ACT as well. The Outlook Import and Export Wizard will make it easy to transfer client contacts from an Excel into Outlook. For more information about how to complete the import visit Microsoft's website at http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/assistance/HA010964231033.aspx.

Are you Starting a Business?

2010-10-26T07:50:00.000-07:00

If you have ever considered business ownership, read below for this must-attend event!

Is Business Ownership Right For You?

If you’ve ever considered starting a business, you don’t want to miss this FREE event!

Join us to learn more about:
• What it takes to be your own boss—even in this economic climate
• How to evaluate and choose the right business opportunity that “fits” you.
• Financing options and where to find funding
• Resources to help you succeed

Hear the first hand experience from a local franchisee of Cybertary and how they left the corporate world behind to start their own business.

Appetizers and refreshments provided.

When:    November 3, 2010
                6:00-7:30pm

Where: Folsom Chamber of Commerce
               Ambassador Room
               200 Wool Street
               Folsom, CA 95630

Sponsored by: Cybertary & The Entrepreneur's Source

Please RSVP: Stephanie Craft, 530.389.2700, esource@hughes.net
OR Tina Angell, 916.303.4550, tina.angell@cybertary.com

Cyber-Quick Tip: Software Storage Simplified

2010-10-20T15:07:00.000-07:00

When you need a software CD or the software license information, do you dread the mad search you must embark upon to find them? Do you have a shelf full of old software boxes taking up space? Or are there software jewel boxes and loose CDs in a drawer or box? Worse yet, are you losing or damaging your valuable software CDs because you just don't have a designated way to store them? We have a solution that will save you space and keep your software and license keys handy and safe.

It's simple really. Just get yourself a CD binder at an office supply store and insert all of your software CDs in it. Then, you can then either cut out the license key from the box and slip it into the pocket with the CD or write the key number on the CD itself with a fine-tip permanent marker.

As Cybertaries, we need to stay on the cutting edge of technology with the latest software at our fingertips. This is a picture of our software binder at Cybertary Headquarters that holds 128 CDs in 3 inches of shelf space. They are sorted by software type (Operating System, Microsoft, Utilities, Graphics, Microsoft and Other). All of our software is easily accessible, protected, and organized. Pretty nice and easy, huh?

FREE EVENT: Is Business Ownership Right For You?

2010-10-19T12:43:00.000-07:00

Simplified Filing for Your Small Business

2010-10-18T17:40:00.000-07:00

I admit it. I'm a bit of a Filing Fanatic. At any given moment, I like to know the exact location of all the necessary documents I may need. In fact, I don't like giving a single minute of my precious time to the task of searching around my desk. Instead, I love the feeling I get when I need a specific document and am able to make my move to the right file in one single, quick and systematic movement. Okay, so you don't have to get this excited about your filing system; however, as a small business owner, you should have a system that works simply for you. Here's a peek at Cybertary's simplified filing system that can work well for any small business.

So many of our clients have such complicated filing systems that they never find the time to maintain them and even avoid filing entirely. Instead of being able to locate a needed document easily, they spend time shuffling through mounds of random paper. This is not an efficient use of time.

Here's the problem: Oftentimes business owners create separate files for each vendor, customer, bank account, etc. Then they sort the file "types' alphabetically and end up with many folders with single pieces of paper and many others that are overflowing. When those files need to be cleared out periodically or archived, they either have to go through each file and purge the contents or start over from scratch.

Here's the solution: At Cybertary, we suggest to many of our small business owner clients that they simplify their filing system to something that is much easier to maintain. As long as your computerized bookkeeping is fairly current, you can find nearly everything you need by date. So why not create your filing system by date too!

Here are the primary types of documents that you will be filing and our suggestions on how to manage each group:

Accounts Payable: We like to use a monthly accordion folder. File each invoice according to the invoice date. Note invoice payment information on the face of it as you pay the invoice. You can always look up the payment history in QuickBooks.
Accounts Receivable: Here is another great use for the monthly accordion folders. File each month's billing into the monthly folder. You can track the client's payment history in QuickBooks.
Bank Deposits/Statements: File copies of client payments with the deposit receipt stapled to it in another accordion folder. Your monthly bank statements can also be filed with your deposit records. Many banks also offer to have your cancelled check copies digitally printed on your bank statements. If so, your banking accordion folder is your one-stop shop for all banking records.

As you can tell, we are advocates of the accordion folder. Why? It's easy to recreate your filing system from year-to-year, as well as to purge your file drawer for archiving. The accordion files are also portable, in case your work ever needs to travel with you.

Miscellaneous small receipts can be placed into monthly expandable "check" files. As long as you pay your business expenses using plastic (debit or credit card), you can do your expense data entry from the monthly statement and not directly from the loose receipt. The hardcopy receipt must be retained for tax records, but you can simply stuff them in an expanding file by month instead of leaving them loose all over your desktop.

The more I meet with clients and describe Cybertary's simplified filing system, the more people convert to this very easy system. See? I always knew filing was something to get excited about. I hope you'll try this simple organizational method and get excited about your filing from now on too.

If It Smells Like a Hoax, It's Probably a Hoax

2010-10-14T15:54:00.000-07:00

How to Sniff Out an Email Hoax or Scam

These days there is quite a surplus of email hoaxes. Just when you think no one can outsmart you, you receive the heartfelt email from a mother about her child who just needs a little money toward a big operation. And you want to cave. But it's probably a hoax. Even worse, it's probably a hoax designed to swindle you out of some of your hard-earned dough. Here are some tips for detecting Email Hoaxes.

Email Hoaxes
It's probably an Email Hoax if:

It includes any of the following or similar statements:
- "Forward this to everyone you know!"
- "Forward this to get a FREE..." or
- "This is NOT a hoax."
The text seems manipulative or overly persuasive, emotional or desperate in tone.
The email makes serious claims or gives emphatic warnings you cannot verify through a reputable source.
In the case of an email reportedly from a verifiable company or well-known person (like Bill Gates), there is no mention of the content on the company's website (do not follow links inside the email to verify them; they might be fake websites-read about Phishing below)
It's packed with fear-inducing warnings or information (always verify crime or health scare emails with a reputable law enforcement or medical associations).
There is no standard professional signature from the sender.
The sender has gone overboard with exclamation points (!!!!!) or UPPERCASE LETTERS.
You are promised large sums of money.
Your common sense tells you it's probably a hoax.
The message seems too good to be true.
The email has been forwarded over and over (and over).

Phishing Scams
You may or may not have heard the term "phishing" in regard to a very specific type of email scam that's on the rise. With a phishing scam, the scam artist actually impersonates a company or corporation via email-sometimes even creating and including a link to a phony website-and requests personal information, such as Social Security Numbers, bank account numbers, credit card numbers, passwords, etc., in order to use them for fraudulent, identity-theft-type activities.

It's probably a Phishing Scam that could lead to an Identity Theft crime if:

You receive an unsolicited email requesting personal information, including passwords, account numbers, Social Security Numbers, etc. Email is not a secure way of sending any of this information, so legitimate companies will never request this type of information via email.
You receive an unsolicited email from a company you patronize asking for account information via email or linking you to a website-no matter how authentic it appears to be-that requests this information (there are several out there right now pretending to be PayPal and Citibank; some local banks and credit unions recently had issues with phishing scams as well).
You can't verify the email's offer or claim on the company's website (remember to use the true company URL, not a link from the email).

When in doubt about an email's legitimacy, don't act. Never send personal information like account numbers and passwords via email. If you receive a questionable email from a company you patronize, call that company direct at a phone number you find in a reputable phone directory. Many companies allow you to report such fraudulent emails through their website as well. Just remember to use a URL (or phone number) you usually use and not one from the email in question.

For additional information on email hoaxes and scams, visit Snopes.com. Snopes.com is a well-known Internet resource that can be used for validating or debunking suspected hoaxes or scams, as well as other popular Internet rumors, email forwards, urban legends and other questionable American pop culture tales.

Another article you might enjoy:

Tips for Dealing With Email Jokes, Rumors and Spam

For all of your virtual assistant needs, Cybertary Roseville is here to help. Tell a friend!

With assistance from Cybertary, City of Dixon obtains $3 Million Grant

2010-10-13T14:29:00.000-07:00

On Tuesday September 21, the U.S. Department of Commerce announced more than $10 million in grants to support job growth in California. With Cybertary’s grant completion assistance, the City of Dixon was one of the recipients, and will be receiving a $3 million grant. The Cybertary team worked with Mark Heckey, Economic Development Director for the City of Dixon, to complete the grant proposal. The $3 million will be used to make water supply and storage improvements needed to expand the Dixon Northeast Quadrant commercial and industrial area. The project is expected to create 1,000 jobs and generate $40 million in private investment, according to grantee estimates. The proposals had to be completed and turned in the summer of 2009, so it’s been a long wait, but ultimately a rewarding one to see much needed funding being invested in California.

Tips for Dealing With Email Jokes, Rumors and Spam

2010-10-07T10:38:00.000-07:00

If you use email-and who doesn't anymore?-there are three things you probably deal with on a daily basis: jokes, rumors and spam. Just like in real life where you endure your Uncle Milton's bad jokes, your neighbor's incessant gossiping (he swears it's all true!) and the junk mail in your mailbox, there are similar minor annoyances that come along with life online. Of course, in real life, you're getting pretty good at making a beeline past Uncle Milton when he's in "have you heard the one about" mode. And wiser now, you walk the slightly longer route to avoid that certain neighbor, and you read your mailbox contents over the recycle bin.

In this article, we aim to help you take charge and avoid these little nuisances in your life online as well. Here are some tips for dealing with the jokes, rumors and spam that clog up your email inbox.

Email Jokes
We can all appreciate the occasional email joke from a friend, family member or coworker-especially one that is sent with you in mind and has been previewed for actual humor. However, for some reason, we all seem to have a relationship with at least one chronic Email Joker. You know who I'm talking about, right? It's that person, often someone with whom you exchange no personal emails at all, but who has you on their list and sends you every...single...Internet joke he or she comes across. Some of these people even send you several jokes a day. And frankly, who wants to spend their time deleting them all-let alone reading them all?

