Why should you hire a Virtual Business Manager?

Any process or system that you start but don’t use fully, or implement and don’t review, is not going to be as productive or beneficial to your business as it could be.  Often, we find a system to solve a current problem but fail to use that system fully, mostly because we don’t have the […]

For many businesses, and freelancers, in particular, knowing what to charge can be a real stumbling block. So in this blog, we’ll talk about what you need to consider in order to price your services correctly. Know your worth Pricing your services shouldn’t be a finger-in-the-air exercise, but that, unfortunately, is how a lot of […]

Registering with the ICO is not normally on the top of your to-do list, or even on your radar when it comes to running your business. But it is a legal requirement for many so is worth investigating. In this blog, we’ll explain exactly what the ICO is and whether or not you need to […]

Today’s busy lifestyle creates a very time-poor environment. With so many things to do, there never seems to be enough hours in the day to complete everything. This blog gives you some tips for managing your calendar better so that you can claim some of that time back. What is calendar management? Calendar management is […]

Like with taking on any staff member, it’s important to know what qualities you’re looking for when hiring a VA. They will be representing your company at some level, so you want to make sure they are a good fit. You also want to feel you could have a good working relationship with them as […]

If you’re running a business, chances are you’d like to earn a profit. But with the majority of folding businesses claiming lack of profits as the main reason, why is it that so many of us fail to meet this essential goal? Profit First by Mike Michalowicz A while ago, I read Profit First by […]

When running a business, you want to use all the tools at your disposal to create a workspace that feels productive and good to be in. While there are hundreds of different software solutions out there that can help in every area of your business, this blog describes the three most critical in any business, […]

As a virtual assistant and virtual business manager, I’ve been called in to help many businesses who are struggling in some area of their business. Over this time, I’ve noticed one particular issue that crops up more often than the rest, so I wanted to write a blog to help other businesses notice if this […]

In this blog, we talk about how you can create a better business by taking a step back every now and then. Why it’s important to reflect It’s so easy to get caught up in the day-to-day of running a business that we sometimes forget to take a step back and check that we’re still […]

Email is a fantastic tool – it’s fast, convenient, you can add attachments and hook it up to all sorts of other software. You’ve got a written record of conversations and you feel like you’re in touch with the world. The problem is, email can take over your entire day. Even when you’re not responding, […]

Time management is one of the biggest struggles we see in businesses today. This is especially true when you’re having to take on someone else’s responsibilities for a time.  In this blog, I’ll break down how you can manage your time effectively and complete the most important tasks in time without having to sacrifice your […]

Your onboarding process is one of the first dealings with your client and as such plays an important role in the building of a lasting and fruitful relationship. The process you use will be seen as reflective of how you will continue to work with your client, so it’s important to make a good impression […]

“My creditors are taking up a lot of my time. How can I manage them better?” Here are my top tips for managing creditors better. Clear communication and transparency at the onboarding stage Your customers will listen twice as hard and take in twice as much when you are onboarding them. At the onboarding stage, […]

“My receipts are always in a mess and it takes me ages to get them sorted out and into Xero. What are your top tips for keeping my receipts organised and getting them into Xero efficiently?” Keep all receipts in an envelope or folder. Find somewhere to keep your receipts organised, like a folder or […]

“How do I automate my bills to Xero? And why doesn’t my Xero invoice automatically upload to Xero?” It is a pain to manually add bills into Xero. So we don’t recommend that you do that. Xero has a free app called Hubdoc that you can use to email (or upload via the app) all […]

“Managing my debtors is taking too long. How do I manage my debtors better?” It shouldn’t take more than 10 minutes a couple of times a month to manage your debtors, depending on how many there are. Here are my top tips for streamlining the process. Make sure your bills are in Xero Ensure that […]

Since lockdown, whilst we are more understanding about distractions like the doorbell or the dog barking, we are still reluctant to shut out the noise of texts, WhatsApp messages and social media.   These are my top 10 new year tips for reducing distractions and managing time more effectively. For more focused time to meet […]

“How do I delegate my self-assessment? Won’t I need to gather all my paperwork together? I might as well just do the whole job myself?” There are a few reasons why outsourcing your self-assessment is more efficient than doing it yourself. Firstly, anxiety and overwhelm around hitting the deadline.  It’s already November 2021. There are […]

