Use direct mail to gain new customers

When was the last time you used direct mail to find new customers, or contact your current ones with new services that you have to offer?

Direct mail can be a successful way to reach new customers. If the content is appealing and attracts attention, it is much more likely to be read. Also, it is not so easily disposed of, unlike emails, which are far too easily deleted or sent to 'spam' and not read at all.

Virtual Assistant Sussex can manage your direct mail campaigns for you, from entering the data onto a spreadsheet, to posting the whole lot for you, saving you time and money. If you've been meaning to get a campaign up and running but keep putting it off, ask Sue at Virtual Assistant Sussex to help you - we'll get the job done.

Sue Edwards
Virtual Assistant Sussex
(01825) 761890

Why use a temp?

Get organised now and make 2010 a good year for your business

When extra help in the office is needed, some businesses may hire a temp to help out. However if you hire a virtual assistant, you will benefit from flexibility, among many other benefits on offer.

Flexibility means that work is charged for by the hour, and you can hire a VA for as little as 15 minutes at any one time, if that's all it takes to get the job done. And flexibility means that there is no contract to sign, so you can ask for extra support as and when you need it, often the same day if available. Work can be dropped off and picked up out of normal office hours if required.

If you think a VA could be just what you're looking for why not give Sue a call on (01825) 761890 today? For more information, or if you're interested to see how we have helped our customers visit www.virtualassistantsussex.co.uk and follow the case studies link.

Sue Edwards
Virtual Assistant Sussex
(01825) 761890

Cost reductions for international business travel company

Client: Shipping Brokerage
Project Scope: International Business Travel
Project Target: Cost Reduction
Results: Saving of £158,000 (19%) p.a.

This London-based client has staff brokering the shipment of commodities and commissioning
the new-build of tankers and freight vessels dealing across the world.

Correspondingly, international travel is a large expense, but service levels are also critical. Staff are expected to step off a plane and straight into a meeting where they may be negotiating £multi-million contracts, so budget travel would not provide the service that these
highly valued travellers expect.

Solutions needed to take into account the range of flyers, frequent routes and preferred airlines, and the class of travel that different members of staff would be expected to use. Different rules applied as to who could specify a direct route and who was expected to fly through a hub.
A matrix of options was built, and a new Travel Policy put in place, to make sure staff and the chosen Agent could easily determine the best-match for any given travel plan. The chosen Agent remained the same one as previous, but renegotiation of their fees, by removing costly features from the flight booking process, and re-defining the criteria for different classes of traveller the client gained a better managed service with a demonstrable reduction in cost.

If you feel that there is scope to improve quality, service, management, and visibility of your
processes don’t hesitate to call Phil Edwards of Weald Business Solutions on 01825 761890 and ask for advice.

Sue Edwards
Virtual Assistant Sussex
(01825) 761890

Cost and waste reductions for furniture manufacturer and retail company

Project Scope: Waste Reduction
Project Target: Cost Reduction
Results: Saving of €320,000 (55%) p.a. on European Pallet procurement and disposal
Saving of €30,000 (100%) p.a. on Waste Disposal
Reduction of landfill volumes by 90% (100% available with further changes)
Reduction of HGV carbon emissions by 30%

The client was struggling with two issues - firstly, the goods arrive in the UK on nonstandard wooden pallets, from which they are unloaded, stored in the warehouse and distributed. Because they aren’t a standard size there was no market for the pallet, and they were paying to have them removed from site.

Furthermore, old and returned bedding products were being sent to landfill – an increasingly costly option, and a large environmental headache.

The solution to the pallets was not a cheaper method of disposal, but eradicating the problem at
source. An alternative method was proposed that cost far less to procure, needed less warehouse space, and one product could be purchased instead of 14 different sizes of pallet. The product also had a recycling value to the client. This was met with such great interest in the UK that the parent company looked at the solution as a global fix to this problem.

The solution for bedding materials meant the products were converted for other use and completely removed the need for any waste disposal associated with these products.

If you feel that there is scope to improve quality, service, management, and visibility of your
processes don’t hesitate to call Phil Edwards at Weald Business Solutions on 01825 761890 and ask for advice.

Sue Edwards
Virtual Assistant Sussex
(01825) 761890

Retailers save £100,000 and improve service

An Uckfield business consultant has helped a branch of the Co-op save more than £100,000. Phil Edwards, of Weald Business Solutions, was involved in a review of costs which helped Chelmsford Star Cooperative Society – which runs convenience food stores, department stores, travel centres and funeral branches in Mid Essex - save 61 per cent on washroom services, 38 per cent on telecommunications and 27 per cent on waste and disposal. Phil said: ‘Higher service levels were achieved as a result of the process which is all about managing expenditure and not about cutting corners.’

The company’s deputy chief executive officer Barry Wood said he didn’t initially believe the savings were there to be made and was usually extremely sceptical about the claims made by management consultancy firms.But he was impressed by the methodology used by the consultants and liked the way they continued to work with his business to negotiate and implement chosen solutions rather than just present a report and walk away.

Mr Edwards said he was very pleased to have won a new contract with Chelmsford Star as a result of the work already done. ‘Sometimes it takes an outsider to spot new ways of improving processes and saving costs. We are pleased to have been so effective on this project.'

