A Healthy, More Productive Work Space: Five Simple Steps to Take to Green Up Your Home Office

For entrepreneurs, the home office is usually where it all starts.  You certainly spend a lot of your time there hatching ideas, going over paperwork, doing research and making phone calls.  So, why sit around in an uninspiring environment with stale air and piles of paper on every surface?  Beyond the stress factor and the benefits of giving yourself a fresh start, greening up your workspace will make you feel good about your impact on the environment. Give your home office a mini green makeover in no time flat with these 5 tips that will help you sit back, relax and let business flow.

Switch to CFLs. This is nearly always the first suggestion on any ‘easy green tips’ list, with good reason.  CFLs use 75% less energy than incandescent bulbs, and they last far longer.  If you’ve waited to switch because you’ve heard that CFL light quality isn’t as good, give them another chance – far better versions have become available recently.

Cut back on the amount of paper you use, and recycle the rest. Going (nearly) paperless in your office is easy – check out our previous post on the subject for help.  For the paper you can’t avoid using, keep a recycling bin next to your desk.  Having less paper around isn’t just earth-friendly, the reduced clutter will help you feel more relaxed.

Buy Energy Star equipment.  Look for computers, printers, scanners, phones and other office equipment that bear the Energy Star label.  Energy Star products are designed to use far less energy than their conventional counterparts, so they’ll save you money and reduce your consumption of resources all at once.  While you’re at it, set your machines on power-saving mode, also.

Choose your supplies wisely.  Buy reusable items rather than disposables whenever possible, go with recycled paper and envelopes, and buy in bulk whenever possible.  It’s also a great idea to search for used items at garage sales, thrift stores, consignment stores and online at sites like eBay and Craigslist.  All of these things will keep your consumption of new goods that will someday end up in the trash to a minimum.

Keep the air fresh with live plants.  Plants don’t just literally green up your office environment, they also purify the air.  A two-year study by NASA and the Associated Landscape Contractors of America proved that select household plants can remove such toxins as benzene, formaldehyde and trichloroethylene from the air.  These chemicals are especially common in offices because they are present in inks, paper, plastic, rubber and pressed wood products.  Some good choices for your plants include bamboo palm, English ivy, Chinese evergreen and peace lilies.

Obama on Business: What a Democratic Win Could Bring for the Business Community

As the November presidential election draws ever closer, many business owners are wondering, what’s in our future? Barack Obama slammed big corporations and free trade in the primaries, which made many businesspeople skittish.  So, what would an Obama win mean for business?

First of all, Obama isn’t an enemy of American corporations.  His main issues with them are big tax breaks, CEOs with disproportionately high salaries and jobs being shipped overseas.  He has said that the economy in the last decade or so has rewarded only a very few, and he’d like to see more balance.

As an Illinois senator, Obama’s record shows both traditional Democratic stances and pro-business efforts.  He supported a technology development fund to recruit companies to the state and for tax incentives to businesses.  Jerry Roper, president and CEO of the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce, told BusinessWeek, “He was as liberal as could be at times, but he still worked with us. We’d talk on the phone, or I’d go see him. He’s a good guy.”

Obama is pro-growth, but he’s against seeing top-level executives receive grossly inflated paychecks while lower-level employees struggle to get by.  The economy thus far has favored big corporations, not small businesses.  More than half of the total growth in the economy over the last decade or so was captured by the top 1%.

The squeeze on the middle class hurts business, says Obama, because those people are less likely to go out and buy.  Shifting the tax burden toward the wealthy and raising the minimum wage would help prosperity rise from the bottom up, as would increased regulatory oversight, capital requirements and transparency standards.

Obama’s advisors now include veteran capitalists, and he’s been meeting with business leaders to discuss their goals and fears.  He gets business advice from people like billionaire CEO Warren Buffet, J.P. Morgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon, Centerbridge Partners founder Mark Gallogly, Penny Pritzker of Hyatt, Ariel Capital’s John Rogers and investor James S. Crown.

