Patricia Eales, the founder of Your Extra Pair of Hands, has always been known as the “go to girl”, for her innate ability to know what is required to get the job done, accurately and on time. Home & Gift Collection (now EverydayStyle) was a great direct sales company to work for. In the 3 years Patricia was with them, she achieved Management Status in her first year; was in the President’s Circle 3 times, was 2nd highest salesperson in Canada, and Top Fundraiser, and attained many other sales achievements. After time, however, she needed to go back out into the corporate workforce again, and ultimately founded her own business.
Sales And Small Business
Something that Patricia definitely learned in Direct Sales was the value of relationship building and customer service skills. There are so many options out there where people can choose to spend their money, so small business owners need to provide not only a superior product, but most definitely superior customer service. Another important thing she learned from both the corporate world were time management skills, which are especially valuable in any home-based or VA business.
Know Your Client
For Patricia, the ideal client is one who appreciates that they’re spending too much time on tasks that take away from the time they need to build their businesses and make money. These clients want a better ROI, and recognize the value of hiring a Virtual Assistant to help them achieve this. Patricia shares that her best client right now, is one that has no idea what a Virtual Assistant was or what she can do for them, and is thrilled at how she can help them establish a better workflow leading to an increase in their business.
Sell Your Experience
Patricia has often said that 20 years in the corporate world as an Executive Assistant to CEO’s and other top business people, has given her expertise in “hats”. As an Executive Assistant, she has been responsible for so many different and varied things, that on any given day she could be a marketer, an event planner, a personal assistant, travel agent, research assistant, customer service person or recruiter! Because of this experience, she has learned to recognize what someone needs, often before they even realize they need it. Patricia is more than just a secretary to her clients. She partners with them to help their business grow, suggesting more cost effective or time wise ways to accomplish their goals.
Using Marketing Tools
In today’s fast paced world, the internet is the place to advertise your business. There is most definitely a right way to do it though! Patricia is presently working with clients who want to increase their visibility in the new Social Media arena, and the first thing she does is sit down with them, and ask what they hope to accomplish with this form of advertising. Her advice is that while it’s great to have thousands of connections on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn, if none of these people are contacting you to buy your services or product, you’re just wasting your time spent in maintaining your presence. You have to combine your visibility with the desire to buy what you’re selling, and this is where Patricia’s social media services help her clients.
Networking And Home Based Business
Patricia advises to network as much as you can. When you’re starting out, you have to watch where your money is spent. You most definitely have to spend money to make money, but be smart about where you spend it. Networking groups are a great way to get out, meet people and talk about your business, in a very cost effective manner. You may not find a client from the people at a networking event, but you never know whom they know, and if they recognize that you provide a valuable service or product, they WILL tell their families, friends and business colleagues! Referrals are the life blood of any business, and networking is the place to find them. You can also join forums where you want to find your clients. For example, if your ideal clients are in direct sales, Patricia advises joining a direct sales forum to work on building relationships. You will then find that when they need the services you offer, you will be the first person they think of. And most definitely, investigate social media networking resources. Be prepared and be passionate about what you offer, and it will show in everything you do, and your business can’t help but succeed!
Patricia Eales, CEO & Administrative Professional