If politely asking to opt off your Email Joker's list is out of the question, you can use the Rules tool in Outlook (and most other mainstream email programs; Internet email services like Gmail and Yahoo! Mail use the term "Filters"). The Rules tool allows you to apply a customized action to all your incoming email. For instance, you can set a Rule that will automatically file any email from "The Client" into "The Client" folder as soon as it's received.

To use Rules to deal with your personal Email Joker, you can:

Create a Rule that applies to all incoming mail from your Email Joker. Set the Rule to automatically file any mail from that individual, so you can peruse or delete it later.
Create a Rule that pinpoints messages with keywords that often go along with Jokes, such as "Fwd" or "This is funny." Set a Rule that automatically files or deletes all these messages.

Here are a few articles from Microsoft to help you further with the Rules tool:

The Etiquette of BCC:

If you simply must forward one of those Internet jokes or chain emails to your contacts, make sure put all the recipients in the BCC (blind carbon copy) address field. That way, you don't put all your friends, family and coworkers' email addresses on display through countless forwards around the Internet and at risk of falling into the hands of spammers. It's the polite thing to do!

Chain Emails and Email Rumors
I'm sure by now you know that you will not fall ill...or lose your house...or become destitute just because you don't send some cutesy chain email off to ten people in your address book. Your wish still might come true. You might still make millions of dollars. Anything can happen actually-and none of it will have anything to do with that chain email. And also, in case you were wondering, that guy who keeps emailing from Nigeria, pulling at your heartstrings and asking you to set up a joint bank account with him "because you seem like a really nice, trustworthy person" is probably not a really nice, trustworthy person. Oh, and odds are you didn't win the Canadian lottery either-since you've never even been to Canada.

Also, it is not technically possible for anyone (Microsoft, MySpace or any other legitimate-sounding organization) to "track" the number of forwards on an email. So even if the email tells you a simple forward to all of your friends will earn oodles of dough for you, your friends and/or your favorite charity, it's too good to be true. Even if Bill Gates himself signs the email, it's not true. Unfortunately, these email forwards are not earning anyone anything.

Such chain emails and email rumors are not only false but they really clog up your inbox and going through them can really chip away at your precious time. We suggest you deal with them just like you do the Jokes. If a polite request to the sender isn't possible or you don't personally know the sender, then use the Rules tool in Outlook. This will at least save you from having to weed through these types of emails. Besides, if you don't read the chain letters in the first place, I'm pretty sure that protects you (knock wood) from any of those hocus pocus threats to your happiness too.

Need help spotting an email rumor or hoax?:

If It Smells Like a Hoax, It's Probably a Hoax

Email Spam
If you use Outlook or most any mainstream email program, including Internet email like Gmail and Yahoo! Mail, I hope you're taking advantage of the built-in spam blocker (on Outlook, the Junk Email filter is set to low by default). Most Internet service providers (ISPs) even have spam blockers built in. If you're not, then run, don't walk, to your computer and enable this tool as if every minute of your precious life depends on it. Because frankly, it does.

Spam blockers are designed to intercept obvious spam, based on keywords, the number of links within the email and other key spam elements. With minimal management, you can also fine tune your spam blocker to work even better for you over time. For instance, by marking any spam that slips through as "Junk" or "Spam," you make your filter work smarter. Or, if you're getting a slew of spam from a particular domain, you can set your filter to block all messages from all the users under that domain. When it provides a more tactical option, bring in the Rules or Filters tools (see above). You may opt to create a Rule or Filter that pinpoints messages with specific spam keywords, such as "Viagra," "Replica Rolex Watches," etc., and automatically deletes them.

For extra spam protection, you may want to utilize an add-on utility. One that I use and appreciate is Cloudmark Desktop. For more on Cloudmark and other spam blockers, read our article "Choosing a Spam Blocker."

Here are a few articles to help you further with the Outlook Junk Email Filter and Spam:

At Cybertary, we are always looking for ways to help you protect your precious time. We hope some of these tips for deflecting email jokes, rumors and spam help you. As for Uncle Milton's long list of jokes, we're sorry to say, there is nothing we can do. Just do whatever you can to keep him off the Internet, okay?

Another article you might enjoy:

Email Netiquette

Quick Tip: Using Task Scheduler on Your Computer

2010-10-06T19:00:00.000-07:00

Did you know that your computer can maintain itself while you sleep? The Windows Task Scheduler is able to automate computer tasks to run automatically, anytime that it is convenient for you! You can set the Task Scheduler to run utilities such as backups, defragmentation, utilities, virus scans, junk file purging, scripts, documents, or any of your other programs to run at the time and frequency you specify.

Scheduled Tasks starts each time you start Windows XP and runs in the background. Tasks can run daily, weekly, monthly, or at certain events (such as system startup). You can also customize how a task will run at a scheduled time. If your computer is asleep at the scheduled time, Task Scheduler can even wake up your computer to run the scheduled task.

To schedule a new task:

Open Scheduled Tasks (click Start, click All Programs, point to Accessories, point to System Tools, and then click Scheduled Tasks).
Double-click Add Scheduled Task.

Then just follow the instructions in the Scheduled Task Wizard.

Have more tasks than you can handle? Contact Cybertary today!

Go Green at the Office: It Feels Good to Do Good

2010-10-05T12:17:00.000-07:00

Since most of us spend so many hours in our offices every week, it's important to consider the many options and alternatives available for creating a greener workplace. Don't worry-we're not going to suggest you start composting your coffee grounds and lunch waste...not yet anyway. Instead, we'll give you some simple everyday tips for making your office more eco-friendly. After all, being socially responsible not only feels good, but it can also work wonders for sustaining our lovely planet.

Eco-friendly options and alternatives are often simpler and less expensive than what we're already doing or planning to do-and sometimes healthier too. When it comes to contemplating greener living, apply these three easy practices wherever possible: reduce, reuse, and recycle. Once you take the first few steps toward greener living and working, the ideas for reducing, reusing, and recycling will keep coming. To get you started, here are some easy tips for creating a greener office environment right now.

A Green Lunch Hour Packing List:

Bring a mug for your coffee or tea
Bring a cup for water (those tiny paper ones were trees once)
Bring silverware and dishware
No more sandwich baggies; make the switch to reusable containers
Don't forget your cloth napkin!

Your Eco-Friendly Coffee Break
Invest in a good coffee machine and some great beans for the office. You'll save time, gas, and money on Starbuck's runs-not to mention a paper cup a day. Enjoy coffee whenever you want it, and use your "coffee break" for a nice mind-clearing walk outside instead.

Reduce Energy
Look around your office for ways you can reduce energy output:

Turn off unused computers, printers, office equipment and lighting whenever possible.
If you're lucky enough to have windows in your office, take advantage of the natural light.
Switch off your monitor when you'll be away from your computer more than 20 minutes, and shut down everything when you go home at night.
Unplug mobile phone and PDA chargers when you're not using them because as long as they're plugged in, they continue to use energy even when your device isn't charging.
Nudge the office thermostat a few degrees down in the winter and up a few in the summer and replace air conditioning and furnace filters regularly.
And, of course, when it's time to replace items, make energy-efficient choices on monitors, printers, light bulbs, power strips (for easy one-button shut off), etc.

Save Trees

By all means, please print responsibly. Someone once told me that we thought computers were going to help us drastically reduce paper consumption. Wrong! We use even more paper now than ever. Going forward, think before you hit the "Print" button:

Print only the specific pages or full documents that you MUST.
When printing off the web, use the graphic-light "Printer-Friendly" mode when available.
Keep digital backups over paper ones whenever you can.
Print on both sides of the page and try to use old documents for future draft printing.
Post employee manuals and information online.
Use the "Draft" printing option (and black only) to save on ink cartridges.
And before you print another set of directions off of Google Maps, choose the option that emails them to your mobile device.

Save Fuel
We are deeply immersed in the digital age, and there are so many wonderful online tools that can simplify your work life. So before you jump in the car with that proof or jump on a train or plane for a face-to-face meeting, consider if there's a more energy-efficient way to get the job done. Most likely, a digital alternative will save time, money and your energy, another very important commodity.

Read more about several efficient and effective (and much greener for the planet) online tools here at Cybertary.com:

And, of course, always keep your commute in mind. If you work from home, you're already giving a wonderful gift to the planet. If you commute, consider carpooling, bike riding, using public transportation and telecommuting whenever possible.

Reuse
When making purchases for your office, consider used or refurbished equipment and furniture whenever possible. Sometimes you really do need the new item; however, you can find great deals on gently used or never-used equipment and furniture on eBay, your local Craigslist or even Freecycle. Check these out before you purchase new.

Additionally, when you're parting with equipment or furniture, consider donating or selling items that are fixable or in good condition rather than throwing them in the trash. We recently gifted our old computer to the neighbor, a 7^th grade computer whiz. He has taken it apart and put it back together three times. Who knows? Maybe we're investing in the education of the next Bill Gates. If you donate working items to a non-profit that can use them or a company that refurbishes them for future use, get a receipt and say hello to a tax deduction.

Once you reprogram your thinking, the ideas for reuse are endless. Go ahead and give your inner cheapskate a nudge. After all it's not just about the cost of a paperclip. It's also about the fuel it takes to make that paperclip and to ship that paperclip to your office.

Recycle
Just like at home, you should recycle your cans, bottles, plastics and paper waste at the office whenever you can. Check your local waste management resource for detailed specifics about recyclables in your area. Even old computer equipment, monitors, PDAs, cell phones and toner and ink cartridges can be recycled these days. I just recycled a very old printer through Epson's Recycle Program. I signed up online, paid $10 for the shipping, and they sent me a shipping label. Sure, it cost me a little money, but I was happy I didn't have to think about how long that printer would sit in a landfill.

Along the same lines, make a practice of purchasing recycled products whenever possible. Buy recycled paper products and purchase office supplies and furniture made from recycled materials.

