Monthly Message from Patty Benton

So school is winding down and for some kids it is already finished!  Time to move into summer, relaxing, having fun and spending quality time together!

For the summer months, we are kicking off a 3 part series on building a successful business foundation because as you know, just because it’s summer doesn’t mean your business is on hold!

This month the Failure is NOT An Option Coaching Program: Your Business Foundation to Success Coaching program is discussing part 1 of the series "Creating a Solid Foundation Critical Success Factor 1 – Making a Committed Decision."   With weekly activities, discussions, and training calls, by the end of the month, we will all be fully committed to our business and moving forward at a new speed and love of our business that we may not have felt before.  To celebrate making a commitment, we are giving $5 off of our Committed Coaching Program level through July 31, in which you can get coaching at this level for only $9.95 (a fabulous deal)!  You can get more details on this program at http://pattybenton.com/membershipoptions/.

The feature article this month is on writing your mission statement.  Your mission statement is a crucial part to the commitment you make to your business and also to your continual business growth.  

Continuing this month, in the section on meeting the team we are spotlighting Erin Alli.  Erin is our project manager and keeps all of us (including myself) on target with our projects and due dates!

I am also excited to mention that I am hosting my very first Virtual Cocktail Party celebrating the launch of Failure is NOT an Option Coaching Program!! Check out more information about this Q&A session in the Upcoming Trainings section, and I look forward to you joining me on the call!

I look forward to helping you to commit to your business and become prosperous as a business owner!  Have a wonderful start to summer!

As always, please feel free to send me your story ideas, questions and comments at editor@professionaladminteam.com. I’d love to know how things are going for you. Don't forget - you can sign up for a complimentary, 45-minute consultation at any time with me at http://tungle.me/PattyBenton.

To your business success!

Editor, BA, Certified Life Coach

Meet the Team

You have heard from me all about this incredible team that I have working with me right now and now I would like to introduce them to you one at a time so you can get to know them better.  For the month of June I would like to introduce you to Erin Alli.  Erin coached with me when she started her business 4 years ago and we have stayed in close contact over the years.  When I said I was building this team Erin contacted me right away and couldn’t wait to sign on to work with me and be a part of this incredible coaching program.  Erin does consulting and coaching also and you will see offerings from her from time to time as we love collaborating and working together so will be planning lots of fun, business building offerings for the membership together!

Erin Alli is a Virtual Business Manager, Writer and Business Consultant.  She has 13 years experience as an office manager and the skills to teach you how to manage your time, stay organized and make your business run more efficiently while you become increasingly more successful. 

As a writer, she handles sales copy, web site content, brochure content, articles and motivational writing.  She takes away the pain of writing while still giving you the edge and allowing you to reap the benefits of more sales and services to your business. 

Erin is hired by many clients for writing projects and has ghost written published books, ebooks, products, and blogs/articles.

Erin loves the creative side of things and has a team to help with other aspects such as social media and technical website issues.  Writing is what Erin loves to do and she puts 110% into every project.  She has a gift for writing in the client’s voice and expressing exactly what they want to get across but sometimes have a hard time expressing. 

Clients have told Erin that her writing has brought tears to their eyes, and that it is like she read their mind because they were envisioning what the end project would look like and what they were delivered far exceeded their expectations.

As a consultant, Erin works with entrepreneurs on putting together a strategic plan so they can move ahead quickly in their business, easily know what they need to do next and what

resources they will need for that next step and brainstorms new offerings and services that will keep the client’s business moving ahead and getting steadily more abundant financially.

Erin is currently running a special on her Ghostwritten Blog package.  She knows (and is a mom herself) that in summer the kids are home from school, vacations are happening and sometimes you just want to relax. 

The last thing most people want to do is write blog posts.  (You may despise writing blog posts all the time...not just in the summer).

You will get 4 blog posts a month written in your voice with a call to action on them to draw in more clients and prospects.  The package is normally $200 a month but for the months of June, July and August she is offering it at $150 a month.

If you are interested in discussing this package further please contact Erin at Erin@EssentialAssisting.com.

There is no long term contract...you can decide each month if you would like blog posts for that month.

If you have any clients in mind that could use this service as well please feel free to pass on the information.  Erin can take on a total of 5 new writing clients so hurry and sign up before the spots are all filled up!  This is a popular program!

You can learn more about Erin at www.EssentialAssisting.com.

Recommended Resource –

Failure is NOT an Option: Your Business Foundation to Success Coaching Program
www.pattybenton.com/memberoptions
 

I get the most questions in regards to our coaching program, so here are just a few details to help you determine if our program is right for you:


The program is right for you if:

1. You are dedicated to running a successful business.

2. You are willing to ask questions, listen to other suggestions and ideas, and then take the initiative and responsibility to implement those suggestions and ideas that work for you.

