[Jewelry making - Article 00178] - Re: [Orchid] Dilemma - time to expand?

[E. Luther]

========[ Invite a Friend - http://www.ganoksin.com/invite.htm  ]========

    There was just an article in the Chicago Tribune about using
    "virtual assistants" who aren't even necessarily in the same
    country.  If you needed office work, perhaps that could work for
    you. 

    One way to look at it would be: instead of hiring an actual local
    employee, what tasks could you outsource to various contractors.
    Such as hiring a bookkeeper, web designer, etc.  The goal is to free
    you up to do design work, and one thing that comes with an employee
    is management time. 

    How much time would you be managing them vs. how much time would
    they free up for you. 

    For some of the other things you mention -- picking up supplies,
    post office, perhaps you could set up systems for some of these
    things. With careful planning and ordering, you could have
    everything shipped to you.  Many services are available from
    www.usps.com, including the ability to print out postage.  And your
    mail carrier will pick up any package weighing less than a pound. 

    If you still have errands that you'd like to get rid of, then
    perhaps a "runner" would do the job.  Maybe a high school student? 

    I would look very carefully at the costs and benefits of having an
    employee.  Tax implications, how much it would free you up.  Vs the
    cost of using various contractors. 

    Say, I wonder if it would help to hire a professional organizer?  To
    help you set up some new systems. 

Well, that's my 2 cents.
~Elaine
Elaine Luther
Chicago area, Illinois, USA
Metalsmith, Certified PMC Instructor
http://www.CreativeTextureTools.com

____________________________________________________________________
T h e   O r c h i d   L i s t
Open Electronic Forum for Jewelry Manufacturing Methods and Procedures
____________________________________________________________________
Orchid FAQ:
~ http://www.ganoksin.com/orchid/faq.htm
Orchid Archives:
~ http://www.ganoksin.com/orchid/archive
Orchid Galleries:
~ http://www.ganoksin.com/orchid/gallery.htm
Invite a Friend:
~ http://www.ganoksin.com/invite.htm
____________________________________________________________________
Tips From The Jeweler's Bench - Article Archive
~ http://www.ganoksin.com/borisat/tip_sear.htm
The Jeweler's Selected Bibliography List
~ http://www.ganoksin.com/jewelry-books
Buy Orchid Jewelry:
~ http://www.ganoksin.com/shop
____________________________________________________________________
-Unsubscribe:
-Email: orchid-request AT ganoksin.com Body=unsubscribe subject=blank
____________________________________________________________________