Paula Wynyard, Wynyard Business Solutions
Paula Wynyard
Wynyard Business Solutions
I started my career working as a Secretary/Receptionist over 20 years ago. For the first 10 years, I worked in various admin roles including data entry, customer service and marketing. I then took on the role of Personal Assistant working for the Global Sales Director and supporting the National and Regional Sales Team at Fitness First, a position I kept for over 9 years, as I enjoyed the environment and the many different challenges that were thrown my way on a daily basis.
During that period, I developed strong administration, secretarial and coordination skills, earning a reputation for being trustworthy, reliable, professional and a multi-tasker with a ‘can-do’ attitude.
As a highly motivated individual with a passion for creating and formatting documents, I strive to always achieve the best possible outcome and my extremely high standards ensure I am consistently accurate and thorough. I pride myself in producing high-level documents quickly and have an emphatic attention to detail. My proactive and organised nature ensures successful completion of tasks in an effective and timely manner.
Deciding I was ready for a new challenge, I discovered the Virtual Assistant industry and figured that with my extensive administrative knowledge and my desire to learn new skills, becoming a VA was a positive move.
I spent the first part of 2009 setting up my virtual assistance business, Wynyard Business Solutions. Wynyard Business Solutions provides confidential, reliable and professional administrative support for businesses or individuals.
Read Paula’s formatting answers here… Continue reading
1. I can never make page breaks work in Word!
The easiest way to make page breaks in Word is by hitting ‘Ctrl + Enter’, this inserts a hard page break.
If you want to insert a section break, eg you want to change the orientation of the page from portrait to landscape, go to the ‘Page Layout’ menu, under ‘Page Set Up’ tab, and go to the ‘Section Break’ list and select the appropriate option, although I find that ‘Next Page’ is generally the best one to use.
2. Is there any way of making a form with option boxes in Word?
If you want to make option boxes in a form in Word, go to the ‘Developer’ menu, ‘Control’ tab. In this tab there are options to allow for a drop down menu or check boxes etc. If you go to the place on your form where you want to add an option box, then click on the square with a tick in it, this will insert a blank box, whereby you can type the text next to it. When someone is filling out the form, they just need to click on the blank box and a cross appears.
If you want to insert a drop down menu with options, you select ‘Drop Down List Content Control’, then select ‘Properties’ – give it a title, and then list the different options by selecting ‘Add’.
3. How do I make a stationary template with the business details running down the side of the page instead of at the top or bottom?
In Microsoft 2010, when you select ‘New’ document, it gives you the option of a number of templates. If you select the ‘Letterhead’ folder, there are a number of different styles, there is one in particular named Letter (Business Design), which you could alter to suit yourself. If you wanted to start from scratch, I would suggest using a Text box to insert your details down the side, and adjust your margins accordingly, however I don’t think there is an easy way to set up so letterhead is on subsequent pages (like the way headers and footers work), without copying and pasting the text box.
4. General Formatting Tips:
- When formatting a document consistency is the key, you want to create a professional looking document to ensure consistency for the brand.
- Ensure font sizes, spacing, margins, tabs are all the same throughout.
- When formatting a document, use styles to create your different headings/levels.
- Using styles allows you to create a TOC fairly simply.
- Don’t choose a standard style and change it manually each time if it’s not right – set up your own styles.
- Use page numbers on all documents.
- If it is a manual/workbook/proposal etc, use a document title in the Header, and ‘Prepared by’, ‘Date, and ‘Page Number’ in the footer.
- Not everyone is a fan of formatting as it can be rather time consuming and tedious, however there are a few of us that love it, so if you don’t have the patience to ensure you create a professionally looking document, then find someone that can do it for you.
If you have any other questions, please let me know.
Thanks
Paula Wynyard
Diana Pettie, Hopscotch Coaching
Diana Pettie – Director
Hopscotch Coaching
Diana Pettie is a Professional Productivity and Performance Coach working with Business Owners, Managers and Leaders.
“I have had a passion for keeping things simple yet performing at an optimal level. I believe you can be successful in your career or business and still have time for fun. I now have the honour of working with others to do the same.
