Posting Break

Hi all, this is to let you know that we are taking a long break from posting.  Fall is just about here and soon we’ll be incredibly busy.  Posting here will be one of the things that are farthest from our minds.

Although we won’t be posting, that doesn’t mean we won’t be available.  This blog is still a conduit for communication and for proposing projects which you can submit on this blog under Forms.

Until we talk next, enjoy life pursuing your goals.  We wish you success and well-being in all of your pursuits.

A Call For Employers To Be Responsible

 Be Responsible – Click Here For Bigger Picture View

If you’d like a copy of this to edit on mindmap, email me at:  evolutionadmserve@gmail.com

Rest In Peace Stephen Covey

English: Stephen Covey at the FMI Show, Palestrante on June 22, 2010 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

On Monday, July 16, 2012, Stephen Covey succumbed to injuries he had received in a prior biking accident that had caused bleeding in his brain and unconsciousness.  Today, millions are thinking of him and posthumously thanking him for the positive contributions he has made to their lives.

Stephen Covey was the author of Seven Habits of Highly Effective People a book that sparked a movement away from pure list making for time management.  With Stephen Covey’s principles of time management transformed vision, to quest, and, finally, to journey along a well defined yet flexible path that encompassed a person’s whole life (social-emotional, spiritual, physical, and mental).  His principles struck the hearts of many as they transcended boundaries of business and personal belief.  No one could deny the applicability or importance of the seven habits nor of the need for roles and attention to sharpening the saw.

Thank you Stephen Covey for sharing your thoughts, wisdom, and inspiration.  You lived up to your word.  Your eulogy will be great.  May you rest in peace and may your family be at peace with your new journey.

Tomato/Tamahto & Work Style

It is the end result that matters when it comes to work and work styles.  Isn’t it?  If so, then why do people become highly concerned over whether a person does the work their way or not if there is no true good reason for it?

I’ve always questioned why people require that a person produces something in a specific way when the real and only concern is that it gets done.  I know that some people will respond that their way is much faster or their way is more complete but really that is relative.  Some people may not be as fast at your way of doing things but they produce, in the end, a good product.  Some people can skip steps and come out in the end with a good product while others have to go about things the long way.  Again, I question whether or not it really matters how they get there as to that they do get there when it needs to be done?

Some will attribute this phenomena to fear of change in the workplace.  It is the old attitude that if it isn’t broken don’t fix it.  People find a way to do things that work for them.  Because their system works for them, they assume it must work for everyone and they require everyone to do it that way.  They become comfortable in their work style and defensive when someone has a different way of doing things or suggests a different way.  You’ll know when you hear “We’ve always done it this way.”  What you may not hear is “and you should to” but that is what they are implying.

I’m asking people to consider these types of issues.  Become an agent of change.  The next time you are working with someone and you find that they have a different system than you do but can get the work done just as well or better by the time that it is required to be done, ask yourself why it has to be your way.  Are you afraid of change?  Does it threaten you?  Is there some true advantage of doing it your way?  Is it worth it to make others do it your way if they produce sub-par work when they do it your way?

Maybe you’ll find an answer that surprises you.  Maybe you’ll learn a little more about yourself.  Maybe you’ll find a new degree of tolerance.  Maybe you will also find a way to ease into something new and worthwhile.

The backburner & a current issue – why waste your time?

I promised that I would post on a few topics but I am electing to put those topics on the back burner at the moment.  For now, they are still on my “to write” list but you may not see them for some time.

Instead, I want to post about something that is a current issue and is more important than a couple of opinion pieces.  This particular current issue is for those who are self-employed.  If you are providing services to individuals or companies of any size, please remember that verbal agreements are only hopeful agreements that work will come your way.  There is no guaranty that the work will actually come and that you will actually get paid.  Your best bet is to make sure that everything is in writing, everything is agreed upon, and that the agreements for deliverable work are indicated on a document signed by both parties.  Until you have that document in hand don’t waste much time working on something that isn’t guaranteed to occur.  Time is valuable so plan and act wisely (where you know it counts and you’ll be compensated for it).

Memorial Day

Blogs of the Future

 

 

In the coming months, I will be writing blogs about delegating, multi-tasking and team work from the perspective of manager and member of the team.

You are welcome to check in to the blog at any time.  However, you may be interested in receiving emails containing the contents of my posts or subscribing to us on twitter to see tweets about new blog posts and receive links to them. You may also subscribe via the rss feed.

Feel free to connect any way you want to.  We don’t care how you do it but we do care that you do connect to us.  For those who already have connected and check in once in awhile — thank you!

What E-volution Administrative Services Is And Is Not

Pricing Guide

Pricing Guide

We charge three sets of rates:  hourly, by retainer, and per project.  All rates are quoted in US dollars.  All charges may have additional fees associated with them for special materials, supplies, or shipping fees.  When possible, we will communicate to you up front any additional fees associated with your request.  However, some unanticipated items may be needed.  The need for unanticipated items will be communicated to Client as soon as they arise and will not be charged without Client’s approval.

Hourly rates are $15 per hour.  The hourly rate tends to be charged to those who wish to sample our services before committing to a project or long-term work arrangement; those who need only occasional or one time service; and, to those who do not have complex tasks to fulfill.

Projects are reserved for services that tend to be more complex and time intensive.  Project estimates and quotes require a written project request submitted by Client.  All projects will be given an estimated quote based off of Client’s written request outlining project objectives, time lines, services to be rendered, equipment, supply and personnel needs.  All quoted rates will be honored for a period of 30 days.  After 30 days, rates for projects are subject to change.

