The Contemporary PA

26/04/2024

🌈 𝔸 𝔻ℝ𝔼𝔸𝕄 𝕎𝕀𝕃𝕃 𝕊𝕋𝔸𝕐 𝔸 𝔻ℝ𝔼𝔸𝕄 𝕀𝔽 𝕐𝕆𝕌 𝔻𝕆ℕ'𝕋 𝕋𝔸𝕂𝔼 𝔸ℂ𝕋𝕀𝕆ℕ 🌈

⭐ Do you have a great business idea but no idea where to start?

⭐ Are you a mum looking to do your own thing so you can spend more time with your kids?

⭐ Are you uninspired by your current career and looking to take a leap to doing something for yourself?

There are so many reasons why people want to invest in themselves and create a legacy of their own, but there are many many more reasons why people don't take that leap;

❌ I'm not good enough

❌ It won't work

❌ I've no idea how to do it

❌ I'm comfortable with where I am now - I'm scared of the unknown

For everyone of us that decision is ours alone to make, but if you're serious about wanting to take that step, here at the CPA we offer coaching sessions to women who are new to business. We can't promise to make you lots of money and we won't do the work for you, but we will give you the tools and confidence to get you started on the path to success.

30/11/2023

When I was growing up I believed my dad to be superman, and now I know that it's true.

Watching him bring up 3 young children who were all suffering with trauma, with very little money, and barely any family close by to support, even at a young age I knew we were in the poverty bracket, but I didn't realise at the time exactly the sacrifices my dad made to make sure we had as normal a life as possible with as many opportunities as possible.

Since having my own son and trying to 'have it all' as we are often sold as not only being achievable, but what we should be striving for, I now understand how difficult that is in reality if you're doing it on your own or with very little support.

On paper it looks like my husband and I have it sorted. He works during the day while my job allows me to be at home and be mum, and then he takes over when he comes back and I start work.

What that looks like in reality is, I wake up for 6.30am to be mum, get run ragged at soft play, spend any nap time washing, tidying and cleaning bottles, have dinner on the table and then start work at 7pm only to finish at midnight and be up at 4am by a screaming toddler.

I also know that is the reality for so many people. So this is an appreciation post, firstly to my dad for being superman, and secondly to all the solo parents, the couples juggling schedules, and everyone else who are just trying to make it work. Hopefully one day our children will turn around to us and say thank you for giving me the best life you knew how to do.

11/09/2023

We've always said transcription is our favourite thing to do here at the CPA, and this just proves it. Roughly a third of our work is spent typing away ⌨️ BUT, we always have time for more 😆

08/09/2023

Who needs a traditional business card?!

07/09/2023

We've gotten so busy at the CPA over recent weeks that I've had to enlist more help 💙

07/09/2023

We've gotten so busy at the CPA over recent weeks that I've had to enlist more help 💙

28/08/2023

❤️Forever Grateful❤️

2 years ago we said 'I do' and had one of the most amazing days of my life. I am forever grateful for the love that surrounds us and the family that we've created. It would not have been the same without you all.

still the most amazing and beautiful bridesmaids, caterers, florists, event stylists who went above and beyond all duties to make it so special.

📷 .brothers.wedding.photogra

28/07/2023

How long does it take to transcribe from a recording? 🤔

Great question!

We usually advise that it takes 3 to 4 times as long as the original recording for a final transcription to be produced - that includes proofreading and formatting.

However, as with most things, there are so many variables that affect this time estimate.

➡️ The quality of the recording. A clear recording with no interference and a good WIFI connection is always going to be quicker and easier to type from.

➡️ Breaks. Some meetings don't stop the recording for breaks, so a one hour recording may actually only be 30 minutes of speaking, whereas another may be one hour of pure conversation.

➡️ Speed of speakers. Have you ever met someone who can say at least twice as much as you in the same amount of time? That's exactly the same when it comes to meetings. The pace at which people speak can be so different, there may be an awful lot more to capture in one recording than another.

➡️ Atmosphere and environment of the meeting. Ideally, everyone wants a meeting to be a safe space where everyone can talk openly and honestly and feel relaxed. However, in reality in some instances, people are nervous or anxious, or highly stressed, and that can have an effect on the way we structure sentences. In some circumstances, we can pop on our headphones and just type a meeting word for word pretty easily. In others, we have to listen and understand not only what is being said, but actually truly understand the context so we can reframe that into structured and usable notes without losing or changing the essence of what's being said.

➡️ The person typing the notes. So this is a big one, we're all human. We don't use machines for our transcripts. Each recording is listened to and typed by a person, and each person's speed is different. Added to that, we personally reread what we have typed, and again, our reading speed is completely different.