“I’m growing but struggling with time and stress so how would you advise I start to delegate so I can grow without the overwhelm?” The best way to address stress and overwhelm is with my three-column trick for how to start delegating.  I’m often asked: “I don’t know how to outsource. What should I ask […]

“I want to streamline the quoting process and make it more effective but I just don’t know where to begin?”   What’s your current quoting system? What’s your process?  Do you have one?  Why should you have one?    It saves time. If you are using invoicing software, and not using the quotations within that, […]

When it comes to CRM systems for small business owners, how does one begin to choose and what’s your favourite? First, think about what you want your CRM system to do. For example, if you want your CRM system to talk to your invoicing system but there’s no link or integration between the two systems […]

So many financial software packages. How do I choose and what’s your go-to recommendation? My go-to recommendation is, stick with what you know but learn to use it fully.  Get someone to train you, or set it up for you so you’re using it to its full potential. I’ve worked with many businesses that are […]

Wow! We’ve been nominated for an award! I am so proud to say that we are a finalist for South East England VA of the Year 2021. It’s amazing to be recognised by VA industry experts as part of a national programme as prestigious as UK VA Awards 2021. This nomination reflects the great work that […]

After a long year in lockdown, it has never been more important to ensure you are taking a break and unwinding. However, when you own your own business, this can be a tough process as you are the sole person responsible for everything that happens, and rightfully so, you can feel a little protective. To […]

Effective presentation skills are a key part of communication and are used to present ideas, projects, plans, or strategies in front of an audience. Whether it be an upcoming webinar, event, meeting in person, or online, presenting can feel like an uncomfortable experience no matter how old you are. However, they are extremely important within […]

Having a strong vision and set of values is crucial for your business to flourish and succeed. Both vision and values embody the company’s ethos and establish the direction in which the business wants to progress. However, not very many people know what both of these attributes mean, so here is a breakdown as well […]

There is no doubt that communication within a business is fundamental in ensuring that the workplace runs smoothly. Whether this be communicating with new starters or colleagues who have been with the business since the start, it is imperative to have effective communication in order to ensure that your business progresses forward, and everyone is […]

So, you have decided you want to set up your own business but now you are wondering logistically: How do I do that without spending lots of money? There might be several options out there such as a loan or searching for an investor and deciding the right option for you can be daunting and […]

Being a business owner in the modern world means that technology is your absolute best friend. Nowadays, there is an app for everything and figuring out the key ones you should use can be a tough process. I have collated a list of the top 5 systems I would recommend to both smaller and larger […]

Are you the kind of person who uses the same password for everything? Easily guessed passwords is a huge issue that can cost you and your business a lot of money should someone hack your website or social media channels. According to the Xero website, up to 80% of data breaches can be prevented with […]

Setting goals is a vital part of establishing your business plan in order to succeed on a short- and long-term basis. Also, it gives a vision for the business and allows employees and the business owner to know and more importantly understand the direction in which the business is going. What are business goals? A […]

The GDPR data privacy law across Europe ensure that peoples personal data is protected. Is it time for a refresh on what GDPR means for your business? Or maybe you aren’t sure what comes under GDPR? Lawfulness, fairness and transparency This principle is one of the most important areas which gives total transparency in relation […]

Is managing your workload something you struggle with? Anybody in business realises just how hard being successful can be. At times, balancing your workload can be an extremely challenging task. Therefore, allowing different responsibilities to pile up and resulting in you becoming overwhelmed very quickly. To a certain extent, it is about working smarter than […]

How CRM’s improve your customer relationship We all know that our customers can make or break our business, so the way that our businesses manage our customer database determines our amount of success. Better relationship = higher customer satisfaction As your business grows your customer database will expand, it can become difficult to centralise and […]

Why do you need a Cookies policy? You will have seen plenty of pop-ups mentioning cookies in your time on the internet. However, do you know what cookies are? Or whether your website requires a policy? Are you guilty of just clicking ‘accept all’ just to make pop-ups disappear? Don’t worry, most of us are. […]

