ACS NEWS

 May 2001                         Volume 7, Issue 3

 Web Links

Introducing our guest writer.

Last issue I introduced the first guest writer – Prue Bartels, who will provide regular articles.  This issue I would like to introduce Robert Gerrish of Flying Solo who will also be providing articles from time to time.  Your feedback is welcomed and when visiting Robert’s site, or making contact with him, please do let him know it was via this newsletter that you came to hear of him. 

Lost in space

Some while back I introduced a new activity to my working day; in fact that's not true, it's more of a non-activity.

Confused? Ok, I'll explain.

Late last year my business was going pretty well and every hour of the working day was fully utilised.

Whoopee! I'd got what I asked for.

The trouble is I was so busy working in my business, I had no space for working on my business. Sure I did my bookkeeping and answered my emails, but I wasn't thinking about the future, I wasn't being
creative.

My solution? I now put aside time every day to do just what the hell I want. Let me just write that again, because it's so empowering for me: I now put aside time to do just what the hell I want. Yum.

In reality, I may well be working, but I do so in an unstructured space, I have no expectations of myself during this time.

Many people believe that creativity either comes naturally, or not at all; I disagree. We're all creative, we just need to produce the right conditions for our creativity to flourish.

If you have never thought of yourself as creative, it may be time to give yourself permission to consider new and sometimes wild ideas. Empower yourself immediately to exercise your creative muscles!

 

Now you don't have to put aside big chunks of time every day, but try to do at least one thing every day that takes you into a different space. Take a different route home and enjoy the new scenery; spend $20.00 on magazines you have never read; listen to a different radio station. Go for a walk without your mobile phone (yes, you can).

Set aside time especially for brainstorming. You can do this alone or with others (I carry a little Sony digital tape machine whenever I go walking to record any ideas or thoughts). Either way, the objective is
to generate many, many ideas then trash the losers, and refine the winners.

Set up an Ideas Scrapbook and whenever you read an article, see an ad, overhear or observe good ideas, add them to your file and look for ways to adapt them for your own use.

Ask a lot of questions and don't stop with the first right answer or the first good idea. Instead of looking for the right answer, look for as many right answers as possible.

The more you learn about creativity and innovation, the more ideas you'll have. Get lost in space, it's a great feeling!

 

Robert Gerrish is a coach working with those going it alone in business. Sample many more practical tips, by subscribing to his free Flying Solo newsletter at: www.flyingsolo.com.au   or send a blank email to: claytonsoffer@flyingsolo.com.au

New Business Website!!!

On Friday 27th April a new small business resource was launched by the City of Casey.  Bob Charles MP and the City of Casey Mayor were in attendance, as was Anita Savage from Channel 9’s Small Business Show.  The resource comes in the form of a website at www.homebusinessmanual.com.au.  I was thrilled to be asked to do the content research last October and it was an enjoyable project to work on.  Please do visit the site and explore what might be there for you!

Awards:
www.achiever.com.au
www.businessawardsaus.com 

GuerrillaMarketing:
www.guerrillamarketing.com.au

JewishAustralia:
www.jewishaustralia.com

Networks:
BizAssist

www.bizassist.com.au 

Micro Business Network
www.mbn.com.au 

Press Release Centre:
www.pressrelease.com.au

Small Business Support
www.homebusinessmanual.com.au  
www.flyingsolo.com.au


Small Office Home Office:
www.soho-life.com

The Image Centre
www.theimagecentre.com.au

The Office Organiser:
www.office-organiser.com.au

Universal Currency Converter:
www.xe.net/ucc

Wayne Dyson & Assoc.
www.waynedyson.com 


 

Do you have a site you’d like to list here? Please tell us about it and we can put it in the next issue!

Other services we provide include:  word-processing, data entry and databases, spreadsheets, book-keeping, overhead presentations, colour printing, Internet Research, Website development, broadcast faxes, transcriptions, software training.  Is there something else you need not listed here?  Then please ask us!