If every one of us-as small business owners, employees, homeowners and plain old earth-respecting individuals-take small steps to go green where we can, when we can, we'll be actively doing our part to keep the planet intact. Many aspects of greener living are simple and can save you and your business a little of that hard-earned money and make the planet a better place to live for years to come. Hit the Power button off. Buy that adorable mug and use it every day. Seriously take a look at your printing habits. Take a few small steps in your office today. It will feel good to do good. We promise.

You Can't Afford Not to

2010-09-30T15:59:00.000-07:00

"I Can't Afford a Cybertary!"

Why You Can't Afford Not to Have a Cybertary

Starting out in business is expensive and so business owners come to the conclusion that they can take care of everything themselves. Wrong! The job of a business owner is to market their business and increase profits.

Taking care of administrative tasks takes you away from your main focus. There are so many tasks to take care of on a daily basis, if you attempt them all on your own; you will burn out very quickly. Thousands of people start businesses each year, less than half succeed; you don't want to be the half that didn't make it.

Let's take a look at a day in the life of a busy business owner:

Check email
Follow-up on inquiries from potential clients
Send out marketing materials to 1 client
Update website information
Update and send out billing information to clients
Schedule appointment for client consultation
Spend at least 30 minutes marketing on-line
Attend a networking event
Call to get quotes for office supplies
Answer the phone

Accomplishing everything on this list along with the other tasks that will come up during a typical day can hinder the progress of your business and family time will become a rarity. Think about it this way, how much business would you lose if you took several days to get back with clients, or if you forgot an important meeting.

A Cybertary provides you with the administrative support that you had access to in your former corporate life. The rates for Cybertaries are higher than you would pay for a temp or an in-house assistant BUT with a Cybertary you are only paying for productive time and YOU can set the budget. If you can only afford to spend $150 per month for an administrative tasks, choose the most time consuming tasks and delegate those to your Cybertary. Remember, cheaper is not better. Cybertary offers a complete offering of administrative tasks with specialists in each area. Don't waste more of your time hunting down a bookkeeper, an administrative assistant, and a marketing assistant. One-stop shopping makes all the difference.

Cybertaries provide small businesses with a cost effective solution for their administrative needs. They work from their home office and use their own equipment, office space, software; they also pay for their own taxes, insurance, benefits. You only pay for the time spent on the project. It seems to me that spending money on a Cybertary is money well spent!

K7 Web-Based Fax and Voicemail Messaging - Free!

2010-09-29T15:28:00.000-07:00

Don't you hate running back to the office just to pick up an important fax? Or what about making excuses to step out of client meetings in order to call your voicemail-again!-only to find out that important call hasn't come in just yet? Well, the masterminds over at K7 have you and your important on-the-go business in mind. Their FREE web-based unified messaging tool unties you from your office and sets you free into the world of the true telecommute.

The K7 system provides you a designated number that you may give to your clients and then reroutes voicemail and fax messages to your email so you can get up-to-the-minute responses from your clients and other important people. With K7, you'll enjoy these benefits:

You don't have to be at the office to receive a fax.
You can view and then print faxes from wherever you are working remotely.
Your office fax does not have to be turned on, or heck, if all you're doing is receiving, you don't even have to have an office fax or the separate phone line you often need.
You don't have to take time away from your important telecommuting business to call into your voicemail throughout the day. Your voicemails come to your email-wherever you are working (or playing, for that matter)!
You can set up a personalized greeting just like you would on your office line.
On occasion or continually, set up call forwarding on your office phone or toll-free number to your K7 number if you want all your office calls to be answered via your K7 voicemail and fax number. Phone company fees may apply.

How It Works:

K7 sends your voicemail and fax messages right to your email, as attachments, in real time as they are received. If your email program is not available remotely, you can check your messages on the K7 website from any computer that is web-enabled. Plus, the K7 website keeps a chronological list of all your messages (up to 20, for up to 7 days) for easy tracking or in the case that you misplace a K7 email notification.

How Do I Sign Up?

Just go to the K7 website and register.

What Equipment Do I Need?

You simply need a computer and online access to take advantage of K7. You will also need a sound card and speakers in order to listen to your voicemails.

How Much Does It Cost?

K7 is FREE. Long distance charges will apply to dialers, as all K7 numbers start with a 206 area code. No other surcharges or special charges apply. If you want to be able to offer your clients a toll-free number, visit the K7 website for options. Fees apply.

At Cybertary, we are always on the lookout for the next best online tool-especially the ones that help our clients live and work more freely. K7 is just one more way that you can unbind yourself from your office and work remotely with more ease. Read our article 10 Exciting New Online Tools for other options that can boost your remote working life.

10 Exciting New Online Tools

2010-09-28T15:05:00.000-07:00

In today's technology mecca, offering a wide array of remote access tools, accessible "software as a service" (SAAS) and other convenient online and offline tools, it's never been a better time to be running a small business, even from the comforts of home. With the click of your mouse, you can find all kinds of affordable tools that can bring your smaller company's operations up to the same speed with larger ones. Developers are conceiving highly intelligent, incredibly functional online tools faster than you can Google for them.

At Cybertary, we always look for fresh and innovative online tools that can simplify the lives of our clients and our other friends in the small business community. Here are ten exciting new online tools that have piqued our interest and may make your business life's day to day a little easier.

Mozy: Back up your files safely, automatically and with ease. Once you download its software and do your initial backup, you can schedule Mozy to do your ongoing backups regularly and automatically. Up to 2GB FREE; $4.95/month for unlimited storage.
Google Voice: No more missing calls, rushing back to the office or juggling phones and phone numbers. This FREE one-number system, recently purchased by Google^TM, offers you a phone number that, when dialed, rings all your phones. That means one single voicemail box and loads of other features too. FREE during beta.
Breeze: Design and send great-looking email campaigns with ease. Breeze will also manage your subscriber list, and their simple reporting can help you improve your ongoing campaigns. Flat fee of $10 plus 2 cents per recipient (less than 5 recipients - FREE).
Your Camera Phone: The camera function on your cell phone can work great for business. Take photos of documents, presentations, business cards and other visual ideas on the go. Then simply email them to your computer for reviewing, storing, faxing and sharing later. Regular messaging fees apply.
Sendlater: This little tool for Microsoft^® Outlook^® allows you set up recurring emails or reminders. Never forget another event. Put your client check-ins on a schedule. They will love how wonderfully reliable you are. FREE 14-day trial; $24.95 to buy.
MindMeister: Collaborate online with multiple co-workers and clients. MindMeister provides a simple space for mutual mindmapping as well as storing and sharing your collaborative notes, brainstorms and ideas. Basic version is FREE; $2.80/month for Team version and $4/month for Premium version.
Netvibes.com: Organize all the important online bits of your day on one web page. With Netvibes, you can categorize all your must-sees in one place-from your email, calendar and stocks to top news stories, the weather and much, much more. FREE.
Oh, Don't Forget: Texting isn't just for teenagers. It can also come in very handy for business. Send or schedule FREE text messages to your cell phone right from your computer. Send yourself reminders or have your to-do list sent to your phone throughout the day. FREE to send, recipients charged regular text-messaging fees.
MOO: Design high-quality custom or beautiful ready-made postcards, notecards, stickers and more. These might look great with your logo on them! 20 postcards/$19.99 +$5.99 s/h;16 notecards/$24.99 +$5.99 s/h.
Google Docs: You don't have to invest in often-pricey Microsoft software to enjoy easy document, spreadsheet, and presentation software. Google Docs allows you to view, create, store and share Word-like documents, Excel-like spreadsheets and PowerPoint-like presentations. FREE.

In this exciting era of the technologically advanced, there's no doubt an easy, affordable technical solution on the web for your every need. This makes doing business from home or anywhere easier, safer and lots more fun! We hope you find some use in some of these latest tools, and we will to keep you apprised of others we find along the way.

Virtual assistants, real opportunities

2010-09-24T08:21:00.000-07:00

Skilled professionals drawn to Cybertary

By Laura Raines

For AJC Jobs

As a financial executive for a large engineering firm, Patricia Beckman had it all in 2004 — the impressive job, the big paycheck and the collection of business suits. Her two daughters didn’t care. All they knew was that mom was gone most of the time.
Leita Cowart, Special Raymond Gordon started his own virtual assistant business as a Cybertary franchise owner.

“When my company offered me a promotion that would mean even more travel, my husband and I took a vacation to Hawaii. After several days, I decompressed and realized that I didn’t want the promotion. I didn’t even want the job I had. I wanted to be with my kids,” she said.

Beckman resigned and began researching ideas to start a company.

“When I hit on a description of virtual assistants, the light bulb came on,” she said. Nine months later, in 2005, she launched Cybertary from her home in Sacramento, Calif.

She describes Cybertary as a highly skilled professional working as a virtual assistant to provide administrative support and specialized services to businesses, entrepreneurs, executives and busy people. Her plan was to provide services to seven or eight clients, but the first week she signed five clients and business continued to grow rapidly.

“Thirty days later I was introduced on ‘Good Day Sacramento’ as ‘the expert’ on virtual assisting,” she said. Beckman has since franchised the business and provides assistance to 24 Cybertary franchisees in 15 states.

Virtual assisting is growing because companies are looking for ways to streamline, cut employee costs, and decrease office overhead, according to Cindy Opong, owner of Creative Assistants in Colorado Springs, Colo., and past-president of the International Virtual Assistants Association. Paying hourly for professional services as needed rather than hiring a full-time employee is cost effective and efficient, especially for small companies.

“Companies are outsourcing a lot more work, and that’s good for our industry,” Opong said. “I know a lot of VA’s whose business is booming.”

At the same time, more displaced workers are turning to self-employment in an economy offering few jobs.

“Virtual assisting is a good option for moms with skills who want to stay home with their children, caregivers of elderly family members, or disabled workers,” Beckman said. “We’re seeing an increase in the number of applicants, and they have high-quality skills.”

Belinda Allen had been an administrative assistant for 25 years when her last company eliminated her position due to downsizing.

