'What I've Learned From My First Year As A Freelance Virtual Assistant' - Monica Rossi, MoGio'VA

This February marked exactly one year since I started MoGio'VA. Twelve whole months since I made the decision to take the plunge and become a freelance virtual assistant. It’s been an interesting journey so far, with as many downs as ups but I love everything about my business and, with lots of exciting things planned for 2017, I am looking forward to what the future will bring.

So, as Mogio’VA celebrates its 1st birthday, I thought it would be a good idea to write a blog post on the things I have learned in my first year of business. Hopefully it will give you a little insight in to the world of MoGio’VA and who knows, if you are just starting out on your freelance journey, it might give you some inspiration.

There is no such thing as a 9-5, and I love it!

For the first few months of MoGio’VA, I found myself replicating the 9-5 office environment, taking half an hour for lunch and then getting straight back to it. This worked for the short term, but the nature of being a virtual assistant means that clients will often call late in the day with a job that is required for the next day. There were also days where, if I wasn’t at my desk working, I was at a networking event or meeting with a client to discuss a new project. When this happened, I would find myself working in the evening to ‘make up’ the hours.

Now I have embraced the freelance way of life and am much more flexible in my working hours. I set myself a schedule that works around my client’s needs each week and stick to it. There may be days when I work 8+ hour days if several deadlines come in at once but there will also be days when I can finish early, pick my daughter up from school or catch up with a friend. My clients know I will get their projects finished on time and I know that I can choose the best hours for me to complete the work.

Lesson learnt: Rethink your working hours and be flexible

I do not know everything

With over 20 years experience in roles in a variety of diverse and challenging positions in global organisations, I thought I knew most things about running a business. However, I now realise that working for yourself and working for someone else are two very different things.

Admin, bookkeeping, research, liaising between international commercial businesses and translation services are all second nature to me. I have tackled them in each of my roles, and find that most of my days are now spent working on these tasks for clients who don’t enjoy it quite as much as I do! However, in each of my previous roles there was (usually) just one system and one process to learn. These days I find myself juggling client work with watching YouTube tutorials, reading business blogs and taking online courses to update my skills and knowledge on the latest technology and tools available to me to help my clients. It’s a good job I love technology!

One of the biggest challenges I faced was embracing the marketing and promotion of my business and in particular, using social media to attract clients. I have personal profiles on Facebook and LinkedIn, and have built and published my own website - but the thought of Twitter, business pages, paid adverts, organic reach, and everything in between, caused my head to spin. So I took several social media courses and read lots of blogs to make sure I understood the basics but I felt this still wasn’t enough so I decided I should practice what I preach and ask for help. I now outsource a portion of my social media management and marketing to a specialist in this field, which means I have more time to spend on client projects, plus I’m learning a thing or two in the process!

Lesson learnt: Never think you know everything, learning and improving your skills will always benefit you and your business

Freelancers still need contracts

Maybe it’s a legacy from when I worked in large corporations, but I have always made sure I send my terms and conditions to a prospective client, and then set out a more detailed breakdown of the work to be carried out in the written contract - which I make sure is signed before commencing work.

Far too many freelancers get exposed by not having a legally-binding contract document. In the past, I have been caught out by clients sending casual email requests such as ‘Monica, can you just look over this email’ ‘Or ‘What does this paragraph translate to in English’ and because I love the work I do I can find I have spent an hour working on something I feel I can’t bill for.

Detailing the work to be completed in a signed contract is so important. It sets out the nature of the project, what is included in the initial fee - and more importantly, what is not included - as well as setting out what the additional charges will be for supplementary work. It ensures both parties are happy with the finer details of the project.

Lesson learnt: Value yourself, get a contract and don’t work for free.

What’s next for MoGio’VA?

I’ve really enjoyed my first year as a freelance virtual assistant. I have met lots of new people, learned new skills and had fun in the process. It has been hard work, but I’m glad I made the decision to start up on my own.

Find out more about Monica and her virtual assistant services here

Merger between City College and Northbrook College Update

This is a short update on the progress made by City College Brighton & Hove and Northbrook College Sussex since the public consultation on merger in the autumn. 

