Virtual Professionals - 2003 Snap ShotWritten by Eileen 'Turtle' Parzek
Virtual professionals are a relatively new phenomena in workforce, and all indications are that it could potentially become norm in 21st century. The information age presented technology that allows people to work for anyone, anywhere, assuming right infrastructure is in place. Although some of us were working virtually prior to turn of century, a full eighty percent did not begin working that way until 1999. This wave corresponds with availability of computer technology and affordable, high speed Internet access. Nearly everyone interviewed was owner or co-owner of their own business, and nearly seventy percent of these virtual professionals became entrepreneurs simultaneously with becoming virtual professionals. So, who are these virtual professionals? The majority of people working virtually were in 36 to 45 year old range, with twenties close behind making nearly eighty percent between 25 and 45 years old. Although survey was conducted across a broad range of business related forums, a number of respondents said they were virtual assistants (VAs), a relatively new industry in its own right. Building on concept of secretaries and administrative assistants in traditional workforce, VAs perform business services and administrative tasks for other professionals. Virtual professionals were also consultants, web designers, programmers, graphic artists and writers. The trades which typically are creative, intellectual and autonomous lend themselves to virtual professions. It will be interesting to see in future whether number of other professions entering virtual world grows to meet vast number of virtual assistants prepared to help them! Scott Allen, a multi-preneur and About.com Entrepreneurs Guide, managed distributed teams for an enterprise software company prior to setting out on his own. Suzette Flemming, Flemming Business Services, transitioned into her 100% virtual business from part time telecommuting as a teacher and office manager. Most virtual assistants worked in offices, as secretaries and assistants, and already had right skills to be able to deliver services before pulling plug and going to work virtually. Indeed, most virtual professionals had a career which in some way prepared them for this way of life and work - even Blaine Hilton, a computer consultant, said his brief stint as a carpet cleaner provided motivation for wanting to be self employed!
| | How to find a home based businessWritten by Roger Turntine
How to find a home based businessIf you're serious about finding an online business and you've been looking, then you probably already know that this is a tedious process, because there are so many offers out there promising to fill your pockets. One can easily get sucked into a scam so here are a few pointers to help avoid this trap. 1 No Contact Information or Limited Contact Information. Most scam artists don't want you to be able to locate them easily. After all, if you could find them easily, so could authorities. That's why they often only give an email address (usually from a free provider like Yahoo or Hotmail) and/or a post office box. On other hand, reputable companies DO want you to be able to contact them quickly and easily. They'll offer several ways... telephone, physical address, email, fax, etc. 2 No Verifiable References or Testimonials. Do they list Web site addresses or email addresses for people who supposedly gave testimonials? Is there a way to contact satisfied customers? If not... if you only see a reference ending with "John D. - California" - beware. 3 Make Thousands With No Work On Your Part. This is biggest lie on Internet today. Everyone loves idea of making thousands of dollars while they sleep. Is it possible? Yes! That part isn't a lie. The statement that it will take no work on your part is lie. 4 Rushing You To Make A Decision. I'm talking about business opportunity companies that - instead of answering your questions - pressure you to go ahead and buy in.The bottom line is this: Any company offering legitimate business opportunities will want to talk with you, will want to give you all information you need, will not give a false appearance of credibility, and will have verifiable references that you can contact. Beware of anyone who does not offer these things.
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