So you’ve been a Virtual Assistant (VA) for some time now and now you feel you are ready to run your own team. How do you know if this is a good time? Where do you start? How do you find VA’s to build your team? How do you find clients? It’s a lot to think about but you must be prepared. Once you make the leap into becoming a business owner you instantly become the manager, the accountant, the secretary, the marketing team, etc. Until you get your ducks in a row, you must learn how to balance all of these responsibilities yourself

So, where do you start?  

Networking. Yes, it is that simple. Spread the word that you are available for hire and, when appropriate, that you are looking to build a team. Who do you know that has desirable skills? Are they looking for work or supplemental income?  Do you know any other business owners who may be overwhelmed and may need you to help lessen their work load?

One of the best ways you will ever grow your business is through referrals. It is important to remember, however, that this works both ways. No one will continue to recommend your business if you never reciprocate that same courtesy to them. BNI, the largest business networking organization in the world, has even come up with a name for this system: Givers Gain®

According to Wikipedia:

Givers Gain® is the belief that when (business) people set goals to help others and honestly work to achieve these goals, they usually gained the most out of the experience – through a reciprocal benefit.

Countless businesses have thrived using this effective and proven method. This type of networking is also sometimes known as “paying it forward”. Whatever you call it, it’s just good business (and, frankly, good manners).

Of course, in order to build and maintain strong networking relationships, you have to consistently offer a quality product or service. I can say from experience that I only refer the best that I know. For example: need a mechanic? It would reflect badly on me to refer you to a mechanic who doesn’t provide the services you need plus good customer service. If you offer only the best to your clients, they will not only appreciate the effort, they will tell others about it too. While the exact number varies, it is believed that if someone has a great customer service experience they will tell 2-3 people. However, if they have a negative experience they could tell upwards of 10-20 people! Think about that.

Good job = up to 4 people who think positively about your business.

Bad job = up to 20 or more who will now think negatively about your business.

Now take all those numbers and multiply them because satisfied or not, those clients will tell other people that they know and those people will tell people that they know about their perception of your business.

Like a wise person once said,

Have you already had the unfortunate experience of leaving a not-so-positive first impression? Do you want to learn more about how to remain in control of your growing business? It might be time to re-organize and re-think what you are doing. Don’t become overwhelmed and risk letting down your clients. Register now for 30 Days to Overcome Overload , my upcoming program to help you to overcome the overwhelm you are feeling and transform you into a more organized and productive individual. For more information click here.

Sign up now to begin transforming your business! Program starts June 1^st, 2012.

image credit: http://www.youthleadersacademy.com/social-media-youth-ministry-linkedin/

Sometimes, in business and in life, we make bad (or just wrong) decisions. It can be a minor inconvenience or a major disruption. How you handle these situations can make all the difference.

The first thing to remember, whether the mistake was your fault or someone else’s, is to be honest about it. Do not lie and try to cover up the error. Lying often just compounds the problem and makes it worse. Secondly, apologize. Whether it’s a small mistake or a really big one, apologizing is an absolute MUST. Even if it wasn’t your fault, your client needs a genuine and professional apology for their inconvenience and stress (no matter how trivial the problem may seem).

If it is a small and quickly correctable issue, you can simply acknowledge that there was a “delay” or other problem, confirm you have control of the situation and correct it immediately. This would be appropriate for an issue that can be corrected within a few hours or in the same day.

If, however, there has been a larger, more time consuming mistake made, you will need to address it appropriately. Again, apologize. Determine how much time will be needed to correct the issue. Will you need to extend your deadline? How will this impact your client and their business? It would be unethical to charge your client for time used to correct an issue caused by your company. Make sure that your client understands that they will not be charged additionally while this problem is corrected. You may also need/ want to make additional concessions as necessary.

Depending on the scope of the work and the extent of the problem, a written apology/ acknowledgement may be appropriate. If you do this, be sure to address the issue and confirm how it is being corrected. A benefit to written apologies is that it not only acts as a formal apology, it is also written proof that you have offered to correct the issue. It’s a simple way to protect you from being accused of neglecting your duties or leaving them hanging. If for some reason, they decided to take their business elsewhere (which hopefully you have proven to them is unnecessary) at least you have done your due diligence.

No matter what, stay professional. Especially in business, stress levels can run high. Having to admit you messed up can be uncomfortable and unpleasant and yes, you might get yelled at. Remain composed. Offer an immediate apology. Accept responsibility. Offer options to fix it. Prove to your clients that even when unexpected things come up, which they inevitably do, you and your team can handle it. If you remain composed and professional, they will see that you, and your team, are both confident and competent. With all of the competition out there, how you react under stressful circumstances is what can set you apart from everyone else.

image credit: http://smallbiztrends.com/2011/10/5-credit-and-financing-mistakes-that-will-hurt-your-small-business.html

I love to help people. I love to share my knowledge and help make the lives of other’s a little easier. Unfortunately, sometimes wanting to help everyone can leave us feeling over extended and overwhelmed.

