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The Remote Work Success Method ☑: Creating Systems & A Culture of Productivity

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Launch your remote teams & virtual assistants the right way & get results sooner with this checklist!

How to prepare for collaborative & productive remote work

In today’s global economy, many companies are leveraging talent between both physical and remote employees. 

When your organization transitions to remote work or hires a virtual assistant, they will need to be on-boarded and trained like any other employee. At the same time, the team will determine and adapt to best practices, technological tools, and procedures for training a strong blended (remote & physical) team.

Luckily, MyOutDesk offers training materials and resources that will help prepare you to interact successfully with a virtual team member. We equip all clients with a service portal, a dedicated account manager, and a virtual solutions trainer.

 

MyOutDesk can save you up to 70% on employment costs
Claim a free business strategy consultation & ‘Grow Virtual’ Guide

 

 

Remote Team Success: Launch Checklist – ☑

Setting clear objectives is foundational to a successful team. On a weekly basis, reiterate your goals and procedures to allow the team to access how they can best contribute. When virtual professionals are given a collaborative space to voice their thoughts, you can see how productive and collaborative remote teams can be for your business.

To ensure our ongoing success, ensure you clearly note procedures on:

 

✔ Phone/email/messaging

Encourage open communication, and use the platform as a means to carry the same conversations that you would otherwise have in the office.

How will you communicate and how often?

    • Establish the best way to communicate – preferably via a real-time medium such as:
    • Discuss alternate means of communication – email, text
    • Client can provide VP with an office email specific to their role in the business  
    • Leverage different types of communication with VP, not just email

 

 

✔ Training and Supervision

Neuroscientists and psychologists proved that it takes about 90 days to solidify a habit. The same goes for a remote team still figuring out how to work best together—for successful adoption, allow an adjustment period and repeat key messages regarding the change intentionally and consistently. By doing so, you will get everyone on the same page.

What is your plan for training for your Virtual Professional and who is the main point of contact?

Consistently train and repeat key messages, as well as regularly use effective frameworks like SOPs (Point 3) and Play-Pause-Do (Point 7). These guides are part of the 7-Figure Business Roadmap, and additional resources are available through a free strategy call with MyOutDesk.

 

✔ Productivity

A variety of organizational tools will help employees and the business stay productive. Here are some tips and trips to immediately keep teams accountable and for managers to recognize patterns in productivity. Remember that during an adjustment period to remote work, employers should not expect employees to immediately produce the same amount of productivity.

When will you set up Virtual Professional logins to essential tools such as CRMs or other databases?

    • Use a password manager, like 1Password.
    • Manage projects & tasks with Trello, Asana, or Monday.com.
    • Store files on a cloud drive, like Google Drive.

 

 

✔ Scheduling

Videos and images can greatly improve communication among virtual teams. Video conference calls are the new (virtual) conference rooms and allow team members to show body language, facial expressions, posture, and hand gestures—all important aspects of communication. A

Find time to meet regularly & Confirm Virtual Professional work schedule & client availability restrictions

    • Manage schedules & track productivity on the MyTimeIn Client Portal
    • Submit support tickets for further assistance

 

Key Takeaways

Remote work requires an adjustment period for all employees. A business cannot simply apply the same systems and procedures from the physical office and expect the same productive output immediately. Treat the transition to remote as a retraining process where employees need to relearn how to work effectively in this new environment.

It is important for the management to maintain a fully supportive and flexible state of mind. Encourage and communicate a reasonable adjustment period for allowing mistakes, offering training, and consistently repeating key messages in order to foster a fully functional remote workforce. Key themes to embody at this time are that your team is a connected, supportive, and positive force; and mistakes are reinterpreted as positive opportunities.

We have a vested interest in your success! Every MyOutDesk client wants to maximize the ROI on their investment in virtual assistants. Our CEO Daniel Ramsey hosts a live mastermind discussion with MyOutDesk clients and discusses tactical, practical & utterly invaluable strategies to best utilize a virtual assistant while you scale your business!

 

It’s time to gain market share new by leveraging virtual assistants!

‘Grow Virtual’ with MyOutDesk Today

Access more business guides & Schedule a free consultation today!

 

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Excellent Executive Coaching: Remote business hacks in the changing market

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The Excellent Executive Coaching Radio Show is all about helping you thrive in the most challenging coaching situations. The program aims to support you in bringing your coaching to the next level.

EEC 128: Thriving While Going Remote

Link to Podcast

‘Grow Virtual’ with MyOutDesk Today

Access more business guides & Schedule a free consultation today!

