Virtually Speaking
September 2002 - Issue 6

In this Issue:
Food for Thought
August Event Highlights
Upcoming Events
Successful Habits: Shattered Myths
Home Office Basics: Equipment - Lease or Buy?
NVAS Steering Committee Contact Information & Meeting Announcement

Food for Thought

"When I was a young man I observed that 9 out of 10 things I did were failures. I didn't want to be a failure, so I did 10 times more work."
- George Bernard Shaw

The Growth Guild

August 8th
"Do I Need a Website?" presented by Adrian Martinez of Web World Wizardry
Adrian helped us to identify the benefits of having a website, as well as the importance of a web presence. He showed us how to work a website into our marketing plan and also offer some alternative web marketing strategies. It was a terrific presentation and is going to be speaking on September 17th for the HBBC at the ASBA office from 9:30 - 11:30 am. The presentation called "If You Build It… Will They Come?" will cover how to optimize your web presence and is a must for anyone with a website or anyone interested in having a website. If you would like more information, you may contact Adrian at 480-515-2832.

August 22nd
"Happiness in Business" presented by Magnolia Lee
Magnolia helped us identify important aspects of our personal life and business life to help us towards balancing our personal wellness and business. She is also offering a FREE Happiness Evaluation for our NVAS members. It will help you to discover which behavior patterns may be blocking your path toward Happiness, and achieve "Course Correction" in every area of your life. You may contact Magnolia at 602-229-5187.

NOTE: Due to the interest in the "Learning to Work Virtually" event, we plan to conduct a similar presentation in the near future. Please keep an eye out for more information.

If you would like information any of our workshops, you may email us at info@nvas.org.

The Gathering

August 28th
The networking mixer was held at the Radisson Phoenix Airport Hotel. We enjoyed great pizza, fruit, veggies, and chips.

If you were unable to attend any of the events, we hope to see you in the future!

Upcoming Events

Things to keep an eye out for…

The Growth Guild

September 12th from 9:00 am - 11:00 am
"Managing Yourself Within Time" presented by Valerie Simpson of Organize-U Consulting, Inc.
Ms. Simpson's discussion focuses on creating more leisure time, how to avoid distractions and exploring why we procrastinate or waste time. Her ideas and concepts will help you to handle more business in less time utilizing some of the best time management tools. Valerie Simpson's energy is unlimited and you will be enlightened as well as entertained by her discussion.
4130 E. Van Buren, Suite 150 (just south of Loop 202 & west of 44th Street) in the small conference room at the ASBA office. Please RSVP - theresa@nvas.org.

October 10th from 9:30 am - 11:30 am
"Gifts for All Occasions" presented by Heather of The Basket Brigade
4130 E. Van Buren, Suite 150 (just south of Loop 202 & west of 44th Street) in the small conference room at the ASBA office. Please RSVP - Theresa@nvas.org.

Check our calendar for more detailed and updated information... information will also be included in our meeting reminders.

Successful Habits: Shattered Myths
Excerpt from the book "Built to Last" by James C. Collins and Jerry I. Porras

Myth: It takes a great idea to start a great company.
Reality: Starting a company with a "great idea" might be a bad idea. Few visionary companies began life with a great idea. In fact, some began life without any specific idea and a few even began with outright failures. Furthermore, regardless of the founding concept, the visionary companies were significantly less likely to have early entrepreneurial success than the comparison companies. Like the parable of the tortoise and the hare, visionary companies often get off to a slow start, but win the long race.

Sponsored By:
ASAP Solutions
Virtual Business Services
"Creating Quality Solutions"
http://www.asap-solutions.com
info@asap-solutions.com
480-515-5055

Home Office Basics
Equipment - Lease or Buy?

How do you decide whether you lease or buy your office equipment? Begin by considering your cash flow, tax position, anticipated needs, and length of time you plan to use the equipment. You may have little cash on hand and limited credit, or you may wish to keep your lines of credit open for other purchases. With a lease, your initial cash outlay is small. If the equipment you need is likely to become obsolete quickly, you should probably lease it. By leasing, you will have the option of upgrading if your needs change; also, you can often lease more sophisticated, expensive equipment than you can afford to buy.

If you plan to use your equipment for 12 or more months, you should not lease, unless multiple quantities are needed. Leasing will cost more than to outright purchase in the long run. However, items such as copiers, audiovisual equipment, and phone systems may be better leased.

If you decide to lease or to buy, just remember to make sure they are supported by a good warranty and accessible technical support.