Stripe and GoCardless are payment services that offer flexible management for online payments. However, each service offers different features which results in them being used for different areas of business. What does GoCardless have to offer my business? GoCardless was designed primarily for recurring payments, the service was built for brands that collect repeating payments. […]

What is GDPR? The internet has dramatically changed the way we communicate and how we handle everyday tasks. We send emails, we share documents, we pay bills and we purchase goods by entering our personal details all online and without a second thought. What is GDPR in the UK? General Data Protection Regulation, or GDPR, […]

Sifting through spam and keeping tabs on what needs action immediately and what can wait can feel like a job in itself. Which is why I wanted to share my top tips of how to keep on top of your inbox and calendar to help more people conquer even the unruliest of inbox’s.   Only […]

Today’s rapid outpour of technology and innovation often leaves business owners wondering “what is this?” and “do I really need it?” but when it comes to online accounting, Xero is truly a revelation when it is fully optimised.   With ease of use and plenty of documentation available, Xero has become a place you can […]

We all know that billing is a vital part of business operation and it’s very important that it is done properly. Your invoices should be accurate and sent in a timely manner. I have received various invoices in the past that have minor errors when it comes to the billing address or the name on […]

You are probably familiar with the saying You don’t know what you don’t know. In business, there are endless amounts of techniques, approaches, and methods people use to be successful and you are not going to know them all. You might be an AMAZING accountant but not have strong skills when it comes to social media. Of […]

First impressions are crucial in business. Not having a custom email or having spelling or grammar errors could jeopardise your business image when communicating with potential prospects. Let’s start with a custom address: Credibility: In today’s society, it is more common for people to contact you via email instead of the phone. Making your email […]

I wanted to write this blog to talk about ‘Value’ in business and why it is important to recognise in order to be successful in business. Around 18 months ago I came into contact with a small business owner that was completely buried in work, they were working 14 hour days, keeping themselves cooped up […]

Do you have a WRITTEN step-by-step process of how to make a sale? I have met countless business owners who have been operating for years with no documented process in place. Without this its hard to see how you successfully made a sale, but better yet, why you didn’t successfully complete a sale. Plus, if […]

We’ve all heard the phrase “learn from failure” but it is honestly crucial for success in business. We have all had our setbacks in business- a project not working, an unsatisfied customer or a bad review. You can’t let these things effect your mindset which can have a direct impact on your business. I am […]

When it comes to your time, I’m sure you can all agree that there just isn’t enough of it! It feels like no matter what you do, you are still working late into the evening and don’t have enough time for your friends and family. If this sounds familiar then you have come to the […]

If you find your business being stuck, starting to slow down or struggling to grow, maybe you have fallen victim to your comfort zone… Many businesses that have gotten through the “honeymoon stage” of business of 2-3 years might experience this. They have built the business, have a routine and feel stuck in the familiarity […]

The new financial year is creeping up on us (that’s right people, just 4 weeks to go), so now it’s the time to get your ducks in a row and start planning for the new year a head. To help get you business ready, I have put together 3 top tips for you to utilise […]

It is no easy task to achieve work-life balance in today’s unpredictable and fast-paced business world. As we grow increasingly more connected through technology and social media, it is becoming more and more difficult to separate work from our personal lives. It is all too common to check emails at all hours, take business calls […]

Being a small business owner can be overwhelming. We all have our good and bad days, but it is important to always come across as confident to our clients and potential new customers during our pitch. Are you trying to tune out that self-doubt? Here are my 5 top tips of how to build your […]

I know there are a lot of businesses out there who do not print anymore, but for those of you that do, this is a post for you! We all know that the printers, ink, and cartridges are costly and after being in business for nearly 10 years I’m sure you can imagine how much […]

The sum of everything we have ever known and the sum of everything we currently know, combined  with the sum of everything we will ever know is still nothing compared to what is there to be known. This is an amazing quote that was passed on by Al Tepper from https://www.tepfu.com/ who has been spreading […]

For those of you who work with a CRM platform, it is hard to imagine a world without it. If you love structure and organisation, an advantage of CRM software offers is that it can help keep everything related to managing your customer relationships- data, notes, metrics, and more in one place. 3 key benefits […]

