CSA 2010, The change to save lives

A Change to Save Lives

As we move closer in on 2010, it is imperative that each and every trucking company familiarize themselves with the New CSA 2010 before the implentation in July of 2010. For more information on the CSA 2010, attend the Event “The Trucking info Summit” at the End of January, where you will learn beneficial information in areas that can boost profits in your trucking company as well as educate you even further on the CSA 2010.
The purpose of the CSA 2010 initiative is to develop more effective and efficient methods for FMCSA, together with industry and state partners, to achieve its mission of reducing commercial motor vehicle (CMV) crashes, fatalities, and injuries.

Key Features of CSA 2010
•Increase contact with carriers and drivers.
•Improve performance measurements for identifying high risk motor carrier and driver behaviors.
•Correct high risk behaviors before they become chronic and habitual.

If for some reason you can not attend this summit in January, be sure to follow Johny Schrunk’s Blog info. Where you are updated with valuable information that you can utilize for your company, as well as it’s great to read as Johny uses his personality and humor to make it interesting.

The Virtual Assistant Protection Plan (VAPP)

In just the short time I have been a virtual assistant, in my niche as a transportation and administrative virtual assistant, I understand the importance of valuable insurance coverage at affordable pricing, both the cover your equipment, garage policy to cover the shop and office, and drivers and employees as well.  I never would have thought that I would need VA insurance. VA networking has added (as usual) information and example to give me the knowledge that insurance is a must have necessity in growing your VA business.

In the examples below, gives us virtual assistants an idea of why a protection plan is crucial to our business. We work hard to gain clients and keep them, and in one fail swoop, they can be taken away. CYA, my mom always taught me. So when you start your business plan, include insurances in it as well when you are looking at the financial worksheets. If you have a protection plan in place, and you have created a business that can in some way qualify for a grant, a protection plan can assist in the funding sources for grants or even bank lending. This shows them you really are serious about your business, and it is protected from financial ruin. The reasons listed below for the VA protection plan has been provided by VA networking, again offering us a vital key to our business, and the grounds for success.

Example Reasons to have a VA protection plan:

EXAMPLE OF A CLAIM: A Virtual Assistant books a flight for a client. They book the wrong flight, and the client misses a meeting that causes them a financial loss.

EXAMPLE: Any professional liability claim where the policy would apply to you as an insured would be extended to the independent contractor or employee. This makes it easier for you to expand and grow your business.

EXAMPLE: Client charge-backs are a big problem for Virtual Assistants. We recommend the use of contracts in all situations prior to the rendering of services to any third party. However, if you become the victim of a fraudulent client charge-back, our policy will provide 2 free hours of legal advice.

EXAMPLE: A Virtual Assistant loses a client document or business file in fire. It may cost $1 per page to reprint/recreate 1000s of documents. Policy will pick up the cost.

Remember,  If you take your business seriously so will everyone else.

DOT sets distracted driving meeting

DOT sets distracted driving meeting.

The First Trucking Summit!

Johny Schrunk has done it again, the nations leaders as a Transportation advisor, business coach and risk management specialist. Johny has given me the opportunity to share some of his very valuable articles as well as an invitation to “Trucking Info Summit 2010.”

If you are in the trucking industry in today’s tight and difficult economy then you know that the value of information in any form is never enough. Every aspect from the first step of hiring, to driving, risk management and more are important parts of your trucking business. In the industry as well you know that the internet is a very useful place to find valuable information, like getting information in gaining new clients to haul for, why not step up that value and learn how social media can make that happen. The Trucking info summit will revitalize your aspect of how things work and make you more of a success in your ventures in business.

Join us for 3 full days devoted to increasing your profits, getting the edge on your competitors, dealing with ever-changing DOT safety regulations, CSA 2010, insurance negotiations and risk management, improving driver quality and core, running a leaner operation, “what’s working now”, the hottest marketing strategies and getting you out of the business more.

What We’ll Do: We’ll focus on what you need to know to make your business profitable.

What We Won’t Do:

• We won’t focus on what’s happening with the paper-pushers and lobbyists in Washington, DC.
• We won’t bore you with committee reports, budget reports or meeting minutes.
• Put you to sleep with monotone, nothing new speeches.
• Fill our venue with solicitors, exhibitors or worthless entertainment.

And Be Sure to Stay for our Bonus Day.

Bonus Day will be chock full of coaching strategies and networking opportunities, with Special Expert Panel for S.A.Q. and F.A.Q. Special guest speakers will reveal the inside secrets to move you and your business to the next level. Make sure you don’t miss this exclusive and rare opportunity that exploits the latest working marketing, advertising and sales strategies that are only being used by few within our industry. Learn it and implement it before it’s mainstream and too late. PLUS, a special closed door session on new and diverse marketing strategies (on a whole different level), not for the faint of heart, that the trucking industry has not yet experienced.