“I would send resumes out every day and get no response,” said Allen. Then at a Smyrna Small Business Association meeting, someone gave her a card for Cybertary Alpharetta. She interviewed with franchise owner, Bhuvana Krishnan, who appreciated her skills and work experience.

“I’ve done two projects for her so far. The work is enjoyable and varied, and I have the benefits of working without having to fight Atlanta traffic,” said Allen. As an independent contractor, she’s free to continue her search for full-time work, while keeping her skills sharp.

“Cybertary has made a huge difference from a financial and an emotional standpoint,” said Allen.

Raymond Gordon, who is experienced in information technology, business analysis and process improvement, was tired of seeing his job disappear when companies were sold, merged or downsized. As a single father, he was also looking for a more flexible schedule. In 2009, he started his own business.

“I wanted to be my own boss, but I decided to pursue franchising because I thought I might need some help. Statistics show that franchising is often a more successful route to business ownership,” said Gordon, owner of Cybertary Atlanta in Chamblee.

He has found Cybertary to be a good fit and Atlanta a great market for virtual assisting.

“Finding good consultants and contractors isn’t difficult in this economic climate and I believe the industry will continue to grow,” said Gordon. “We appeal to clients that need certain types of expertise but can’t afford full-time help. If I don’t have a member with the skills needed, I can tap into our company’s national database of providers. We’re a one-stop shop, which allows me to build long-term relationships with my clients. As their needs change, I can continue to meet them.”

As awareness of virtual assisting has grown, more people are taking their skills home to start a business, said Opong.

“I tell them that it will take time to build a client base and match their former income,” she said, “but there are so many more resources out there now to help people get started.”

*article source, AJC Jobs by Laura Raines http://www.ajc.com/jobs/virtual-assistants-real-opportunities-619816.html

Quick Tip: Go Green with e-Faxing

2010-09-20T14:17:00.000-07:00

e-Faxing is a completely paperless alternative for the environmentally conscious.

Check out this Fact from Energy Star:

According to Energy Star, one of the most energy-intensive pieces of business equipment is the paper-intensive fax machine, because it is often left on around the clock. A single fax machine consumes between 30 and 350 watts per hour. Also, paper production is second only to petroleum in terms of energy used by U.S. industries.

Benefits of e-Faxing:

Works as easily as email
Access faxes by email from any online source
Saves space in your office
Eliminates the worry and hassle of running out of paper or emitting a busy signal
Saves you money on the extra fax line and fax supplies; plus, you can save many faxes electronically rather than print them all out.

Of all the new and old e-fax companies you'll find on the web, there's no "one-size-fits-all" option for every business. Y ou'll have to consider your company's specificfaxing needs and then choose accordingly. Here are some guidelines of what to consider when choosing the right e-faxing service for your business and a quick comparison of a few popular e-faxing companies:

What to Consider When Choosing an e-Faxing Service:

Do you need a local or toll-free fax number?
What type of incoming and outgoing fax volume does your business produce?
How much do you want to spend per month?
Does the company offer modified fee packages for light users versus high-volume users?
How many fax numbers do you need?
In what format do you want to receive faxes?
Do you mind downloading and installing specialized software?

A Quick Comparison of a Few Popular e-Faxing Companies:

MyFax:

Best for businesses who:

Deal nationally or globally and prefer a toll-free fax number
Keep a strict budget, only $10 a month
Prefer faxes to come over in the universal PDF format, attached to an email

eFax®:

Best for businesses who:

Deal locally and prefer a local fax number
Send and receive a high volume of faxes per month
Prefer faxes to come over as a TIF (and requires the one-time download of eFax's proprietary software)
Need faxes to come over in a higher resolution

With a little online research, you can find and set your business up for the best in e-faxing. Just think - you'll save money, space, trees, and probably even a little energy in the long run.

Online Postage

2010-09-15T16:00:00.000-07:00

Say Goodbye to the Lines at the Post Office and Handle All Your Postage Needs Online

Does the idea of wasting another lunch or personal hour in line at the post office get you down? Well, go ahead and perk up because now there are all kinds of snazzy postage services available on the Internet. Buy and print postage and mailing labels, purchase stamps and even schedule your packages to be picked up at your home or office-all courtesy of the World Wide Web.

What Are the Advantages of Using Online Postage?

Save time - No more lost time spent in the post office line
Save money - No more guessing on postage
Make on-demand purchases - Buy and/or print only what you need
Process your mail and shipments 24/7 - No more working around post office hours
Send professional-looking letters and packages
Most Online Postage websites also offer:
- Postage rate calculators
- Address books
- Interface to existing address books
- Address verification technology
- Free or discounted delivery confirmations
- Discounted insurance

Buy and Print Postage
If you ship large envelopes or packages regularly or even just from time to time, buying your postage and printing your mailing labels online can save you loads of time.

Online Postage stores like Stamps.com let you buy and print postage directly onto envelopes or special labels with any ink-jet or laser printer. Just enter the destination address and the package weight. Stamps.com then calculates the right postage, which you can print and affix to your package.

Via the United States Postal Service, you can print mailing labels on regular paper or labels and affix them to your envelope or package. They also allow you to schedule at pickup with your mail carrier right online.

What You'll Need:

Computer With Internet Access
Email Address
Credit Card
Ink-Jet or Laser Printer
Online Postage service's software, in some cases (free!)
Special labels, in some cases
Scale (regular or pre-paid, flat-rate mailers don't require weighing)

Buy Stamps
Buy traditional stamps in all shapes, sizes and cents in Online Postage Stores like the U.S. Postal Service's Postal Store. Simply locate the stamps you want, purchase them, and they'll arrive via mail in about a week. There's usually a small shipping/handling fee, but it's around a dollar-probably less than the gas to the post office.

A Few Online Postage Hot Spots

United States Postal Service (USPS): No additional service charge beyond letter/package pricing. Most flat-rate mailing supplies are FREE, and you can purchase pre-paid, flat-rate supplies.
Stamps.com^®: $15.99/month flat rate. Current 4-week trial startup package comes with $25 free postage, a digital scale and a starter kit of special address/postage labels (total package valued at $80).
Endicia^TM: Starts at $9.95/month. Offers brand and other customization for mailing labels and envelopes.

If you're always looking for new ways to make doing business easier and more efficient but, instead, you're spending a lot of time driving to and from or standing in line at the post office, try using Online Postage. It's another amazing and timesaving online tool that can help clear some space in your busy day. For some other online tools that might save you time and money and allow you to enjoy your clients and your life more, read our "10 New Exciting Online Tools" article.

Pricing information compiled via checking the respective websites on 9/15/10; all information accurate as of that date and subject to change per service provider.

What are your clients thinking?

2010-09-13T21:45:00.000-07:00

Knowing exactly what your clients and prospects are thinking is a big part of the marketing game.

Often times small business owners think they know what their customers want, but assumption is a primary tool of choice drawing these conclusions.

The best way to really know what a market thinks about something is to ask. Run the idea up the old flagpole and see what kind of response you get. The Internet is spawning a whole new set of tools that can help the smallest of businesses tap the collective wisdom, or least collective opinion, of the masses when trying to make even the simplest business decisions.

Online surveys have become a powerful tool for the small business. By asking your clients everything from how much should I charge to what's the best color for our logo you can effectively test your assumptions before you push something out to the market.

Surveys are also a great way to monitor how you are doing in the eyes of your customers. Creating simple satisfaction surveys and serving them up to each individual customer allows you to find holes in your customer service and collect comments, good and bad, from the street.

Several email marketing services have begun to offer survey tools as part of the overall communications strategy. Emails with interactive components like surveys stand out and engage the reader more effectively than static content.

Planning what your readers would like to hear more about in your next five newsletter issues is as simple as proposing topics in a survey. Then you can better prepare the content your readers want to read the most.

Journalists love survey results and will often take great interest in the results of a survey conducted by an industry expert - that means you! Conducting some basic research about trends and habits in your industry is a great way to add some expert status to your brand and could land your results in a publication or two about your industry.

Sharing your survey results with prospects is a great way to help educate them on important information that may impact their buying decisions.

Survey tools come in several flavors and a broad range of prices from free to not so free. Online stand alone versions like Survey Monkey and Survey Gizmo are nice options for the small business. (Survey Gizmo also features a WordPress Plugin and Mac desktop widget.)

Email marketing services like iContact and Constant Contact also offer survey tools right inside their core offerings.

Bloggers have long seen the value of the interaction a good survey can generate, so there are lots of survey widgets available for blogging platforms like WordPress and TypePad as well.

About the Author: John Jantsch is a veteran marketing coach, award winning blogger and author of Duct Tape Marketing: The World's Most Practical Small Business Marketing Guide published by Thomas Nelson.

He is the creator of the Duct Tape Marketing small business marketing system. You can find more information by visiting http://www.ducttapemarketing.com

Remembering your Resolutions all Year Long

2010-09-07T14:16:00.000-07:00

2010 is over half over. What better time than now to remember your New Years Resolutions made back in January? Were any of the below a resolution for you and are they sticking?

Create Better Work/Life Balance
Implement Time Blocking to Manage your Day
Keep in Touch With Clients
Say Goodbye to Spam
Sign Up for Online Banking
Say Hello With VOIP
Get Together With Web Conferencing
Spread the Word With Pay-Per-Click Advertising
Talk Right Now With Instant Messaging
Let Cybertary Help Contact Cybertary now!

Share with us; we love to hear from you!

Happy Labor Day!

2010-09-06T07:08:00.000-07:00

Happy Labor Day to all this Monday September 6th, 2010.

We hope you enjoy a day off work spent with family and friends! Traditionally, Labor Day symbolically indicates the end of summer, but not to worry because the official end of summer isn't until Wednesday September 22nd.

Have a safe, fun holiday and relax!

It is tradition to BBQ on Labor Day; are you BBQing this year?

QuickTip: How long to keep what paperwork?

