I currently work at an on-site part-time job. We have 3 offices, two of which are in Texas. We just received notification this week that all employees will need to take a 9% paycut. While talking to the recruiter, I discussed the possibility of providing virtual services to help cut costs. He asked me to get a proposal together to provide the services to both Texas offices as a cost saving measure.

Any suggestions on how and what to present to the executive management? I am so terribly rusty!! I truly feel like a newbie at this!!!

__________________
Shellye L. Lyons, Business/Marketing Manager ~~ The Lyons Group, LLC

I don't feel like I can help you with this, but wow, what a great opportunity!

__________________
April Sullivan
The REVA Academy

What's so funny is that I've done this before when I left my employer in 2005. But it was easier because I had a more personal relationship with my boss and his wife. They are like my spiritual parents and I was with them for over 6 years.

I've only been with this company 2 years and I'm still learning personalities. I guess I'm nervous about how they will take this presentation and what they will think about me approaching them this way. I'm actually already working in a remote office because the corporate office is in Denver... so I'd be asking them if I could possibly move the remote office to my home and then add the Houston office to my list of duties so they will get two for the price of one.

__________________
Shellye L. Lyons, Business/Marketing Manager ~~ The Lyons Group, LLC

From my experience with corporate, if you can show them a way to save money & still retain quality service, they will be more than open to your presentation & proposal. Like April said, what a great opportunity! Good luck!

__________________
Lezly Harrison
Laserdog Productions - Code that Doesn't Bite

And, remind them that you are ALREADY working 'virtually' for 2 of their offices and show them how they can cut costs even further by having you go virtual for all 3 (no office space, your own equipment, more flexible hours, etc.)

__________________
Lily Chambers, The Virtual Office Goddess, LLC
Author "How to Do Your Own Small Business Bookkeeping"

Thanks, Lezly... Here's the spiel I sent to the HR office:

"I'm not really sure how to approach this topic or whether it is appropriate. However, I feel you and I have built a rapport over the years, and in light of the recent salary changes, I thought I'd present an opportunity that might be a temporary or maybe even a permanent solution to help cut costs for the organization.

As you may remember, previous to my employment here, I provided onsite and virtual administrative support services to small businesses. With ____ leaving the Houston office, I would like to propose providing remote/virtual support services for both the Houston and Dallas offices, giving ____ the benefit of having office support for two offices for the price of one, and maybe increasing my salary slightly to say, maybe $___/hr? This shouldn't be a difficult task, since I did this for a short time before ____ was hired.

Another benefit is that you wouldn't have to train someone new. The only problem I see at this time would be during the new hire HR training piece which would probably have me traveling to Houston once or twice per month. But I wouldn't mind that if it would help. This could possibly cut out $25-30K per year from the overall budget. An additional option would be to hire me as an independent contractor for both offices, working from home, which could provide an additional $10K savings since I would cover my own taxes and I could quote you a flat rate per month. I could work on-site once per week, most likely on sales meeting days and also for HR training.

This is just a quick overview, but I'd like to know your thoughts on the matter once you've had time to consider the possibility."

What do you think?

__________________
Shellye L. Lyons, Business/Marketing Manager ~~ The Lyons Group, LLC

I think it's great, Shellye. You sold me!

Good luck!

__________________
Lezly Harrison
Laserdog Productions - Code that Doesn't Bite

LOL! Thanks, Lezly. Keep your fingers crossed!! I had one of the managers read it and he thought it was a great idea. He said he'd go for it!!

__________________
Shellye L. Lyons, Business/Marketing Manager ~~ The Lyons Group, LLC

Sounds really good! It provides sound reasons and, more importantly, offers even more cost savings! My fingers are crossed that this will work out for you!

__________________
Lily Chambers, The Virtual Office Goddess, LLC
Author "How to Do Your Own Small Business Bookkeeping"

Thanks, Lily!! This would really be a great opportunity since I've wanted to get back to this full time. If it should get approved, I'm thinking I'll propose a 1 yr contract and then during that time, I'll propose to get 1 or 2 more clients simultaneously.

What do you think?

__________________
Shellye L. Lyons, Business/Marketing Manager ~~ The Lyons Group, LLC