During my management years I noticed a gap between what people really wanted and where they were personally and professionally. In 2004 I began my development as a Professional Coach simply to improve my effectiveness as a manager, trainer and motivator however I fell in love with coaching and the life changing results it can truly give.”
Diana’s Tips:
Do you suffer from brain fatigue? The truth is, we all can. Making decisions, prioritising, understanding, memorising, recalling all uses precious resources of oxygen and glucose. The working memory, which performs these tasks is actually quite limited, yet we treat it as though it can keep going and going. Here are some tips to optimise your brain:
- Take regular breaks to recharge, even if it is 5 mins.
- Take a lunch break. Your brain will work better if you do.
- Work out when your brain is at it’s best, morning, night or afternoon and set activities for that time to maximise your brain, for example, that important project, prioritising. Deleting emails you can almost do in your sleep so keep that activity for a later time.
Simon Bowden, Apple Creative
Simon Bowden – Director
Apple Creative Pty. Ltd.
Simon Bowden is a tertiary qualified Graphic Designer having studied Visual Communications at RMIT and holding post graduate qualifications in advertising and marketing.
Simon has over 24 years experience in the graphic arts, design and advertising industries. Over this period of time Simon has built up a strong reputation for his creative skills and insight into his clients’ requirements.
A driven and professional individual, Simon’s dedication and commitment to his clients’ success is your guarantee for satisfaction.
Read Simon’s Graphic Design answers here… Continue reading
How often should you rebrand?
Subject to the type of business you are in about every 7 years is considered the right time. If you are lucky enough to own a McDonalds franchise, it hasn’t rebranded for over 40 years in Australia. The Yellow “M” is an icon that has built brand equity over time and has been a driving force over the years for McDonalds success. If you however, own a retail store or a Real Estate agency, a brand repositioning can be very effective way of keeping in front of your competitors. It is very important to seek the right advice. Many rebrands can loose market share if not designed correctly.
What are the benefits of rebranding?
The major benefit would be giving your business a new lease of life. It is amazing how a rebrand can give your business new enthusiasm. Think about it, “Would you buy a new TV from a shop that looked a little dodgy, dark and uninviting”? Or would you buy from a recognised well known TV supplier that you know? The choice is simple. Make sure your business is inviting to new customers seeking your product or service. Make your business bright and cheerful and people will feel good visiting your shop. If you are successful in the rebrand and people are happy with the purchase and the customer service, chances are the customer will return. Isn’t that what its all about?
What should you change and what shouldn’t be changed?
When researching in the development stage of a rebrand, as designers we look at many factors like: How old is the logo?, what colours are being used and why? Who are the competitors? and what are they doing? Just to name a few… During the research stage, we will determine if any component of the old image has any brand equity. For example, the colour might play a significant role in attracting new customers to the product or service or the image may need modernising. These key factors will be discussed with the client prior to starting the rebrand project.
What % of your budget should you allow for rebranding?
Subject again to the type of business but my suggestion will always be “If you brand your business correctly in the first place, down the track you may only require a refresh”. Its hard to put a price on a rebrand and how much a company should allocate to spending but perhaps consider, If you don’t brand your business, it will be hard to make money. Competitors will over take you and look more inviting. Don’t get left behind, a rebrand is actually an investment in your business.
Are their colours I should avoid?
No not really. Different colours have different effects on people. So when selling your product or service, subject to the type of person you are attracting, there will be a suitable colour.
Can I use clip art in my logo?
My goodness! Clip art! Do you know how many rebrands I have done over the years as a result of the company or product using clip art? Hundreds….Why? Because the company have finally realised the need to make themselves look professional.
Clip art was created for using on your childs 7th Birthday invitation not branding your business. Over the years I have re branded a number of Dental Studios. Remember the silly molar image with a cartoon toothbrush as a sign for a dentist? Well I have changed many of them. Some of those original dental studio’s are now high quality, very professional practices. Clip art is for anyone to use. Many people may choose the same image. Then what?
Wouldn’t it be better to create a personal image that reflects the industry or profession you represent in a professional manner?