Did you know???

That you can pay your invoice by EFT (Electronic Funds Transfer)?  Please note on my invoices that I now have the banking details so you can pay by direct transfer via Internet from your account to mine.  This should save you in bank charges.  Or, you are welcome to fax your credit card payment through.  For those on monthly accounts invoices are sent out on the last day of the month.  Due to an increased number of late payments over the past year late charges will be applied if not paid by the due date.  Please note your due by date.


Accredited Members

The first Accreditation program for our industry has been developed, applications have been received and are being assessed by our ASO Board.  Announcement will be made very soon of successful applicants and they will be listed on our website. 


Looking for help?

We’re the secretary you need when you haven’t got a Secretary!

For professional, efficient and timely service.

Seen our site lately?  It is regularly updated and added to.  Please take time to visit.

We welcome the new members who have joined our ranks recently:

Jean Gould, Mannering Park, NSW, proell@wxc.com.au

Joanne Lowrey, Ringwood East, Vic

Stacey Whitting, Glen Waverley, Vic, staceywhitting@hotmail.com

Bernadette O'Meara, Beaumaris, Vic, omeara@netspace.net.au

Kerry Neale, Morphett Vale, SA, neale_rk@bigpond.com

Debbie McMahon, Candelo, NSW, pdmcmahon@acr.net.au

Beulah Kennedy, Port Macquarie, NSW, robeulah@bigpond.com

Maria Mercuri, Wheelers Hill, Vic

Rachael Titovs, Glenbrook, NSW, rachaeltitovs@hotmail.com

Monica MacKellin, Moonee Ponds, Vic, monmac@optusnet.com.au

Bronwen Elford, Inverleigh, Vic, nbelford@sunet.com.au

Sharon Collier, Cronulla, NSW, scollier@anzdl.com.au

Members may charge differently as they are independent contractors.


We are dedicated to provide you service with:

integrity, dignity, loyalty, confidentiality, competence and trust.

For the secretary you need - call me!

Kathie M. Thomas
AFAIOP, ASM

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Company:

aaalogo.BMP (76338 bytes) 

“A Clayton’s Secretary”
ABN 76 809 078 624

LPO Box 6062, Cromer, Vic, Australia, 3193  
National: 1800 033 355
Melb. Metro: (03) 9583 8359
Mob: 0414 659 142
Fax: (03) 9585 3785
Email: kathie@asecretary.com.au
Web: www.asecretary.com.au

Current Rates apply:

Word-processing                                $28.00 per hour

Overheads design/graphics              $35.00 per hour

Bookkeeping & data entry                $35.00 per hour

Database design & maintenance      $45.00 per hour

Colour printing                                    $  3.00 per item

O/H Film                                               $  2.00 per item

Internet:

Internet connection                            $  5.00 per hour

Research on the Internet                   $30.00 per hour

Send email                                                  Email                                                      $ 2.00 with text 
                                                               $ 3.00 graphic
Install, set up account and teach use of Email

and Web pages on Internet              $90.00 (2 hours) Web page design, publish and
with search engines                           $750.00  (8 pages )
Webpage maintenance                      $ 60.00 per hour

Photocopying:

Singlesided on white                                  $0.10c

Doublesided on white                                $0.12c

Singlesided on coloured                            $0.12c
Doublesided on coloured                          $0.15c

Binding                                                         $3.00

Laminating                                                    $4.00 A4 size 
Faxes:

Local                                                              $1.00

STD                                                               $2.50 for first 5 pgs

ISD                                                                 varies

Scanning

Image - graphics - per graphic on disk     $5.00

OCR (Character recognition)                     $15.00  minimum

Training
Use of computer and software                  $50.00 per hour

Full day training (6hrs) includes manual $250.00
Phone Answer Service           Prices on application

All prices subject to GST additional
If something you require is not listed here, please do give me a call and I will source it for you.  Further information about ‘A Clayton's Secretary’ can be obtained through the web page address listed at the top of this page.