Kids Helping Kids
Diana Baker
Having
lived and worked all over the world is an experience in change unlike any
other. I’m comfortable with change; I adapt, rebound, reinvent and
make way for the new. Change is overdue when the same old thing
isn’t working. My clients finally understand this when they entrust
to me the responsibilities that lighten their load so they can focus and
move forward. In Japan, beyond language, tradition and culture, I learned
anything beyond a bed, table and two chairs is more hassle than what it’s
worth, plus it destroys the tatami mats that will have to be replaced when
it’s time to leave. I simply never wanted to leave Germany. The
only change this move imposed on my clients, thanks to VOIP technology
was a new Michigan telephone number to contact me. In Fall of 2009, change
was yet again on the horizon and Michigan is now, once again, home.
I believe anything is possible, especially when you pull together the right people. I love languages, learning new technologies, and new experiences that widen my horizon.
I’m intensely loyal. The work is always personal; take away the relationship from the client and it means nothing. My purpose is creating value that translates into success and that’s different for every client. Whether the client is an educational software supplier that simply doesn’t want to work 80+ hours per week or president of a wealth management firm that thrives on the edge, I embrace it all.
If there are a dozen people in the room that tell you it can’t be found, there’s just no way it can be done or if their best is simply not good enough, I’m the one that finds a way over, around, under or through because I stick with it when most others, distracted by the hour or effort, lose interest. I write notes – lots of them. One never knows where the next idea is going to come from, so when I hear or see something worthy of note or it connects to a project I’m working on, a piece that might fit, I write it down. My husband bought me a leather bound notebook with the hope that I would quit using sticky notes. I’m working on it.
I love technology, it’s convenient, but it isn’t everything. It can facilitate a connection between people, but it can’t make one. There’s a raw, very human element involved and I wouldn’t surrender it to technology even if it advanced there. I still believe in hand written notes. Nothing trumps the genuine article – nothing.
Thank you to all my colleagues and clients past and present that have
welcomed me back. I look forward to the promise that’s naturally infused in
spring, catching up with old friends, clearing out the clutter (give away, file,
keep, trash) that makes space for new opportunities, new clients, new friends
and meeting new neighbors. “…The air is humming and something
great is coming.”
Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim
Come find me online and say hello!
https://twitter.com/dianabaker
Skype: diana.keytriad
VA Certification:
Certified Professional Virtual Assistant (CPVA) – AssistU Virtual Assistance Training Program
Education:
BBA, Finance – University of Michigan
AA, Management – University of Maryland (Asian Division)
Experience:
20 years Business Experience in private, government and international
sectors.
Entrepreneur
International Marketing/Product Development
Japanese Consultant
Finance/Accounting and Budget Analyst Positions
Strengths:
Highly Resourceful
Independent
Conducting Research
Teaching
Budget/Finance
Marketing
PR/Media
Sell and Promote
Writing/Communications
Project Management
Customer Service
Presentations/Public Speaking
What I do:
When I first speak with clients, the common denominator shared by all is their understanding that working alone is no longer an option. You can only do so much for so long till the distractions of maintaining a business cause one to lose focus. The opportunity costs of not focusing on core competencies and growing your business quickly become prohibitive. I am the solution in those times when you silently wish there could be two of you. Do your clients require a lot of attention? Do you need to make a good impression on a client? Are you looking for opportunities to build visibility? Warranty issues still not resolved with your refrigerator? I run interference when necessary, I step up with solutions, ideas; introduce new technology or methodologies to consider. We’re in an ongoing conversation that never ends about how I can further assist and help you become more productive. It’s a conversation where you’re not pressured to know all the right questions or have all the answers. It’s a mutual responsibility. I have a vested interest in my clients’ success and this enables me to genuinely establish relationships with them, their clients and vendors and nurture them to build trust, demonstrate loyalty, professionalism and commitment that get results and create more value. For all of this, you pay only for time on task on a recurring basis.
Behind the name:
The changing work place, downsizing, producing more with less resources and making better use of technology made way for Virtual Assistants. There are 3 key ingredients to this unique business – clients, the partnership maintained with those clients and the objectives we work to achieve. I use technology and every other resource I can muster in this industry to promote these 3 areas. This Key Triad is my foundation and the natural name for my company. Keeping it simple worked best.
E-mail Diana for more information!