3. You are looking for someone to support you in creating and/or maintaining a solid business foundation.



Our Program includes 3 levels of participation to help you find the coaching you need that fits your budget:

1. Our Basic Business Building Participation Level is currently $4.95 and includes access to a discussion forum with weekly business building topics.  You also have the ability to ask your questions to the discussion group, and receive suggestions and ideas from other successful business owners, and Patty Benton.

2. Our Committed Business Building Participation Level is currently only $14.95 and gives you access to everything in the Basic Level plus a 75 minute training call based on the program’s monthly theme, a success partner to be your own personal cheerleader and accountability partner, and access to our RFP Forum where you can post and respond to RFPs by participants.  Get instant access to all our past training calls.

3. Our MasterMind Business Building Participation Level is our highest level, and truly for those serious and committed to the success of their business. This level is currently only $47.95 and includes everything in the other participation levels plus an additional 75 minute MasterMind call to share your successes and challenges with other like-minded business owners and a private discussion forum to continue your work from the MasterMind calls, holding you accountable and making sure you are intentional.  This membership is not for the faint-hearted business owner, as we will push you to your maximum, challenge you when you try to hide, and celebrate your successes as if they are our own!

Choose your coaching program level and sign-up at http://pattybenton.com/membershipoptions/.

View our past suggested resources at http://professionaladminteam.com/nl/suggestedresources.html/ .

Upcoming Trainings

You can always view our current teleclasses and speaking engagements at http://pattybenton.com/category/events/upcoming

June Training Call - Define Your Decision – June 16 @ 10 am MST/12 pm EST (Must be a Committed or Mastermind Participant Level) - Get access for only $9.95/mo through the month of June!
It is time to get clear on the importance of your decision, and then make your decision.  During this call, you will become clear in your decision on what you were intended for your business and life.
Not a Committed or Mastermind Participant - Get more information on how you can get the business support you desire - AFFORDABLY @ http://pattybenton.com/membershipoptions
Join Patty Benton as she leads you in getting focused through training, activities, and *live* coaching in this training.
Recording for members will be available, and new participants will get access to all past recordings, to add to your library of resources.
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June MasterMind Call – June 23 @ 10:00 am MST/12:00 EST  (Must be a Mastermind Participant Level)
Not a Mastermind Participant - Get more information on how you can get the business support you desire - AFFORDABLY @ http://pattybenton.com/membershipoptions
Mastermind Coaching Group is an elite group of participants who understand that success is influenced by surrounding themselves with other committed, determined, and like-minded individuals. This monthly call allows this elite group to come together, discuss the topic of the month more in-depth OR other pressing topics that will help them take their business to the next level of success. This call is guided by Patty Benton.
Recording for participants will be available for one month, but due to the confidentiality and level of trust within this group past recordings are not made available.
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Complimentary Teleseminar "Belief in Yourself, Your Services, Your Business" on July 7 @ 12 pm EST

Registration is required @ http://pattybenton.com/06/belief/ & you must be in attendance to win door prizes!
What do many business owners lack?  Belief in themselves, in their service/product, in their ability to be successful.  The second critical success factor in building your solid, successful business foundations is to have belief.  On this call Patty Benton will talk about creating the belief in yourself to have the business you intended. Come join Patty Benton get some great insights and a chance at some great prizes!
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July Training Call "Belief + Action = Success" on July 13 @ 2:00 pm EST for 75 min. (Must be a Committed or Mastermind Participant Level) Get access for only $9.95/mo through the month of June!
Not a Committed or Mastermind Participant - Get more information on how you can get the business support you desire - AFFORDABLY @ http://pattybenton.com/membershipoptions
Join Patty Benton as she leads you in getting focused through training, activities, and *live* coaching in this training.
Recording for participants will be available, and new participants will get access to all past recordings, to add to your library of resources.
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**NEW** Virtual Cocktail Party - July 13th @ 7 pm EST
Register at http://pattybenton.com/06/virtual-cocktail-party/ 
This will be an open Q and A coaching call where you can kick back, have your favorite cold drink in hand (alcohol or non alcohol…your choice), put your feet up and have a great time laughing and learning!

Remember that you must be on the call the whole time in order to win one of the amazing prizes. I will be giving away two Committed Participation Levels and also a Mastermind Participation Level for 3 months free.

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Mastermind Coaching Group on July 21 @ 1 pm EST for 75 min. (Must be a Mastermind Participant Level)
Not a Mastermind Participant - Get more information on how you can get the business support you desire - AFFORDABLY @ http://pattybenton.com/membershipoptions
Mastermind Coaching Group is an elite group of members who understand that success is influenced by surrounding themselves with other committed, determined, and like-minded individuals. This monthly call allows this elite group to come together, discuss the topic of the month more in-depth OR other pressing topics that will help them take their business to the next level of success. This call is guided by Patty Benton.
Recording for participants will be available for one month, but due to the confidentiality and level of trust within this group past recordings are not made available.
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Complimentary Consultation

Sign up with Patty at http://tungle.me/PattyBenton (Please do not pick a same day appt. Thanks!) for a complimentary consultation to find out how we can help you!

