Helping Small Businesses Save Time
Small business owners are pulled in many directions. They are usually the president, janitor, sales person and holder of technical knowledge. Being stretched in many directions is satisfing as business is being built. It is also tiring and draining.
How can you save time, keep costs low and still run an effective business?
Some small business are hiring errand runners. But not just errand runners. I like to call these people elite errand runners. They strattle the line between errand runners and personal assistants, but fit in neither camp.
One of our clients, a busy CPA, uses this elite errand service. Each week she piles small tasks together to deliver to her assigned ‘assistant’. These range from personal items like calling to increase her FIOS speed on her home computer to making bank deposits for her clients or even getting hurricane supplies when there is a storm lurking.
An example of a routine week would include bank deposits, a run to the post office to mail a letter certified then to the gourmet store for an item in a special recipe. In the office filing, labeling and mailing items are all completed quickly and without the extra time it takes to grab a cup of coffee in the break room. On the way out the door, the elite errand runner or assistant will grab the Fed Ex boxes and the dry cleaning before moving onto the next client.
The beauty of this system lies in the simplicity. In stead of hiring another employee, small business esentially share the cost of one between themselves using the service just for the hours needed. It also takes the extra tasks off of the small business owners desks (or the desk of his/her admin) and allows both of those individuals to concentrate on the important part of business. Making Money.
A web search of errand runners or personal assistants in your area will lead you to a wealth of services. Just remember to check out bonding and background check policies and ask for references.
What has been your strangest request as a concierge?
If there is one question that I get asked at every event or sales proposal meeting it is “What is the strangest request you have been asked.”
In the beginning it was easy for Carolyn and I to answer this question. But after almost two years as a concierge firm in Tampa the strange requests have started to blur together. And now when I am asked that question it is very hard to answer. Not to mention, the requests do not seem that strange anymore.
When people ask this, they probably think of the stories they hear about celebrities that want all the green M & Ms picked out of their bowl or who only drink a beverage at a certain temperature. In comparison, our client’s requests will seem pretty mundane. Therefore being asked to find the latest Wii game on the day came out, or to drop off some chocolates at a specific time does not seem that strange.
As a concierge, discretion is a very important part of our job. There are times when we are asked to do something that will put us in front of a bank statement, a medical file or some other information of a private nature. We also may become privy to some personal details in the course of our work with a client. With that said, some requests we just can not share with the public at large.
So our strangest request? Still looking for one.
Todays post is a community service announcement
If you live in the Bay Area and have not yet completed the OneBay survey please click here.
This is a way city planners are working to get a read on what people living in Tampa and surrounding areas want our city to look like in 2050. It takes about 10 minutes to 15 minutes max. The information is easy to understand.
And that concludes our community service reminder. Tune in later this week for an exciting post on Tampa Concierge services.
How much will I save with Public Transportation???
GAS GAS GAS. Are you all tired of it? We all know people that use public transportation. Here in Tampa and in other cities around the country public transportation is difficult at best and sometimes not even an option.
If you can take a bus ie there is a route near your house that goes by where you work does it even pay to use it. The cost of a bus ride per trip seems a little steep right? And for a few dollars of savings is it worth loosing the freedom of driving yourself?
I used this calculator and I found out that if my husband used a bus every day we would save over $1800.00 a year.
Pretty amazing. This site even links to public transportation sites in your city. Give it a try and let us know how much you would save.
Every So Often Someone Writes the PERFECT Article
(originally published on 10/29/07 on old blog)
Do you ever find yourself searching the web and you run across the most perfect article/website/blog?
That happended to me late Sunday night.
Look what I found.
UMMMM… it is the perfect article educating people on Concierge and Errand services. It even has a handy dandy calculator. Does it get any better? OH wait… it even gives prices for Tampa errand, concierge and pet sitting services.
It was like the article was written for a post on this blog. Check out the time saving calculator and let me know what you think.
As far as prices… the article was pretty spot on. Some of the prices listed are higher than our rate but others are lower.
Hello, it is me the Spring Cleaning Bug…
(originally posted 4/28/08)
I know, by now you are all bored with my spring cleaning soap box. I have just one more then I promise I am done for a little while.
I am listing a few things below that should be done on a regular basis. If they have not been done in a while, no time like now right? If left too long some of these things can encourage nasties and what we at OMC call undocumented workers (BUGS- of all kinds) I know, I said it. From dust mites and mold to mildew and the like.
Bedding:
You should use your vacuum on the top of the mattress every time you change your sheets to suck up those dust mites.
Twice a year you should vacuum the entire mattress
Four times a year your mattress should be turned and or flipped.
Vents:
Once a week wipe down the vent with a damp cloth
Twice a year remove the vent and wash it in the sink with warm soapy water
Refrigerator:
Vacuum the coils behind and underneath the appliance once a month
Freezer:
Empty and clean drip pans every month or two. Clean them with a diluted bleach solution to prevent fungus
These and other tips can be found in the February/March issue of Ready Made Magazine.
Remember, if you are looking for someone to do these tasks, or even remind you that it needs to be done, call us and we can help get you started!
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Personal concierge in the corporate world??? YES YES YES
Work deadlines, blackberry overload, gas prices rising and now the kids are about to be out of school. Are you feeling a little stressed? This article highlights the reasons why corporations are using personal concierge services as part of their employee benefit packages.
Do you want your company to offer this? Please call us for more information. 813-636-9700
Click HERE to read the article HERE
Sinatra
Tampa certainly has some great events going on this summer. And there is one this weekend that is sure to be exciting. It is called Frankly Sinatra- Doo Bee Doo Bee 2
Dancing, Great Food included, Open Bar included in the price of your ticket
The Don Juceam 17pc Orchestra
Benefits Shriners Hospital of Tampa and Wheels of Success
The Cuban Club - Ybor City at 14th and Palm.
Saturday July 26, 2008
Doors Open 7pm- ALL TICKET RESERVATIONS WILL BE HELD FOR WILL CALL
Showtime 8pm
Heavy Hors D’oeuvres
OPEN BAR
$70 per person- that’s the best deal in town !
Black Tie (optional)
Public parking available at small extra charge
FREE reserved table available for groups of 10, but you must call Don at 813-600-3134
Get ready to Doo Bee Doo Bee Doo
OHMISS in the news
This summer has been very good to us regarding our media coverage. In June we were named the best concierge for 2008 in the Best of the Bay edition of Tampa Bay Magazine.
In July, OHMISS Concierge was highlighted in the du Pont Registry (page 77 for those looking for it) as a way to delegate household tasks. Please see the attached press release for more information.
Time Survey
This was a popular post from our old blog. Posted 6/15
We see it time and again. Too much to do and not enough time. When was the last time you actually had a free weekend to read a book or hang out by the pool w/o stressing over dinner, cleaning and the burning need to visit your mother?
It is a way of life these days. Here at OHMISS we would like to help you take some of that time back. But busy people rarely know where to start. That is where a time study comes in. Our favorite so far is the one on MSN it is long and detailed but gives you a very good picture. Click hereto take it. Or hereto read our post on it.
We just found one on fine living that is shorter and can help in a pinch. Click here to visit it.
After you take the quiz (or quizzes) let us know what your big time sappers are. Maybe we can help find you that yard service, mobile detailer or run a few errands for you…