The workshop looked at the following topics:

If you attended the session please post your comments and feedback below.

After the first 3 years in business (and what a great time we had along the way!), we are so proud to announce that TJConsulting Virtual Assistance have made it through to the final round in the Virtual Business of the Year Awards 2010.

It is a great achievement for us to be nominated and we would be grateful if you could support us. Voting is very simple and literally takes 2 seconds of your valuable time by following this link and clicking the VOTE button:

http://www.vbawards.com/2010/11/tjconsulting-virtual-assistance/

There are no forms to fill in, no registration and no personal details to disclose. It really is simple!

Who should be the Virtual Business of 2010? PPH are looking for “rewarding, young, fledgling companies that make progressive use of the web and technology in the way they operate, innovate and compete, looking for companies that can demonstrate how they have used the web in innovate ways to remain lean, efficient and competitive.” And we absolutely stand by every single word in that statement.

Why are we doing this? As well as getting recognised as the ‘Virtual Business of the Year’ the lucky winner will receive £20,000 sponsorship to grow their business from a wide range of top sponsors: People per Hour, Intuit, Adjug and others. You will agree that this is a fantastic opportunity to grab with both hands for 2011. We are proud of what we managed to achieve so far and we are sure that with your support we will be able to win this competition, the first award of many to come. It’s time to spread the word far and wide about the services we offer, the value you have received and the positive impact it has made on your business.

We are up against a very worthwhile competition. So every single vote counts and we would really love you to support us today. The voting closes on 30th November so please don’t delay! We will keep you posted on the progress.

The benefits for users are very important: Talking News allows people to stay in touch with what’s going on in their local area. There are talking books and national news to listen to, however it’s nearly impossible for someone blind or partially-sighted to be involved in their local activities and participate in their community without being able to get the information in the format they can access it. That’s the gap that TNI was set to fill.

We provided audio recording and editing services for monthly TNI editions, secretarial and book-keeping services for running the charity, developed a simple website to get a web presence and be found by interested parties and other charitable organisations like RNIB. And yes, that’s one of the partners, James on the picture!

On behalf of myself and all the Volunteers at Talking News Islington, I write to thank you for very much for all the advice and support you gave us in setting up ‘Talking News Islington’, for without your Computer Skills and knowledge we could not have got it off the ground so quickly.
Elizabeth Jones, Chair of TNI

(click to view large size)

While it is still weak compared with the figures two years ago, it reflects slightly more people feeling positive about job prospects and their own finances.Justin Sargent, managing director at Nielsen, said that when confidence picked up between April and June there was a tangible change in the UK’s mood.

While concerns about the economy and job security are easing, concerns over debt and work/life balance are increasing. Debt is currently the biggest worry for 15% of people, up from 10% a year ago. And, as the pressure over job prospects remains very real and people in employment work harder, there has been a big increase in the number of people feeling that their work/life balance is their biggest concern (from 4% in October 2008 to 9% in October 2009).

There is evidence to suggest that lifestyles and habits have changed for many people, with 70% claiming that they have changed their spending in order to save on household cost.