2010-09-03T16:37:00.000-07:00

Are you drowning in a sea of paperwork and files 'just in case' because you're not sure what you're supposed to save and for how long? Develop a clutter-free lifstyle by following these simple tips:

Keep for Three Months

Credit card statements
Insurance bills
Paycheck stubs
Utility bills

Keep until you have Checked Against Statement

ATM and debit receipts
Deposit slips
Purchase receipts (unless they apply to a warranty or tax claim, then keep with warranties or taxes)
Utility bills

Keep for One Year

Canceled checks (unless they apply to a tax claim)
Check registers

Keep for Three Years

Bank statements
Tax returns and all related receipts

Items to Keep for a Long Term

Insurance policies (until they go out of effect)
Legal documents, such as adoption papers and contracts
Military papers
Mortgage paperwork (until three years after you move)
Patents and copyrights
Records relating to the cost of home or property improvements
Warranties (until you don't have the item anymore)

Items to Keep for a Lifetime

Automobile titles
Inventory of home and wallet
Life documents (birth, marriage certificates)
Property deed
Stock and bond certificates
Trust papers (will, power of attorney, health care directive)

Toss Every Month

ATM And bank-deposit slips, after you've recorded the amounts in your check register and checked them against your monthly bank statement.
Credit-card receipts, after you've checked to make sure the item appears correctly on your monthly statement.
Sales receipts for minor purchases, after you've satisfactorily used the item and if it has no warranty.

Toss After One Year

Monthly bank and credit-card Statement (if you don't itemize deductions).
Monthly or quarterly brokerage and mutual-fund statements, after you've reconciled them with your year-end summary.
Monthly mortgage statements, as long as your year-end statement clearly shows the total amount you've paid in interest and property taxes over the course of the year.
Phone and utility bills (as long as you don't have a home office, use your phone for business calls, or anticipate any need to prove long-term residency).
Paycheck stubs, after you've reconciled them with your annual W-2 or 1099 forms.

Retain for Seven Years

W-2 AND 1099 forms.
Year-end statements from credit-card companies.
Phone and utility bills (only if you deduct any portion for business expenses, have more than one home, or have moved within the past few years).
Canceled checks and receipts/statements for: annual mortgage interest and property taxes, deductible business expenses, child-care bills, out-of-pocket medical costs, or any other tax-deductible expense.

Keep Indefinitely

Your annual tax returns. Your year-end summaries from financial-services companies.
Confirmation slips that list the purchase price of any investments you own.
Home-improvement records.
Receipts for major purchases. (any item whose replacement cost exceeds the deductible on your homeowners' or renters' insurance policy).
Beneficiary designations.

Be sure to shred the documents you can now discard! How many of you can now free up some file space?

Hands-On E-Newsletter Workshop: September 15th, 2010

2010-09-01T15:52:00.000-07:00

So, you know you need to have an E-Newsletter, but you're just not sure what to do?

Attend Cybertary's Hands-On E-Newsletter Workshop, where you will learn how to:

Select and customize your newsletter template
Learn how to import your contact list and add new contacts
Format your content and add graphics
Learn how to view and analyze your newsletter statistics
Leave with a working newsletter that you can start using immediately to market to your customers

If you've been thinking about starting an electronic newsletter, or you just want to check out what is involved in setting one up, this is an excellent opportunity for you to do just that.

Join us!

Roseville Chamber Office

650 Douglas Blvd.

September 15, 2010

11:30am - 1:00pm (bring your lunch & laptop)

If you would like more information about the class, please contact us at roseville@cybertary.com or (916) 303.4550 or click here to register.

Prior to the class we will set up your free 60-day Constant Contact account so you are ready to get started at the workshop. (Must be registered 3 days prior to allow for account set up.)

Best of all?? Mention this blog post and we'll waive the $75 registration fee!

Space is limited, so register today. See you there!

Don't miss the next Cybertary Hands-On Newsletter Workshop

2010-07-09T15:35:00.000-07:00

We held our first hands-on electronic newsletter workshop on June 20th. It was a great success and we are excited to offer our next workshop on July 14th from 11:30-1:00. This class is filling up quickly, but there are still a few spots left. If you are interested in attending this workshop, you must let us know by no later than Monday, July 12th so that we can get your online newsletter account set up and ready to go.

If you would like more information about the class, please contact us at roseville@cybertary.com or (916) 303.4550 or click here to register. For our loyal blog followers, we will waive the $75 class fee if you mention you saw it here.

We hope to see you there!

Cybertary Launches Hands-On Newsletter Workshop at Roseville Chamber Mixer

2010-06-15T10:36:00.000-07:00

Last Thursday, June 10, 2010, Cybertary Roseville had a booth at the Roseville Chamber of Commerce Quarterly Mixer held at the Denio's Corporate Office. The weather was perfect, the food was delicious, celebrity Jack Gallagher was hilarious, and the turnout was impressive. We met a lot of new businesses as well as connected with our old friends and colleagues.

This was an especially important mixer for us because we launched a new offering we are particularly excited about - our new Hands-On e-Newsletter Workshop. While there are other e-newsletter classes available, all of them teach you about WHY you should use an electronic newsletter as part of your marketing strategy. Our workshop is different in that we actually SHOW you how to create one. Attendees will bring their laptop to the workshop, and we will literally walk them through setting up the various newsletter sections. When participants leave the class they will have an actual working newsletter that they can then start to integrate into their marketing efforts. For many business owners, just getting a project like this started is more than half the battle.

If you've been thinking about starting an electronic newsletter, or you just want to check out what is involved in setting one up, this is an excellent opportunity for you to do just that. Right now there are two sessions to choose from - June 24, 2010 and July 14, 2010 from 11:30-1:00 on both days. If you would like more information about the class, please contact us at roseville@cybertary.com or (916) 303.4550 or click here to register for one of the upcoming newsletter workshops.

Building Your Virtual Office - Create a Professional Image

2010-04-27T10:52:00.000-07:00

Today’s world is an amazing place. We can buy groceries without ever leaving the house, pay bills without writing a check, and even earn a living from the comfort of our own homes. Neighbors everywhere are asking themselves, “What does that guy next door do for a living? He never seems to leave the house!”

With more and more individuals and companies conscious of the environment and our carbon footprint, many are choosing virtual options for their workforce. In addition, as the cost of maintaining brick-and-mortar offices continues to rise, entire companies are moving into the virtual world. Whether you are working from home for your employer, running a home-based business, or working as a freelancer, the key to success is creating an efficient virtual office.

Click here to find out how to build your virtual office...

1Password

2010-04-22T10:45:00.000-07:00

Always forgetting your passwords or where you wrote it down? With 1Password strong, unique passwords can be created, remembered and restored for you, all directly in your web browser!

Selecting one of your saved logins from 1Password's Go & Fill menu takes you to the site, securely fills your username and password, and logs you in, all with a single click or a few keystrokes. Once you've created your identities, select one in your web browser to quickly fill out a contact form. Store multiple credit cards to simplify and speed up your online shopping, thereby filling checkout forms with ease. And now you can take your information with you so that it's always on hand. Mobile versions of 1Password are available for iPhone OS and Palm OS and more data portability options are coming.

Your data never leaves your computer and strong encryption keeps your data safe.

Download your free trial...

Cybertary is a Two-Time Winner in Intuit’s Love A Local Business Contest

2010-04-12T10:16:00.000-07:00

“Wow!” is the word that comes to mind when I think about what happened to our business in recent weeks. We asked our friends, colleagues, and business associates to vote for us in an online business contest. The first time we did this, we were randomly selected out of all the entries in the area and won a $500 grant in the Intuit’s Love a Local Business contest, which we had reported to you previously.

We then found out that in order to be eligible for further consideration for their grand prize, we would have to get additional votes, so we sent out a second request to everyone. This time, they selected 5 local grand prize winners and the judging was based on the content of the customer comments provided. This time we won a $1000 prize and it was directly related to the wonderful things our customers said about us.

We are truly honored to serve the businesses in our local community and it means so much to us that our efforts have made a difference. We will continue to provide the best possible services in support of you and your businesses. So thanks again to all who voted. And thank you for choosing Cybertary to help you in your daily business endeavors.

Cybertary Roseville asks for your vote in Intuit's Love A Local Business contest

2010-03-16T10:45:00.000-07:00

On Friday, March 12, we attended the Love A Local Business event sponsored by Intuit. They had a great turnout and we got to meet some wonderful people from Intuit including the woman who designed the whole Love A Local Business web site. By attending the event we made ourselves eligible for the next level prize of $1000. We won't find out if we won that for a couple of weeks.

We even got a small mention in the Sacramento Bee Business section on Thursday, March 11 about our winning the first grant prize - see the article here: http://www.sacbee.com/2010/03/11/2598289/intuit-begins-small-business-aid.html

We again want to thank all of our friends, colleagues, clients and families that voted for us in February, however, we need your help one more time. Even if you previously voted we would be so appreciative if you would vote one more time during the month of March for the possibility of us to win the National Grand Prize of $25,000 in local advertising and $9,500 cash to invest in our business. To be eligible for the national grand prize, the votes have to occur in the month of March and it is ok if you already voted - they will still count.

It’s easy to vote, just follow this link and it will take you directly to our voting site: http://lovealocalbusiness.intuit.com/fan?b_id=13852&cid=ad120x60

Many thanks for supporting us on this! Feel free to forward to any of your friends who would be willing to vote.

Virtual Assistants Help Realty Firm Stay On Track

2010-02-23T09:48:00.000-08:00

Deborah Stafford, of Stafford Realty Group, is a realtor who until last year had not been tracking her business finances with a bookkeeping tool. She knew that to truly understand how her business was performing, she needed to put her finances into a tool like QuickBooks. However, as a busy business owner, she did not have the time to set this up, learn a new system, or keep up the ongoing maintenance. Additionally, she was facing tax season, and she needed to get her previous year’s books in order for her accountant.

Cybertary came up with a plan that would simplify her financial tracking.

First, they assisted her with purchasing and installing QuickBooks on her computer, and set up her company’s QuickBooks files. Then, Cybertary entered in all the transactions for the previous year and reconciled all the accounts. This provided her a complete picture of how her company was performing and where her money was being spent.