Mr Wood said it was an extremely opportune time to be reviewing costs. ‘We always like to feel that we are negotiating the best rates, but this is an ongoing process and has never been more important than in the current climate.’

He is now taking the process one stage further and making use of new software, licensed through Weald Business Solutions, which will allow Chelmsford Star to continuously monitor and manage processes on a proactive basis.The software has been proven across a number of social and housing sector clients and is now being introduced to manufacturing and retail clients allowing them to benefit from managed expenditure and improved productivity across single or multiple sites.

For more information about this press release please contact Cathy Watson on 01825 760102 or go to Cathy Watson Associates

Business Improvement Experts... weald-business-solutions.co.uk

(01825) 761890

Black slip on plimsoles - as new

For Sale: flat, black, canvas slip on 'Gongfu' plimsoles as used by martial arts students. Hardly worn and in excellent condition. £2 + £2 p & p. If interested email sue.edwards50@btinternet.com for a picture.

Sue Edwards
01825 760008

Over the years Daphne Dangerfield, known to her friends as Daff, has reminisced about her time spent in the WAAF from 1942 - 1946, some good times, some bad.

Daff and her husband Maurice are now in their 80's and last year sadly, due to ill-health, had to move from their lovely home in East Grinstead, where they had lived since 1960 and brought up their two children. During the move to a flat, only ¼ mile away, she was re-united with a number of photos and diaries from her time in the WAAF.

Over the years the diaries had become very tatty and almost unreadable in places. She realised that the only way to preserve the content, while her memory was still good, would be to put it all onto computer, so she asked her daughter Sue Edwards, who owns a secretarial service Virtual Assistant Sussex to help. After reading some of the entries Sue suggested making them into a book, as a lot of interesting and often funny details were logged, including many names of friends and pictures she sketched during her free time (she still paints and sells lovely pictures!).

So, after doing some research, 'Memoirs of a WAAF' was born and the paperback

is due to be published early in 2010.

Sue has in the past typed up memoirs for several customers, usually simply to give to family and friends, but can ultimately be made into a book for publication if required.

'Memoirs of a WAAF' is available to reserve - for more information please visit: http://sites.google.com/site/waafmemoirs/, or call Sue on (01825) 761890.

If you'd like information of other services available please visit http://www.virtualassistantsussex.co.uk/

Sue Edwards
Virtual Assistant Sussex
(01825) 761890

WAAF, Bradwell Bay 1944

Memoirs of a WAAF - 1st publication, available to reserve now!

"Rumour - that this bloody war will be over by Xmas (1944) - can we hope for anything so wonderful".

'Memoirs of a WAAF' is due for first publication early in 2010. I would very much like to make contact with anyone who remembers or recognises Daphne Dangerfield or 'Daff' as she is know to her friends (pic on right), or if there are any photos available which would be suitable for inclusion.

She was stationed at Bradwell Bay, Spilsby and Acklington between 1942 and 1946. Website now available at : http://sites.google.com/site/waafmemoirs/

To reserve your copy please call me on (01825) 761890 or email vasussex@btinternet.com

Sue Edwards
Virtual Assistant Sussex
(01825) 761890

Thinking about creating a blog?

Many businesses, whatever their size, may be considering creating a blog. However, the usual problem is lack of time to keep it up-dated.

Why not ask a VA to create and maintain a blog for you? Simply supplying the necessary information is all that is required plus a link to your website. It's quick easy and won't cost a fortune, and will help to drive more potential customers to your website.

Sue Edwards
Virtual Assistant Sussex
(01825) 761890

Your Will

I wonder how many people have hand-written their Will, only to find out years later that the ink has faded, making the writing illegible, resulting in your precious document becoming useless.

A recent customer only had a hard copy of his Will and wanted it to be on computer. The customer had tried to type it himself but found the layout to be rather complicated. He put it in our capable hands and we emailed him the completed document promptly. Another happy customer!

Sue Edwards
Virtual Assistant Sussex
(01825) 761890

New puppy Libby

Please click on this link to see our gorgeous new puppy Libby - http://twitgoo.com/3a9as
She's a Pointer X (probably with a Spaniel), was found abandoned with one of her own puppies tied to a fence. Considering her history she's a lovely dog, v.effectionate, love attention and is so easy to train. We've only had her two weeks and she's one of the family already! We're so lucky!

Sue Edwards
Virtual Assistant Sussex
(01825) 761890

Uckfield FM carnival float

Had fun at weekend as part of a team to build a float for Uckfield FM local community roadio for the carnival. Made a rocket to advertise the launch of full-time licence in Summer 2010 and our float won a cup for 1st prize - what a success, brilliant! Now we need ideas to raise funds for new studio. All ideas welcome - please post to vasussex@btinternet.com.

Sue Edwards
Virtual Assistant Sussex
(01825) 761890

Yellow pages or Thomson Directory?

If all you have is Yellow Pages and Thomson Directory and you want to find a service, which would you choose?

On the other hand, if you are a small business wanting to advertise your services, where would you choose to advertise?