 

REGISTER HERE! AN EVENT YOU HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR

Finally! Department of Transportation gets involved.

After the years I have spent in the transportation industry, and being a driver over the road. I asked myself how could the government, such as the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and the Department of Transportation crack down as hard as they have done on the truck drivers lack of sleep when driving a big rig, and not do the same for the drivers who are driving RV’s or motor coaches, and even just people in regular vehicles.

In the few years I drove over the road, I had seen first hand almost accidents caused by motor coaches and cars as well as fatal accidents caused from these types of vehicles. How much do you see in the media relevant to an accident that has been involved by a car, RV and semi-truck that states the first thing is “the truck driver fell asleep at the wheel”?

They go thru log books like a fine tooth comb, receipts of delivery, pickups, fuel ticket etc. and even in some cases the company may receive an audit. But how many of us driving our normal cars have drove until we nodded off our heads and decided that was the time to pull over? Like many of us, there is no delegation for the time that we drive our vehicles like the government delegates the operational hours of a truck driver and how long they are allowed to drive. Although semi-trucks are larger vehicles and can cause a lot more damage when involved in a collision, the probability has been overlooked with motor coaches and regular cars have the capability to add to such horrendous collisions as well and has for way too long.

The difference however, with a motor coach and a car, a motor coach maneuvers similar to a semi-truck and trailer. If you have a pick up truck and you are pulling a trailer that is as well similar to how the operation of a semi-truck and trailer work also. You can not park in regular parking, you have to pay attention to the weather, roads, wind and give your self plenty of space. But often times people who operate these have your typical Class A drivers license to operate them, and can or has caused incidents that have fatalities as well.

Now the Department of Transportation is stepping up to the plate as they should have a long time ago. Monday November 16, 2009 the Department of Transportation released their action plan to motor coach safety issues. Here is just a portion of what they have released.

“The U.S. Department of Transportation today released its Motor coach Safety Action Plan which lays out concrete steps for improving motor coach safety across the board. The action plan addresses major safety issues such as driver fatigue and inattention, vehicle rollover, occupant ejections and oversight of unsafe carriers.”

To read the rest of the article released “U.S. Department of Transportation Releases New Action Plan to Address Motorcoach Safety Issues”

I think this is a great implementation to the Department of Transportation, and might even just take some of the pressure off the truck driver schemata.

What is the reason you started to work from home?

I could give you three reasons on why I decided to stay at home. my three son’s gave me all the motivation that anyone can have. I worked in the administrative, human resources, safety department at my previous employer. When I was beginning to deal with the issues of my twins going to school, and having problems at school, and my baby crying when ever I left him with the babysitter. That was reason enough for me.

I spent the first part of my twins 8 years working, not just with a full time job, but a part time job and a full time student. Luckily I had a great support system and was able to accomplish what it was that I needed to accomplish at the time, which was to give my kids a good home, not the best but a home. So when the day came that my husband gave me the opportunity to work from home, I was ecstatic. He said “you are already doing everything at home that you do at work they are just not paying you for it” and that is when I decided to quit giving free time. I pondered that thought for a month or 2 and did some research and low and behold 6 months later here I am. As well as knowing I had the capability of working from home, this was another part of my inspiration, the best kind of inspiration are my three son’s in this picture.   

As any parent we make it every effort to provide and give our kids the best. In my case I chose to not just give them the best, but give them the best part of me. When I worked outside the home I missed so much, now I am home I am able to create those memories and more.

Through beginning my virtual assistant business I became part of the best part of my business as a member of VA networking. As I joined the free membership side of the forum, I quickly realized that I wanted and needed more in getting my business up and over the top. Just to give you an idea, I go into the forum regularly and look thru comments and questions and I post in the VAinsider section of the forum. I have had my website posted for 6 months and after taking the advice of other VA’s I am now listed number 1,3,4,6,7 when you google search not only Online Virtual office Solutions, but transportation virtual assistant as well brings my website to the number one listing. I could not have done this with out the advice of other member of the forum.

I look at where I have came from and what I have accomplished in such a short period of time, and how much further I can go. All thanks to everyone from the forum at VA networking and especially the founder of VA networking Tawnya Sutherland. She has implemented many sides to her business that has allowed all of us to have a piece and implement into our business from website hosting, to giving us access to seminars and even trainings and certifications.

So what are your reasons for starting up your virtual business? I am sure we all do it for our own reasons, but mine was so I could have the benefit of being able to be a part of my children’s life while they were still little and I could enjoy it. Time goes by fast make the right decisions for the best reasons.

Free Courses offered by the Small Business Administration, helping counter the effects of a slowing economy

Currently, there are challenges in our economy and small businesses all over the country are being impacted. These challenges are the result of many factors and represent a slowing business cycle.