 

MyOutDesk CEO Daniel Ramsey is interviewed by Dr. Katrina Burrus, MCC, and discusses the following:

  • How do entrepreneurs take their businesses + employees to remote work & stay productive?
  • What are some of your favorite business hacks to increase efficiency and productivity in this changing market?
  • How do you lead in a crisis with a CEO’s mindset?
  • What to say to your clients, vendors, and employees?
  • How do you benefit from, manage & motivate: virtual professionals, virtual teams, a geographically dispersed team, a distributed team, or a remote team?

Daniel Ramsey is the founder & CEO of MyOutDesk, the highest-rated Virtual Assistant company in the marketplace with over 800 5-star reviews, and over 15 years of experience, serving more than 7500 clients across the US and Canada. 

 

HERE’S HOW BUSINESSES ARE THRIVING TODAY

MyOutDesk has the secret sauce for businesses to tackle the market downturn in this health crisis. Don’t just take our word from it–here’s what our clients are saying:

 

“We were up and ready to operate in this new change environment instantly. MyOutDesk completely transformed our office, and we were already set up for remote work.”  — Daniel Del Real, client of three years

 

“We are doubling down on hiring more and preparing to expand in a way that we’ve never done in the past. This moment provides us with the opportunity like nothing that we’ve ever had before.” — Charles Pulliam, MyOutDesk client

 

 Daniel also shares his new book, “Scaling Your Business with MOD Virtual Professionals: How to Drive Revenue, Save Time, and Create Your Dream Company.”

We are giving away this book for free and also a timely resource amid today’s health crisis, called the“Go Remote Fast Guide.”

MyOutDesk proudly provides free business growth business guides, books, and strategy calls. See what we are about, and schedule a free consultation with us. We’ll take the time to learn more about your business and offer solutions to foster top talent and lower operational costs for your company.

 

‘Grow Virtual’ with MyOutDesk Today

Access more business guides & Schedule a free consultation today!

 

THE WORLD IS TRANSITIONING TO REMOTE WORK AT AN ALL-TIME RECORD.

 Headquartered in Sacramento, California, MyOutDesk has over 15 years of experience serving over 7500 SMBs, and we know for a fact how businesses benefit from leveraging our business strategies and virtual assistant services. US and Canadian entrepreneurs have longtime success in leveraging our virtual solutions for business success.

 

Learn how to stay ahead of your competition & actually gain market share.

Schedule a free, personal ‘Grow Virtual’ Strategy Session – and you’ll also receive our complete collection of business strategy guides!

 

About EEC Podcasts

The EEC podcasts are sponsored by MKB Excellent Executive Coaching that helps you get from where you are to where you want to be with customized leadership and coaching development programs. MKB Excellent Executive Coaching offers leadership development programs to generate action, learning, and change that is aligned with your authentic self and values. Transform your dreams into reality and invest in yourself with coaching programs to reach your goals.

The host is Dr. Katrina Burrus, MCC, founder and general manager of www.mkbconseil.ch a company specialized in leadership development and executive coaching.

 

MyOutDesk can save you up to 70% on employment costs
Claim a free business strategy consultation & ‘Grow Virtual’ Guide

 

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b2b sales show what ceos need to know about leading a remote team with daniel ramsey logan lyles myoutdesk

B2B Sales: What CEO’s Need to Know About Leading a Remote Team

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Sweet Fish Media has launched over 100 podcast programs, totaling over 1,600 episodes! Their flagship podcast, The B2B Sales Show, is known to be the only B2B podcast to broadcast 7 days a week.

 

In this episode, Logan Lyles interviews MyOutDesk CEO Daniel Ramsey to help businesses, managers, employees, entrepreneurs manage this time where everybody is going remote.

The point of owning a business is that it should free you. The only thing you can’t buy more of is time. Daniel wants to help as many entrepreneurs as possible regain their time and lead a remote team as they scale.

 

Learn how to stay ahead of your competition & actually gain market share.
Schedule a free ‘Grow Virtual’ Strategy Consultation

 

HOW TO BEST TRANSITION TO A REMOTE WORKFORCE AND FIND TALENT USING THE CEO MINDSET

Tune in to understand how MyOutDesk has helped businesses scale and grow with virtual assistants primarily in sales, marketing, and operations for over 15 years and7500 clients.

  • Talented workers from around the world who help U.S. & Canadian businesses attain real leverage.
  • The proven benefits of remote work: improved productivity & employee happiness
  • Tips and advice on promoting an effective workplace.
  • Thriving and staying productive with the CEO Mindset. It’s our civic duty to stay productive at this time to add value to people and businesses.
  • Virtual staffing done right—the “easy button” for talent. Top talent for 70% less cost than a traditional administrative assistant.

Daniel also shares his book, “Scaling Your Business with MOD Virtual Professionals: How to Drive Revenue, Save Time, and Create Your Dream Company.”