The Boards of both colleges have now resolved to merge and remain on-track to establish the new organisation, Greater Brighton Metropolitan College, on the 1st of April. The Board and Executive team of GBMet are now in place in shadow form and are steering a comprehensive programme of work to bring the two colleges together. 

There will be more details to follow next week.

Investment Solutions – Market Commentary – March 2017

Real Assets

Tangible asset classes are favoured at this time, perhaps like never before. Before we say why let us expand upon what is, or was, a tangible asset. This is an asset of finite and definite nature, such as equity outstanding (otherwise known as share capital), property/land and fixed interest - such as gilts and bonds, as well as cash. So if these are tangible what is, historically, an intangible asset? Well according to the investment website Investopdeia, an intangible asset is not physical in nature, including items such as patents, business methodologies, trademarks, as well as goodwill and brand recognition.

However, times are a changing as they say and right now some of the once tangible assets are moving towards the intangible - creating greater demand for the more tangible asset classes.

So what’s hot and what’s not?

Let us begin with examining Equities or the share capital of a company. The Board of a Company cannot issue more shares whenever it suits them. A dilution levy or rights issue must be ratified by the shareholders, as the issuance of more shares impacts directly upon the returns of the existing equity holders. Making share capital (equities) limited and defined in nature and therefore very tangible.

Commodities can be manipulated to some degree as we have seen in recent months with the production of oil limited by OPEC; moreover mining corporates can increase or decrece their operations to amend the supply of raw materials. But when markets are fearful gold and other precious metals are in demand - Why?

Well again these are finite assets, in other words tangible, and the supply can only be manipulated in relatively modest numbers. This explains why the most popular stock traded on one of our preferred investment platforms (Investcentre) during the Brexit dip was iShares Physical Gold ‘Exchange Traded Fund’. Probably the most tangible investment available (not a Carlsberg advert!).

Turning to Property, both residential and commercial, this is another form of a tangible asset class. Whilst there will always be price fluctuations due to supply and demand the land itself cannot be manipulated. Therefore, unless there is significant alteration to countries demographic, the price has an inherent value (despite government tax policies). More people + finite amount of land is the equation - “God isn’t making any more Land” is a favoured sales quote of US realtors. Once again a tangible investment class - that partly explains why property remains such a popular and successful long-term investment.

So how about Fixed Interest and Cash?

Well is this is traditionally where the ‘safe’ money has been placed. Those looking for a secure haven went in to cash - aware (or not) that inflation would erode the real value over time. And those looking for a bit higher return sought Gilts - Government debt, or Corporate bonds - company debt (with varying degrees of risk depending of the state of the companies balance sheet). Together Gilts and Bonds are the asset class known as 'fixed interest'. Historically a Lower to Medium risk portfolio would have held anything up to 80% in fixed interest - now it is likely to be less than half that amount. Why?

Why are our lower risk asset allocations now holding so little fixed interest? This is directly due to an increasing intangibility of this asset class with central banks and the credit crisis the direct cause. Essentially central banks have been removing the tangible asset element of fixed interests when they embarked upon the now infamous 'quantitative easing', or printing money. How can an asset be tangible when you're able to create more whenever you need it?

For example if you could dig gold from your garden when needed some, this would be brilliant for helping you budget. If on the other hand your neighbour and his neighbour and so on could do the same, what would happen to the value of your gold? It would lose its tangibility and the price would fall.

And this is what has happened with fixed interest and to some extent cash, since central banks began printing money (by buying back government debt). The once stable assets classes have become the areas for concern due to central banks policies, interest rate increases and higher inflation. This is why we have less fixed interest and cash in our portfolios now than at anytime we can remember. Low risk is the new high risk. This is why we believe that (despite the historically high prices) equities, commodities and property remain the assets classes of choice, both now and for the foreseeable future.

The value of investments can fall as well as rise and past performance is not a guide to the future. This publication is for guidance only and is not a recommendation of any investment or financial promotion.

Click here to download the PDF version of this commentary

Regeneration of the Aquarena to go ahead

The Secretary of State has decided that Worthing Borough Council can proceed to grant planning permission for the redevelopment of the Aquarena site.  

