The VA Lounge ®’s Post

We talk about everything at Coffee Club. Yesterday's topics of conversation centred around: 👉 The dilemma of "a good existing client wants you to do a new service for them, you like and want to keep this client, and it's something you can do, but it's not something you like to do and therefore not a service you offer" 👉 Popping in for a chat having had such a rough week due to what is going on outside of their business 👉 Lots to do for the business (e.g. website to build) 👉 Changing food and exercise habits 👉 The school holidays juggle struggle 🤪 💡TOP TIP💡 When you have those bigger projects write out each step you need to take/task you need to do and chunk it down into small daily (or even weekly) tasks. You'll be amazed how quickly you make real progress. If you want to know more about The VA Lounge community then drop us a DM and try us free for 30 days or why not join us for one of our August sessions listed below 👇 https://lnkd.in/eJw_Npik #VirtualAssistant #VirtualAssistance #VA #Networking Image description: Orange background, teacup spilling coffee beans, white text with list of what's happening in The VA Lounge during August (Coffee Club every Tuesday at 12pm, Skills Session (How much time do you actually have for client work?) and Coworking Session.

It’s time to fika so we have more trivsel! If you’ve been to Sweden, you know. Most of us haven’t been to Sweden, so I’ll explain. Coffee Connection Comradery As we make our way back into offices, co-existing won’t cut it. Never taking a break isn’t healthy. It’s time to press pause intentionally, gather together and reconnect. And, you can only talk about anything but work. The results: Improved communication, empathy, morale, engagement, productivity. So exactly what is fika? It’s a scheduled, group coffee break. No agenda, just connection and caring. It helps to drive trivsel, “workplace enjoyment and thriving.” Go schedule a fika with your coworkers. Bring some treats and see what happens! #coffeebreaks #youmewe

⏰ The 2-day coffee spot rule. With Lilo (CBO here at The Job Search) we sat down to talk business (as we usually do). How do we maximize productivity and profitability while remaining a remote-first paperless agency? 😮💨 Working from home works like a charm, my commute from the kitchen to my office is doable. 🤓 But how can we keep things fresh with just the two of us in the business? Working in a coffee place is doing wonders: 📌Duration: 2-3 hours max (if I did this for any longer my body would contain more caffeine than water) 📌Equipment: Noise-cancelling headphones (each and every conversation I hear gets me too invested not to listen to) 📌 Mindset: All-in ⭐ Key takeaways so far: 👉 Get more done in the 2-3 hours than I would in 8 hours (not sure if that’s good or just really bad) 👉 Mentally I disconnect from work and separate my actual “work/life” 👉 Drink coffee - I have a really good machine (Sage Barista) at home, but now we only had decaf for a few days (and I definitely over-indulge) 👉 Have an idea of what to post Bonus point if someone joins - it can be social. AND THEREFORE With Lilo we have decided to make this a rule - spend more time out, explore coffee shops in the area, and get more … done! #WorkFromAnywhere #ProductivityHacks #RemoteWork #CoffeeShopOffice