MyOutDesk proudly provides free business growth business guides, books, and strategy calls. See what we are about, and schedule a free consultation with us. We’ll take the time to learn more about your business and offer solutions to foster top talent and lower operational costs for your company.

 

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NO MORE remote work hesitation: MyTimeIn Productivity Tracker

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Remote work presents new opportunities for many businesses — from lowering overhead costs to hiring competitive, global talent. Not only can you save up to 70% on employment costs with virtual assistants, MyOutDesk also created the MyTimeIn portal to manage your team’s overall productivity & performance.

Introducing MyTimeIn

All-in-One Remote Team Productivity Tracker

MyTimeIn is our in-house scheduling software that ensures your virtual assistants & remote workers are on-time and productive. This is your go-to MyOutDesk client portal is a place where you can manage all aspects of your MyOutDesk account, in ONE PLACE.

If you want to explore how you can manage your team’s productivity & accountability, schedule a free Strategy Consultation today.

Remote Work Has Never Been Managed Easier

High-caliber providers of virtual assistants & remote work services should provide you with the tools you need to easily manage and track the productivity of your virtual assistant & remote employees.

Typically, when you hire a virtual assistant, you have to provide these kinds of productivity tracking systems yourself. MyOutDesk understands the importance of having these systems in place, so we created one for our clients.

Manage your virtual assistant’s (or assistants’) department, teams, service accounts, schedule & PTO, and payroll.

  • Real-Time Visibility – This feature allows you to have real-time visibility into your Virtual Assistant’ productivity as they are working during their shift. You get real-time status updates, so you are never left in the dark as to what your Virtual Assistant is working on!
  • Billing and Invoicing – Through our client portal, you can also keep track of your billing and invoices. You can manage your information and view and print your invoices as well. You won’t need to wait for anyone to send you your invoice or call anyone as all the information will be ready for you here.
  • Work History – On MyTimeIn, you will be able to access historical data on your Virtual Assistant’s work hours.
  • Support – If you need any assistance with your Virtual Assistant, say, for example, you need help to train them on a particular system, or you want to change their schedule—whatever need arises, you can get support by merely logging in to our Client Portal.
  • Manage Email Preferences – You can set your preferences in receiving emails from us through here as well.
  • Scheduling & Timesheets – In-house scheduling software that ensures your Virtual Professional is on time and productive.

Read more

MyOutDesk can save you up to 70% on employment costs

A more efficient team, anywhere

MyOutDesk’s MyTimeIn software allows teams to stay accountable and track productivity effortlessly. Managers can access IPC- and GPDR-compliant productivity tracking software through the MyOutDesk’s Client Portal with MyTimeIn timesheets.

If you never had success with a past remote employee or past virtual assistant, it’s probably because you weren’t equipped to keep a distanced worker accountable.

MyOutDesk MyTimeIn: Team Productivity Software

The Stats: Blended Teams Outperform Competitors

Stanford Studies have shown that remote workers show increased productivity by 16%. Those who work from home seem to be more focused with fewer distractions. They also found that employees working in open offices took 62% more sick days than virtual employees.

Deloitte’s Millennial Survey 2017 found that remote work arrangements are “strongly linked to improved performance and employee retention.” Furthermore, 38% of respondents reported they were likely to leave their current employer within the next two years, with much citing work/life balance and flexibility as major contributing factors.

Large companies are benefiting from using a blended employment model. In fact, a new regulation stemming from the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act has given us a clearer picture of the extent to which some of the largest U.S. companies employ global talent.

You might be surprised at the high percentages of global talent that successful companies have reported so far:

  • Kellogg: 80%
  • General Electric: 66%
  • United Technologies: 68%
  • Whirlpool: 80%
  • Merck: 55%
  • Honeywell: 58%
  • Hanes: 80%
  • Mattel: 78%
  • Wal-Mart: 35%

If these major companies employ this strategy, there is no reason that you cannot for your own business as well.

 

Claim a free ‘Grow Virtual’ Guide & strategy consultation

 

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two images adjacent one with coworkers at an office and one empty office

Remote Work: Are you going back to the office? The millionaires say…

COVID-19: Are you going back to the office yet or not?

We posed this question to over 500 millionaires, entrepreneurs & CEOs and asked for their thought processes.

Here are the results:

18%      Back at the office

19%      Never left the office (+ essential work)

12.3%    Creating a transition plan & not back in the office

23.7%   Because of COVID-19, we’re staying remote

27%      We’ve been 100% remote since before COVID-19

From these business owners’ responses, there is a slightly greater lean towards working remotely. Nonetheless, businesses are seeing value in both physical and remote locations.

MyOutDesk advocates for the ‘blended business model,’ where teams leverage the power of working remotely in any profitable business — especially for businesses still requiring physical commercial space. If you need help or want to explore some ideas, schedule a free Strategy Consultation today.  