For ongoing maintenance Cybertary completes her monthly QuickBooks reconciliation by remotely accessing her computer. This way she always has access to the latest and greatest QuickBooks data on her computer.

All this has relieved Deborah of worrying about her bookkeeping. Tax time is so much easier now since all her reports and files are available at the push of a button. And most importantly, Deborah can see how her company is performing financially so she can make smart and timely business decisions.

Deborah had this to say about her experience - "Cybertary has really helped me get my bookkeeping in order. I now have a P&L that I can use to tell me how my business is performing. By giving Cybertary some of my 80%, I am now better able to go after my 20% areas of focus.”

Cybertary Franchise Wins Award for Franchisee Satisfaction

2010-02-18T09:55:00.000-08:00

Here is some exciting news for the Cybertary franchise system. Cybertary has been recognized as one of the winners of the Franchise Business Review's 2010 Franchisee Satisfaction Awards. The Franchise Business Review interviews franchisees to determine their satisfaction with their franchisors.

This acknowledgement of course mirrors our feelings about our franchise and we feel blessed to a part of such a phenomenal organization.

To check out the article, click here.

Time Management Tools - Prioritize, Organize, and Synchronize Your Day (part 3 of 3)

2010-02-16T09:40:00.000-08:00

Manage your Day

Now you are tracking your time and you have your lists of priorities the final step is to take control of your day instead of letting it control you.

Take a break from responding to messages: One of the biggest pitfalls is constantly checking voice mail and email. We don’t realize it, but next time you “quickly” check your email, time yourself using one of the time tracking services noted above. You may be surprised how a few clicks can turn into ten minutes. This might not sound like a lot of time, but if you check your email ten times during the day, that’s nearly two hours! Instead, try setting aside a small block of time in the morning and one in the afternoon to check and return messages and utilize your email autoresponder to send automatic replies and manage expectations of those who communicate with you via email.

Change your meeting habits: Although well-managed meetings can be very productive, many meetings can be time wasters. It takes time to gather relevant items, get to the meeting space, wait for the late-comers, and exchange pleasantries, not to mention the time it takes in advance to schedule and plan the meeting and exchange emails to find a time that works for everyone involved. Try a productivity tool like MeetingWizard to arrange and schedule your meetings, making the planning process easier and more efficient.

Write it Down: As business people we are constantly busy and our minds are usually in overdrive. Some of our most clever ideas come at the most inopportune times – when travelling on the subway, rushing to a meeting, or while driving. Utilize Evernote to capture your thoughts, organize, and retrieve them later. Using your computer or phone, Evernote is always there so you can put your thoughts, things you see, things you want, and things you need into one place. This tool can save you time and save your sanity – no more scrambling to remember that inspiration you had but didn’t have a chance to write down. You can even record voice memos!

Simplify your password management: Keeping track of your passwords should be a simple task. However with all the tasks we can now perform online requiring user names and passwords, and with security risks at an all-time high, the number of passwords we need is often times more than our brains can handle. Lastpass, a secure online password manager, automatically fills in saved log-ins and forms with the click of a button. You will never again have to click on the “forgot password” button and wait for the confirmation email!

Tomorrow morning when you’re sitting at your desk with that first cup of coffee in hand, think about the 80:20 rule… 80% of your efforts will generate 20% of your results and 20% of your activities will produce the remaining 80% of your results! Then, start utilizing these time management tools and tips to help better manage your time and get more productive time out of your day.

Time Management Tools - Prioritize, Organize, and Synchronize Your Day (part 2 of 3)

2010-02-11T09:35:00.000-08:00

Last time we discussed some tools that could help you with Time Tracking. Now we will turn our attention to prioritizing and organizing.

Prioritize and Organize

Once you know and understand how you are currently spending your time – typically an eye-opening experience – you can start to make changes. Being well-organized is a goal for nearly everyone, but in the world of effective time management, it is a must. The only way to be truly organized is to keep a list of your tasks, prioritize them, and keep track of your progress to completion of each.

Lists are wonderful. We make them before we go to the grocery store, we make them to let our kids know what is expected of them, and we should be making them for ourselves. Yes, we all like to think that we can mentally manage the hundreds of things we need to accomplish in a day. In reality, though, keeping that mental list keeps us moving and busy but often without direction which can lead to lots of work with few results.

The best way to tackle your tasks is to understand which things to do first, then work our way down the list. There are several free online tools to organize and prioritize our tasks that can be used by individuals or teams. Services like Checkvist, HiTask, and Task2Gather allow you to brainstorm, and create, organize, and publish lists so everyone knows what to do and when.

If you’re not comfortable managing your life online, then pull out the old DayTimer and start making daily lists. Franklin Covey has lots of great planning tools to keep you on task.

Now that you have some ideas on how to prioritize your life and get organized, look for the final post in this series about Managing Your Day...

Cybertary Roseville wins grant from Intuit in their Love A Local Business contest

2010-02-10T17:16:00.000-08:00

Thank you so much to all of our "fans" that voted for us in the Love A Local Business contest sponsored by Intuit. We are fortunate to have such wonderful clients to work with and are honored and humbled by your compliments. So far we are the lucky winners of their first round prize of a $500 grant and we are in 3rd place in the Sacramento area, according to one of our sources. This grant award will help us continue to do what we strive to do best, and that is to provide our customers with the highest quality of administrative and business support services.

We also plan on attending the event on March 12 where we are eligible to win an additional $1000 and we are still in the running for their grand prize of $25,000 in local advertising funds and $9500 in cash that we can invest into our business!

If you haven't voted yet, there is still time - please see the instructions below and forward it to your friends.

**************************************************************************
http://lovealocalbusiness.intuit.com/ ( or click on the logo in the right sidebar of our blog)

Under Step 1 Search for the Local Business You Love, type in:

Company: Cybertary
City/State: Roseville, CA

Then click "Find"

In Step 2 you will see 2 listings for Cybertary. We are the second Cybertary business listed (#1 is the corporate office, so please make sure you select ours:

CYBERTARY.COM - TINA ANGELL
1420 E ROSEVILLE PARKWAY Suite 140-329
Roseville, CA

Step 3 - please leave a comment about our services if you wish. We would love to hear from you!

Time Management Tools - Prioritize, Organize, and Synchronize Your Day (part 1 of 3)

2010-02-09T09:35:00.000-08:00

Whether you are the owner of a small business, a high-powered executive in a fortune 500 company, a public service worker, an entrepreneur, or a busy person, the key leading a well-balanced life is time management. Being able to efficiently manage your time will not only allow you to get things done, but will also reduce your stress and increase your quality of life away from the office. The following tips and tools will get you started on the road to happy, healthy, productive days. After all, isn’t that one of our New Year’s resolutions?

Time Tracking

The first step to effective time management is to take control of your day and determine how you are really spending your time. Do you realize how long you spend checking your email or how long it takes to put together the minutes from the morning meeting? Without knowing how you are currently spending your time, there is no way to adjust things so that you are more effective.

There are several time tracking tools available online, and many of them are FREE. Toggl is a collaborative time tracking tool that can be used via their website, as a browser popup, or embedded into your company intranet. Toggl allows you and your team to track time spent on specific tasks and provides you with comprehensive reports.

Another option, RescueTime offers time tracking solutions for individuals, small businesses and large enterprises and claims that on average, utilizing their service will recover 3 hours and 54 minutes worth of productive time per week, per person. Just imagine having nearly 4 extra hours in every week!

Stay tuned for Part 2 in this series of Time Management Tools...

CPA Firm Proves You Can Grow Your Business by Streamlining Administrative Tasks with a Virtual Assistant

2010-01-26T14:00:00.000-08:00

Mike Richards of Richards & Associates wanted to streamline his CPA services business. With the economy in a tailspin, he started seeking out opportunities to outsource some of the administrative tasks that were burdening his core staff, to allow them to focus on actual client work that generates income. Richards & Associates perform audits of financial institutions and in order to be profitable, his staff needed to be out on site at the clients’ offices doing audits. He found that staff members were taking time out of their day just to take care of administrative tasks on their own that could easily be outsourced.

Additionally, he was finding it extremely difficult to keep up with responding to new business proposal requests in a timely fashion. He started researching administrative support options and had tried other services like eLance.com but never found the right match until he struck up a conversation on a Southwest flight. Richards’ seatmate on the flight raved about his virtual assistant (VA) and how much they had helped him to streamline his business. That VA was Cybertary.

Cybertary was a perfect solution for Mike Richards and Richards & Associates for three reasons:

Cybertary took over many of the administrative tasks that were taking staff time away from revenue-generating activities and costing the company and staff a lot of time and money both in commute time and in productivity
Cybertary prides themselves on being very secure and have pledged publicly that they do not outsource to teammates outside of the U.S. in order to protect their clients
Cybertary helped increase efficiency for Mike Richards response time to new business requests

The Results

“Cybertary’s VAs are meticulous in their work and extremely fast. I often contact them for a project and the work is returned before the scheduled deadline.”

“The level of expertise I get from the Cybertary VA team far surpasses the experience I’d get from just one administrative assistant. We have been able to consolidate offices, thus allowing us to reduce our administrative and overhead costs, commute time and associated costs.”

“Confidentiality is critical in our business, dealing in audits for financial institutions. Even though Cybertary doesn’t currently work on any projects that involve sensitive materials, Cybertary has openly pledged that they are very secure and do not hire VAs from outside the U.S. in order to protect their clients.”

“Cybertary has allowed me and my staff to be more efficient and effective. My staff can now focus on working with our clients on the audit activities, their area of expertise, rather than taking time to do administrative tasks. Cybertary also turns around my new business proposals in just a day, something that used to take me a week to 10 days on my own. The result has been that I have been able to GROW my business, despite the economy.”