Marketing You Can Use –  Writing Your Mission Statement 

Every successful business needs to have a Mission Statement. It is important whether you are managing a large corporation or running a one person business as a Virtual Professional. The size of the business doesn’t matter. The purpose of that business does.

You don’t have to be an award winning writer to compose your Mission Statement but it should answer three important questions regarding your business.

1. What is the purpose of your organization or business?
2. What are you doing to uphold the purpose of this business?
3. What are the values of the business or organization?

Your Mission Statement should be written in a way that inspires ongoing commitment. It should also serve as motivation to those who are connected to the business. The wording should be articulate as well as easily understood. Don’t get too fancy with the words. You should use proactive verbs when you are describing what you do in your business.  Don’t use jargon in it that people NOT in this type of business will not understand.  Last of all, make it is short enough that people connected to your business can easily recite it from memory.

The Mission Statement for your business should show that your business is thriving. It should also show what its purpose is in being as well as what hopes there are for the future of this business. As the years go by, your business may also do some changing. If so, adjust your Mission Statement so that it fits with whatever your business is doing at any point in time. In other words, keep it up to date.

Writing your Mission Statement should not be difficult. However, if you find that you just cannot seem to get the right words down on paper, get someone to help you. It may be that you want to hire a writer to put it all together for you. As long as you get something that is accurate and makes complete sense to others, it doesn’t really matter how you accomplish it. As long as you get it on paper and committed to memory, you’re in good shape.

Patty Benton is the genuine picture of a woman who started from scratch, knowing little, to becoming a business and marketing expert. She began her own business journey in 2003 as a Virtual Assistant providing support to coaches assisting them in taking their business to the next level through a variety of marketing strategies. Patty developed a passion for helping other women who desire to build their own sustainable business and achieve their personal and professional dreams, which led her down the path of becoming a speaker and trainer. Taking her teaching experience and applying it her speaking, coaching and training, she pushes others, with the passion and desire, to step up to the plate utilizing proven systems and techniques that she, along with 100s of other business owners, have successfully implemented to overcome fears, blocks, and challenges to do what they intended in the first place – create a successful and sustainable business they will enjoy. Patty invites you to join her in building a successful business path by joining her free monthly newsletter, at www.pattybenton.com, which serves as a North Star in guiding businesses on the path to success..

© 2011
You have permission to reprint this article electronically or in print, as long as the text and byline remain unedited. A courtesy copy of your publication would be appreciated.

Computer Tips from the Computer Guru – How to Configure Gmail to Outlook 2007

I often get asked about how to configure Outlook 2007 to work with Gmail.  Here are step by step instructions that I have so you can configure it easily and quickly.


1. Enable IMAP in Gmail. Don’t forget to click Save Changes when you’re done.
2. Open Outlook.
3. For new setups, select Do not upgrade.
4. Click Yes.
5. Enter your display name, email address (including "@gmail.com"), and password. Google Apps users, enter your full email address, e.g.   "username@your_domain.com".  
6. Select the ‘Manually configure server settings or additional server types’ checkbox.
7. Select Internet E-mail.
8. Settings: name, full email address (including "@gmail.com" or "@your_domain.com".)
9. In the Account Type dropdown menu, select IMAP. In the ‘Incoming server name’ section, enter: imap.gmail.com and in the ‘Outgoing server name (SMTP)’ section, enter: smtp.gmail.com.
10. In the ‘User Name’ field, give your full Gmail address, including "@gmail.com" or "@your_domain.com". 
11. After creating these settings, clicking Next takes you to the end of the setup.
12. In the Tools menu, select Options then Mail Setup. Under ‘Email Accounts,’ click E-mail Accounts.
13. Select an account, and click Change above the list of accounts. Click More Settings, then the Advanced tab.
14. Incoming server must be 993, and must use SSL encryption.
15. Outgoing server can use 587, TLS encryption.
16. Click the Outgoing Server tab. Make sure that ‘My outgoing server (SMTP) requires authentication’ is selected. The radio button ‘Use same settings as my incoming mail server’ should also be selected.
17. Click OK > Next > Finish > Close > OK.
 

Jerome Benton is the owner of JERPAT, LLC a Web Designs and Virtual Assistance company, http://www.jerpat.org. He specializes in web design and has partnered with his wife's virtual assistance business to give every company the quality services they need at an affordable price.

© 2011
You have permission to reprint this article electronically or in print, as long as the text and byline remain unedited. A courtesy copy of your publication would be appreciated.

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