 

Sample Responses:

  • “Working in the same place you live is rough. Need physical separation between the two hats. I expect to be back in full office swing by July with social distance + masks.”
  • “My work-life balance is so much easier out of my home office.  I will probably end up going in one day a week, but that will be it.”
  • “I am committed to never returning to the office in my capacity.”
  • “I never had an office, but the closure of Starbucks was a real kick in the junk.”
  • “Our team wanted to go back to the office so we started back 2 weeks ago. Although I’m working from home way more now than before. It’s probably around 40% office, 60% home.“
  • “This experiment with working virtually has made me like my home office even more. COVID-19 gave us a reason + incentive to go 100% remote, something we have been talking about doing months before the pandemic.”
  • “My staff is back at the office as of a month ago. I’m not and don’t plan on returning. I’ve been wanting my office at home and COVID-19 gave me a big reason. Very comfortable here and way more productive. When my office lease is up, I will be moving my staff home and going virtual.“
  • “I worked from home full time for the better part of 10 years, opened up an office in September, only to go back to working from home. The first few years it was great, but then I realized I was building unhealthy habits and needed to be around people. We’ll see how it goes to get back to it.”

 

A more efficient team, anywhere

MyOutDesk’s MyTimeIn software allows teams to stay accountable and track productivity effortlessly. Managers can access IPC- and GPDR-compliant productivity tracking software through the MyOutDesk’s Client Portal with MyTimeIn timesheets.

MyOutDesk MyTimeIn: Team Productivity Software

The Stats: Blended Teams Outperform Competitors

Stanford Studies have shown that remote workers show increased productivity by 16%. Those who work from home seem to be more focused with fewer distractions. They also found that employees working in open offices took 62% more sick days than virtual employees.

Deloitte’s Millennial Survey 2017 found that remote work arrangements are “strongly linked to improved performance and employee retention.” Furthermore, 38% of respondents reported they were likely to leave their current employer within the next two years, with much citing work/life balance and flexibility as major contributing factors.

Large companies are benefitting from using a blended employment model. In fact, a new regulation stemming from the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act has given us a clearer picture of the extent to which some of the largest U.S. companies employ global talent.

You might be surprised at the high percentages of global talent that successful companies have reported so far:

  • Kellogg: 80%
  • General Electric: 66%
  • United Technologies: 68%
  • Whirlpool: 80%
  • Merck: 55%
  • Honeywell: 58%
  • Hanes: 80%
  • Mattel: 78%
  • Wal-Mart: 35%

If these major companies employ this strategy, there is no reason that you cannot for your own business as well.

 

MyOutDesk can save you up to 70% on employment costs
Claim a free business strategy consultation & ‘Grow Virtual’ Guide

 

 

 

 

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cares act free money loan forgiveness assistance

Stack Cash & Find Economic Relief: CARES Act Explained (LIVE Tax Implication webinar)

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What you need to know now about the US CARES Act

Businesses, ACT FAST, and get your hands on this aid now.

THIS IS BIG. The federal government just passed the $2 trillion CARES Act providing emergency assistance to affected businesses during the COVID-19 outbreak. Here’s how to get your part of the $2.2 trillion as a business owner, as an entrepreneur, and as a leader.

Our CEO Daniel Ramsey said last week, it’s our civic duty to stay productive. We want you to have ALL of this information now to be prepared. If you might have missed the first webinar—no worries. We’ve bundled all the available resources for you, and also there will be another webinar!

  • Navigating the CARES Act
  • Upcoming Live Webinar, Part 2
  • Links to Resources
  • Strategize, Thrive, & Survive

 

What the US CARES Act can do for your business

Navigating the CARES Act & Getting started. If you need:

  • Capital to cover the cost of retaining employees, then the Paycheck Protection Program might be right for you.
  • A quick infusion of a smaller amount of cash to cover you right now, you might want to look into an Emergency Economic Injury Grant.
  • Relief for keeping up with payments on your current or potential SBA loan, the Small Business Debt Relief Program could help.

What’s the catch? NONE. This is 100% forgiveness for 2 months of eligible expenses. FREE MONEY.

How to Apply for Aid:  You can apply at any bank offering loans under 7(a) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 636(a)).

 

Upcoming Webinar – Part 2 – TODAY!

Live TAX IMPLICATION Webinar (Pt. 2) for Entrepreneurs: Due to popular demand, MyOutDesk will host another live webinar TODAY to help you understand the implications of the CARES Act and how you can take advantage of it.

Part 2 with Tim Mahoney, CliftonLarsonAllen LLP
TODAY, Tuesday, March 31, 2020
3:00 PM, Pacific Time

Register Now

Spots are limited, register today!

