Kathie M. Thomas: Virtual Assistant

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

Articles by Kathie

• Working Smarter

  Outsourcing and offshoring: Is it worthwhile?

  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.

  • Published 20 June 08
  • Kathie M. Thomas
  • 11 Comments

• Technology

  Value of websites: Do you really need one?

  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.

  • Published 23 May 08
  • Kathie M. Thomas
  • 19 Comments

• Networking

  The benefits of business networks

  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.

  • Published 16 April 08
  • Kathie M. Thomas
  • 13 Comments

• Working Smarter

  The benefits of a business coach

  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?

  • Published 12 March 08
  • Kathie M. Thomas
  • 7 Comments

• Starting Out

  Work and family: Benefits of working at home

  I’ve discovered both expected and hidden benefits to my work and family in the 14 years I’ve been working at home.

  • Published 06 February 08
  • Kathie M. Thomas
  • 10 Comments

• Networking

  Management skills: How networking helps

  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.

  • Published 29 August 07
  • Kathie M. Thomas
  • 3 Comments

• Marketing

  Client relationships: when to take on something new

  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?

  • Published 04 July 07
  • Kathie M. Thomas
  • 6 Comments

• Starting Out

  Working virtually: A definition

  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?’

  • Published 06 June 07
  • Kathie M. Thomas
  • 12 Comments

• Starting Out

  Does working in your bathrobe work for you?

  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.

  • Published 27 April 07
  • Kathie M. Thomas
  • 20 Comments