PierToPeerCoaching

Welcome!

Maybe a good place to start is to introduce myself...

I'm Kate Bacon: coach, mentor, VA...and budding entrepeneur! I moved to Brighton in October 2002 to escape the big smoke (London) via Seattle (a small detour that involved gaining part of a masters degree in acupuncture - the school went bankrupt - and a few other adventures besides!)

What is REALLY important in your life?

There are many reasons why individuals decide to start their own businesses - for me it was initially avoidance of the drudgery of a four hour daily commute that spurred me on. Five years later and I realise it's far more than that...

In July my dad was taken into hospital suddenly after suffering a stroke (which, after the CAT scan the next day, we learned was massive and he wouldn't recover). Running my own business enabled me to drop everything and go to stay with my mum so I could support her and be near my Dad in hospital. Funnily enough (with hindsight I realise it was probably shock) it took me a day or two to do that. What was going through my mind? Was it simply feeling too stunned to take action, or did I think my business couldn't run without me?

Shh...you can't talk about money!

People don't talk about money in this country. It's seen as a bad thing - maybe being too "nosey" - or just not very pleasant! Money seems to be a "dirty word" in many quarters...think about the most negative of sayings: money is the root of all evil.

Is it? Really? Well people who are rich are often considered to have acquired their wealth by ill-gotten gains; or trampled on anything in their way to make more; or seen to be non-virtuous (whoever came up with the line "poverty is virtuous", what nonsense! Think how you can help others and spread your wealth from a position of abundance...

Rocking Blogging!

Having been a blogger myself since November 2006 (and strangely finding it easier than writing newsletters!) I'm a real fan and love to talk about it.

To be honest a the start I wasn't sure why anyone would want to read what I termed my "personal ramblings", after all isn't it just like putting your diary online? (and something that I've been asked many time since). However much we may think our writing is uninteresting to others, in fact anything that enables people to "get to know us" better can only be good for business (it's been proven by marketeers that "people do buy people").

So banish any self-conciousness and simply start writing form the heart - I firmly believe blogging should be authentic and personal to you.

As well as enabling potential clients to get to know you, blogging is also a platform for your own expertise - so if you write a newsletter make sure you post your main articles to your blog - as well as regularly writing content that is "useful" to your readers. Often this is where it's easy to come unstuck and face writers block (yes we all face this from time to time!)

SEO - what are you missing?

I had my first website created back in 2003 when I knew nothing about Search Engine Optimization, or SEO, and my site developer apparently did something "technical" to make sure I got higher in the rankings on Google.

I never did understand what he actually did and, although, I come up No. 1 if you search for "Kate Bacon" (which is lovely!) that is not probably the search term anyone would be using unless they knew me personally.

Again, I come top if you search for "Pier to Peer Coaching", however if you were looking for VA training that is unlikely to be your criteria when looking on the web.

Train to be a VA by the sea!

Unfortunately, I have had to postpone "Training to be a VA by the sea" my brand new face-to-face course option in sunny Brighton until early next year. I will let you know as soon as possible the dates for the first course in 2009 and will be posting about the Early Bird Special in the very near future!

TRAIN TO BE A VA BY THE SEA...NEW face-to-face course option announced!

The VA Business Start Up Course is going to be offered for the FIRST time in a two-day workshop format on 15-16 September 2008.

IMAGINE...what it would be like to...

* Learn in a workshop setting - many prefer learning face-to-face

* Support from fellow participants - build relationships that will last

* Course materials - take away the eCourse which takes you step-by-step through the process of setting up your business once you get home

* Keep on track - regular group tele-classes following the course

* 1-2-1 coaching - 2 x one hour telephone coaching with your course leader

* Online community - membership of the Google Group

* Expert Tele-Class Series - MP3 recordings of "expert" classes to listen to in your own time

* By the sea!...all in the beautiful setting of Blanch House Hotel in Brighton - morning/afternoon tea and coffee and lunch included + a cocktail at the end of the day! Accommodation for 2 nights at this boutique hotel is included in the course price of £1250.

To join this first course (Monday, 15 & Tuesday, 16 in September 2008) contact me now to confirm your place as we are limited to 6 participants!

Twittering...and Brighton Festival going!

Seems I've been spending more time twittering than blogging recently (is this the new lazy way of keeping in touch I wonder?)

When not working much of May has been taken up with lovely Brighton Festival events. Highlights have been the show "Traces" (photo of Heloise part of 7 Fingers, the troupe that put on the show); "Bahok" a collaboration between Akram Khan and the National Ballet of China with an original score by Nitin Sawhney (that's why the music was so good!); and singer, Aleia Diane, from goldrush country in Northern California!

At the same time as the main festival (just like Edinburgh) there is a Festival Fringe, complete with the madest venue around: The Udderbelly - an upside down inflatible purple cow containing a seated theatre...fantastic!

The Magic of Monaco

I feel I've been living the high-life this week...working at the book launch for a client of mine that took place at La Salle Empire, Hotel de Paris in Monaco on Tuesday evening. The event was a cocktail party and charity auction in aid of the Born Free Foundation and we were privileged to have Virigina McKenna speaking at the event. (I love being virtual, but it was a treat to working face-to-face and something I most definitely will build into my business!)

Having been involved with the project over the last few months it was a delight to meet many of the sponsors in person (with whom I'd only previously been in contact through phone and email).

Monaco itself is like nowhere else I've ever been - a tiny principality with so much wealth concentrated into an area the size of London's Hyde Park, sitting on the edge of the Mediterranean sea. My welcome to this tiny state began magically enough by being given a lift by a US-based film producer (on his way to the Cannes Film Festival) whom I'd sat next to on the plane - the last bus had left 20 minutes prior to our flight landing. The gentleman in question was invited to the party and I've now connected with one of his colleagues with whom I may work in the future...networking at its best!

(Image from the book: "The Magic of Monaco")

Stressed out?

Last night I got sick (completely out of the blue) which confused me as I thought I was doing fine.

Maybe that's what it takes to get me away from my Mac and work (I managed to clock up 12 hours on Wednesday to "catch up" after the bank holiday!)

My habit is to simply "soldier on" and work through my tiredness ignoring it. From now on, I'm going to take myself seriously when I'm worn out and take a proper break.

Here's to the next bank holiday weekend this month - guilt free and no feeling bad for having a holiday!

Margaret Griffiths - VA Business Start Up Course Graduate

When did you first think about setting up as a virtual assistant, or VA, and how did this come about?

I first heard the term Virtual Assistant about one year ago through the pa-assist website and then again at the Times Creme Exhibition and it led me to think about what I could do when I retired. A thought then occurred to me that this was something I could do at my own pace and in the comfort of my own home and utilise all the skills I had acquired over the years.

Kate Hope - VA Business Start Up Course Graduate

When did you first think about setting up as a virtual assistant, or VA, and how did this come about?

I was looking for a more local PA job (at the time I was commuting from Northamptonshire to West London every day) and whilst searching the internet, happened to chance upon an article about Virtual Assistants. I hadn't really heard of the concept before, but it instantly made sense to me. I'd been keen to find a new challenge, which would hopefully draw on my existing skills and experiences, and running my own business seemed like a fantastic way to develop myself beyond the Director's PA role I was involved with at that point. I discussed the idea with close friends and family, many of whom thought it was an excellent idea. The timing couldn't have been better; I wanted to work nearer home (let alone AT home!) and to be able to be a little bit more flexible with my working hours, to try to fit in with my husbands' unusual working schedule.