 

(PASSED) Part 1 with Jack Randall, CEO & Founder of Taxbot
Saturday, March 28, 2020
12:00 PM, Pacific Time

[DOWNLOAD Notes: Webinar Pt. 1]

Jake Randall is CEO of Taxbot and the host of “The Profit Junkie.” Taxbot helps self-employed people keep more of their hard-earned money by helping them keep more of it out of the IRS’ greedy hands.

Links to Resources

 

Strategize, Thrive, & Survive

Organize a Restructure into Remote Work for Your Business Today!

MyOutDesk can support your business as you go through this change in today’s market. We serve you by providing valuable business resources, helping you support your customers, and providing remote solutions that allow your business to thrive and survive!

For business owners who want to make the switch to remote work the right way and stay productive, our FREE Go Remote Quick Guide includes three easy steps to get started.

 

Go Remote Today

Access more business guides & Schedule a free consultation today!

We at MyOutDesk pray that your team, families, and communities remain safe and healthy during this time of heightened concern.

 

Note that we at MyOutDesk are not providing tax, legal, or financial advice. We strive to support the success of all SMBs and want to pass along useful and practical information that can help your business draw out effective solutions. Please consult a qualified tax advisor, attorney, and investment professional for guidance.

 

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irs logo

Relief for Taxpayers: 90 Day Extension!

We at MyOutDesk strive to support the success of all SMBs and want to pass along useful and practical resources that can help your business draw out effective solutions.

On Wednesday, March 18, 2020, the IRS released Notice 2020-17, issuing a 90-day extension for tax payments.

Tax Payment Relief

The Treasury Department and the Internal Revenue Service are providing special payment relief to individuals and businesses in response to the COVID-19 outbreak.

For individuals, except C Corporations: Income tax payment deadlines for individual returns, with a due date of April 15, 2020, are being automatically extended until July 15, 2020, for up to $1 million of their 2019 tax due. This payment relief applies to all individual returns, including self-employed individuals, and all entities other than C-Corporations, such as trusts or estates. IRS will automatically provide this relief to taxpayers. Taxpayers do not need to file any additional forms or call the IRS to qualify for this relief.

For C Corporations: income tax payment deadlines are being automatically extended until July 15, 2020, for up to $10 million of their 2019 tax due.

Penalties and interest will begin to accrue on any remaining unpaid balances as of July 16, 2020. If you file your tax return or request an extension of time to file by April 15, 2020, you will automatically avoid interest and penalties on the taxes paid by July 15.

Learn more & find any updates regarding state tax filing here.

Organize a Restructure into Remote Work for Your Business Today!

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website recommends businesses actively encourage employees to stay home and/or to practice good hand hygiene and coughing/sneezing etiquette in the workplace.
MyOutDesk has thousands of clients & virtual assistants across the world working in a virtual environment, giving us 13 years of experience in virtual & remote workplace environments – and we’re offering to walk you through EXACTLY how to take your business remote during the COVID-19 crisis.

View our free webinar and downloadable guide on implementing effective remote work during a ‘shelter in place order.

We encourage your business to take advantage of and utilize the telework tools and systems that are in place with MyOutDesk Virtual Professionals should you need to expand remote work for your employees while ensuring low overhead costs. Schedule your Go Remote with MyOutDesk Strategy Session now and learn more!

Read more:
Building a Remote Culture
SOP Framework

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shelter in place a guide to working remotely myoutdesk

URGENT: “Shelter In Place” Remote Work Webinar!

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Nobody knows remote work like MyOutDesk. Watch this exclusive webinar event to give you complete, step-by-step instructions to take your business remote!

Watch now & download our free how-to guide below!

This week, California implemented a “Shelter In Place” policy, locking down the Bay Area to everything but essential businesses. Washington State has done the same, closing restaurants, bars, gyms, and schools – with other states soon to follow. Make no mistake: for most businesses, this will be a forced transition to a virtual/remote work environment, so prepare now for a smooth, seamless transition! Also, to get the knowledge, support & staffing you need to go fully remote, schedule your Double My Business Strategy Session now!

MyOutDesk has thousands of clients & virtual assistants across the world working in a virtual environment, giving us 13 years of experience in virtual & remote workplace environments – and in this exclusive, upcoming live webinar, we’re going to be walking you through EXACTLY how to take your business remote during the COVID-19 crisis.

This must-watch webinar event is presented as a community service by MyOutDesk to help you prepare, transition, and keep your business going during our current economic uncertainty.