SBA is developing a number of training materials and tools to help small businesses counter the effects of a slowing economy. The materials profiled in this section will be expanded as new courses and targeted business tools are developed.

Before entering a course, you will be prompted to complete an online registration form. The registration process is simple, asks only a couple of questions and will take less than a minute to complete.

Here are some of the Free Courses offered by the Small Business Administration, hopes to help small business through this tough economy.

Available Free Courses: (Click on the selected course to begin)

1. Down-Shifting in a Slowing Economy: Business Planning Guide

2. Need a Job? Consider Starting a Home-based Business

3. Business Opportunities: A Guide to Winning Federal Contracts

4. Investing in Small Business: 2009 Recovery Act

5. Recovery Act 2009 (en Español)

Have a comment or recommendation about SBTN courses? We want your feedback: SBAInnovation@sba.gov

How do you get yourself noticed?

I have asked myself, time and time again “how do I get noticed out in the market of a virtual assistant and better yet my niche as a transportation virtual assistant.” Although I can do more than just my niche in the transportation industry that does not limit my capabilities to offer assistance in the administrative industry and human resources support as well.

I have found valuable information in the VA industry through VA Networking with all the valuable information I have received has helped me more in my VA business than I could have ever imagined. I have recently as a VAinsider had the capability to watch a seminar with Tawnya Sutherland the founder of VA networking and Craig Cannings the found of VAclassroom on “5 Strategies using linkedin to build your business.” By becoming a VAinsider you can have the benefits of seminars such as this. What this seminar has done towards building my VA business, has taught me to utilize the benefits that I have at my fingertips. With this information I have made on of the most promising connections in Linkedin that I could get in working in my niche area. Through my linkedin network I have met what could be my mentor in the transportation industry by the name of Johny Schrunk of BTTV’s expert blogger, who is the nations leaders as a Transportation advisor, business coach and risk management specialist. Johny has given me the opportunity to share some of his very valuable articles as well as an invitation to “Trucking Info Summit 2010.”

As we all know that the trucking industry is one of the largest area’s in the country, next to healthcare. It is from the hard work of the driver’s on the road that we get the items we purchase on a daily basis, to be able to achieve what we do as virtual assistants, business owners, parents etc. It would not be possible to get what we need with out the trucking industry. By utilizing the information that Johny Schrunk is teaching to the transportation industry gives your company education on how increasing your profits, getting the edge on your competitors, dealing with ever-changing DOT safety regulations, CSA 2010, insurance negotiations and risk management, improving driver quality and core, running a leaner operation, “what’s working now”, the hottest marketing strategies and getting you out of the business more. www.thetruckingsummit.com.

Again there are many benefits of becoming A VAinsiders has many advantages. The example above is just one of the may benefits you can receive thru VA networking. Best of luck to all of you in the Virtual Assistant industry and the ones who are contemplating starting up. Utilize all the information you gain and give what you can to not only your current clients, but your fellow VA’s and potential clients. You never know where that client might come from, so don’t be surprised if it happens just because you shared your information.

Losing Sleep Over Your Virtual Assistant Business?

Starting any business can be tough, but keeping it going can be tougher. Working day and night just to get your foot in the door for just that one client. The late nights pulling information on absolutely anything that would be relevant to your VA business and looking for forums to become a part of in your niche. Its time consuming and the answer to the question is yes you are losing sleep over your virtual business.

Like myself, many of you gave up your pristine jobs in the working world to take the step of virtual assistance, and building your clients in the professional area that you have the most experience. As you know you had comfort in your job, that you brought a paycheck home every other week, you had the stability of that money coming in, as long as you went to work, put in your time, and for most your time stopped at 5:00. Well now a days that does not seem to be the case.

You lay awake at night wondering if you qualified to be a virtual assistant?  All the education you have received and all the things you have learned being in the work force, you still ask is that enough?well if you are asking yourself that type of question, you can sit down and write all the tasks you completed when you worked in the office. How much of that work was done thru phone calls, email, networking, fax machines. When I worked outside my home, after I punched out for the day, I was no longer paid, but that did not mean that I stopped working. I carried a company cell phone, I googled information, did permits and cleared drivers to cross the Canadian border. So my decision came after I realized what I was doing outside my home I could do inside my home.  There are numerous questions we ask ourselves and as human nature, we ourselves do not give our selves the credit that ourselves deserve. How will the virtual business affect you family life? Will I still have to pay for daycare? Will I be able to go to school plays with the kids, have quality time without interruption? The biggest questions we ask ourselves and work ourselves up on are the ones that are actually pertaining in the steps of how we begin the process of your virtual business.