Some of Obama’s plans that will aid entrepreneurs include the following, per CNN Money:

• Issue a $500 credit to self-employed small business owners to offset the self-employment tax.
• Exempt investors from the capital gains tax on their investments in small businesses and startups if they made their investment when a small company was valued below a certain threshold. That threshold has yet to be defined.
• Increase the minimum wage and index the rate to inflation to ensure that it rises every year.
• Offer a 50% refundable credit for employee health insurance premiums paid by the employer.
• Require all employers to automatically enroll workers in 401(k)s or IRAs that they can pay into through payroll deductions.
• Freeze estate tax rate at 45% and increase exemption to $3.5 million.

Furthermore, Obama would be an important ally in the development of green business in all industries.  His dedication to energy independence, for one, means that businesses will get the support they need to grow dramatically in the coming years.  Many believe that an Obama presidency will initiate a ‘green gold rush’, which will sharpen competitiveness, reduce the national debt, stimulate the economy and create millions of green-collar jobs.

Obama is dedicated to helping American business stay competitive in the global industry, and that’s good news for any business owner.

The Franchise Dream: When to Go For it, When to Stay Small

Some entrepreneurs go into business with a single-minded goal: franchising.  To them, it seems like the ultimate business dream – and indeed, it can be.  Growing your small business into a chain that will get your name out there and effectively start an empire is a goal shared by many.  But franchising isn’t right for every business, and sometimes it’s best to wait before going for franchisor status.

To determine whether franchising is right for you now or in the future, ask yourself these questions:

Should I franchise? Many business owners don’t stop to ask themselves this. But, the truth is, franchising isn’t always the logical next step. Whether or not you ultimately pursue franchising depends mostly upon your personal goals.  Where do you see yourself 5 years from now? What do you want your life to be like? How much control of your business are you willing to give up to others? Be prepared for the fact that starting a franchise is, in effect, starting a whole new business. You’ll suddenly be in the business of selling and servicing franchises, and that may not be what you got into this field for in the first place. And, finally, can your business goals be achieved through some other means? Franchising can be a risky move, and if you think you’d be just as happy making your unique business the best it can be, that may be the most advantageous route.

Am I ready? Does your business stand out from your competitors? Do you have a really strong customer base that indicates that more locations will meet a real need?  Are you confident that the average franchisee will not only be able to take your business model and make a return on their investment, but be successful as well?

What does the market look like? Never underestimate the importance of doing your research.  Will your area be seeing a growing demand for your product or service? Future trends are the key to a franchise’s success. You wouldn’t want to pour money into franchising only to find that people are no longer interested in what you’re selling.

Do I have the resources? You should take this question very, very seriously, because although franchising is known as a low-cost way of expanding a business, that doesn’t mean it’s free. You can expect $20,000 - $50,000 in legal costs, $20,000 - $100,000 in development costs, personnel costs and a budget for marketing each franchise, which can run $5,000 - $7,000 each.  Starting small can help make this process easier, but you’ll still need a lot of money up front.  You’re going to burn through money very quickly, and you’ve got to be okay with that.

Is my motivation strong enough? One of the most important qualities that a franchisor must have is the passionate drive toward achieving a single goal.  If you’re a waffler, perhaps you nix this idea. Changing your mind a lot will only make the process far more expensive and difficult to meet with success. You must be prepared for the fact that this will take up a lot of your time, and while overseeing the start of the new franchises you’ll still have to put 100% into your existing business to keep it strong.  The desire and dedication to see it through properly is the one thing that will help you make the dream real.

Am I setting myself up for failure? Some entrepreneurs are so focused on the dream of having a franchise that they allow the quality of their product or service to take a nosedive.  Take, for example, the case of the restauranteur who plans to build his business into a franchise from the very beginning.  He believes that in order to be successful, he needs to create a menu that’s cheap and easy to create, so it can be duplicated later on.  So, his restaurant serves food that’s entirely pre-packaged and the customers can tell it’s anything but fresh.  Skimping on quality takes away the potential to create something really special – something that deserves to be reproduced. Your business needs to be strong enough to stand on its own before it can support multiple locations.