So, although our guideline is 3-4 times the length of the recording, and 99% of our work comes in at that, there will always be variations from one 1 hour recording to the next.

21/07/2023

Weekly Roundup - The truth about being your own boss is that sometimes it's tough!

We've been pulling a few late ones this week as we've been balancing babies and work 😴.

Poor baby K has decided this week, when mummy has a few big projects on, is the week to do some extreme teething 😲 Extra cuddles and kisses are at the top of the agenda! But it has meant we've been pulling some all nighters (I've not done one of those since my mid 20s).

BUT, we've still managed to meet all our deadlines and some.

I've said it so many times before, and I will shout it from the rooftops - I am so grateful that the world of work is changing and it does allow parents, particularly mothers, to have true flexibility, allowing us to have a career while being there for our families - even though it can mean crazy long days.

So, here's to the weekend when daddy is home to help 🥂

Any teething hacks greatly received 😜

14/07/2023

Do you know your legal responsibilities as a Virtual Assistant? 🤔

If you need a little help to make sure you have everything you need to run as a compliant VA, take a look at our VA Handbook only available on Etsy.

www.etsy.com/uk/shop/TheContemporaryPA?ref=seller-platform-mcnav

12/07/2023

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Another appreciation post

A big thank you to Catherine Scard for being the most amazing Financial Advisor I know.

How you have managed to keep making me money while everything around us is crashing simply blows my mind, particularly when I haven't made any further contributions 🤯

You are absolutely brilliant at what you do, and once again you take all the stress and hassle away from me. Knowing my future is in your hands feels me with complete confidence. 100% everyone needs Catherine in their lives.

04/07/2023

Today's office set up

29/06/2023

At The Contemporary PA, we believe in helping people to succeed at life.

Having been in businesssince 2017 and establishing ourselves as a respected and reputable organisation within the South West,
we are here to help pass on the knowledge we have and the learning we've taken from our time inoperation to help you launch successfully as a Virtual Assistant.

👩‍🏫 Our training guide will teach you everything you need to know to launch yourself in the virtual world. Youhave the opportunity to run a business that works around life and family commitments.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 The most appealing aspect of being a VA is the flexibility it provides for anyone who wants to create awork life balance and those with family commitments. The traditional 9-5 is thrown out the window asyou make your rules for working, which may fit around the school run, other jobs or even just taking some
time out.

💴 As well as setting your schedule and working hours, you get to choose your clients; you may wish tospecialise in certain areas that play to your strengths or skill set. Plus, you get to set your charge rate,which means you get paid your worth and therefore is likely to result in a higher income than standardemployment.

In our training guide we cover;

⭐ Branding
⭐ Industry standards and legal requirements
⭐ Equipment and Software
⭐ Managing your business finances
⭐ Operations and logistics
⭐ Marketing, including self marketing and networking

And so much more!

Are you ready to take the first step on your new journey? Grab your copy of the CPA's training guide, aka our Bible on Etsy now.

www.etsy.com/uk/shop/TheContemporaryPA?ref=seller-platform-mcnav

Not quite sure if you're ready to take the full leap? Why not grab a copy our our 'VA Journey Planner' which will help you decide if this is the right path for you 📝

www.etsy.com/uk/shop/TheContemporaryPA?ref=seller-platform-mcnav

27/06/2023

We would just like to say a quick thank you to Oakes Insure for once again arranging our insurance.We have used Craig since we started, and particularly this year I've been occupied with other things 🚼 and have not had the time to compare what's available. Having someone I trust to sort this for me is a huge relief. Thank you for another year of amazing service Craig.

Providing businesses and individuals with Insurance products that suit their needs

25/06/2023

I'm so excited to share this news with you 😆

If you are looking to launch as a Virtual Assistant, or perhaps need a little help on your journey, you can now buy our knowledge and expertise on Etsy!

Check it out www.etsy.com/uk/shop/TheContemporaryPA?ref=seller-platform-mcnav

24/05/2023

𝓦𝓱𝔂 𝓾𝓼𝓮 𝓪 𝓥𝓐 𝓯𝓸𝓻 𝓽𝓻𝓪𝓷𝓼𝓬𝓻𝓲𝓹𝓽𝓲𝓸𝓷 𝔀𝓱𝓮𝓷 𝓽𝓮𝓬𝓱𝓷𝓸𝓵𝓸𝓰𝔂 𝓬𝓪𝓷 𝓭𝓸 𝓲𝓽 𝓯𝓸𝓻 𝔂𝓸𝓾?

There are many options readily available that can provide you with a transcript of a virtual meeting - many people are aware that Zoom and Teams do this at a click of a button.