What You’ll Learn In This Webinar

  • How Remote Work Differs From In-Office Work
  • Fundamental Steps To Get Setup To Go Remote
  • How To Prepare Your Employees Mentally
  • How to Prospect & Hold Sales Calls Remotely
  • How to Avoid Client Cancelations (Key Objection Handlers)
  • Beginning & End Of Day Productivity Reports
  • Voip Vs. Traditional Phone Systems, What To Use & How To Setup
  • Remote Video-Conferencing Software: What To Use, When & How To Use It
  • Team Chat Software: How To Effectively Setup & Manage A Team Chat Environment
  • Personal Communications Solutions: Facetime, iMessage, Skype & Messenger
  • Remote Documents & Signatures: Docusign, FedEx & More
  • Remote Productivity: Time Blocking, Managing Family & Work Responsibilities)
  • Naming Conventions For Share Files & Folders
  • Productivity (Time Blocking, How To Manage Your Time)
  • File Sharing Solutions for Remote Teams
  • Important Checklists, Guides & To-Do Lists
  • Using ScheduleOnce For Meeting Management
  • How To Run A Virtual Meeting
  • Task Management Solutions To Stay Organized

In Chinese, the word “crisis” means danger + opportunity. In today’s market, agile businesses will adapt to new rules & challenges of the remote workplace & rise to the top of the market, while brick & mortar competitors continue to struggle & lose market share. Which of these would you prefer to be?

Get The Free Materials In This Webinar

Virtually any professional services business can go remote: from real estate to telemedicine. The question is how to do it quickly & effectively. MyOutDesk is your partner in going remote –  schedule your Double My Business Strategy Session now and let us help you!

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businessman tight rope walking

The Market Is Shifting – Cut The Fat, Not The Muscle!

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The Coronavirus health epidemic has already cost the stock market billions, and it’s now impacting governments, retailers, and other businesses that are shutting down to help prevent the contagion. While some of these closures are mandatory, others are due to cost-concerns in a rapidly contracting economy – and driven in many cases by a quick-fix approach to cost-cutting. While this may seem like a logical decision, can you really shrink your way to growth?

General Motors is an example of what happens when you try this: in the early 20th century, GM sold 50% of all vehicles owned in America, but by 1988 that number had fallen to only 15%. What happened to them? The short answer is cost-cutting – and it’s not good. Engage a virtual assistant and get the leverage you to stay afloat by scheduling your Double My Business Strategy Session now!

In 1974, GM’s new CEO, Thomas Murphy questioned the company’s strategy in selling cars with different features and suggested that they sell basically the same kind of vehicle with different external accessories. He did this to reduce costs. Consumers didn’t like this, and GM’s market share began to slide – and it’s been falling ever since.

In a recent conversation we had with Mike Michalowicz, author of Profit First, he said: “Cut the fat and not the muscle.” In the case of General Motors, cost-cutting cut too much muscle,  and in the end, it cost them a lot of business affecting thousands of people and their livelihoods.

The Fat In Your Business

Businesses generally have two types of costs that can be categorized as muscle and fat. The fat is where you find costs that do not produce any revenue for your business. They are costs you incur in your business that have no quantifiable benefits. The muscle, on the other hand, would be those costs that have a tangible benefit to your business. How do you know if a specific cost has a quantifiable benefit and is not fat, but actually muscle? It can be tricky because you can make excuses and justify the cost or the expense for something. For example, if you decide to rent extravagantly expensive and beautiful office space. You can justify in your head that you need this because when potential clients come into your office, they will see how awesome it is, and will, in turn, want to do business with you, when in fact it is simply a way to relieve and serve your ego since potential clients rarely come to your office anyway.

The Muscle In Your Business

Muscle is something that drives benefit to your business. So for example, if you have a staff of 15 people, and you are thinking, “I need to cut down my workforce because they are costing my business too much money.” Assess your workforce and think again. “Person A” takes care of all your Transaction Coordination so if you cut them, what would happen to that area of the business? “Person B” does all your prospecting, what would happen to your leads without them? Your team members are an example of the muscle in your business. These are the costs that provide support or take action on tasks that drive revenue for your business. When you cut a cost that compromises your ability to serve your clientele and bring you business, then you are cutting the muscle.

Survival Requires Both Cutting Fat & Building Muscle!

Survival in today’s shifting market is about more than simply cutting costs: you need to retain your competitive advantage & hold steady and carefully your business assess costs and expected benefits. During an economic contraction, hiring a Virtual Assistant is a highly valuable way to keep your labor supply intact, while ensuring you have the freedom & flexibility to focus your own efforts on the on revenue productive aspects of your business. In other words, cutting the fat goes beyond simply financial savings: it also means cutting the waste from your schedule and leveraging your skillset on the highest dollar-productive activities you’re able to.

A shifting market can mean the end of a business if you stick to the old traditional ways of thinking. Shift your perspective and the way you think as well. By doing this, you set yourself up not just to survive but to thrive amidst the shift and everything it may bring.

