Posted by Marie on August 1, 2009
One of my projects last week was to reformat and assemble a series of handouts for a training seminar. The person who created them must have not been familiar with Excel because the text ran off the page and the margins were all messed up.
This person also did not use the automatic stapling feature of the copier and ended up hand-stapling everything. As a result, the pages did not line up. The packets looked sloppy, and no one could be sure of the exact quantities.
I cringe when people describe a task as “clerical” in the same tone they would use to say “simple.” It really isn’t that simple to copy and assemble materials. It takes a lot of focus and organization. It also helps when the person on a particular project understands the materials at which he/she is looking.
Businesses often try to hand these types of jobs off to the lower-level workers or the least expensive temps. This approach increases the risk that you’ll enter your meeting, presentation, or seminar with materials that are either wrong, short, or not reflective of your professional image.
Then you’ll need to expend even more resources to do everything over again. This time—correctly.
Posted by Marie on June 20, 2009
For the last three weeks, I’ve been supporting a traveling executive. On the one hand, it is a blessing for her business to be so busy. On the other, things can easily fall apart when the business runner is away for such a length of time.
As she traveled, there were hotel reservations to make, materials to forward, calls to return, and future meetings to organize. I did all that from right here in Chicago.
Through emails and cell phone calls, the executive received all her messages and continued to direct her business. Her clients were able to stay in touch and not experience any delays.
In addition, bills were not paid late, the mailbox didn’t overflow, and the plants didn’t die.
If you are a small business owner who may have travel in your future, could you use a reliable backup here at home?
Posted by Marie on April 26, 2009
Detour Services doesn’t just handle assignments only within a client’s business. Earlier this year, I received a pretty large project involving a parent’s WWII photographs.
This collection consisted of hundreds of photos, and my client wanted to get them organized, researched, and eventually donated to a place where they would be used and appreciated.
Luckily, there was writing on the backs of a fair number of the photos. As for the rest, I researched the patches and insignia on the sleeves of the pictured soldiers to get an idea of the timelines and locations.
After some pretty intensive effort from all parties, the collection is now ordered and in an album. A donation point has been identified with everything ready to go.
Do you have what seems like an overwhelming task sitting in a box somewhere? Why not give me a call and get that weight off of your mind?
Posted by Marie on November 16, 2008
Recently, a relocating couple asked me to take care of their cat during the moving process. For work reasons, they were moving out to the east coast. While movers were going to take care of the larger furniture pieces, this couple was still going to drive a rental truck out to their new place themselves.
It wouldn’t have been safe or comfortable for the cat to go along. So the kitty stayed here in the Chicago area until they could make a return trip to get her.
This family was able to make these arrangements because they trusted Detour Services. By doing it this way, they were able to take advantage of some cost-cutting options while at the same time, they looked after the health and well-being of their cat.
Are you facing a similar situation? Contact us for a free consultation today!
Posted by Marie on September 13, 2008
Every so often, I’ll share some of the actual assignments that I receive to provide more details on the scope of what a personal assistant can do.
Recently, I accompanied a writer to a professional conference. He was scheduled to present one of the seminar sessions. These events can be very stressful because the speaker is almost always walking into an unfamiliar room. Sometimes the light switches are hidden. Sometimes the mics don’t work. Any audio-visual needs are going to be a puzzle.
As an assistant, I helped bring in and organize the needed materials. I also compiled and distributed the literature for the attendees. During the presentation, I operated the video camera to tape the segment. After it was all through, I aided in the packing and clean up.
Throughout it all, I was there to jump on any needs and issues that may have come up. The writer and his party said that support really helped him focus on his presentation. He wasn’t distracted by the possibility of having to improv because something wasn’t working or was not on hand.
Total hours: travel (1:00), assignment (3:00)