Ever dreamt of an event where everything flows like clockwork? As a seasoned hospitality consultant and restaurant owner, I've faced the exhilarating (and sometimes hair-raising) challenge of managing large-scale events, and let me tell you, logistics and timelines are the cornerstones of a seamless experience. Imagine: 🔹 500 guests 🔹 food and drinks appearing at just the right time (and temperature!) 🔹 no bottlenecks 🔹 no service hiccups, just pure magic. That's the power of a meticulous timeline and airtight logistics. Here's what you need on the back end: 1. The Master Timeline This is your bible, a chronological breakdown of every element – from vendor deliveries to guest arrivals, entertainment cues, and breaks for the staff. Even buffer zones, accounting for unforeseen delays, yes, it's that detailed! 2. Communication is Key Every vendor, staff member, and volunteer is looped in with pre-event briefings, and clear communication channels. Everyone knows their role and moves in sync. 3. Embrace the "What-Ifs" Contingency plans are your safety net. From a sudden power outage to a surprise downpour, be prepared to adapt with alternative solutions (like backup generators or indoor entertainment options). 4. Technology is Your Friend Online guest lists, and real-time communication tools are game-changers. Keeping everything on the cloud means everyone who needs access can tune in and maintain the schedule. 5. The Power of Delegation Trust your team. Empower them with clear instructions, ownership over their tasks, and the freedom to make decisions within their scope. A motivated and empowered team is your secret weapon for flawless execution. Remember, logistics aren't just about spreadsheets and checklists – they're about creating a smooth flow for your guests. 𝐇𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐫𝐮𝐧 𝐚𝐧 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐨𝐫 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐚𝐧 𝐞𝐱𝐜𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐨𝐧𝐞? 𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐰𝐚𝐫 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐰𝐢𝐬𝐝𝐨𝐦 𝐛𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐰! #hospitality #foodandbeverage #leadership

My No.1 Secret Hack For Productivity: Working from Cafes! It may sound simple, but working from cafes has completely changed the way I approach my day. Here’s why it works so well for me: 1. Close to clients:  With back-to-back meetings, it’s often impractical to travel home or to the office. I can work from a cafe near my next client’s office, making it easier to meet them when needed without the hassle of extra travel.. 2. Saves time:  Working from a cafe saves time on traffic and commute, allowing me to be more productive. 3. Creativity boost:  A change of scenery and trying out new food & beverages keeps me energized and sparks fresh ideas. 4. Keeps me punctual: Being out and about helps me stay on time and in a productive mood. 5. Networking potential:  You never know who you'll run into. I've had some unexpected and valuable conversations just by working from cafes. Ultimately, finding that calm cafe is the only task we need to do, everything else will fall into place! Many chains like Artcafe and Java have evolved to cater to the growing need for meetings over a cup of coffee, which is perfect for my consulting business. Btw, Do you love working from cafes? #productivity #meetings #ceo

£4.90 for a small cofffee. Hello London prices! Is it good value? No, it’s just a coffee beans, milk and water. Although, thinking about it…. Have I really been fleeced(!)? Reflecting on it, I realise I’m not just paying for the coffee. The environment, the music, the friendly staff, the comfy chair, the relaxed atmosphere are what add to the value. I’m going to call it ‘the packaging’. And the packaging’s really nice in here. Too often at work we focus so much on the content of the message (the coffee), we forget about the ‘the packaging’ (everything about the experience that isn’t the content). So next time you’re - presenting - writing an email - meeting with someone - going to a networking event - welcoming someone to your office - selling your services, products and ideas - etc … be sure to think about the packaging to create additional value. Some questions to reflect on when considering how you can do this include… - do you welcome people with a smile and have a chat first? - are you abrupt or more personal in an email? - do you find things you have in common before launching into the content? - is your reception comfortable with welcoming receptionists? - do you send info before meeting people to show you value them? - are your meeting rooms clean and tidy with a reassuring feel? Remember, simple, cost free and easy steps are the best ways to create value through packaging, which in turn is essential to influencing people’s idea of value. £4.90 for a coffee? I don’t feel so fleeced now!