Although a human transcriber cannot match the speed of to type up your recording, that is of course only part of the process. Arguably the most important part is the accuracy of the notes, which can be somewhat questionable with AI.

Digital transcription is always improving but currently it claims to be around 80% accurate. If looking at it from a time saving exercise, you'll need to consider how long it's going to take to correct the as well formatting into a usable document.

Compare that to a skilled human transcriber who should be checking for accuracy as they go as well as giving it a final check, and often typing straight into a template, we suggest to our clients that it takes 3-4 times the length of the recording to get a finished product.

Why not pop us an email if you'd like to find out more about our transcription services.

11/05/2023

𝕁𝕦𝕤𝕥 𝕗𝕠𝕣 𝕗𝕦𝕟

We’ve been having a bit of a riff-off in the ‘office’ today. As we’ve been so busy with minute taking recently, we decided to see who would be last man or woman standing in the battle of the lyrics containing the word ‘minute’. Here are just a few of our favourites:

🎶 The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air - “I’d like to take a minute, just sit right there”
🎶 The Marvelettes – “Wait a minute Mister Postman”
🎶 Take That – “It only takes a minute girl”

Could you have beaten us? Let us know your ‘minute’ lyrics.

03/05/2023

📝 𝔸𝕦𝕕𝕚𝕠 & 𝕍𝕚𝕕𝕖𝕠 𝕋𝕣𝕒𝕟𝕤𝕔𝕣𝕚𝕡𝕥𝕚𝕠𝕟 𝕒𝕟𝕕 ℕ𝕠𝕥𝕖𝕥𝕒𝕜𝕚𝕟𝕘 📝

We know that as HR Professionals you are often dealing with difficult and sensitive matters, and as such being present in the room or on screen is of extreme importance to make the situation more comfortable for those you are speaking with.

​Whether it's an HR investigation, a board meeting or a project catch up, we're here to make sure you have an accurate record of events - summary notes or verbatim!

We're happy to attend in person, virtually or can transcribe video and audio recordings – leaving you to focus on and engage with the people in the room and what’s being said.

​What's more, because of the nature of the work, we pride ourselves on a quick turnaround to make sure you can progress the process as quickly as you can for your clients' and their people's wellbeing.

24/04/2023

There's been a lot of change here at the CPA over the last 4 months 🚼💙

What does this mean for the CPA? 🤔

We'll, we're still here, we just look a little different.

➡️ Our main focus will be on notetaking and transcription. That doesn't mean we won't be offering other admin services - but we love it and we're good at it!

➡️ Virtual Assistant and a very good friend of mine, Jodie, has been covering for me while I take some time out to navigate mum life. The best news is she's here to stay 🙌 As a mum to a little girl herself, we've teamed up to make sure our clients get full time support without having to compromise our time with our children.

➡️ With a new permanent addition to the team, we do have extra capacity for anyone wanting support with their business admin or meeting support.

We'd like to thank all our amazing clients for supporting us through this transition.

19/04/2023

Have you ever considered how difficult it may be asking an internal member of staff to sit in on meetings about or with their colleagues? 🤔

By using someone from outside of your organisation (if you're an in-house HR Professional) or your clients' organisations (if you're a HR Consultant), you can be confident that all discussions and investigations will remain confidential - no coffee break gossip. It also prevents an internal member of staff being put in a difficult position if they are asked to assist with meetings regarding colleagues.

14/04/2023

11/04/2023

What is the number one reason HR Professionals use our transcription and notetaking service? 🤔

You can focus on your conversations - Instead of having to pause a sensitive meeting to make sure you’ve captured all the right information, having a VA present to do that for you, or by recording the meeting to have us type up later, means you can truly focus and engage in the conversation helping to strengthen the relationships you need to build to get open and honest communication and help put individuals at ease during what is often a difficult meeting.

15/03/2023

Will you be watching the budget today?

We'll be listening closely to the announcement for 1 and 2 year old childcare 🤞

As parents in this situation right now, we understand what a huge difference this will make to 1000s of families in the UK (not that we want to be away from our cheeky little humans for long)

13/03/2023

We've had a revamp!

If you're a or this is one for you.

Our team specialise in audio & video transcription as well as live notetaking.

Head over to our website to find out more

14/08/2022

It's official 💙

22/06/2022

We are looking for our next VA!

With our workload growing, we are looking for experienced individuals who want a better work-life balance to join our team.

If you have experience as a PA or business administrator and want to take the next step to being your own boss, we'd love to hear from you!

