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Case Study - Consultant - Jules Harrison-Annear

Jules, Founder of JHA Consulting and Humans at Work was looking for a way to bring increased efficiency to her business operations. Struggling with managing administrative tasks and wanting to focus on her strengths, Jules hired a Strictly Savvy virtual assistant.  Jules recognised her strengths and weaknesses, acknowledging the need for assistance in areas where she lacked expertise or found tasks mundane. By engaging a virtual assistant, Jules handed over tasks that weren't her forte...

Embracing Your Uniqueness At Work with Jules Harrison-Annear

On episode 20 of the Get Savvy podcast we're very lucky to be joined by Jules, owner of both JHA Consulting and Humans at Work.Jules shares insights into the world of JHA Consulting, a boutique management consulting company. She shares her unique approach of using nature-based models to support organisations in becoming more sustainable and impactful.Jules also discusses Humans at Work, a globally focused platform that features a podcast, blogs, and online learning courses. The Humans at Work po...

The Power of Time Blocking: How to Schedule Your Time for Maximum Productivity

As our lives get busier, finding ways to optimise our time and increase productivity has become more and more important.  One really effective and easy method for making the most of your day is time blocking. By allocating specific time slots for different tasks, you can streamline your workday and improve focus.  In episode 19 of the Get Savvy podcast, Teesha and Jo explore time blocking, its benefits, and how it can transform the way you manage your time. Whether you c...

What If I Don't Get Along With My Virtual Assistant?

What happens if you hire a VA, start working with them, and then find that you don’t get along, or things aren’t working out?  As with any new member of your team, this is always a possibility. There’s a few things you can do during the hiring process to avoid this, like:   ...

Who is a Virtual Assistant Not a Good Fit For?

But, we get it - a VA isn't for everyone. Let's check out some reasons why a VA might not be the right fit for you. ...

Micromanager: Who, Me? Yes, You!

Have you noticed a decline in team motivation?It's time for a closer look at your management style and a little exploration into the world of micromanagement.Micromanagement has a way of sneaking into our lives without us even realising it. When stress hits, we might unintentionally take control of every detail in our business.We want things to run smoothly, but unknowingly, we end up stifling our team's autonomy and decision-making abilities.When we micromanage, we unintentionally erode the tru...

Why Do I Need A Bookkeeper?

That being said, these tasks can often eat up an unbelievable amount of time that could be better spent growing and managing your business....

What is a virtual assistant?

To put it simply, a virtual assistant is somebody who completes tasks for you remotely. Think of them as your side kick, executive assistant, personal assistant, accounts person or office assistant that carries out all the tasks required in their role, without being physically based in your office. They’re your go-to person to free up your time by taking things off your to-do list. ...

Two Painfully Easy Issues To Fix Forever

In episode 16 of the Get Savvy podcast, Teesha and Jo discuss two major pain points that drive many business owners insane: password storage and contact storage. If you're guilty of mishandling these, you need to hear this!...

Balancing Automation With The Human Touch

On episode 15 of the Get Savvy podcast we're talking about finding the perfect balance between human touch and automation in business. With AI tools and automation technologies growing rapidly, it's crucial to figure out how to blend them seamlessly into your business.What's the Deal with Automation?Automation is all about using technology to perform tasks without needing human intervention. This includes AI tools like ChatGPT, and apps or websites like Zapier that automate processes or integrat...

Equality vs Equity in the Workplace with Cathy Sheppard

On Episode 14 of the Get Savvy Podcast, we're joined by a very special guest, Cathy from BSI People Skills. Cathy is the CEO and Founder of BSI People Skills, a leadership coaching organisation that helps businesses understand their people through the power of tools such as Everything DiSC personality profiles. With a wealth of knowledge and experience, both nationally and internationally, Cathy's expertise transcends cultural bounds, making her an expert in people and their relationships. ...

The Anatomy of a Perfect Website with Anesha Ralston

They can help identify issues with your website's functionality, user journey, and design, allowing you to make the necessary changes to improve its performance. During website audits, common mistakes that businesses make can impact the effectiveness of their website. In this blog post and podcast episode, we'll discuss some of the most common mistakes found during website audits and offer tips on how to fix them, leaving you with a perfect website! ...

5 Tips For a Successful Work-Life Blend

The term "work-life balance" has become a buzzword, but we prefer to use the term "work-life blend."  As a business owner, your work and life are not entirely separate entities, but rather, your work is just one aspect of your life.  The concept of work-life blend is all about finding a way to integrate your work and personal life in a way that reflects your love for your work and your business, while still having a life outside of work that fulfills you. Next we’ll outline five...

