Cheltenham, Victoria
www.vadirectory.net
Kathie M. Thomas is a successful Virtual Assistant with a 14+ year old practice. She was a VA before the term 'virtual assistant' was in use.
The founder of "A Clayton's Secretary", established March 1994, she pioneered the Virtual Assistant industry in Australia and currently manages a network of virtual assistants with members in 16 countries and is moderator for two well-established VA chat forums which have over 1,500 virtual assistant members collectively. She is an industry leader who frequently speaks at public seminars and workshops throughout Australia about working virtually.
Kathie was nominated for Australian of the Year in 2008 for her community service related to guiding and mentoring women in establishing businesses at home so they could be there for family.
Kathie's memorable quote
"Whatever your passion is - that is your vision." Mike Jeffs
In recent times, there has been a good deal of debate as to whether the cheaper costs of offshoring are outweighed by the benefits of outsourcing locally.

In a recent forum discussing the value of websites, someone remarked how a number of professions e.g. tradespeople, say that websites are of no benefit to them. Between ads in the local paper and being busy anyway, they do not need or want a website.
The more business owners I meet, the more I recognise that what makes businesses successful is an understanding of the benefits of being involved in business networks. Many soloists talk about networking but not all walk their talk.
I put off getting a business coach for a long time. I was already a leader in my own industry and forging ahead with things quite capably on my own, so I thought. Why did I need someone to tell me what I thought I already knew?

I’ve discovered both expected and hidden benefits to my work and family in the 14 years I’ve been working at home. 
Plenty can be learnt from looking at how larger organisations operate. Attending networking meetings with people from a variety of businesses can provide great insights into the management of your small or solo business.
If you are new in business and keen to develop new client relationships, it is tempting to take on something you’ve never done before. Or existing clients may ask you to do something unfamiliar. But when is the right time to take on something new?
In recent years, 'working virtually' has come to describe the home-based worker. But not everyone understands the concept. For example when I tell people them I’m a Virtual Assistant, the typical response is ‘what’s that?’
February 2007 was deemed the month for home-based workers to don their bathrobes to do their work. Whilst I appreciate the sentiment behind this idea, I’ve never worked in my bathrobe in the thirteen years I’ve been working from home.
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