Keeping it Fresh: 7 Ways to Stay in Love with What You Do

Entrepreneurs have one of the most exhausting career paths, no matter what industry you’re in.  It’s sort of like extreme sports - exhilarating, frightening and strenuous all at once.  When you’re putting your all into your business, it’s easy to get burned out after a while, no matter how motivated you were when you first began.  It happens to even the most dedicated and goal-oriented of businesspeople, and it can be a steep hole to crawl out of.

Keeping that starry-eyed, butterflies-in-the-stomach feeling doesn’t just apply to personal relationships, it applies to your business, too.  Here are 7 ways that will help you stay in love with what you do, or get back that exciting feeling if you’ve already lost it.

1. Take a break. Seriously. We’re not talking about a lunch break or a 3-day weekend. You may feel like your business can’t operate without you, but you’ve got to get away every now and then to help you appreciate why you’re doing this in the first place. You’ll come back feeling refreshed and inspired, ready to take on new challenges with a positive attitude.

2. Learn something new. You need room to grow to feel challenged and inspired. There are always new things to learn in any field, so reading books, taking classes or attending seminars can help you expand your horizons and better your business. It’ll keep you from getting stuck in a rut.

3. Talk to other business owners in your field. Staying connected – whether it’s over drinks during cocktail hour, a business lunch to discuss your industry or networking at a convention – is key to keeping up your motivation.  Discuss the latest trends, newest gadgets and the challenges that you all face.  Avoiding your competitors can make you feel isolated and out of the loop. By keeping in contact, you’ll come away with inspiration to go above and beyond what the others are doing and you might get some new ideas in the process.

4. Read about the success of others.  Success stories are one of the best ways to gain and keep motivation to keep going forward, especially if you’ve been feeling bored or down about your future. Books like The Path to Success: Inspiration Stories from Entrepreneurs Around the World are great reading material for that weeklong vacation you’re planning (because you are planning one, right?).

5. Keep a regularly updated list of goals.  Actually write them down, and check them off as you reach them.  Keep the goals relatively small, so you don’t have this impossible-looking, intimidating list full of things that are hard to achieve.  It’ll give you something attainable to work toward at all times.

6. Drop the ‘all or nothing’ attitude.  Nothing will make you feel discouraged faster than holding yourself and your company up to impossible standards. So, you weren’t able to double your profits in the first year – most companies don’t. Don’t allow it to make you feel like you’re going nowhere. If you’re dejected about what you perceive as ‘failures’, it will affect the morale of your employees as well, and then you’ll be on a real downward spiral, not an imagined one.  Be realistic and accept that things don’t work out the way you’d like them to all the time – that doesn’t mean you won’t see plenty of success in the future.

7. Celebrate the little successes.  Allow yourself a pat on the back for that big contract you secured, the write-up in a local paper or an increase in your quarterly earnings. It’ll help you feel like you’re on your way up, and there’s nothing like little accomplishments to help you feel good about the path you’re on.

3 Business Rock Stars Who Have Shaken Up Their Industries

There are successful businessmen, and then there are successful businessmen who tower above the rest with innovative strategies that have propelled them into the realm of the rock star.
Beyond mere prosperity, these guys have achieved fame and fortune that most businessmen can only dream of, and they act as inspiration to many of the men and women who are out there trying to bring their own goals to fruition. Steve Jobs, Mark Cuban and Donald Trump stand out in each of their respective industries because of decisions and events both planned and accidental, and as a result, they’re enjoying the best of what can be achieved in business.

Steve Jobs – Technology should be an exciting industry, and that’s one belief that Steve Jobs has always displayed throughout his career. Over the years, as co-founder and CEO of Apple and majority shareholder of Pixar Animation Studios/Walt Disney, Steve has combined entertainment with technology with an emphasis on aesthetics. It’s something that none of his competitors have bothered to do, giving Apple an edge that makes the company’s products highly attractive to young people in particular. Steve helped transform the computer industry from an endless parade of bland, humdrum beige machines to elegant products that transcend function straight into the realm of fashionable. As a result, Apple has raised the bar to such an extent that other computer and electronics companies are still struggling to catch up.

