Learning on the Job
by Kathie Thomas
Whilst it would be expected that if you are running a home based business, it would be conducted professionally and you know what you are doing there are times you will need to enhance your skills or add to them. What then?
The best way would be to take on 'love jobs' - ones that you are not going to charge for, to have the opportunity to develop and practice your new skills, or perhaps you might start a new project of your own. For example a newsletter or your own website. Better to practice on something for yourself, than for a client for whom you will be charging for the work.
Or, if it does need to be a job that you're doing for a client, then PLEASE do not charge your full rate, and/or the full amount of time taken to do the job. Either cut the time you're charging for to half, or cut the rate you're charging to half your rate - better to do the former than the latter, so you don't have to justify your change of rates further down the track. Let the client know you haven't charged for the full time it took because you're still developing your skill in that area. They will respect you for your honesty - they do need to know, rather than for it to be covered up. Especially if they discover that someone else could have done the job in half the time or for a far lesser total sum.
There is a fine balance in being able to run your business and work at enhancing your skills, or learning new ones, but don't do it to jeopardise your client base and the business you already have running.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
About the Author
Author: Kathie Thomas is the Founder of "A Clayton's Secretary" and the Virtual Assistant Industry in Australia. She has a multi award-winning business and leads and mentors many VAs throughout Australia and overseas. She began to work at home early 1994 so she could be home for her family of 5 growing daughters. http://www.asecretary.com.au
|
