The Blog
Real-World Working, Onboarding and Performance That Actually Works
You have questions and I love to write- goes with the job. But even more, I love to share. So welcome to a source of articles, where you’ll discover answers to your questions, insightful articles and tips for SME businesses.
Standard disclaimer here: These articles are my own work and my own opinions. I don’t represent any official position of my clients, former employers, or any other company.
Tag
- AI and virtual assistants
- AI at work
- AI for small business
- AI tools for business
- AI virtual assistant support
- Accessibility
- Business Admin
- Business events
- Business forms
- Business support
- CRM
- CRM follow-up process
- CRM no longer fits your business
- CRM not working
- Client experience
- Customer experience
- Digital Learning
- Employee Training
- Enquiry forms
- Event planning
- Google Drive folder structure
- Inclusive events
- Leadership
- Onboarding
- Operations Support
- Performance
- Practical Business Support
- Practical support
- SME Support
- Software support
- Team productivity
- User experience
- VA
- Virtual Assistant
- Virtual Support
- Working Smarter
- Workplace focus
- behind the scenes business support
- business admin support
- business software
- business tools
- choose the right software for your business
- choosing business software
- client follow-up system
- client tracking system
- email follow-up system
- email task management
- getting help in your small business
- handing work over to a VA
- how to organise Google Drive
When doing it yourself stops making financial sense
There comes a point where doing everything yourself stops making financial sense. If regular admin is taking time away from higher-value work, this blog helps you spot what might be worth simplifying, organising or handing over.
How do I keep track of client follow-ups without relying on memory?
If client follow-ups are currently living in your inbox, notebook, sticky notes and the optimistic part of your brain that says “I’ll remember”, this one is for you.
This blog looks at how to create a simple client follow-up system, so proposals, paperwork, decisions and gentle nudges do not disappear under the digital sofa.
An Interview with Jane and Aidan: On AI, Working Together and Getting Slightly Carried Away
A behind-the-scenes interview with Jane and Aidan about how AI supports the day-to-day running of Jessanol.
From email wording and blog writing to ideas, research and the occasional overenthusiastic Labrador puppy moment, this is a light-hearted look at what human and AI collaboration really looks like.
How do I stop using my inbox as my task list?
If your inbox has become your task list, filing cabinet, reminder system and general holding pen for “things I must not forget”, this one is for you.
This blog looks at how to move actions, follow-ups and reminders out of email and into a simple system that actually supports the work.
How do I organise Google Drive so I can actually find things?
Google Drive is brilliant… until you’re searching for that file and all you can remember is that it was definitely saved somewhere sensible.
In this blog, I’m looking at how to organise Google Drive in a way that actually supports how your business works, with clearer folders, better file names, fewer mystery “final final” versions, and a bit less digital cupboard chaos.
How do I get VA support when I haven’t got time to explain everything?
Need VA support, but haven’t got time to explain everything?
That feeling can stop small business owners taking action altogether. It feels too big, too hard, and too much like an “I’ll deal with that another day” problem, so you manage on.
But you don’t need tidy folders, perfect processes and a ceremonial handover document before asking for help.
In this blog, I’m sharing seven practical ways to start handing work over when you don’t have time to prepare properly, beginning with one annoying repeat task, the messy version, and a clearer way forward.
How to choose the right software for your business
Choosing new software can feel like the answer when your business feels disorganised. But before you sign up for another tool, it helps to ask a better question: what are you actually trying to make easier?
This blog looks at why the right tool starts with the goal, not the platform.
When It’s Time to Fire Your CRM
Replacing a CRM was not on my plan for the week. In fact, I thought this story was going to start with porridge. But by Wednesday, I had realised that one of the longest-serving systems in my business was no longer the right fit.
Is AI replacing virtual assistants, or changing what clients really need?
AI can draft, summarise, organise and speed things up. But does that mean virtual assistants and business support professionals are becoming less useful?
This blog explores what clients are really asking when they wonder whether AI can replace human support, and why experience, judgement and context still matter.
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