05/05/2022

𝘐’𝘷𝘦 𝘯𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘶𝘴𝘦𝘥 𝘢 𝘝𝘈 𝘣𝘦𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘦, 𝘐’𝘮 𝘯𝘦𝘳𝘷𝘰𝘶𝘴 😬

More and more people are recognising the benefits of using a Virtual Assistant, and as such the industry is booming. Anyone with a laptop and an admin background is taking full advantage of this exciting role. However, from our experience, having a background in administration is not always enough and we’ve heard some real horror stories from our clients about previous VA involvement. In fact, to the point that some were put off using Virtual Assistants because of the experience they encountered.

So here's a few tips on how to find the right VA for your business and things you should definitely be looking out for.

☑️ They meet industry standards

☑️ They are happy to provide you with Profiles and Portfolios

☑️ They share their values with you and live by them

☑️ They're happy to speak with you and meet with you to discuss your concerns and get a feel for how each other works.

For more specific details on what you need to be looking for, head to our blog https://bit.ly/3KM2I6z

19/04/2022

🖊 Notetaking like a Pro 🖊

Hve u evr wndrd if thr's a qck wy 2 tk accrt nts wtht lrn'g shrthnd?

Disemvolweling is a simple yet effective option for those who don't have the time (or patience) to learn traditional shorthand.

This effective method allows you to easily read what you have written without learning lots of new symbols. Of course, some words you won't be able to shorten but it will make life a lot easier!

Y nt try dsmvlwlng & lt me knw wt u thnk?!

13/04/2022

What is a Virtual Assistant?

In the early days, a Virtual Assistant could simply be translated as a personal assistant or administrative assistant who worked from a remote location rather than onsite or in your office. They did exactly what a PA would do, just from home or their own base, and usually supported many business owners rather than just one Director.

Nowadays the VA role has developed substantially and although we still do the above, you’ll find VAs offer way more than the traditional PA role, for example digital services and consultancy services.

✔ Administration - from data input (YES, WE LOVE IT!) to generating invoices.

✔ Blogging - Blogging creates trust with your audience if done correctly and can help your brand gain traction fast.

✔ Events - Whether it's a large corporate event, a conference or a small gathering, VAs can project manage your event from start to finish.

✔ Systems and Processes - As your business begins to grow, the way you do things at the beginning will need to change and adapt to suit bigger and busier operations and that's where we come in. VAs can create and help you to implement systems and processes to make running your business more efficient, introducing affordable and accessible technology to help save you time. We can help you to create training packs and policies, researching any legal requirements in your industry and book you on to any courses to make sure you’re compliant.

✔ Minuting and transcription - Whether it’s in person, a virtual meeting or a recording, VAs can help make sure you have an accurate record of events – summary notes or verbatim – leaving you to focus on and engage with the people in the room and what’s being said!

✔ and the Rest - Website design and maintenance, e-mail management, data insights, travel, fleet management, document formatting, the list of services and support a Virtual Assistant can provide is literally endless. If there’s an industry, there’s a VA that has the experience and expertise to provide a high level of support.

11/04/2022

It’s just another manic Monday… or is it? 🧐

We’ve all had that dreaded fear on a Sunday night that the weekend is over and tomorrow is Monday again!! No doubt you’ll come into lots of emails which have been sent over the weekend and there’s 5 whole days until you get to stop and relax again. Why oh why can’t every day be Friday?

But what if Monday didn’t have to be Friday and actually Monday could be something, perhaps not to look forward to, but to embrace?! 🤔

A little positivity goes a long way!

We all know Monday is a good day for new beginnings – you know the one “I’ll start my diet Monday”, so why not use the same mindset for work “I’ll start that project on Monday”.

A shift in your mindset to a more optimistic one will aid for a more productive day and a less stressful one. PLUS, positivity is contagious – so be the one to brighten up everyone else’s Monday blues.

Some practical steps you can do to help you on your way:

➡ Set up a “Monday Box” on Friday before you switch off for the day. Make sure you have everything in there so you’re not procrastinating on Monday morning wondering where to start.
➡ Schedule some fun jobs for Monday so you have something to look forward to. Also, include some ‘quick win’ jobs on your to-do-list. Being able to check them off is going to give you a huge sense of achievement which will spur you on for the rest of your week.
➡ 11’sies. Ok, so maybe the diet is not going to start on Monday! 🧁 Make it cake day or have a special treat that you only get on a Monday. If that’s not enough to set your day off well... I give up.

And a few affirmations to help with the mindset never did any harm:

💫 Today is my day to succeed!
💫 This is a new week—anything is possible!
💫 There is value in my work; I am making a difference.
💫 I am committed to changing my Monday mindset. I will start each week with gratitude, motivation, and a renewed sense of energy.
💫 I am open to all the unknown opportunities this week will bring.
💫 This week, I choose happiness.

Happy Monday!