Mark Cuban – Some people show signs of impending business success from a very early age, and Mark is one of those people. As a child, he calculated ways to make money, once netting $1,100 from a chain letter he started. The ‘technology maverick’ started his first company, MicroSolutions, in the ‘80s and soon sold it to CompuServe for a profit of $2 million after taxes. He then combined his interests in college basketball and webcasting along with friend Todd Wagner to start Audionet, which became Broadcast.com and sold to Yahoo in 1999 for $5.9 billion. Mark deftly diversified the wealth that he gained, landing at #133 on Forbes’ 2007 ‘World’s Richest People’ list with a net worth of about $1.2 billion. He’s best known for his opinionated, oft-controversial decisions as owner of the Dallas Mavericks basketball team. He also provides business tips on his popular blog, Blog Maverick.

Donald Trump – It’s hard to like The Donald. He’s pompous, obnoxious – and then there’s that hair. But, you can’t deny that Donald Trump is extremely unique in his field – can you name a single other real estate developer who’s anywhere near as famous? Of course, from an early age Trump parlayed his privileged upbringing into a plethora of business opportunities, and began a series of large building projects in Manhattan with his father’s company, the Trump Organization in the early ‘70s. Over the years, Trump’s soap opera-like twists and turns through extreme wealth and bankruptcy gained him the fame that led to his current success as a television personality. His signature hairstyle and trademark catchphrase (“You’re Fired!”) have only added to the caricature that is Donald Trump.

Lifestyle Entrepreneurs: Balance, Free time, and Working to Live

Finding a work-life balance is even harder for entrepreneurs than it is for the Average Joe. After all, you’re out there making things happen for yourself – and in many cases, you have only yourself to answer to when it comes down to productivity and whether you’ve had a vacation in the last five years. Entrepreneurs are too often members of Overworkers Anonymous – so dedicated and driven that they don’t allow themselves to step back for a breather. The thing is, giving yourself some free time will not only improve your quality of life, it’ll renew your enthusiasm and help you approach problems in more creative ways.

Sure, sometimes you have to put in extra hours – that’s part of starting a business. But don’t let it get to the point where you’re living to work. Take a cue from lifestyle entrepreneurs: business owners who have set definable goals, but won’t let the desire to make money interfere too much with the enjoyment of their lives. Being a lifestyle entrepreneur involves taking control of your own destiny, mixing business and pleasure and having a lot of fun along the way. Here are some tips to find that balance.

Have a master plan. What do you want to achieve in the next three or so years? A compelling vision will drive you toward success, and when you put that vision in writing, you’ll have a nice clear picture of what you need to do to achieve it. It’ll help you cut out some of the stress and avoid the frantic pace of entrepreneurs who aren’t sure where they’re going and why.

Take short breaks during the day. This is an easy way to start giving yourself some time to clear your head. Take a walk, do some yoga, practice guitar, anything that will help you decompress a little and step back from your work. You might come back feeling refreshed and ready to tackle your tasks from a new angle.

Make lists. When you’ve got all of the week’s obligations floating freely in your head, it seems like more work than it really is. Writing it all down and scheduling a time for everything will help you manage your schedule in a way that allows breathing room.

Schedule down time. Put your afternoon bike ride, spa appointment, or child’s recital on your calendar and treat it just as you would a business obligation. Make it important, and you’ll be more likely to actually do it when the time comes instead of finding an excuse to work instead. This is especially true for vacations.

Delegate. You can’t do everything yourself. Let an assistant, employee or partner take on some of your tasks when feasible. Getting yourself a virtual assistant, who takes care of mundane tasks like scheduling appointments and doing research, can free up a lot of your time.

Create passive income. A passive revenue stream through referral programs, affiliate programs and pay-for-inclusion communities will help you make money and relax at the same time. It’s a way to get a little something on the side without working yourself to the bone.