Share Small Business News and Tips - bizSugar

2010-01-19T10:00:00.000-08:00

Have you ever gone online to do a quick search and found yourself swimming in a sea of unrelated and unhelpful information? What begins as a few minutes of catching up on the news or researching an idea can turn into hours of lost time. If only there was someone who could sift through all the clutter and highlight and categorize the news and ideas that are relevant to your business. Fortunately, there is! Actually, it's not just one person, but an entire community of entrepreneurs and business owners searching, organizing, and tagging the information for you.

bizSugar is a free social bookmarking and networking site geared specifically to small- and medium-sized business owners and managers. This site allows users to share news, information, blog posts, videos, podcasts, images, and other content that is relevant to small business. bizSugar then takes it a step further and encourages other users to vote for their favorite links making it easy to find the information you need on everything from marketing to finance to management to technology.

Now you can quickly and easily find answers to your questions, expand your knowledge, refine your strategies, and connect with other business owners. Becoming a member is easy, and free. Just visit bizSugar, click the "register" icon. Sweet!

Delegate, Delegate, Delegate

2010-01-12T10:00:00.000-08:00

With the start of the New Year brings the promise of resolutions, great and small. Nearly everyone takes this opportunity to get a fresh start, do away with some old bad habits and replace them with newer, better ones. For business owners, the New Year is a great time to reassess your business and create both short- and long-term goals which may include: expanding your product line or enhancing your services, increasing profits, or achieving a better work-life balance.

Whatever your objectives, there is one simple concept that can help you attain them … delegation. As Andrew Carnegie once said, “No person will make a great business who wants to do it all himself or get all the credit.”

As a business owner, you are likely a hard-working, ambitious professional, who is driven toward growth and success. Unfortunately this motivation and ambition is often accompanied with an obsession for doing everything yourself to ensure it is done “right”. The problem is that spending too much time working “in” your business leaves little time for working “on” your business. Delegating everyday tasks such as bookkeeping, database management, customer follow-up, managing your social networking profiles, and creating marketing materials can free up precious time for doing the things that truly only you can do, like planning, networking, or managing.

Mastering the art of delegation requires communication, honesty, and trust. You must be able to communicate effectively to everyone involved in order to ensure they understand not only their tasks, but also how those tasks contribute to the bigger picture. It’s critical to be honest with yourself, and to those involved, especially when communicating expectations and providing feedback. But often, the most difficult challenge for any business owner is to entrust others with vital tasks or projects. It’s important to realize that even if something isn’t done precisely the way you would do it, you are successful if the task or project is completed efficiently and with high-quality results.

Here are some keys to delegating with confidence:

· Clearly define goals, as well as time and budget constraints.
· Clearly communicate expectations and requirements
· Fully disclose the information needed to complete a project
· Encourage questions, take comments, and give timely feedback
· Set up and help meet deadlines
· Express constructive criticisms and concerns openly
· Respect and value the expertise of the person you choose for the task
· Actively contribute to all efforts to achieve your goals.

Delegating may sound difficult at first, but in doing so, you will be freeing up your valuable time to focus on the most important aspects of your business and your life. Delegation does not mean you give up full control of your business, it means you are open to attract more clients, have the freedom to work ‘on’ your business instead of ‘in’ it, and so many more possibilities. Consider hiring a Cybertary to allow you to focus on tasks that generate new income for yourself.

The Importance of Networking in Person - Part 2

2010-01-07T10:00:00.000-08:00

Last time we talked about some networking best practices. Now we will share where to find in person networking opportunities.

•Start with your city's Chamber of Commerce. Most have websites where you can find membership information and upcoming events. It is not uncommon for large metropolitan areas to have multiple chambers of commerce. Chambers and other organization memberships can cost anywhere from $100-$500 per year depending on their annual rates vs. monthly dues.

•Look for local events and meetings put on by other types of groups, such as Social, Industry, Training or Networking groups.

•Review large newspapers, magazines and website calendars to see what is going on in your area.

•Attend area trade shows and expos.

•Consider industry associations related to your specific customer niche. For example, if you are a realtor, you might attend an Association of Realtors or the Building Industry Association.

Bottom line, think about where your target market would be networking or spending their time. And remember, you only get out what you put into these groups. So get out there and start networking!

The Importance of Networking in Person - Part 1

2010-01-05T10:00:00.001-08:00

Networking is one of the least expensive yet very effective forms of marketing you can do to promote your business. It allows you time to introduce and explain your products and services to people and answer questions for them unlike a static advertisement that they will quickly glance at and then turn away. But more importantly in-person networking should be about forming relationships with people that will go much further than just a one time sale. If networking is approached in this way, you will find it to be more fun and ultimately more lucrative.

Here are some networking best practices:

•Don't be afraid of joining two or three organizations if you can make the time and they are all in your target geographical area.

•You should visit a group a couple times before joining to make sure it is a good fit for you and you will receive benefit from your membership investment.

•Be selective on which groups you join and make sure the members are either your target market or they have clients that are your target market.

•To get the most out of a group, you should consider becoming an active member. You can join committees, volunteer to help at an event, or even run for a board position.

•Make every effort to attend or send someone from your organization to all mixers and functions (even those you don't belong to yet), this will be a very cost effective form of advertising and it will help build word-of-mouth. Many mixers are free and you don't even need to be a member to attend.

•Bring lots of business cards and brochures to events and go early and stay late to distribute them, work the crowd and "meet and greet."

•If you come late and/or leave early, the potential number of people you will meet decreases significantly due to lack of time.

•Visit members' places of business to get to know them further, especially those in related industries who can be good referral sources.

•Give referrals to members of the group as much as you can. People remember that and will do the same for you (Giver's Gain!).

Stay tuned for part 2: Where to find in person networking opportunities

Happy New Year! What are you going to do first?

2009-12-30T09:00:00.000-08:00

Have you made any New Year's resolutions for your business? For instance, are you going to get your bookkeeping in order early for your accountant? Are you going to get your customer database in order so you can do some targeted marketing this year? Or maybe you've been meaning to set up your social networking accounts so you can do some online marketing. What other projects have you been putting off because you just don't have time?

Wouldn't it be great to start off the new year with a few of your "to do" items checked off? If you need help with any of these tasks, or perhaps with deciding what tasks you could delegate, we hope you'll give Cybertary a call. As your one-stop administrative support solution we can discuss your specific business needs and help you figure out a good place to start.

Happy Holidays from Cybertary Roseville!

2009-12-22T10:00:00.000-08:00

The Cybertary Roseville team would like to take this time to thank our clients, partners, coaches, colleagues, franchisor, blog readers, and friends for supporting us as we wrap up our third year of business.

It seems like only yesterday we were signing our franchise purchase agreement and dreaming of our new life of business ownership. We had so much passion and excitement for our new venture and we are pleased to report that we are still as passionate about our business as we were that first day. We’ve learned and grown a lot in these 3 years, in large part thanks to all of you. And the basic ideals that led us to this business are still in place today.

We couldn’t be more excited to enter 2010 knowing that the economy is improving, that we are surviving in probably our generation’s most challenging economic time, and that we have plans in place to ride the recovery wave that we know is coming. We look forward to sharing the New Year with all of you.

Enjoy your holidays, take stock of the good things in your life, and prepare for a fantastic New Year!

Get Organized and Proactive for the Tax Season

2009-12-17T10:00:00.000-08:00

Sure, tax season may seem like it's months away. However, why not get your QuickBooks® in order now to avoid a new year burden and the mad tax season rush?

Cybertary is ready and waiting to help you organize your 2009 tax records and update your QuickBooks today. That way, you'll be organized and ready to kick off the new year without that stress weighing on your mind. Plus, with all your 2009 tax paperwork organized and entered, you'll be in the perfect position to do some productive 2010 tax planning.

And if you schedule your bookkeeping service before February 15, 2010, you will receive the first 3 hours of bookkeeping for only $125.

Call Cybertary today. We are ready to help you prepare for a stress-free 2009 tax season and a joyous 2010.

If Santa Had a Cybertary...

2009-12-08T09:55:00.000-08:00

The holidays are upon us, as well as the ever-busy jolly ol' St. Nick. So what would make Santa's 2009 holiday season even brighter? Well, Mr. Claus could absolutely benefit from hiring Cybertary, and here's why!

If Santa hires Cybertary this year...

He can have most of his gifts ordered, wrapped, and shipped to the right recipients without leaving his home at the North Pole.
He can eliminate his need for year-round help by hiring Cybertary for on-demand assistance only (and by reducing some of the elf workspace, he and Mrs. Claus can finally downsize to that smaller, quainter place).
When Mrs. Claus asks if he's had time to write out his side of the family's Christmas cards, Santa can, for the first time in years, say, "Yes! They're done!" because Cybertary handled them for him.
Finally, Santa can have an up-to- date "naughty and nice" database to access with ease!
When it comes down to the critical last hours, he can count on a professional team to schedule and manage his Christmas Eve travel and appointments.
Yum! He can have his cookies and eat them too because hiring Cybertary will allow him that much- needed personal time at the gym.
Ahhh, he can relax at home in his long johns over an eggnog latte while he occasionally communicates with Cybertary via email about their efficient handling of his busy holiday affairs.
After Christmas and year's end, Santa can relax by the fire with Mrs. Claus because his QuickBooks^® is in order and up to date-all ready for an easy and orderly 2009 tax season!
And isn't it about time we heard more from the one and only Santa year-round? A daily Santa blog? A weekly ezine? A monthly newsletter? A website? Cybertary can help and give Santa the time to reconnect with the people who are most important in 2009. Like you!

Santa's not the only one who can benefit from hiring Cybertary this year. You can too! Let Cybertary help make your holiday season smooth and get your business in gear for the brand new year. Submit your request for a FREE 30-Minute Consultation today!

Is Business Ownership Your Destiny?

2009-12-01T09:30:00.000-08:00

Most of you know that Cybertary Roseville is also the Regional Developer in the Greater Sacramento area for the Cybertary franchise. This means that in addition to running our Roseville/Granite Bay office of Cybertary – providing services to our business clients – we are also looking for entrepreneurs who want to own a Cybertary business and enjoy the benefits that come with working for yourself.