The redevelopment of the site represents a significant investment, equating to millions of pounds, transforming this derelict site into a thriving community of homes, businesses and leisure opportunities.

Following detailed consideration, the Secretary of State is content that the matter should be dealt with by the Borough Council, without his intervention.  The Borough Council will now proceed to grant planning permission following the completion of a legal agreement securing 42 affordable apartments - providing both social rent and shared ownership apartments.

Councillor Bryan Turner, Worthing Borough Council’s Executive Member for Regeneration, says:

“I am delighted that the Secretary of State has decided not to intervene in the determination of application for the redevelopment of the Aquarena site.  This decision is fully in line with the Government's Localism agenda which seeks to ensure that planning decisions are made at the local level and to only intervene where there are planning issues of more than local importance.

“The Council will now proceed to issue the planning permission and hopes to complete the sale of the site as soon as possible to enable this important regeneration scheme to be built.”

St Barnabas Night to Remember is back - 24th June

Walk through the night to support St Barnabas House hospice - Register your place now. The first 500 participants to register online will qualify for the early bird entry fee of just £15. 

Paul Riley demonstrates he is the one for the job of Principal at Worthing College

The Governors of Worthing College announced today the appointment of their new Principal.

Roy Bowden, Vice Chair of Governors, who chaired the selection panel, said, "I am delighted to announce that Paul Riley has been appointed as the permanent Principal of the College. As he is currently Interim Principal his appointment takes effect immediately allowing him to continue the fantastic work he has been doing since September 2016 to lead the organisation to our goal of becoming an outstanding college in the next three years"

The selection panel, made up of Governors, took input from staff, students and external stakeholders, all of whom had the opportunity to meet the six candidates to ensure the process was robust and transparent. There was considerable interest in the post resulting in a strong field of potential candidates.

After a rigorous two day interview process the Governors decision was unanimous and they are confident that the decision is best for the college and the community. They concluded that Paul has the right leadership qualities to inspire the confidence of governors, staff, students and external stakeholders alike, to ensure that Worthing College is recognised as a truly outstanding teaching and learning environment.

Chair of the College's corporation, Paul Amoo, commented: "The permanent appointment of Paul Riley as Principal of Worthing College comes at a time of considerable investment in new facilities, and a commitment to develop a reputation for outstanding teaching and learning. Paul's significant experience and skills complement those of the excellent staff, and his appointment will be pivotal to these developments as we move forward to become an outstanding college in all aspects of our provision not just for our students and staff but as an effective partner playing a central role in the local Worthing and Adur community"

Paul Riley in response to his appointment said "I am thrilled to have been given the opportunity to be the guardian of the Worthing College community that I so passionately believe in. I am relishing the prospect of leading the organisation with the support of everyone involved in the appointment of the new Principal and continuing with the innovative work we are already doing to create an exciting and dynamic college in the heart of our local community"

Change someone's life in one summer by becoming a Nuffield Placement Provider 

Nuffield Placements (NP) place Year 12 students (16-17 years olds) in STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) organisations for 4-6 weeks. The placements provide students with the invaluable experience of working alongside STEM professionals in a real work environment. 

Organisations are not required to make any financial commitment and the benefits for organisations are considerable. In return for some supervision and guidance, students can work to a high standard on different types of projects and make significant contributions to organisations.  Work carried out by students often leads to published papers and can be used as the basis for grant applications. Students can also help staff members develop their own teaching and mentoring skills, and can contribute to organisational corporate social responsibility. 

Cluster members Deltex Medical and GSK already participate in the scheme. Lee Linfield, Production Team Leader at Deltex Medical said 

“I am continually surprised by the students’ work ethic and capability. Not only with the projects carried out at Deltex but also during the presentation evening when you see all the projects. For students their age to do such advanced work in a fairly short amount of time is amazing.”

Ali Khan, Early Talent Adivisor at GSK likewise cited benefits for his organisation in regards to students offering a fresh perspective.

 “Fresh eyes, we can take a lot from the students…with students it’s all new and everything is questioned…it’s a great way to find improvements.” 

Full case studies for GSK and Deltex Medical can be found here.