Disconnect every now and then. If you constantly have your cell phone turned on and nearby, you’ll be tempted to sneak in work calls during family time, meals and other times that you should be stepping away from your work. So, turn it or leave it in the office every now and then. Ditto for other electronic devices, like PDAs and laptops. If the temptation isn’t there, you’ll enjoy yourself much more.

Get out of the office rut. Being a lifestyle entrepreneur can mean sitting on the beach with a drink in your hand and a computer in your lap, typing out an email while enjoying the salty breeze. Re-think where you can get work done. You don’t have to be in a stuffy office to be productive.

7 Books Every Entrepreneur Should Make Time to Read

Entrepreneurs just starting out receive a lot of conflicting information.  They might hear what sound like a few great tips from a friend, and then read the opposite on a business blog.  That’s where this list of books comes in – to give you plenty of solid advice that will help you get your career off the ground and make the right decisions.  Since entrepreneurs tend to eat, sleep and breathe business anyway, they’ll be perfect to tote along to the beach and other relaxing destinations as summer reading.  In no particular order, here are seven books every entrepreneur should make time to read.

The Art of the Start by Guy Kawasaki – If you only get around to reading one book, make it this one.  Kawasaki is a Silicon Valley venture capitalist who revolutionized the tech business with his ‘evangelism’ strategy, and he passes on his considerable knowledge in this must-read. The Art of the Start covers everything form identifying your customer base to building brand identity.

Purple Cow by Seth Godin – This is a great book for people who don’t love to read because it’s short and written in a conversational style.  It’s a guide to making your business stand out from the crowd.  At its core is the concept that taking a risk by offering a product or service that’s so useful, interesting, outrageous and note-worthy is what will ultimately lead to success for most business owners.  Godin backs up this idea with many mini case-studies.

Natural Capitalism by Paul Hawken – Learn how to be efficient and profitable while saving the environment and creating jobs with this book by three top strategists.  It’s an inspiring and visionary look at how business will thrive in the next century as entrepreneurs and corporations turn toward sustainability.  The concept of ‘natural capitalism’ is explored through four central strategies: radical resource productivity, biomimicry, service and flow economy and investment.  It’s a great guide for those who believe that thinking green now will lead to success in business as times continue to change.

The E-Myth Revisited by Michael Gerber – The E-Myth is the myth of the entrepreneur, and according to author and business consultant Michael Gerber, it’s defined by businesses assuming that understanding the technical details of what they do is the same as understanding how to run their business. Gerber outlines the worst business vices that most often cause businesses to fail, and explains how to avoid them.

Good to Great by Jim Collins – Author Jim Collins and his team of researchers set out to discover what makes businesses truly great, and found 11 companies that truly made substantial improvements over time.  The book examines the common thread that runs through these companies’ success – what he calls the “Hedgehog Concept”, a product or service that leads a company to outshine all of its competitors.

The 4-Hour Workweek by Timothy Ferriss – While it may sound at first like a typical scammy get-rich-quick guide, the 4-Hour Workweek is full of excellent, real-life tips that will help you make the most of your time.  It explains how automation, outsourcing and eliminating distractions can liberate you from the 9-5 grind and help you attain a mobile lifestyle that can aid you in your quest to be successful in business.

Small Giants by Bo Burlingham – Burlingham examines businesses, from microbreweries to musician’s private record labels, that have managed to achieve great success in business without becoming corporate giants. 14 small businesses are profiled, and Burlingham explains how they were able to stay true to their original visions without selling out.  It’s a great guide for those who want to build their passions into successful businesses.

Three Women Who Rocked the Business Boat

For far too many years, women were left out of the business scene altogether – and when they did finally gain inroads they were patronized, pet on the head and called ‘baby’ a few too many times. The business world has never been an easy arena wherein women could gain power, but a few women have not only managed to karate-chop the door down, they’ve kicked ass and taken names. Here are three amazing women who have not only managed to succeed in a man’s world, but have built their own empires.

