Olinda Services

VoiP – Who knew it could be so confusing?

by Lisa Olinda on February 4, 2010

All I can say is WOW! I have been searching for a new phone system for my business. I am completely overwhelmed with phrases and words like “polycom”, “soft switch”, “run your own PBX”. I can feel gray hairs popping in as I write this post!

For the past 18 months I have used Skype. Skype is wonderful if you don’t have to rely on it. It seems like every time a client calls I either sound like a chipmunk or the call doesn’t connect correctly. I love the video conference, screen sharing and im capability but not the calls. I recently tried to connect a 3-way call using Skype and found out I couldn’t get the dial pad for the 2nd connected party. Extremely frustrating.

When Google Voice came out I set up a phone number with them. Love the concept of the phone being transferred to any phone but I really work 90% of the time from my desk. When I want to make a call I want to pick up a phone and call. I don’t want to sign in to my account, call my one phone and then the client. Extra steps I don’t have time for.

I have finally decided to switch to a physical phone on my desk for business…but I don’t want to spend a small fortune a month to have the service. I know I am probably a cheapskate but times are tough financially for everyone right now. Why spend more if I don’t have to? So the search begins afresh.

Verizon

I called my local phone company, Verizon. They quoted me a price of $55 a month for basic phone, long distance and 3-way calling. My dilemma…I don’t really like Verizon. Even while I was on the phone checking out the information the representative I talked with was carrying on a conversation with someone else and didn’t speak to me for 10 minutes. I finally hung up. Why should I spend my hard earned money on a company that doesn’t even care if I want to add an additional phone line or service?

Ring Central

One of my clients uses Ring Central and is very pleased with it.  I need something that will handle my business receiving multiple lines coming in. I found their website a little confusing and overwhelming. Again they run around $50 per month for unlimited calling and faxing.  Just a little more money than I want to spend and I want a real phone.

MagicJack

Another solution presented to me was MagicJack. It has excellent reviews and comes highly recommended. The price is excellent at $19.95 per year. The drawback is that it does not have 3-way calling.

So I continue on my search for a VoiP service for my small business. My main needs are

  1. A real phone
  2. Caller Id
  3. 3-Way Calling
  4. Unlimited calling to US & Canada

Please feel free to contribute ideas and I will update you on my quest.

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Executive Assistant to Executive Assistant

by Lisa Olinda on February 1, 2010

The Scenario

Last week I was working for a client. She deals with many corporate clients. Part of my duties with this client is to provide a professional front for her while scheduling appointments. When I work with this client I deal with the clients as her Executive Assistant. I send out emails from her corporate exchange account and my signature block reflects her company name, address, phone number and tag line.

As a virtual assistant I wear many hats for many people. To accommodate this I set up different email signatures within Outlook. I automatically tie the appropriate signature with the appropriate email account.

Last week I received a meeting request for my clients from one of her associates. This associate uses the services of a virtual assistant. I was dismayed when I received the meeting request with the signature block containing a blatant marketing campaign for the virtual assistant. She used her picture, business name, business email, website and tagline. She in no way represented her client except for the meeting request. The message was messy and unprofessional.

I was speaking with the COO of my clients company who noticed the email from the VA. He was not impressed and felt that it was did not reflect well on the associate. He was confused by the VA using different information from the associate.

The Outcome

I defense of the VA I thought…

  • maybe her client did not ask her to adopt her corporate image when sending out emails or
  • maybe the VA feels this is a good way to gain more clients.

I encourage you to look at your client. How can you assist them in making their image as polished and professional as possible. Don’t use their contacts to grow your business. When sending out emails use the clients contact information. It is very confusing for the receiver. They may not understand the concept of a virtual assistant. If you send from your email at least put your name and tagline that you XYZ’s Executive Assistant. I suggest the simpler the signature block the better. If the client has a signature block just copy theirs and put that you are their EA.

My job is make my client shine not me. What is your take?

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Just How Did You Get So Many Followers on Twitter?

by Guest Blogger January 30, 2010

The Question
I got an email this morning from a networking contact I met on LinkedIN. He asked:
I have a question. Currently I have about 15k twitter followers adding about 250 per day, how the heck did you get to 50k+?  Have you been able to monetize your followers in anyway?  Connect in multiple ways?

That’s actually [...]

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The Fatal Flaw in Social Bookmarking for Bloggers

by Guest Blogger January 29, 2010

I have been teaching people about social bookmarking for around five years now, and I have seen many changes in that time. Social bookmarking is essentially taking the bookmark feature of your favorite web browser and turning it into a public exercise where your bookmarks are shared on a website, and people can vote for [...]

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