Whether you are new to business or have 10 years of experience under your belt, we all know what an invoice is but most of us are also guilty for seeing it as “just a paper trail” so do not put the time or effort into creating a document that represents our business or services. […]

For the majority of companies, you will process personal information in some way or another, whether that be a name, email, or phone number. By law, if you process personal information you must pay a ‘data protection’ fee to the ICO. There are three tiers of fee ranging from £40 and £2,900, but for most […]

Determining your pricing is one of the hardest decisions to make. Price too high and you step out of your customers comfort zone, charge too little and you undermine your worth. If you find yourself questioning your decisions when it comes to your process, or you just need to remind yourself exactly what it is […]

When a business is a start-up and the entrepreneur becomes the wearer of all hats in the business, it is easy to become overwhelmed and stress over the little things. However, when should you hire help? It is nice to save on expenses by doing everything yourself, but one person can only do so much. […]

Goals are part of every aspect of business/life and provide a sense of direction, motivation, and a clear focus, especially whilst working from home. By setting goals, you are providing yourself with a target to aim for and a SMART goal is used to help guide goal setting. In case you aren’t aware, SMART is an […]

It feels like only yesterday that you gleefully switched on the ‘out of office’ and left your workplace with a cheery ‘Have a great Christmas!’ to your colleagues. But, sadly, the festive holidays seem to last about as long as the contents of that tin of Quality Street. Before you know it, it is back to […]

Before you set your 2021 goals, be sure to consider all your opportunities for lowering costs and increasing revenue. The pivots you have made to adjust to this year’s challenges might open new doors, like online sales or selling to new audiences. So, with that in mind here are 3 strategies for approaching business goals […]

You’re set up and comfortable using Xero, so it’s time to push outside your comfort zone and see what else you can do to ensure you’re getting the most out of Xero. In order to help you use the Xero software to its fullest potential, we’ve collected some Xero tips, including shortcuts, customisations, and unique […]

We have been getting the same kinds of questions over the last few months so we want to answer some of our most common ones to let everyone get to know Jaxstar Solutions better. What is a Virtual Business Manager? A Virtual Business Manager is a remote workforce that aims to provide your business with […]

Do you use spreadsheets to manage your accounts instead of an accounting software? As many of you know, I am a big lover of Xero and talk about how amazing it can be for your business, but I just wanted to discuss why online accounting software’s are not a necessity for all business and that […]

You’ve delivered on your work, set your payment terms and sent an invoice to your client. But the payment is overdue, and you haven’t received a response or update. But no need to panic just yet! There are several ways to manage an overdue invoice without compromising your professional relationship with your client. 10 step […]

Sadly (or joyfully) Christmas is already almost upon us.  Seriously where did this last year go?  Here are some quick, timely and relevant reminders for every business to check out and be sure to action before they close for the Christmas holidays. Organise your Christmas closure If you are 100% closed over the Christmas break […]

Every year, over a quarter of people that are due to file a Self-Assessment tax return complete it in the final 4 days before the 31st January deadline (stresses me out just thinking about it), with over 5% of returns being filed in the final 24 hours!!! However, leaving it to the last minute comes with so […]

It’s Black Friday this week and a lot of small business could benefit from getting all their big purchases like laptops, printers and tablets at a discounted price. I use this time of year to do just that, so I thought I would share a few helpful tips of how I research and plan what […]

Most of us start the day with a cup of coffee or spend time “getting in the zone” to ensure we are doing the best for our business. With today’s technology, there are countless digital tools you can use to improve your business. If you want to stay competitive and give your business the best […]

Credit Control is probably not the task business owners have in mind when starting up a business, but it is necessary to keeping your business healthy and maintaining good cash flow. Have a clearly written payment policy to prevent problems. Have customers sign the agreement, which states when payment is due and what consequences there will […]

Time flies—especially when you are trying to get things done.  In order to be successful in business and in life, you have to actively manage your time, so it doesn’t simply slip away.  However, practising this is easier said than done. Try these 10 ways to help you manage your time better so you can […]

I have been lucky enough to continue working throughout this pandemic and have met with a lot of new people via Zoom. Although I am definitely more of a people person, utilising Zoom for new client meetings has not only saved me time, but also allowed my customers to see first-hand how I operate which […]