Margaret Whitman – Meg’s not just the former President and CEO of the world’s largest auction site and most valuable internet brand, eBay.com. She’s also one of the most financially successful women in history, with a net worth valued at $1.6 billion. Prior to starting eBay, she held high-level position at a variety of big-name corporations including Hasbro, Stride Rite and Walt Disney.

Meg has managed to keep eBay on top despite fierce efforts by competitors like Yahoo and Google, using her business savvy to make decisions to move eBay beyond the realm of garage sales and into a phenomenon with 22 million users and growing.

Oprah Winfrey – Oprah may be an obvious choice for this list, but there’s just no leaving her off. She’s one of few women internationally known just by their first names and rose from a poor rural upbringing to become the most influential women in the world, with a legion of followers numbering in the millions who take her word as gospel. Her resume is almost too incredible to be real: her internationally-syndicated talk show has earned her many Emmys and is the highest-rated talk show in the history of television; she’s an Academy-Award-nominated actress, a magazine publisher, the richest African American of the 20th century and the world’s only black billionaire.

Oprah broke into a field dominated by white males, embarking on a meteoric rise to the top of the TV ratings that would lead to a media empire crowned by her publishing company, Harpo Productions. She has her own XM satellite radio channel called ‘Oprah & Friends’, and will debut a new cable channel called ‘OWN: The Oprah Winfrey Network’ in 2009.

Martha Stewart – No matter how you personally feel about her, Martha’s a serious role model for women in business. Though her star might have become tarnished over the last few years after the infamous trading scandal and resulting jail time, only Oprah’s media empire rivals Martha’s in scale and influence. Martha’s rise in the business world began when she became a stockbroker in 1967, enjoying success in that field until she decided to quit to focus on raising her daughter and restoring her new home in Connecticut. What she learned during her restoration efforts coupled with her interest in cooking led over the years to what we now know as Martha Stewart Omnimedia, a company that consolidated her various television, print, and merchandising efforts related to the Martha Stewart brand.

The beauty of Martha Stewart’s career is that she not only broke numerous glass ceilings in various industries, but did it by making crafts and baking apple pie. She took what were stereotypically women’s tasks done in the kitchen for free and spun them into a multi-billion-dollar empire that will leave an indelible mark on the history of women in business.

Get Savvy on Civility: The Delicate Art of Business Etiquette

You say inappropriate things at company parties, drink three glasses of whiskey at business lunches, answer your cell phone during meetings, forget to thank associates for favors and send blunt one-word responses to emails. You may think you’re coming off as a charming rogue when others are rolling their eyes, annoyed at your rudeness.

Nowadays, many see etiquette as unimportant and outdated, but these small actions really do influence how others see you – including colleagues, higher-ups, clients and investors. Making a good impression can be crucial to your success. Here are some tips to business etiquette that you may never have even thought of, but could help you make and keep important alliances.

First off is making a good first impression. Smile, look people in the eye, and give a firm handshake. Stand up and introduce yourself immediately when meeting someone new. Treat everyone you meet as if they’re important – that means acting the same toward your subordinates and other associates as you do toward clients, investors and bosses.

Put your cell phone down. One of the biggest annoyances in today’s business world is professionals who are constantly fiddling with their phones or PDAs – text messaging, checking their calendars, surfing the web or looking at the clock while others are trying to communicate with them. It sends the message that whatever’s on your electronic device is more important than the people around you. On that note, don’t take calls while you’re in a meeting unless you want those in attendance to feel insignificant.

Be on time. It’s so simple, yet so many people fail to do it. Being perpetually late, even if it’s only by fifteen minutes or so, sends the same message as answering your cell phone in a meeting: that those you’re meeting with aren’t important or worthy of courtesy. Being late is a great way to put people off before you’ve even spoken to them.

Be graceful and considerate at business meals. Pick up the tab if you did the inviting, allow your guests to order first, and follow general meal etiquette like placing your napkin in your lap. Utensils start from the outside in. Try to avoid ordering anything too messy. When you’re finished eating, lay your knife and fork across your plate and place your napkin to the right of your plate.