Last month we had the opportunity to exhibit at the Momslikeme.com, Women In Work conference – that’s Tina in the picture. We met many people that were out of work (in some instances due to the economy) or were looking to reenter the workforce after having taken a little “break” to raise a family. It was a perfect venue for us to meet potential entrepreneurs. It was interesting discussing with attendees the new outlook they shared; going through the process to figure out what they really wanted for their next career—and for many they were considering running their own business. If you are thinking about what to do next, make sure to do your research, attend events, and talk to others about their experiences. Of course, we would love to have new Cybertary franchisees in the greater Sacramento area, but even if Cybertary isn’t the business for you, there are so many opportunities out there.

For us, the leap into entrepreneurship been everything we had hoped, but we definitely did our homework when making our decision.

Grow Your Business, Not Your Busy-ness

2009-11-20T15:25:00.000-08:00

Last week, Valerie had the opportunity to present on a teleconference held by Kristi LeGue from Your Financial Diva. The topic was one that hits home with so many business owners – basically that they should focus on growing their business as opposed to getting distracted by activities they could delegate to someone else.

Do you ever have those days where you walk into the office with the best made plans to get an enormous amount of work done, but then leave at the end of the day wondering why nothing on your list was completed? If this resonates with you, take a listen to the replay of the teleconference here: http://www.instantteleseminar.com/?eventid=9667254

On the audio replay you will learn about:

What to delegate and why
When to delegate
Who to delegate to
Common obstacles
Identify the value of your own time
Discuss tools that can help

Kristi is both Tina and Valerie’s personal CPA and we highly recommend her services. Recently she has expanded her business to include financial coaching as well, specifically targeting mompreneurs. If you are in need of help in this area, check out her web site at http://www.yourfinancialdiva.com/.

We have a winner!

2009-11-10T13:00:00.000-08:00

In our very first blog post a month ago, we offered a special gift pack for the first person who gave us a question related to small business. The winner is Dani Weinstein, a past HP colleague and fellow UC Davis MBA alum of Tina’s. Thanks for being a reader and for participating in our contest – look for your Starbucks gift card in the mail soon!

Here is the winning question: How are small businesses managing with the financial meltdown in securing sufficient financing & loans to get their businesses off the ground?

Excellent question Dani, and of course of interest to most small businesses. In an interesting coincidence, our bank manager called us last week to set up an appointment with us to find out more about our business and to see if there were any loan products they could interest us in. Here are the options we were presented:

1. An overdraft line – this is straightforward and it has come in handy when Accounts Receivables time increases. It has a moderate interest rate and only kicks in when needed.

2. For larger amounts, they also have a line of credit called the Cash Flow Manager. Generally you will qualify for 20-25% of your annual gross receipts. It only takes a couple of weeks to approve and has a low interest rate.

3. The last option was actually the one I had gone in to ask about, and that is SBA loans. With all the press these loans have been getting lately I thought for sure this would a product the bank would be pushing. Actually it was quite the opposite. They said SBA loans are usually the last resort for funding– they take upwards of 6-9 months to approve and require a large amount of paperwork. Additionally, they said, the criteria to actually get an SBA loan approved has tightened up just as on most loans.

There are other SBA products that are available that you can get much quicker, but they are for small amounts and can only be used to pay off existing debts (i.e. credit cards or other loans). You can check with your lender or the SBA directly about loan options such as ; ARC, 7a, 8a and others.

By the way, if you need a good banker, I recommend Lois Coady at the Roseville branch of US Bank – she made me feel like a valued customer.

Random acts of business kindness…

2009-11-06T15:49:00.000-08:00

Two weeks ago Valerie received a call from one of our clients who was in a minor panic. She was scheduled to be at a tradeshow in Los Angeles in just one week and her assistant had to cancel on her at the last minute. She called us with the slim hope that Cybertary could send someone to assist her during the event. With some minor schedule juggling, Valerie was able to make it work in her schedule (this is Valerie on the left with our client, Debi Silber). Sure it was a bit of a challenge to make last minute arrangements, but in the end, we asked ourselves a simple question – what if it was us in that same position? If we had invested a lot of money in something and then lost our support team, we too would hope someone would come through for us in our time of need.

So why are we telling this story? Aside from the obvious plug for the excellent service that we strive to provide our clients, it is important that we as business owners think about how we can provide that extra special touch that differentiates us from our competitors. This client was so thrilled she even mentioned Valerie in her newsletter that she sends to her clients.

The moral of the story is not that you can call Cybertary at the last minute and we’ll jump on an airplane (although we just might). The moral is – treat your customers as human beings, not an invoice. If you do, you will be remembered and your customer will be forever loyal.

Your customers are potential leads too

2009-10-26T16:49:00.000-07:00

Maybe this is obvious, but I'll say it anyway - our existing or past customers should be treated with the same care and respect we give our new potential leads. However, even though it sounds obvious, do you have a plan of how you market to your existing client base?

I know I am pretty cost-conscious these days both in my business and personal life. If I'm not feeling loved by a store or a vendor, I will not go back there. Even if the business hasn't done anything overtly wrong, if I don't feel something special from the experience and I can go somewhere else that's cheaper or where I will feel like a valued customer I won't go there any more. On the other hand if I go to a store where they know my name, remember my preferences and so forth, I will return again and again, and I will even pay more for that kind of treatment.

While retaining clients is an important reason to follow up with your customer base, possibly more importantly, you have the ability to make more revenue from those customers. Do your clients use every single one of your services? Do they even know all the services that you provide? In the case of Cybertary, I can almost guarantee even our best clients don't know about every single service we offer. That means we have an opportunity to market to them about additional services we can offer them that will help their business. And the best part is, because they are already a loyal client, they are more likely to hear the marketing message because of our trusted relationship with them.

The key takeaway here - if you don't have a follow up plan for your existing customers, you need to create one immediately. It can be similar to the one you use for new leads, but make sure you tailor the campaign to the audience. Remember, they already know who you are, so you can really target your message for what you want them to hear. If you don't do something, they will find someone else who will pay attention to them.

Are you letting your leads get away?

2009-10-22T11:00:00.000-07:00

Following up with our leads and our customers is such a business basic and yet so many businesses, especially smaller ones with less employees, struggle with effective ways to keep up to date with their client leads.

According to the National Sales Executive Association:
2% of sales are made on the 1st contact
3% of sales are made on the 2nd contact
5% of sales are made on the 3rd contact
10% of sales are made on the 4th contact
80% of sales are made on the 5th-12th contact

Pretty amazing - are you following up 5-12 times after you meet someone? How many business people go to a networking function, make connections with some people and then exchange business cards? If you're like me, once you've collected a few leads at an event you feel a sense of accomplishment. But if those sales statistics above are true, than if I go back to my office and just wait for them to call me I'm probably not going to hear from them again and all that time I spent networking was basically wasted.

I describe it like a TV commercial. The first time you see a commercial you might physically be viewing it, but as far as engraining the product or message in your head, it probably won't happen after that first viewing. But after you've seen the commercial three or four times, it starts to stick in your head. And finally, after the commercial has been on TV for a few days, weeks, and months I now may actually go to the store to seek out that product. But it takes awhile for that new commercial to bubble up in my consciousness over all the other "noise" and messages I'm bombarded with during my favorite show.

Same thing for networking your business. We are our own TV commercials without the sitcom or reality show to hold our target audience's attention. We need to come up with a cohesive follow up strategy that will "touch" our leads regularly so we can stay in their consciousness. To do this we need to think about what vehicles will grab our potential customers' attention (phone call, email, newsletter, direct mail, radio ad, and so on) and what promotions and messages are meaningful to them. Regardless of what follow up system you decide to use, you must implement a consistent system so your customers don't fall through the cracks.

2010 is just around the corner, is your bookkeeping in order?

2009-10-19T13:00:00.000-07:00

I cannot believe it is already October. Soon enough the Halloween candy will be replaced by candy canes and then sure enough your accountant will be knocking on your door about getting your 2009 tax information to them. Will you be ready?

If you're like many business owners, you have a bookkeeping system. Whether you are using it or keeping up with it is another story. This time of year we run into many people that are suddenly realizing that their New Year's resolution to stay on top of their books has simply taken a back seat to other crucial business tasks - like getting new clients and keeping the business coming in.

While it is an understandable and familiar predicament, it doesn't have to be a tradeoff. First think about what you, as a business owner, make per hour when you are making a sale. $250/hr? $1000/hr? Now look at what you would pay someone to come in and help with your books - $45-65/hr. Does it really make sense for you do your own bookkeeping so you can only pay yourself $50 during that hour? Additionally, that is an hour NOT spent on getting new business.

If I've peaked anyone's interest about where you, as a business owner, should be spending your time, I'd like to tell you about a special incentive that Cybertary Roseville is offering:

The first 15 people that contact us and mention this blog posting, will get one free hour of QuickBooks bookkeeping. In addition we have partnered with Professional Solutions Group, LLP, CPAs who will throw in $100 towards your business tax preparation.

There is one catch though - you have to get all your bookkeeping files to us before October 31st. And you will have to get the remainder of your tax paperwork to the accountant before January 31 next year to qualify. Call us for more details and to take advantage of this limited offer.

Welcome to the Cybertary Roseville Blog!

2009-10-14T16:01:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone,

We are excited to have our new Cybertary Roseville Blog up and running. We have posted other people's blogs for them for quite some time and found time in between all the other postings to get ours fully functional.

We hope to provide you with interesting information that will help you run your business more efficiently and effectively. We also want to share some our secrets of success that have worked for either us and/or our clients.

If you have ideas or questions you would like answered in this blog, please email them to us at roseville@cybertary.com. Chances are your questions will be the same that many other business owners are facing, so don't be shy - and don't worry, we'll keep it anonymous. In fact, to kick off our blog, we are offering the first person who submits a question to us, related to small business, the coveted prize of a Cybertary coffee mug filled with goodies and a $10 Starbuck’s gift card.

If you would like help getting started on a blog of your own (or social networking, or bookkeeping, or anything else), please don't hesitate to contact us. We love to help you succeed.

Virtually yours,

Tina & Valerie
Co-owners, Cybertary Roseville