If you’re reading this blog, then you already know how important cash flow is. Cash flow is the mainstay of your business. Positive cash flow means you can successfully run and grow your business, and negative cash flow — well, that needs addressing. Send Invoices Right Away Sales invoices are the lifeblood of a small […]

You are a sole trader with a small business and most probably collating your paperwork and submitting your self assessment. So, do you really need a bookkeeper or accountant? Although it is not a mandatory requirement, there are some huge benefits of hiring a bookkeeper or accountant to submit your return. Most small business owners […]

It’s not so long ago that stress and mental health was a total taboo subject in the workplace, however with awareness campaigns, much like today ‘National Stress Awareness Day’ and so much in the media it is now talked about in businesses. So, as a small business owner what can help you stay calm and […]

My whole business is based on the back of office but I recognise how important Marketing is in order to run a successful business which is why I am a huge believer in Networking and having an online presence. So, although marketing isn’t my expertise, I wanted to share some of the huge benefits it […]

Waiting on payments from customers can be one of the biggest pain-points for any small business. UK SMEs are currently chasing over £50 billion worth of late payments, while the average London-based business is waiting on SEVEN payments at any given time. However, it’s not all doom and gloom. There’s one simple change you can make […]

In order to succeed in the world of business, it is essential for entrepreneurs to find ways to help their company be as proactive as possible. It is very easy for businesses to struggle and dip in performance without a constant effort to improve but it can also be challenging to look for ways to […]

When it comes to bookkeeping, a lot of small business owners quiver at the thought of handling their own accounts, especially if they don’t have a background of it. If you are running a business and have not considered Xero, then you could be missing out.  As much as you find it hard to understand accounts, Xero will make […]

Goals are part of every aspect of business/life and provide a sense of direction, motivation, and a clear focus, especially whilst working from home. By setting goals, you are providing yourself with a target to aim for and a SMART goal is used to help guide goal setting. In case you aren’t aware, SMART is an […]

What is cloud computing? Cloud computing gives users access to data or files wherever they have an internet connection. In today’s ever-changing business climate, it’s critical that small business owners get what they need right when they need it, whether they’re on their computers, tablets or mobile phones – or in the office, out in […]

Networking has always been a big part of the success of my business. I can definitely agree that it is a powerful tool for building relationships with other people, and also creating some hot leads. However, that isn’t to say I don’t cringe when I see myself on zoom attempting to pitch my busines Networking […]

No matter what industry you’re in, email list building is still an important business strategy for spreading brand awareness and building customer loyalty.⠀ ⠀ Although every industry is different with how they capture those emails, there is the same strategy at the core of every method:  ⠀ The value of your offer – the cost […]

Are you looking to improve your credit control?   Effective and efficient credit control is critical to the success of any business, reducing the wait for payment and improving cash flow. However, not all businesses have the time, resource, or expertise to dedicate to successful credit management.  We all know how difficult it can be to get paid […]

Why wait until the end of the year to submit your accounts? Many small business owners don’t have a bookkeeper, and might not want one because they enjoy doing it themselves, but we are all guilty for pushing these types of tasks to the bottom of our to-do list until it gets round to January […]

Between sifting through spam, crafting the right responses, and keeping tabs on the messages that require follow-up, staying on top of your inbox can feel like a job in itself. If you are faced with an inbox with thousands of emails, we naturally feel overwhelmed and never know where to start, which is how the inbox piles […]

Although you are initially spending money when you outsource, it can help grow your business and save you money in the long run. Outsourcing can be done regardless of how big your business is nowadays, with thanks to the internet you can hire people to work remotely so you don’t have to worry about paying any extra […]

Receipt Bank is an easy way to capture all the information needed for a set of accounts. By simply sending all invoices and receipts to your own personalised email address or taking a photo and sending through the app, Receipt Bank captures all the information and can report it straight back into Xero in just […]

Your business will make more money if your customers are happier. But how do you keep your customers happy? How do you know what your customers like or dislike about your product? Asking for customer feedback can provide extremely valuable insight for your business and products. Feedback can directly influence what changes you need to […]