Here’s to the simple things that make a big difference! Yesterday, I had the privilege of co-facilitating a hybrid workshop in central London with six talented colleagues. With over 140 participants online and 190 in-person attendees, timing was crucial to cover all the content planned for the day. One of the main challenges we faced was managing the energy and movement of such a large group, ensuring everyone could engage in free-flowing conversations during breaks but also return to their seats promptly to continue the programme. The venue lacked AV facilities in the refreshment area, which meant interrupting conversations in person – always an awkward task, especially when discussions are important. However, I decided to take a simple approach that made a significant difference. Using a piece of stationery from my hotel room, I created a sign saying, "Sorry to interrupt your conversation. Would you be able to take your seats now as we'll be starting in..." and held a digital countdown clock beneath it. To my surprise, this small gesture was met with smiles and appreciation. It lightened the mood, creating laughter and humour that I hadn't anticipated. This experience got me thinking about the impact we, as facilitators, can have by making subtle changes in our approach. These small adjustments can lead to a massive positive impact on attendees. The result was evident – more seats were filled much sooner than we had expected, keeping us right on schedule. It was fantastic working with my colleagues from the Centre for Facilitation again, each bringing a unique set of skills and approaches, enhancing the overall experience for everyone involved. Thank you Lucy Brownsdon, Christine Bell, Amelia Wakeford, Annekatrin Madlung, Liz Barlow. Dan Andrews. Here’s to the simple things that make a big difference! #Facilitation #WorkshopSuccess #HybridEvents #SimpleSolutions #Teamwork #EventManagement #ProfessionalGrowth #EffectiveCommunication #ParticipantEngagement #PositiveImpact

Ever wished your week could just magically plan itself out? Imagine this: your diary perfectly organised, events and tasks meticulously scheduled, and all you have to do is show up! ✨ Well, guess what? Your wish just came true! With our Virtual Assistant service, designed to lighten your load and free up your time. Say goodbye to the hassle of planning and coordinating your week. One of our team of dedicated VAs will take that burden off your shoulders, leaving you with nothing but peace of mind and more time to focus on what truly matters to you. Imagine the possibilities: stress-free mornings, productive afternoons, and relaxing evenings, all thanks to our VA's expert planning skills. Whether it's scheduling meetings, organising appointments, or managing your to-do list, consider it done! So why wait? Let us handle the logistics while you enjoy the freedom to live your life to the fullest. Your time is precious – let us make every moment count!

🌟☕ The Role of Coffee Shops and Cafes in the Remote Work Era ☕🌟 Our next Evergreen Insights blog post explores how coffee shops and cafes are evolving to support remote workers. From reliable Wi-Fi to healthy food options, these spaces are becoming vital for productivity and community. Discover how these trends are reshaping remote work environments...

“Let’s host our executive offsite in the conference room.” I get it: cheaper, simpler, and more convenient to keep the offsite onsite. But offsites earned their name for a reason. But they don’t have to break the bank... Too many CEOs try to save time and money by staying onsite for these critical meetings. And I get it, there are lots of ways to overcomplicate and overspend when it comes to #offsites. But executive offsites are meant to cultivate: 💡 Big picture dreaming 💡 Meaningful relationship building 💡 Strategic thinking that derives from space and clarity When you simply close the doors to the same old conference room you’ve been working in all week, it’s impossible to get yourself off the dance floor of your everyday work and up to the balcony where you can see things from a new perspective. Not to mention, stuffy old conference rooms don’t typically lend themselves to breakthrough possibilities. Executive offsites should spark creativity and inspiration, lay the groundwork for connection and depth, and take your team out of the weeds of their day-to-day. You have to get out of the office, but you don’t have to break the bank. Here are three simple ways to design powerful offsites within a budget: 1️⃣ Rent an Airbnb. One of the biggest (and most ridiculous) costs is space. Getting a hotel conference room can be insanely 💸 , and typically, it’s not that much of an upgrade from your conference room. Find an awesome loft (see below) or a beautiful house on a lake that creates just the right setting. Bonus savings: One person (or more, depending on the set up) can stay at the Airbnb and save on hotel rooms. 2️⃣ Order in lunch. Because you don’t have mandatory catering minimums, you can find a local spot and let the team order food they like. Goodbye overcooked salmon that leaves you feeling exhausted, and hello delicious food and coffee that gets you the nutrients you need to do your best work. 3️⃣ Do a fun activity instead of an expensive dinner. Eating hot dogs in the bleachers at Wrigley Field or pizza over bowling creates more lasting memories and casual convos that a formal sit down meal with overpriced steaks and awkward small talk. ❓ What are some of the best locations you’ve been to for an offsite? Let me know in the comments below 👇