Now Happier With Work and Kids

Lately it has been tough for me and the business I work for to stay afloat. People are just not spending like they used to. With the economy like it is today, I don’t know how a working mom can make ends meet. I have always refrained from using the welfare system, but I do qualify for some benefits because I have kids and earn a modest income.

Fortunately my boss gave me the chance to take advantage of telecommuting. This is such a big burden off my back since I spend so much money on gas and other transport essentials. I still have to physically report in once or twice a week. Getting around is no joke either; traffic is just a nightmare especially for me because I live in the suburbs.

Boss was first hesitant to use telecommuting in the workplace, but after a long time with using our outsourced VA’s (virtual assistants), he took to the practice of telecommuting. Our business is small, so he thought it was a good way of cutting down costs. He’s even thinking of shutting down the office altogether. It beats paying for office space I suppose, however we do have a problem of where to store our piles of paperwork we have accumulated during all the years in operation.

At first I was skeptical about these virtual assistants myself, and thought it must be hard to coordinate and to be reliable when the other people doing the work are at the other side of the world. I thought they must do inferior work, but after letting them handle some simple computing tasks, I was amazed how effective they were. At first I really thought they were unmotivated and slow, but I was proven wrong. I suppose the thought of not finishing their work leads to them not getting paid, so there must be some motivation on their part. I handle and coordinate a few of them from home, and Jon and Mitch were particularly helpful.

Now with less bills and since I’m at home most of the time; I don’t have to pay for lattes and other frivolous pleasures while at work. The best part of all is spending more time with my kids. I love them so much and every moment with them is like heaven to me. Yesterday we made blueberry waffles for breakfast. Having a meal cooked with my little angels is pretty refreshing I must say.

Google Apps for Business.

Are you just starting and in need of basic office tools? Look no further. Google Apps provides robust package to get your business up and running swiftly. It has email, calendar, office applications and web-messaging service so you and your employees can get down to business and seal that important deal quickly.

The good thing about Google Apps is portability. With your favorite browser, you can create or access office files such as documents and spreadsheets using Google Docs -- anytime anywhere. Google Calendar is another important tool which does not only allow you to plan ahead, but lets you remember an important event or meeting via SMS to your mobile phone.

Google Apps isn’t only for start-ups. Many businesses have come to see the benefits of cloud computing in Google Apps for company-wide or even client collaboration. With Apps, the document or spreadsheet always stays current, and your team and clients are rest assured that important modifications were entered in the right version. Thus, Google doesn’t only let you work faster but also smarter.

Google Apps is unbeatable in cost-savings. It requires no special hardware or software and requires minimal administration, giving businesses huge savings in terms of time and IT expenditures. Research also shows that “Google Apps is as little as 1/3 the total cost of competing solutions.”*
Downtime and data loss can be very costly not only in dollars but also your company’s productivity. Google Apps gives you the confidence that you are always up and running 99.9%** all the time and the peace of mind that your data are secured and kept by world’s trusted Google datacenter.
Best of it all, with Google Apps, it means you never have to upgrade all the time. Plus, as leader in cloud computing, Google never fails to give you something new every single day of your business.


Voiceville Communications, Inc.
Philippine Call Center
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* http://www.google.com/apps/intl/en/business/details.html
** Available in Google Apps Premier Edition

Running Away from Responsibilities

Frankly, I don’t understand why some people run away from responsibilities. Responsibilities make us more mature. Instead, people avoid them for reasons I could not possibly understand. In my opinion, responsibilities do not hinder people’s growth and it allows them to be better persons. My friend has confined some of her problems with me about her sister and all. She made mention of her sister being different before she came back from a broken marriage.

This is how I understand it. When people get out of such a terrible mess, they feel as if they have fully gained back of their freedom and they are not going to let anything happen that could put them back where they started. It’s alright to actually redeem yourself but isn’t life suppose to teach you something when you’re given those obstacles in the first place? You’re not suppose to take advantage of that freedom too much because you end up forgetting why you survived it to begin with. How can someone be so stupid? I know I’m can’t let this affect me because I’m just a third party concerned after all but I can’t help but criticize this kind of attitude from someone who has a kid in the first place.

Just because you have a family to turn to, that doesn’t mean you can simply let things slide and wait for it to silence itself. Issues about you will never stop not unless you try to change the way you live. It’s not too late to actually rethink everything and do something about it. You’re a grown up woman who has a kid looking up to you but you’re not showing and giving the best. You can’t even provide for his basic needs. How can you be so cruel towards your son when he merely wants your time and love?

I don’t know what kind of person can do this and not suffer the consequences of her actions. Just because people aren’t talking to you about it, that doesn’t mean you can go on screwing everyone else’s lives. You’re no use as a mother; surely you get that.

