The Cheap Fast And Good Rule In Business

Writen by Paul Taylor

Every now and then, everyone needs a refresher course. Business owners are no exception. Just to refresh your memory, in my last article I talked about ways to "Make Your Business Grow." Today, I want to continue that train of thought.

Several years ago I attended a business seminar and although I don't remember much about what was said, one thing that I do remember was the "cheap, fast and good rule in business." I don't know who made up this rule, but it seems to be one of the primary truths in all of business.

The speaker began by saying that you can never have all three items together at the same time. In other words, if you are purchasing any thing, you may want it cheap and fast, but it won't be good. You may want it cheap and good, but it won't be fast. Or, you may want the item fast and good, but it won't be cheap.

Let's take as an example setting up a website. Anyone can create a website without having to know anything about html. Free websites are given away every day and it only takes a few minutes to create one; this is the cheap and fast, but not good rule. Having a website that will attract customers takes a lot of time to create.

And if you want a good website, unless you can create one on your own, it can be expensive to pay for the hosting, creating, and updating, not to mention the search engine optimization (seo), and ppc (pay per click) advertising. This is the good and fast part of the rule. And lastly, if you want a website that is good and cheap, prepare to wait a while for it to be up and running. I can imagine one person, in a home office working on your website at his convenience; he's not in a hurry, it's not his website.

Another example that seems to prove this rule is shipping. Fed Ex is a prime example of this rule. If you need a good service and you need it fast, then this company will get your items to wherever it needs to be – but you are going to pay a lot for the service. UPS and DHL are similar to Fed Ex. The United States Post Office is an example of a good service – no matter how we like to complain sometimes – but it can be slow; so we need to add extra time when we send off that credit card bill, and it is still cheap. I do not know of any service that is fast and cheap, but not good. If there are any shipping services that fit this description, they won't be in business very long.

The last example that I want to use is advertising. If you want customers fast and good (qualified), it definitely won't be cheap. One example of this is the ppc advertising on Google, Yahoo, and MSN. You can also have your advert as a "popup" and it is cheap, but the click thru rate is not good. And finally, you can build your good customers over time and reasonably cheap, but it want be fast.

I want to end this article where I began. In order to "make your business grow" one thing that I want you to remember is that "you get what you pay for." If you pay for a good website, you usually get it. I know that there are exceptions, but overall you will have a better response than on a free website. If you want fast shipping, you must pay for the service and if you want more customers, you have to do the work necessary that will attract more customers.

Fast, good, or cheap – which two will it be?

Paul Taylor is a business owner that helps other business owners and entrepreneurs locate wholesale sources for their business. Visit his website at =>http://www.wholesalemap.com

Hiring A New Assistant

Writen by Dana Wallert

Are you considering hiring a new administrative or executive assistant? Maybe you should think twice.

The online service industry boom may be a viable alternative for your apparent human resource needs. More and more small businesses and even larger companies are turning to virtual office assistants to handle their administrative tasks.

Does it sound too complicated or new-fangled? Well, there are good reasons to at least consider the option.

Let's take a look at a few of the benefits that a cyber employee has over their in-office counterpart.

-Insurance, taxes, and other benefits do not apply to most online service providers. They provide services as a contractor or freelance provider.

-Your relationship with the provider you choose is just that: service provider to client. Imagine having all your employees treating you as their favorite client all the time, doing their best work each time to ensure your repeat business Conversely, have you ever been dissatisfied with a project you asked your assistant to complete. It probably, wasn't feasible(or legal) for you to fire that person on the spot. Online you determine whether to continue that relationship by allowing them to work on future projects for you or not.

-It may not seem like a lot, but take a moment to think of all the capital you invest in each new employee you hire. Every extra phone line, data port, software license, cubic foot of office space, furniture, and anything else a person would need to sit in your office and conduct business reduces your bottom line.

Obviously, virtual assistants have some limitations. Online providers can handle just about any need that could arise. Consider that you may miss the personal aspects of working side by side with someone you know and trust. It's the human and spatial aspects that are difficult to duplicate online. Extraordinary technology exists for communication and collaboration. However, none of that can ever guarantee you that if you stick your head around the corner and ask for an opinion or some help, you'll get it immediately. Most likely they won't attend your office holiday party or join the softball team

There are many different types of companies online that can help you run your business more efficiently. You can hire on a project basis. You can put an assistant on retainer. If you have administrative needs that aren't being met, you may want to consider your options before running into your local classifieds office, ad in hand.

Dana Wallert is the owner of DW Office Solutions, an online virtual assistance company. She has many years experience in sales and marketing, as well as office management. You may find more about Dana and sign up to receive her free monthly newsletter at http://www.dwofficesolutions.com

Top 5 Reasons Not To Hire A Virtual Assistant

Writen by Bisi Adepo-Bassey

Virtual assistants are becoming extremely popular especially in the small business realm. This fast growing group of professionals often possessing a specialty in one or more of marketing, graphic design, general administration, bookkeeping, web design, event management, phone answering service… and the list goes on. Think of any segment of your business; there are probably virtual assistants out there that can provide support to you in that area. Here are a few reasons why you should not hire one.

1. You are a Jack of all trades and a master of none. You don't care about the quality of work or service you provide to your clients or the business image you project with your unprofessional documents and work. You are happy taking on the job of 4 or 5 people even if it results in half-done projects. A virtual assistant can take a number of mundane or specialty tasks off you so that you can focus on managing your business effectively.

2. You are a glutton for stress. You thrive on stress and will rather go without vacations, downtime or quality time with your loved ones. You enjoy working when you are ill and run down. Your aim is to burn yourself out while working round the clock and you love to sweat the small stuff. Virtual assistant can take on your overflow work or cover your business during vacations or sickness. You can hire them for ongoing projects or one-shot projects.

3. Who cares about money anyway? You are a small or mid-sized business owner who would rather hire full-time staff to cover seasonal or part-time positions. You are happy to pay your staff even if the their workday activity allocation is similar to the example below:

Daydreaming – 20%
Keeping in touch with family and friends – 30%
Online shopping – 10% (20% at Christmas)
Pay personal utility bills - (5%)
Office discussion group on Survivors, American Idol or The Apprentice – 25%
Performance of duties according to job-description – 10% (75% when the boss is in the vicinity)

Virtual assistants are only paid for the work they do, not the work they don't do.

4. You would rather use office space and equipment inefficiently. You appreciate dust-gathering office furniture and office equipment that would not operate themselves. Virtual assistants work out of their own fully furnished offices and are able to provide finished projects to you whether you are on a cruise in the Bahamas or at your home office.

5. You aspire to receive an award from your local chamber of commerce in recognition of your efforts in one or more of the above listed points.

Enjoy the humour intended in this article, but thoroughly consider and explore ways in which a virtual assistant can partner with you for success.

Bisi Adepo-Bassey is the owner of Business Aid, providers of business support services. http://www.mybusinessaid.com/