Let MyOutDesk bring you more muscle! Leverage a MyOutDesk Virtual assistant, schedule a Double My Business Strategy Session today, and having a discussion about how to make your business stronger in the midst of this market shift.

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myoutdesk real estate virtual assistants

Grow Your Business With Remote Real Estate Sales & Closings!

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With the coronavirus now a full-blown pandemic, many businesses and even major companies have turned to remote work in order to keep everyone safe and healthy. While the nature of their business might allow this to be a viable option, how about those whose businesses do not? One, in particular, is Real Estate. While much of the transaction coordination and other tasks can be done virtually, there are key steps in the process that may prove difficult not to do in person such as showings, open houses, etc. The good news is that there are ways to get this done remotely and doing so is not so completely foreign.

Selling and closing remotely is not a newfangled idea by any means. Many home sellers and buyers have successfully finished transactions remotely for many reasons. Closing could be from your home in another state, a hotel lobby if you’re traveling, a coffee shop, really anywhere…

Handle everything in your business remotely and seamlessly with a MyOutDesk Virtual Assistant. Schedule your GoRemote with MyOutDesk Virtual Assistants Strategy Session today to find out how!

In guidelines issued by the National Association of Realtors, agents have been encouraged to propose alternative marketing opportunities for their sellers’ consideration such as video tours and other methods to virtual tour a property. This isn’t really new is it? All your properties for sale are already online anyway, so now all you have to do is find a way to make your marketing and advertising more interesting and most importantly, more detailed.

There are many new methods, programs, and other tools that have come into the market recently and now might be the perfect time to test them out. Instead of your traditional virtual tour or photo gallery, you might consider looking into 3D walkthroughs or even hosting live video streams instead of an open house where you go through a home for sale, sending invitations out online before you do it. You can have your virtual assistant or someone on your team moderate the live video where you can address specific questions and accommodate requests to see specific areas or features of the home. The best part is that you can have the video up for people to watch later and you can continue to engage with any additional questions or comments that come in even after the live stream.

Closing remotely can be really easy if you plan ahead and make sure that you accommodate for the time it may take for any documents that need to be mailed over and the like and that all parties that need to be informed are aware that you are using this route.

Angie Spangler, a Realtor from Fort Collins CO, recommends the following steps:

-Find out from the title company if they have an office in proximity to the buyers/sellers. If they don’t, the closing paperwork must be taken to a notary to sign. The buyer/seller will want to review the closing paperwork prior to signing with a notary. It is a good idea to schedule a time to review the documents with the Realtor to answer any questions prior to signing.

– The buyer/seller needs to confirm with the title company how they will deliver the closing documents. Will they send them to the buyer’s home or office via FedEx? Email everything? Emailing the documents can be an easy and quick process, but this also takes a lot of printing. After the buyer has signed the documents they cannot be scanned and emailed back because the title company must have a “wet signature”, meaning the original signature with a pen rather than one that is copied or scanned.

– Make sure to clarify deadlines of when the title company needs the documents returned to them, what time the local FedEx overnight drop-off times are and if the buyer/seller is in a remote location (Alaska) accounts for possible delays in shipping.

– It’s a good rule of thumb to sign the closing documents and overnight them back to the title company 1 business day early to allow for any delays. For example, once the date of closing is confirmed with the title company and they need the documents by (Monday) May 23rd, notarize and overnight the documents back on the (Thursday) May 19th so they arrive at the title company on (Friday) May 20th.

– In the process of coordinating the mail out, the wire transfer to the title company must also be scheduled! Each title company is different and they will provide instructions on how to wire funds. Following these instructions is very important to ensure a safe and successful transfer.

Requirements are different state by state. Always confirm with the title company or attorney in regards to specific requirements when closing remotely. Some states allow closings via facsimiles while others do not. To avoid confusion, mistakes, and any problems the buyer/seller must do their research; know what it is expected of them and all parties involved from the very beginning.

If you MUST physically show a home or take a buyer to visit a property NAR reminds you to be mindful of the following precautions set by the CDC:

The CDC urges individuals to take these measures to protect themselves and others:

  • Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water aren’t available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
  • Practice social distancing by staying out of crowded places, avoiding group gatherings, and maintaining distance (approximately 6 feet) from others when possible.
  • Avoid close contact with anyone who is sick.
  • Stay home if you have a fever, cough, shortness of breath, or any other cold or flu-like symptom.
  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
  • Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, or cough or sneeze into your sleeve.

Additionally, to help prevent the continued spread of coronavirus, on March 15, 2020, the CDC recommended that for the next 8 weeks, all in-person events consisting of 50 or more people, such as conferences and assemblies, be canceled, postponed, or modified to virtual events On March 16, 2020, President Trump announced new guidelines, advising that individuals avoid groups of more than 10 people for the next 15 days. Avoiding these in-person gatherings is an effective measure that will reduce your risk of contracting or spreading coronavirus.