Limit alcohol consumption at company parties – moderation is key. This is true for food also. You don’t want to stand by the buffet table and stuff your face all night, or give the impression that you’re a lush. Alcohol and business rarely mix well. Consider parties to be part of your job rather than casual get-togethers and conduct yourself accordingly. Try to talk to as many people as possible, especially your bosses. Parties can be a great way to get in some face time with influential people, so take advantage of that rather than getting blitzed and making a fool of yourself.

Give credit where it’s due. Make sure to thank anyone who gives you an idea, a lead, or special assistance with a task. Depending on the situation, that may merit a simple verbal thank-you, a brief handwritten note or a mention during a meeting. Failing to credit those who have helped you in some way can result in bad blood or at the very least, reduce the chance of getting assistance from that person again.

Use email carefully and efficiently. It’s just as important to be courteous in email exchanges as in verbal or written communication. Avoid responding to questions with blunt one-word answers, or at least include the original message with your response when you do. Use sarcasm sparingly, since it rarely comes across in electronic communication. Avoid abbreviations, don’t use emoticons and use proper spelling and grammar. Put meaningful information in the subject line and make sure to sign the bottom of the message. If you have a penchant for responding emotionally and then wishing later on that you had thought out your message more before sending it, follow the 5-minute rule: write it out, leave it alone for 5 minutes and then re-read it.

ENTREPRENEURS | Have Your People Call My People: Personal Remote Assistants 101

As a businessperson, your time is best spent doing what you do best and allowing an assistant to do all of the boring, time-consuming administrative tasks like making phone calls, filing paperwork and doing research. Hiring an assistant may seem like a big step, but there’s a way to get around providing an office, computer, phone and other business necessities: you can pay a ‘virtual’ personal assistant to get tasks done for you without ever stepping foot in your office. Hiring a remote personal assistant will bring order to your day and free you up to manage your time wisely.

What exactly is a virtual assistant, or remote personal assistant? First off, an important thing to understand is that VAs, as they’re often called, aren’t employees – they’re entrepreneurs themselves. They’re independent contractors who pay their own self-employment taxes. That means you won’t have to deal with payroll taxes, worker’s comp, benefits or any other technical aspects of having an employee. You simply hire them as you would anyone else who provides a service, to complete everyday tasks related to running your business.

There are a few different ways you can go about finding a remote personal assistant. First, there are agencies that can match you up with an assistant based on skill sets and your needs. Many of these agencies are located overseas, but oftentimes you’ll find that you can’t even tell the difference. There are quite a few remote personal assistant agencies located in the U.S., also. These agencies pre-screen candidates based on their skill levels, so they can find someone you’ll mesh with. A few to start with are Assistu.com, HireVirtualAssistants.com, TelAssistant.com and IVAA.org, the official International Virtual Assistants Association.

You can also post an ad on Craigslist or one of the many online virtual job databases that are browsed by thousands of people looking for work-at-home jobs every day. Since these people are not pre-screened, it’s important to check their credentials and references before hiring them. Some places to post ads include Elance.com, HomeJobStop.com and VirtualVocations.com.

Before hiring a remote personal assistant, be sure to spell out exactly what kinds of tasks you’re looking to outsource, and find out how they set their fees. Some virtual assistants will charge to take your calls or read your emails. A few might itemize every task they complete, while others work by the hour. Figure out the arrangement that will work best for you and get it in writing before you begin assigning tasks. Don’t be overwhelmed at the prospect of figuring out which tasks to assign - they’re professionals, in most cases they’ve been doing it for years and they’ll know exactly how to help you get started.

One thing that’s important to remember is that virtual assistants mainly do administrative tasks. Don’t expect them to do copywriting, graphic design, web design and bookkeeping. These are separate professional services that require specialized skillsets. Virtual assistants aren’t receptionists, nor will they run errands for you. Since they provide a professional service and aren’t your employee, you can’t expect them to be available 8 hours a day, 5 days a week. That’s why it’s important to discuss your needs up front with all prospective VAs – to make sure you’re on the same page.

For detailed information about how to hire a remote personal assistant, check out the guide at the Virtual Assistance Chamber of Commerce website.

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