From Office to Online: Navigating the Pros and Cons of Remote Teams

Remote work has become a more accessible option than ever before, thanks in large part to the pandemic. This has led many businesses to consider whether to adopt a remote team or invest in leasing an office. While remote work offers businesses the opportunity to reduce overhead costs and provides employees with flexibility, it also comes with challenges such as communication, employee well-being, and monitoring employee progress. One of the major benefits of remote work is that it allows busine...

Streamline Your Workflow: A Beginner's Guide to Business Automation

By automating repetitive and mundane tasks, businesses can save time and money, reduce errors, and improve productivity. Eventually, you may even get to a point where your business is able to run without you, which is the ultimate goal for many business owners. But what does this mean for employees working in a business with automated processes? Is automation a threat to their employment? ...

BSI Culture Excellence Awards 2022

These awards recognise organisations that demonstrate excellence in developing and maintaining a positive workplace culture, and we are thrilled to be recognised as leaders in this area.We're passionate about creating a positive workplace culture that fosters creativity, collaboration, and innovation. We believe that a great workplace culture is essential for attracting and retaining great team members, and for achieving business success.Our award-winning culture is built on the foundations of o...

7 Productivity Hacks

When searching for productivity tips online, you'll find countless suggestions for doing more in your workday. However, the goal is not to cram more into your day, instead making the most of the time you have set aside for work, so you can have a fulfilling life outside of your business.In this post, we're talking about productivity hacks that can help you use your time more effectively and get more done. ...

What security questions should I ask my virtual assistant?

Have you thought about what kind of questions you need to ask your virtual assistant (VA) to ensure that your information stays secure?  Think of it like this: A virtual assistant is an external team member, essentially a type of contractor, that is being given access to important information within your business. Things like email logins, Xero access, payroll information, and maybe even contracts and confidential documents.   How do you ensure that this information stays safe fro...

Just Give A Sh!t

As a business owner or team leader, one of your most important responsibilities is creating a positive workplace culture that fosters productivity, creativity, and teamwork. But how do you do that effectively? It’s simple… Just give a shit! It’s important to make your team members feel special and valued. Take the time to listen to their needs and concerns, remember important milestones like birthdays and work anniversaries, and get to know them on a personal level. In doing so, you let y...

3 Easy Things You Can Do To Foster A Great Culture

At Strictly Savvy, we understand the importance of a great workplace culture, and we're proud to have received the Supreme Award at the BSI Culture Excellence Awards for 2022, recognising our efforts in creating a supportive and enjoyable work environment.  So, how can you create a positive workplace culture? Here's our top three tips: Make it fun! Having an outlet for fun helps keep the atmosphere relaxed and positive. We have an internal chat tool with a channel dedicated to hum...

How do I delegate my to-do list?

We hear this time and time again from people desperate to free up time in their day, but not sure where to start!  It's normal to want to hold on to the things on your to-do list.   Maybe you feel like you're the only one who can do it right, it would take too long to train someone new, or that someone else is going to take much longer to complete the task for you.   Ultimately, handing things over to a VA or team member comes down to trust, training and communication. R...

4 Signs it's Time to Hire a Virtual Assistant

More often than not it's the incremental shifts in how your business is running that add up to a feeling of overwhelm and stress. You might not have even considered that hiring a VA is an option for you.   Here's our list of signs that it's time for a VA's assistance. ...

How do you build a business that runs without you?

On this episode of Get Savvy, we’re here to give you practical advice on getting your business to the point that point that it runs without you, while being successful and profitable.   It’s important to keep in mind that this isn’t something that will happen overnight.   But there are things that you can start doing today that will propel you towards that goal faster, and that’s what we’ll be covering today in detail.   So, ask yourself the question, how ...

Get Savvy Podcast Episode #1 - The trap that business owners fall into

On this episode of Get Savvy, we're talking about the trap that we see so many business owners fall into:  Trying to be all of the things in your business.   When you first start out in business, it is all you.  You're going to do all the marketing, the sales, the delivery, the strategy, all the accounts, the admin, everything. You are all the things!  But you’re spreading yourself too thin, and that can't go on forever.  As humans, and as business owners, we canâ...

Who are the best virtual assistant companies in New Zealand?

We've rounded up the top four VA agencies that you should consider while searching for a VA. While each of these agencies will be able to help you with your admin, bookkeeping and design tasks, they all offer specialty services as well.In no particular order:...