E-coupons

Having a business does not guarantee financial independence. I learned that a long time ago and what I earn should stay in the books. As for my own expenses, I hit the newspapers, magazines, and the Web for some treats. After a friend told me about the perks of coupons, I started to take on the responsibility of cutting them myself. At first I thought it was ridiculous because hardly did I see something worth the time and the cutting. But eventually, I got used to the idea; it encouraged me to stay positive which is why I came across a very unique coupon. Since electronic coupons, I began to think how fast the trends change and a lot of advantages are catering to consumers in particular. This coupon is already available online. I’m also very excited about the idea because this business has a list of my favorite restaurants. Surely everyone else is hearing about this and it couldn’t be more fascinating. Imagine dining in or ordering out with only 50 – 70 percent of what you usually spend.

Honestly? I envy them for having such a great feature added to already worth-the-while services they offer. The best part is I have the liberty to share the coupon with my friends and family and they too can do the same. Such network and such creativity make me want to jump up and down.

I have already given some bits of information about the coupon feature to some of my friends. The new banner feature of this business will surely attract attention and they just made one loyal customer.

Practical Ways

I finally got a virtual assistant from a really good outsourcing company. A few weeks ago, we started transacting from one business to another. The virtual assistant I got is extremely phenomenal and skilled at her job. She manages to organize back office task before words come out of my mouth. I am very satisfied with the quality of this company’s services and I have to admit that I never thought this was what I needed. My life changed a lot; it grew from being bombarded into smooth and carefree. I can’t seem to remember the last time I looked at the mirror and dreaded how I looked.

Now, whenever I look at myself, I feel good and even better than I will ever be. A few months ago, I was hesitant, frustrated and lost for solution. I couldn’t get up and feel good about myself and how I was running my life. It didn’t even occur to me to visit relatives or attend family gatherings because I was too focused on work and the business itself. I was wondering that maybe I was not built for it. I almost lost faith but eventually I took a leap of faith and cleared myself with all possible fears. The threats were hindering me to grow as a person and as a business person. So despite the fact that I was venturing into something clearly unknown and unfamiliar with me, I still did. I took a plunge into a world I thought never would exist. But it did nonetheless and I am just happy as a dove for making that decision.

Today, I keep everything alive and myself first and foremost. Being and feeling alive is the best thing that’s ever happened to me and I don’t see myself exchanging this for something else. Now, I can meet friends or have coffee. I can go on vacation without worrying about paperwork. I can go on living for the rest of my life without killing myself in the process. Finally, I am free. Because I made a choice, I took a chance and it never even hurt.

Thanking Saint Patrick

My aunt, who is in Europe called me two days ago and informed me of their plans for St. Patrick’s Day. She made mention of events that they are looking forward on the 17th and I’m pretty sure they are going to enjoy it. Our clan is very much known for our deep dedication to our religion and along with that is our enthusiasm to commemorate special occasions such as the feast of Saint Patrick; which is why I clearly understand why my aunt bothered to make a phone call only to inform me of her affairs and if I was interested to fly in and join them. Unfortunately, there is a lot of work to do here and I can’t leave it knowing that it might disrupt business activities. I’m needed here and I must stay. Hopefully, next year I can spend time with friends and family because I already had the opportunity of witnessing this event for many years since I was young.

I find religious practices very enlightening and it plays a vital role in one’s personal development. Having faith in almost what I do is the least I can do to survive different trials in my life and I am just thankful that I am blessed. This coming Saint Patrick’s Day, I will be spending a moment of silence to be thankful for all the blessings, for the presence of family and friends, for the wonderful life I have been provided of, and for the struggles that kept me strong all these years.

But for now, I have to work. For now I have to attend to my responsibilities. For now I will face my life like always because I cannot miss a day like Saint Patrick’s Day. It’s one of the days when I am able to remember the traces of my footsteps. By knowing where I started and where it has put me today is a gesture of gratefulness.

Expert’s Point of View

Not too long ago I attended a seminar where we received some of a book author’s ideas about business and life in general. He was very substantial and informative and there was never a dull moment during that seminar. It was enjoyable because we as audiences didn’t just go there individually or by pairs to sit alone while he teaches interesting techniques on life and business’ principles. We were grouped and like normal people we conversed and stressed out our opinion. We shared our thoughts after each 30-minute sessions and while we did that I learned a handful of tips on managing one’s life and business at the same time.

As it has been known to most of you, there are specific sets of rules that we all have to comply with in order for us to coexist with other species harmoniously. Each one of us has goals and we do not coerce another human being to simply stand aside and watch us do what we have to do because truth be told, they have their own lives to run. Business is not far from that reality and if I may add, business is a lot easier to handle when we know how to manage our own lives. Business once again should be perfectly fair, not debatable.

As far as a bright future is concerned, I am ready to take my own nest to the next level. My age is no longer as liberating as it used to be so I am vying for a more secured life, which in my opinion is sifting all the possible options that could bring your life to success. In so many years, I have done a great job career wise and although there are flaws in my personal life, I have stood strong over the years. The lesson however will remain until I am six feet under the ground: mistakes are born to sharpen us. Thus, I truly believe that one’s achievements rely on one’s strong beliefs. As we are told by experts and other great people who marked history, “we rule our lives”.