Protecting your Florida property - Considerations and Safeguards

Attention Florida property owners:

Do you own a vacation property?
Do you own a property up FOR SALE?
Who's watches your home when you're away on vacation?

Someone checking in on your vacant property is a good idea. No, its a great idea! Whether its a property management company, neighbor or housesitter, vacant homes invite crime and decrease property value so you want to protect it. You may have read recent news reports about criminals who target homes, ransacking the property, stripping it of its belongings and, in some cases, living on the property - without being discovered! Why not have the comfort of knowing that someone is watching. Considering the alternative, this extra safeguard is a small price to pay. Reduce the risk of would-be criminals targeting your property - costing you money and time trying to locate and prosecute the bad guys.

Aside from horrors of criminal mischief, what about unexpected events? Falling trees and limbs? Plumbing disasters? Vermin camping out on your property? Often times, a security system is just not sufficient!

For peace of mind, hire someone to check the property to (a) ensure the lawn is maintained, (b) clear debris, newspapers and junk mail, (c) check perimeter, inside doors, windows and rooms. Your neighbors will appreciate it too!

Contact us to see how we can help mitigate the risks of threats to your property! We also offer additional perks as part of our property check in service!

Why have an accountability buddy?

What is an accountability buddy? I'd describe an accountability buddy as a trusted ally. They help to motivate and  keep you on target with your personal and professional goals.   An accountability buddy is someone who has your best interest at heart and helps you achieve your goals, by keeping you accountable and committed. They energize you when you need it and high five you when you reach your milestones. A true accountability buddy will be honest with you, offers advice and is always, always supportive; this encouragement keeps you moving forward.  

One other important detail in having an accountability buddy is consistently scheduling meetings in person or by phone. These meetings allow you an opportunity to:

• review past actions
• vent frustrations
• combat challenges
• set goals with timelines
• brainstorm new ideas
• applaud victories

These meetings are also used to  identify forward-moving actions and track progress which are critical to the accountability partnership. 

I have an accountability buddy and, after each meeting, I feel confident and excited. Its also a great feeling to know I've got someone watching my back and keeping me on track. So, I challenge you to find an accountability buddy and put these practices into action! What's your experience with an accountability buddy?

Helpful strategies that help busy professionals de-stress!

Take a quick break! Here are some strategies busy professionals use to help re-energize their work day.  

·         Breathe deeply

·         Focus on something that makes you smile

·         Give someone a sincere compliment

·         Listen to a song that peps you up

Other ongoing strategies:

·         Exercise

·         Yoga

·         Meditate

·         Read

·         Get a massage

·         Volunteer

Check back and let us know if any of these strategies work. Share other ways you de-stress!

Hooray! We're CERTIFIED!

It’s official!  The Busy Buddy has been certified as a Small Business Enterprise with the City of Tampa! This certification makes our small business eligible to assist participants and events surrounding the upcoming 2012 Republican National Convention (RNC) being held in Tampa, Florida from August 27- 30th.   Not only are we able to support local commercial and government entities, but we can also provide virtual (remote) business support services that will continue our partnerships well beyond the convention!

The Busy Buddy is excited to be a part of this incredible experience and we look forward to assisting local businesses and visiting delegates, media and tourists!

For more information about how we can help you, please visit our website (www.TheBusyBuddy.com) to learn about our business support services! You may also contact us at (888-571-9806) or email us at info [@] thebusybuddy.com.  We appreciate your small business support! 

Virtual assistance vs. Full-time office support

If you think you can't afford a virtual assistant, consider the costs of hiring an employee. The cost of a full-time employee may be more expensive than you think. Let's take a look!

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A full time professional & business services employee hired at $27.53 per hour will incur a total compensation* of $38.53 per hour. This $11.00 difference includes leave (sick, vacation, holidays), supplemental pay (bonus, overtime), insurance (medical/dental), retirement & savings, payroll taxes (social security, federal, state) and workers compensation. Hiring a VA eliminates these expenses and provides flexibility because you can hire as needed!

With technology (telephone, computer, internet), a virtual assistant can provide administrative support remotely and effectively. 

* Data Entry
* Organizing and managing contacts
* Paperwork file management
* Email marketing
* Purchasing products and supplies
* Appt scheduling

*Bureau of Labor Statistics - March 2012

Are QR codes good for business?

Have you started using QR codes for your business? Are you considering it? QR Codes are a great tool to share information abour your product/service and understand your market. However, to those new to the technology, it can be quite overwhelming and confusing. If you are unfamiliar with QR codes, I’ve shared some details.  At the bottom, I’ve shared a few companies that I’ve run across along the way.

QR stands for Quick Response and QR codes provide immediate access to information. When scanned, they can, among other uses, link to a website, share promotional events, and also save contact information onto the scanning device.

When you start researching companies that offer QR codes, some are offered free with reporting, others offer free codes but the reporting is bundled for a nominal monthly fee.  There are lots and lots!  When I finally made my way through, I settled on a simple and easy qr code for my business cards – SmartyTags. Since I was just getting my feet wet, I didn’t want to commit to a long term paid service so I was happy to find a company that provided free QR codes with basic reporting. With my QR code, (1) I can change the code contents when scanned,  (2) the code does not expire, (3) it will be an easy transition from free service to upgrade paid service while retaining all reporting details from code creation and (4) I can sign up for month to month agreement.  My reports show me when and how many people scan my code, what type of device was used and where it was scanned.

With upgraded and premium services, QR codes are used for multiple marketing promotions where you can set a campaign end date, you can incorporate images, logos and color and you also have access to more detailed reporting.

One of the greatest benefits I found is that when you create multiple codes for several campaigns, you can track codes used by different individuals or you can track the success rate of particular marketing collateral (brochures, signage, post card mailers…).

So far, I’m very excited to use one QR code on the back of my business card. When scanned, it goes straight to my website. It’s fun, techy, quick and provides another method to promote my business!  While I chose SmartyTags, there are many, many others that I found.

http://smartytags.com/

http://www.qrstuff.com/

http://tagomobile.com/

http://www.qreatebuzz.com/

Please let us know how you use QR codes. Post comments on your experience.

Our New Website Is Here!

Signs of growth come in many forms, and for us, it was on the web. We're proud to announce our new website design to better serve our clients and partners.