Have a think about it and please send any replies to vasussex@btinternet.com. Thank you very much.

Sue Edwards
Virtual Assistant Sussex
(01825) 761890

Many small business owners need to make time to keep their office admin up-to-date, because there simply aren't enough hours in the day. As a result precious time with families during evenings and weekends is often compromised.

Running a small business isn't easy and trying to keep on top of paperwork, especially for sole traders, can make it even more stressful. Not everyone has good computer skills, and making a business efficient and organised ensures satisfied customers, with repeat business.

Nowadays help can be easily obtained by hiring a virtual assistant. With a wide range of office admin services on offer, the right support is available as and when needed. With great benefits such as complete flexibility, no employment issues, no need for extra office space etc, hiring a virtual assistant is the ideal way keep a small business running smoothly, while saving time and money.

For more information visit www.virtualassistant sussex.co.uk

Sue Edwards
Virtual Assistant Sussex
(01825) 761890

Busy small businessmen taking advantage of hiring VA's

Owning a small business can be very rewarding, however it can be also be overwhelming at times too. Many small business owners feel pressured into being a “Jack of all trades”, but we all have our weaknesses and strengths, and to succeed in business you need to focus on your strengths.

You might be spending the majority of your time simply keeping on top of your 'to do list', and although it all needs to be completed, you don't necessarily need to do it all yourself.

The average small business owner spends up to 40% of their time doing routine office admin. Many may argue that they simply cannot afford to hire a secretary, however, they may not be aware that by hiring a Virtual Assistant (VA) they can receive the help they need without the hassle and expense of hiring a secretary. Virtual Assistants are highly qualified professionals dedicated to providing first class administration and secretarial support to small businessmen, especially those running their office single-handed. Virtual Assistants are able to support you from their own office, easily staying in contact with you by using email, telephone etc. They don't use your office space, facilities or electricity and are only paid for the time it takes them to perform the tasks you request.


Small business owners from a variety of industries are discovering the many benefits, including flexibility and expertise that, hiring a virtual assistant will bring.

For more information or to ask for your trial run with 20% discount, call Sue at Virtual Assistant Sussex on (01825) 761890 or email vasussex@btinternet.com



Sue Edwards
Virtual Assistant Sussex
(01825) 761890

Any success in your job search yet?

How many jobs have you applied for so far, without success - not even been invited for an interview?

Many people feel they want to write their own CV, or decided to make do with their current one. This is understandable, especially if money is tight. Trouble is with so many people unemployed nowadays, if your CV doesn't stand out from the competition, it's very likely it will be on the "thanks, but no thanks" pile, or even worse binned with no reply at all.

If the layout of your CV isn't good, or there are spelling and/or grammatical errors, you stand much less chance of making a good impression.

Sue at Virtual Assistant Sussex will be happy to help by creating a new CV for you, or simply updating your current one. She will make the most of your CV, so that it stands out from the competition, getting you that all important interview. Think of it as an important investment, rather than another "bill" - it will be worth every penny!



Sue Edwards
Virtual Assistant Sussex
(01825) 761890

Waaf Journals

Interesting new project recently started is writing up some Waaf diaries and notes. I intend making them into a book to purchase either via a website or indeed or the bookshelves.

I would welcome any comments on this whether it be your experience of self-publishing or whether or are interested in knowing more about this book.

Sue Edwards
Professional Secretarial Services
www.virtualassistantsussex.co.uk
(01825) 761890
vasussex@btinternet.com

Get your ideas heard on the radio

Last week me and my husband were listening to a programme on BBC Southern Counties radio on our way back from Essex. There was an interesting feature on redundancy and one of the ideas was to keep your CV up-to-date.

A while ago I decided to put together a "How to make the most of your CV" leaflet free to anyone interested. If, for whatever reason someone can't write their own CV, I will do it for them for 1/2 price, quoting the reference on the leaflet.

Of course when I heard the 'bit' on the radio my ears pricked up, especially when Allison Fearns asked people to call or email in to offer any snippets of advice, or hear their story. I immediately thought what a great opportunity to get my 'idea' on air. So as soon as we arrived home I sent them an email. I left the radio on and sure enough about 10 mins later she read it out, email address and all. I was really pleased. Ok so it was only a 5-second plug, but at least I got a mention and who knows!

So why not give it a try if you listen to the radio regularly and have something to 'plug'.





Sue Edwards
Virtual Assistant Sussex
(01825) 761890

Easy marketing idea

Turn your invoice into a sales tool.

Spend a fortune on marketing? Well here's one easy, simple and more importantly FREE idea that you can implement straight away.

Most companies send out invoices and statements on a regular basis. Invoices are normally passed through a number of hands before actually reaching the person who signs the cheque, providing the opportunity for you to promote your business to a number of people who are already aware of who you are, but may not know every facet of what you have to offer. This could include a price change, new product or special offer, or even introducing a new member of staff (including photo) to add a very personal touch to your company profile. You could even add a colourful flyer. All you have to pay is the cost of producing the flyer.

Stay tuned for more marketing ideas.

Sue Edwards
Virtual Assistant Sussex
Office admin made easy
(01825) 761890