After project estimates are approved and terms of services and rates are agreed upon, a contract will be prepared by E-volution Administrative Services and will be signed by Client.  At that time, an up-front deposit will be required before work commences.  The initial deposit will depend upon the scope of the project but will at least be a minimum of $35.00.  Most projects will require a deposit of 50% of the estimated project quote; however, some projects may be set up on a three-part payment basis consisting of 35% up front, 40% at mid-point; and 25% at completion.  Final invoices are based upon actual project requirements as designated in the contract; however, we recognize that amendments to the contract may need to be made as the project scope might change.  All amendments to the contract will be submitted in writing and approved by signature of Client.

Retainer rates are based on a specific number of service hours a client reserves each month.  This is a flexible arrangement in which services that are required by Client may vary so that one week may include more hours than the previous week or vice versa.  Retainer rates are required to be paid in full prior to the start of services each month.  The schedule of monthly retainer fees are as follows:

Hours	Rate Per Hour	Total
30	$35.00	$1,050.00
20	$35.00	$700.00
10	$35.00	$350.00
5	$35.00	$175.00

Hours that are not used within a month may be carried over to the next month once; thereafter, all hours that are not used within the month will be lost.

All Clients pay the regular fee (by hour, by project, or by retainer) plus fees for special materials, supplies, personnel, equipment, shipping, and other fees associated with services.  These fees should be indicated in contracts made with the Client and will be approved by the Client before accrual of these fees.  However, some anticipated items may be needed.  Examples include but are not limited to:  postage, shipping, special printing, copies, card stock, specialty paper, poster board, check stock, form paper, photo paper, scrap book paper, albums, embellishments, flash drives, CDs, DVDs, or disks if necessary.  Additional fees over 20% of the contract or amendments may be negotiated.

All Clients are required to sign a Service Agreement, referred to in this document  as “contract.”  This service agreement outlines all details of services required so that there is no confusion as to what is expected by both parties.

All rates are subject to change at the discretion of E-volution Administrative Services but not within already written contracts without approval by Client designated by an amendment to the contract.  Rates contained on this page are a starting point for discussion.  Rates may be negotiated on a project to project basis or Client to Client basis.

Illegible or poor quality source materials provided by Client are subject to an additional fee paid to E-volution Administrative Services based upon the quality of materials.

Final proof reading is the responsibility of the Client.  Client shall proof all materials prior to acceptance of the delivered work.  All errors must be reported within twenty-four (24) hours of delivery or work will be considered accepted.  All errors reported within twenty-four (24) hours will be corrected at no additional charge.  Additional fees, however, may apply for errors to be corrected after twenty-four (24) hours.

All fees for services performed are billed in real time with a one (1) hour minimum per invoice.  Detailed time records will be available upon request.

Invoices will be sent via email at the first of the month unless other arrangements are made with Client.  All work associated with the invoices will be released in full after full payment of invoice has been made.

Invoices will be subject to net 30 terms and late fees will be charged at a recurring rate of 3% of the outstanding balance every month payment is not received.

Outstanding invoices will result in loss of service until Client’s account is settled in full.

Payments will be accepted by PayPal, Money Order, Cashier’s Check and Cash.  Established Clients will have the ability to pay by business check or by personal check.  However, there will be a returned check fee in the amount of $30.00.

Productivity, Planning Systems & You

A productivity system is an underlying structure on which to set up the framework or the makeup of your day, week, month and years.  So, in this discussion, imagine a house with a foundation, walls, and a roof.  Every house has those particular elements.  It is both the details and the addition of you and your personality that gives uniqueness to your home.  The things you bring to it and into it make it stand out from other homes.

Much like houses, productivity systems and planners have similarities.  Since we are dealing with such things as tasks, times and dates, we can know that these things will be common across the board.  Everyone, at some time or another, is concerned with these things.  Elements beyond the common are the things that separate one system from another.  Like the houses I mentioned, productivity systems and planners become unique because of the differences between the systems.  Yet, they become even more unique and highly personalized with what you bring to them, what you place into them, and how you use them.

When choosing a planning system, we look for things that will help us manage our tasks, times, dates and commitments.  Sometimes we also look for systems that will corral our ideas and supporting documents.  We also look for systems that support and encourage creativity efforts and brainstorming.  Sometimes we will also look for something that we can pour our whole lives into so that we can gain control of the personal aspects of our lives as well as the business aspects.  But, we want these systems and planners to be in a format and order that makes sense to us and helps us in our own, unique, personal situations which are not guaranteed to be exactly like the next persons’ although they might be similar.  Not all productivity systems or planners can meet such a wide range of preferences and satisfy everyone.  If we get lucky, we may find a system that is absolutely perfect for all of our needs if it makes sense to us, the format is great and the whole thing really helps us keep track of our lives and everything pertaining to them.  We may, however, find something or several somethings missing.  That is the point in which we have to build our own hybrid system by adding our own “tools” or by pirating parts of others and incorporating those that are most useful into our own systems.

It’s okay to create your own no matter what anyone might tell you or try to sell you.  If you need those bright pink pens and yellow pages with the bubbles on them to succeed — go ahead and add them to your system!  The bottom line, most important thing about productivity and planning systems (a stock plan or system or a hybridized version) is that it works for you.

In the interest of helping you find your ideal (because we recognize that sometimes you have to go outside of the box to get what you need), I will continue to place links and ideas related to planning and productivity in this blog.  If you’ve found your ideal — great!  If not, here is a place to come to check periodically for new and different ideas that you might find helpful.