When an infectious disease, such as coronavirus, is associated with a specific population or nationality, fear and anxiety may lead to social stigma and potential discrimination. REALTORS® must be mindful of their obligations under the Fair Housing Act, and be sure not to discriminate against any particular segment of the population. While the coronavirus outbreak began in Wuhan, China, that does not provide a basis for treating Chinese persons or persons of Asian descent differently.

Lastly, suddenly taking all your responsibilities online can be a challenge. This may be the perfect time for you to hire a Virtual Assistant to help you manage all your responsibilities. The best part is, they already work remotely and can help ease you into the new norm we all have to adapt to. Make sure to book a GoRemote with MyOutDesk Virtual Assistants Strategy Session with us today. Stay safe and healthy!

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Remote Business Strategies To Thrive During The Coronavirus Crisis

Lock-downs, social distancing, and community quarantines are in full force all over the world, and for those whose who are able to accommodate it, working from home is the new norm for many businesses as well. Switching from a normal office setup to a remote setting can be a huge adjustment and those of us who have been doing this for years would like to share some tips and insights on what you can do to ensure that you and your business continue to thrive despite this major shift. Make sure to read all the way to the end, we’ll be sharing some other articles we’ve posted in the past that might be helpful as well!

Navigate the ins and outs of running your team remotely with a MyOutDesk Virtual Assistant. Book a consultation with us today to find out how.

Your Home Office

Setting up a home office can be a great way to ensure that you continue to remain focused on your daily grind. If you don’t have one already, make sure you have enough space and all the materials and supplies you need. Anything from stacks of notepads and sticky notes, a corkboard, and even a snack drawer think of everything you usually need at your office desk and make sure you have them handy. You might need to invest in some hardware or technology that could be very helpful to you as well. Like a good pair of noise-canceling headphones or headset, a webcam, etc.

If space is an issue for you, putting up a divider of some sort can be a great option.  If you have children, roommates, or other people who are staying home just like you, have a conversation about what you need and perhaps agree on “quiet time” or “do not disturb” hours so you can all focus on what you need to get done.

The important thing is to focus on the positives of working from home, like your fully equipped kitchen and the fact that you can wear your PJ’s to work, oh and did we mention the short and hassle-free commute from your bed to your desk?

Your Team

Leading a remote team will have its unique challenges but if you are able to set it up well then you can expect smooth sailing. By setting specific parameters that you not have had to do in your office, you can all go on as you usually do. Assess the roles in your team and how working remotely might change the dynamics of that role and find solutions to how those differences can be addressed in your new setting. As time goes on, make sure you are all clarifying and re-clarifying goals and roles so that nothing slips through the cracks.

A disruptive event like coronavirus will generate new and competing tasks across the business. As a result, leaders need to continually clarify goals at the team and individual levels to stay focused on key priorities. A great way to keep track of this is by using a project management tool like Monday or Slack. Make sure all members of your team are\updating their boards consistently and in real-time so that nobody gets lost and everyone knows each other’s progress.

Keep your team’s unity strong by creating ways to interact online. Schedule regular meetings via applications like Zoom or GoToMeeting. Many programs offer free subscriptions and many are offering free services for companies and businesses in light of the coronavirus. Make sure you also set time to have interactions that are not work-related so that you and your team have a chance to check in on each other’s personal lives.

The Harvard Business Review suggests the following:

Take a virtual tour. At the start of a project, encourage each person to take a few minutes to show the team his or her home workspace and share some personal context. What are the possible distractions — like barking dogs, noisy passing trucks, or kids coming home from school? The aim is to help colleagues develop an understanding of each person’s work context so they can be more sensitive to each other’s constraints.

Acknowledge non-traditional workspaces. Michael, a millennial working in New York City, lives in an apartment with multiple roommates and doesn’t have private office space for working at home. If some of his roommates are also working remotely, he is likely to face the challenge of people walking or talking in the background during video calls. Let Michael know you appreciate his challenge and are open to discussing alternatives like flexing work hours so that calls happen when it’s quieter for him.

Keep your assumptions or stereotypes in check. Sarah, an executive participating in a conference call, received a text message from a colleague: “Mute yourself. We can hear your baby crying.” She replied: “My baby is napping. That’s Matthew’s son you heard.” The ambiguity inherent in having team members working from home can lead to biased assumptions about focus and commitment to work.

Here are some articles we’ve published that might further help you out as you lead your virtual team:

While the coronavirus and other such calamities might lead to disruption and cause you to have to change things quite drastically, we now have technology and means to be able to adjust with the right strategies.

If you would like to find out more about MyOutDesk Virtual Assistants and how they can become key players in your team during this time, please schedule your consultation so we can help you out.

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