As I stated earlier starting a business is not easy, but there are places to get that support. Support on the steps to take of making your virtual business a success. VA networking, was my beginning choice, the answers I have received on the beginning of my virtual assistance business have been very forthcoming. Examples; What a business plan should look like, Is my website valuable and will it bring me business or scare them away, did I pick the wrong domain name, determining rates.

Quit losing sleep over your virtual business and trying to get your Virtual Assistant business up and running! VA networking can give you the opportunity to invest in your virtual business in just a few hours with a proven system that can have you up and running in just one month.

I myself have just really started my virtual business in September, and have in the past week or so, supercharged my membership into VA Networking, and the benefits are phenomenal. I wasn’t so confident a month ago, but now is a whole new ball game. With the seminars that I have the ability to watch and join in, as well as the forum where I post a question about anything relative to my virtual business, the answers come in multiples, which broadens your ideas on which direction you go. Tonight I watched a seminar from the archives in the VAinsiders seminars on “5 strategies for using Linkedin” with Tawnya Sutherland (VA networking) and Craig Cannings (VA Classroom) giving me tidbits of how to turn my linkedin profile into a profitable business strategy. This is the type of things you get by kicking you virtual assistant business into high gear.

Technorati Tags: VA networking,losing sleep,leaving outside employment,business startup,virtual assistant business

 

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How is it possible that someone can offer their services/programs for FREE?

So today started out as one of those days where absolutely nothing was going right. Everything I did seem to be an issue, I could not even spell words I type on a daily basis. I should have know there, that I should have started my whole morning over again, turned the baby over to my husband, got back in bed and taken it from there. Well the good thing is I didn’t. After several attempts and login issues in some webpages, and passwords, I was frustrated and more. I sent an email, portraying this frustration, but not in a manner that would offend anyone, and the response I got was “step back and take a breathe”, with this comment I realized that is exactly what I needed to do, I walked away from my computer, gave my baby a hug and apologized to my husband for being a grump, got a cup of coffee and sat back down at my computer. Well, as luck would have it the same words I was using to login to my seminar, worked. I got into my seminar which was great information. Yvonne Weld with VA networking put on a seminar for “getting clients” based on how to gain exposure and leads at a trade show. After completing my seminar, things continued to go smoother.

I began searching thru the VA networking forum, VAinsiders club, my tweetdeck, logging in and looking at my friends post in facebook. I will have to tell you social networking is one of the best things in finding information relative to starting up you virtual business or even a business in general. I found various articles, posts on the forum and some blogs from some very great people sharing information of free or very little cost programs that can be implemented in our business.

With some of the things I have found today that have had some very good reviews, I want to share them with you, as others have shared this information with me. But I have always been leery of downloading free stuff, afraid of a virus, or unknown hacker, so I always get reviews and research something before I download anything. As well as wondering how they could offer free services. When I joined VA networking it said for free membership, so I must have gone back into the site 100 times contemplating whether to join or not, feeling skeptical because it was FREE. Well guess what, I did some more research and I am proud to say that I am a supercharged VAinsider, and don’t regret it. So just because something is free does not mean it is not worth while. How they keep it free is by the clients they serve, the upgrades they offer and donations from the free members. If something is worth it, eventually you will upgrade their services. So here is my information I am sharing with you. I hope this information is useful and if you have anything to share, please feel free to comment.

1) Email me form -

Email Me Form is a free online form generator service that helps you create HTML forms for your website, with no programming required.

Within minutes, by using our easy to use form wizard you can design simple or complex forms that send you an email each time your visitors submit them. After creating the web form, you get a HTML code to paste in your website, and the form will be there and working!

http://www.emailmeform.com/

2) Oodles

Oodles is a free advertising website, similar to craigslist but set up a bit more user friendly. (my hubby loves Craig’s list) posting classified adds relative to your home area or abroad, all you need is you zip code or city and state you are searching for information, and relative categories e.g. services-transportation.

www.oodle.com

 

3) Dropbox

Now dropbox was recommended to me from the VA Networking forum, where it got great reviews.

Dropbox is software that syncs your files online and across your computers. Put your files into your Dropbox on one computer, and they’ll be instantly available on any of your computers that you have installed dropbox on (Windows, Mac, Linux too!) Because a copy of your files are stored on dropbox’s secure server, you can also access them from any computer or mobile device using the Dropbox website.

This type of information is valuable in your business as a virtual assistant, as well as administrators and key to any business. I hope that by ending my day on a good note and sharing this information in my travels around the net, that you will utilize these tools into your business as well as share programs that you are using in your business.

P.S. my inspirational quote that changed my day “step back and take a breathe” came from Patty Dost with VA networking, who has been a tremendous help and an inspiration to all of us newbie’s.

Technorati Tags: free service,nothing going right,VA networking,email forms,dropbox,oodles,sharing information,VAinsiders