Concierge Services of A+ Virtual Assistant, Inc.

As indicated in a recent newsletter, A+ Virtual Assistant, Inc. also offers concierge services of varying types.

One that most people would not think of is party planning, catering for dinner parties, etc.
Being married to a classically trained chef for 20 years, I naturally gravitate to food and the functions associated. Plus we love to have our own parties for friends, family and business associates.

Here is a great recipe, courtesy of Giada DeLaurentis of The Food Network:

ISRAELI COUSCOUS SALAD WITH APPLES, CRANBERRIES AND HERBS.

OF COURSE I TAKE A LITTLE TWIST OF MY OWN ON THE VINAIGRETTE. (SORRY NOT SHARING THAT ONE! ;-))

Ingredients
Couscous:
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 cups Israeli couscous (or barley or orzo)
4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
1/4 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
1 1/2 tablespoons chopped fresh rosemary leaves
1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme leaves
1 medium green apple, diced
1 cup dried cranberries
1/2 cup slivered almonds, toasted, see Cook's Note

Vinaigrette:
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
2 tablespoons maple syrup
1 tablespoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/4 cup olive oil

Directions
For the couscous: In a medium saucepan, heat the olive oil on medium-high heat. Add the couscous and cook, stirring occasionally until slightly browned and aromatic, about 3 to 5 minutes. Add the chicken broth and bring to a boil. Simmer for 10 to12 minutes or until the liquid has evaporated. Transfer the cooked couscous to a large bowl and set aside to cool. Add the parsley, rosemary, thyme, apple, dried cranberries, and almonds.

For the vinaigrette: In a small bowl, combine the vinegar, maple syrup, salt, and pepper. Whisk in the olive oil until smooth. Pour the vinaigrette over the couscous and toss to coat evenly.

Cook's Note: To toast the almonds, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Arrange the almonds in a single layer on a baking sheet. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes

Still unsure if LinkedIn is a good for your business?

Here is an ineresting post/article:  3 little known ways to use linked in to grow your target market, generate leads, & secure expert advise at no cost...… Excellent information for the beginner to intermediate LinkedIn user.  You may have to  have a LinkedIn account and/or paste the link to your browser.  Not like some of the fluff we get - some good meaty info here. 

http://www.linkedin.com/news?viewArticle=&articleID=78315154&gid=1829230&articleURL=http%3A%2F%2Fmycorporatemedia%2Ecom%2F2009%2F10%2F17%2Fthree-little-known-ways-to-use-linkedin%2F&urlhash=sVRT&trk=news_discuss

JUST SAY THANK YOU AND WATCH YOUR BUSINESS GROW!

Say you  made two major purchases this year. You were very pleased with both companies. Both of the sales people from Company A wrote thank you notes after your purchase. You never heard back from Company B.

Then a few weeks later, a neighbor approached us asking for a referral. They were interested in the product purchased from Company B. You were happy to supply the neighbor with the information but had forgotten the company's name and did not have the contact information readily available. 
After a couple of days, you found the Company B info...Here's the problem, the neighbor could not wait and had found another company to service their needs.  What is the lesson in all of this? Send a thank you note!
If you are like me you never throw away thank you cards. Had your neighbor asked for Company A's product, you could have produced the information in a matter of minutes.  A little thank you note would have doubled Company B's sale.
When your customers purchase a product or service from you, take the time to show your appreciation by sending a card in the mail. Give your client a tangible object to hold on to! If you don't think you have time, try using www.Sendoutcards.com/apvirtual ... you can try this service cost free and send two cards "on me."  See  how you like it.  You simply choose a card, type your message and click send. We do the rest.
Afterwards should you decide you want to use the product contact me.  The cost can be as little as $.62 plus postage.  No trips to the store, no hassle.  I can even help you upload your contacts from your computer.
Had Company B sent me a thank you note, they may have sold a second project for $2000. Let's see, spend $1.00 and make $2000. Looks like a good return on their investment.

Rose-Anne Raies, President, A+ Virtual Assistant, Inc. http://www.apvirtual.com/
http://www.sendoutcards.com/apvirtual
We are on Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/APVirtual

Business Networking Blog: Business Networking Groups

I enjoyed this post about whether you should pass cards at networking group functions.  Thought my readers might too.  Interesting food for thought.  Comments welcome.

Business Networking Blog: Business Networking Groups

Read how to increase your bottom line in challenging times.

Many successful entrepreneurs and business owners are discovering a way to increase both their quality of life and their bottom line by utilizing the services of Virtual Assistants. 

A Virtual Assistant is an independent entrepreneur providing administrative, creative, and/or technical services. Utilizing advanced technological modes of communication and data delivery, a professional VA assists clients in their area of expertise from their own offices on a contractual basis.

Why should you hire a VA?

Growing a successful business takes time, commitment, and effort. When your business is doing well and your bank account is growing, other things grow as well - such as administrative tasks. By hiring a VA, you will lessen your burden without spending a small fortune for administrative support. Think of it this way:

If you charge, on average, $100 an hour for your services your time is better spent on revenue generating tasks.  Does it make good economic sense for you to be the one updating your website, readying a direct mail campaign for launch, or coordinating advertising copy? Of course not! With a VA, you can have all of these tasks completed - and more - for a fraction of your cost, or the cost of a full-time employee. By outsourcing to a VA, you give yourself the ability to create new business opportunities and focus on the things you love doing.

As a busy professional, your time is money. If you are spending your valuable time on tasks that do not generate income, allow A+ Virtual Assistant, Inc. to support you. Let us take on those projects that slow you down, distract you from more important things, and don't ever seem to get done. In addition, we can offer you value-added services that help your business grow - from marketing campaigns, to bookkeeping, to transcription, customer data base management social media networking, e-mail drip campaigns, e-newsletters and word processing support.

Visit our website and see "contact us"  http://www.apvirtual.com