Hello everyone, sorry for the slacking over the holidays. I finally think I have everything back on track and moving forward.

This month's question: What is one goal that you want to accomplished in 2010 and do you share it with your networking groups?

I have quarterly goals and rarely shared them with my group, however at an event this was one of the exercises. To tell the group what your number one goal was and how the group can help you achieve it. So as part of my elevator speech I let my group know that one of my 2010 goals is to devote dedicated time to my own business. I explained that as I fulfill client obligations, My Office Assistant is last on the list when in fact it should be first. I also conveyed that by doing this I was learning new technology and processes that will enhance my business offerings to each of my clients and potentials. I asked them to simply ask me how this was going thereby keeping me accountable. So how about you?

Hi Lee, mine is to finish my online classes, I also tell other people that too. ....I also put my own business on the bottom doing everything else first.

Lezly,

Don't be afraid of the chamber or other local groups. This will be another way to get your name out there. A good group will draw you in and make you comfortable as you wade into the F2F networking arena. If they do not find another. You can connect with those you meet on social networks and that will also allow you to get familiar with the different medias too.

Hi everyone,

I just joined this group, what a great idea.

"This month's question: What is one goal that you want to accomplished in 2010 and do you share it with your networking groups?"

One goal (the *main* goal) I have for 2010 is to develop Circle Assistants. I am slowly creating my VA business, I hope to launch later this year and by Spring 2011 be able to leave my current 40hr/week job and work full-time for my own business. I need to develop my website, figure out what services I want to offer, and learn learn learn about the Virtual Assistant world!

My networking groups are rather small at this point, as I'm just getting into this. VA Forums has been a wonderful resource and I'm very thankful that I found this site. I suppose one other goal will be to expand my networking!

Cheers,

Hello Everyone

My goal for 2010 is to graduate the Virtual Assistant Programme this June. Have my first client by the end of April (even it is just a small one). Join different associations. I have joined our Chamber and I have my first meeting in April. Learn how to express myself with more confidence. (I feel it inside but it does not always show on the outside).

I believe this group will be a great support in achieving the above.

Nancy Lynch

Great goals everyone. How is everyone doing with them and are you still sharing with your network?

My goal for 2010 is to become better at marketing, especially the follow-up & ‘asking for business’ part of marketing. I’m so afraid of appearing pushy that I just keep waiting, even when all the signs are there, for the potential client to say “I want to hire you to…” (If you build it they will come is a myth!)

To that end, today I have made follow-up calls to people that I want to sit down and find out about their business and how we can help each other and to people that have indicated they would like to sit down with me and see how I can help them.

Now I’m posting on the forum instead of doing the follow-up emails I need to do from the business cards I got at a networking event earlier this week. (At least I have them and WILL do them this evening).

I look forward to hearing how everyone’s goals are progressing & will keep you posted on how mine are going.

I took the plunge & joined BNI - a referral based networking group. Here's a thread about it if you're interested. BNI thread

I visited a couple of different chapters that are in my area before deciding which chapter to apply to. The group I chose has great dynamics & they have fun, too.

So I now attend a Tuesday morning Toastmasters meeting, a Thursday morning BNI meeting, followed by a late-morning Chamber Lead's group meeting. Once a month I attend a morning Women's Business Leadership meeting sponsored by the Chamber.

This is about as much as networking as I can schedule into my week & still attend to the business of my business! Oh & my mailing campaign continues in the background.