Secretary Outsource

admin — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 15:32:46 +0000

Banks have been in the spotlight this week with much media coverage about the half-yearly profits and a lot of focus on the government’s push to lend to small businesses.
I am a small business and I need a new computer system - so I gave my bank a call to see what they could do for me.
Despite their acknowledgement that my account management was exemplary (I don’t even have an overdraft), the best they could offer me was an interest rate of 16.74% and an arrangement fee of £300 to borrow £1500!
I felt sorry for the guy on the phone - he was so apologetic and agreed it wasn’t competitive. So where does a business go to borrow money then? Fortunately, I am not desperate and a business loan was only an option - but I pity any business that NEEDS such finance to survive.
Oh well, I guess this old Windows XP will have to keep going a bit longer…..

Spring Clean Your Office!

admin — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 20:39:20 +0000

Well, we have seen a few days of sunshine and with it come thoughts of having a spring clean! Have a look around your office - when was the last time you had a clear out?

Is your desk looking like a tip? Has your filing tray disappeared under a pile of paper? Are your files bulging in your cabinet? Then you really need to spend some time getting your office to run more efficiently.

As an experienced office professional, Secretary Outsource can help you tackle those tasks that may seem overwhelming. Contact me for some top tips, or better still, let me come and help you spring clean your office!

Secretary Outsource and The Guardian Newspaper

admin — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 23:50:59 +0000

Exciting news! Secretary Outsource has been invited to take part in the live Q&A session on the Guardian Newspaper forum relating to careers in the secretarial and admin sector. Follow this link to see the forum discussion: http://tinyurl.com/yfdtjo7

Using Work Experience to Help Your Business!

admin — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 18:26:47 +0000

Many small businesses are reluctant to offer Work Experience placements to young people at school or college as they are either too busy to devote the time or have concerns about security.

However, there are many benefits to using this resource and if you are lucky in getting a good student, it can enhance your business!

I have been involved in offering Work Experience placements over many years and have been able to offer some free labour to my employers. Since starting my own business, I have encouraged several of my clients to do the same with excellent results.

As long as you have Employers Liability insurance and basic health and safety features in place, a small investment in time will bear fruit in as little as a week. Recently, one of my clients overhauled their filing system with a Work Placement from a local school - and was delighted with the result. Having not found the time with the pressures of day to day work, spending some time in explaining and supervising the student enabled them to complete the project in just a week.

The student subsequently wrote to thank them for the opportunity of working with them and asked to be considered for any part-time work during the holidays!

It must be emphasised that this is not an opportunity to exploit free labour - the young person needs to have a good experience and other simple tasks such as data entry, telephone answering and cataloguing should be built in. But with a little thought and a small investment in time, you could have the opportunity to influence the workforce of the future and your business may benefit as a result!

If you would like some advice on how to offer a Work Experience placement in your business, contact me for some tips and hints.

Reducing overheads in a recession!

admin — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 10:35:16 +0000

In the current economic climate, many small businesses are looking to reduce their overheads and outsourcing services is one way many businesses are doing this.

The administrative function is a necessary evil - paperwork is important and not being able to find THAT bit of paper can lose clients and business. Using a freelance secretarial service enables firms to keep on top of their administration without the costs of employing staff. And when business is quiet, staff are not sitting around with nothing to do.

Secretary Outsource can help your business on a freelance basis - work can be done on an ad-hoc basis, meaning your overheads are cut but the efficiency is maintained. With no minimum contract and a pay-as-you-go service, cashflow is improved.

Secretary Outsource helps local author publish book!

admin — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 21:54:53 +0000

‘My Pets and Other Family’ has recently been published by local author, Janet Morrison, from Rottingdean.

Janet engaged the services of Secretary Outsource to type up the manscript to the book, in order to just put it on a CD so she could give it to friends and family. This followed several unsuccessful attempts at getting the book published.

However, through a local contact, Rachel Brown has helped Janet realise her dream and publish her book about her life experiences living in Africa, adopting more than one chimpanzee. This amusing account of life in Colonial times makes an excellent read and the book is now available from www.differentbooks.co.uk.

Janet Morrison comments: “Rachel Brown has typed and processed my manuscript in a most competent and helpful manner and I have appreciated her grammatical advice. She is extremely professional and has steered me through the complexities of publishing without my having to lift a finger.”

Peacehaven Home & Business Showcase

admin — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 20:45:20 +0000

The Showcase took place on 12 June 2009 and was a great success for the 30+ exhibitors and Peacehaven & District Chamber of Commerce. Encouraging local people to use local businesses is good for all enterprise in the community. More especially, it was an excellent Showcase for the services of Secretary Outsource as the event manager. For more information and pictures of the day, go to http://www.peacehavenchamber.co.uk/Peacehaven_Home_&_Business_Showcase. “Rachel did a fantastic job organising the event wth limited time and resources, a big thankyou for all your efforts!”

Peacehaven Home & Business Showcase - 12th June 2009

admin — Wed, 06 May 2009 19:14:51 +0000

Secretary Outsource is organising the Peacehaven Home & Business Showcase on 12th June at the Meridian Centre, Peacehaven. As a member of the Peacehaven Chamber of Commerce, this event is open to the general public as well as businesses in the Peacehaven, Telscombe Cliffs, Newhaven, Saltdean and surrounding areas. Why not come along and see us there?

http://www.peacehavenchamber.co.uk/Peacehaven_Home_&_Business_Showcase

Secretary Outsource and Corporate Social Responsibility

admin — Wed, 06 May 2009 18:49:33 +0000

Secretary Outsource is delighted to be embarking on a programme of work experience to help those with barriers to employment get back into work. Commencing in May, Dave will be working alongside Rachel Brown to help out with administration and some client work.

Employers are often unwilling to offer work experience as there is a considerable investment in time needed - but having had previous experience with placements, Rachel knows just how rewarding and fruitful working with people can be.

Corporate Social Responsibility is about employers offering opportunities to those who cannot find work in the traditional way due to difficulties they have had - and Secretary Outsource as a small business, is delighted to be taking part in this programme.

Look out for more updates on how Dave is progressing!

Brighton and Hove Business Show

admin — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 12:00:14 +0000

Come and meet me at the Brighton & Hove Business Show at Hove Town Hall on Wednesday May 13th. I will be on the Deans Business Club stand.

This is a huge event for Brighton & Hove businesses. You need to be there to see how vibrant the local business community really is!