While it may seem almost counter-productive, sometimes we have to say “no”. No to that new client, no to that extra project, no to that deadline. We need to learn to value our time and make sure we’re making the smartest decisions for ourselves and for our businesses.

Let’s consider a scenario:

You have 2 clients who both email you the same day. Each of them has a project that will require the skills and attention of your entire team. With the deadlines of both projects looming, you know that you will only have the resources to complete the project for ONE of those clients. Now you must tell the other client “no”.

So how do you address this problem? How do you decide which client gets their project completed and which will have to wait or find help elsewhere? There are a few things to consider when you absolutely must make this type of decision. Of course you must look at the financial benefits to your business. When running the numbers there is a lot to consider.  Aside from the obvious initial financial impact from accepting (or declining) a project, another thing to keep in mind is how your choice could impact your business down the road.

• If you choose to work with a new client, will they bring you more work in the future or is this a one- time thing? Is it a client who can refer other business to you?
• If you choose NOT to do work for an existing client, are you willing to risk losing their business in the future as well? Keep in mind, if they have to look elsewhere to get one job done, they may just transfer all of their business to this new company.

These are just a few things to consider. There may be other times when you have to say “no” as well. Perhaps your client needs a skill set your team doesn’t offer, or maybe the price being offered for the job doesn’t work for the number of hours it will require to complete. While it may be tempting to think, “well, it’s better than nothing”, accepting one job often means having to turn down another. Make sure that you say “yes” to the right job.

It’s an important decision any time you have to say no, so make sure you weigh your options. When the time comes to say “no”, make sure you do so professionally and apologetically. Make sure you communicate clearly that you would be happy to help them in the future (if, of course, that is something you do want to do).

image credit: http://stylishthought.com/life/no-yes-woman-how-to-say-no-and-mean-it/

When I say “Spring Cleaning”, I don’t mean just tidying up the office (which, for the record, is definitely always a good idea anyway). Spring cleaning, in regards to your business, can also mean anything from paring down the number of programs in your computer to  ending negative or unproductive relationships. Really, Spring cleaning applies to anything that doesn’t help your business to thrive.

So where do you start? First make a list of the things that stress you. Are you so stressed already that you can’t even think of any? Here are some suggestions:

• Clutter
• Clients
• Team members
• Stale contacts

These are just a few ideas to get you started thinking. Once you identify the things that are holding you back, you can address them and correct them.

Let’s take the examples above and see how they can affect you and how you may want to address them.

1. Clutter. You can never discount how an untidy or disorganized environment can affect your attitude and productivity. Spend a day (or a week depending on how big, or messy, your space is) and completely go through it. This includes not only cleaning up your desk top but also clearing clutter and paperwork from book cases, file cabinets and folders. Even your computer should get your attention. Delete unnecessary emails, files and unused programs. The easier it is for you to find the things you need, the more time and aggravation you will save yourself, allowing you to feel less stressed and more productive.
2. Clients. You know it’s time to “downsize” your client list if you have a client who is impossible to please, frequently changes the scope or timeline for projects (aka has no respect for the time of talents of you or your team), is unpleasant to work with, etc.  You are here to help them, not to be their doormat. It is ok to cut ties any time a client or project begins to negatively impact your business.
3. Team members. You’ve done your best to hire the best. You think you’ve built a strong and capable team. You can offer your clients a team member for every need they could possibly have. So what’s the problem? Well, if you have a team member who is difficult to work with, fails to complete tasks on time or has a negative attitude towards your client, other team members or you, then it’s time to review your crew. Negativity is like a virus and is just as contagious. You might not see it or know it’s a problem until someone gets the sniffles. If you don’t nip it in the bud immediately, you could find your whole team infected. Even worse, your clients could get infected too. Just as it’s important to remove clients who bring negativity, it is equally if not more important to remove negative team members. Remember, not only do they have contact with your clients and other members of your team, they also represent you and your business. Good or bad.
4. Stale Contacts. If you feel like you have contacts that you have lost touch with or have not utilized to grow your business, what are you waiting for? Reach out and touch someone. Networking is one of the very best things you can do for the growth and success of your business. But there is NO point in putting the time and effort into it if you don’t take advantage of those contacts. Don’t waste your time and theirs. Go through your contact list and touch base. Send an email or maybe invite them to participate in a sale, special promotion or free service. Even something as simple as a customer appreciation sale or thank you note can re-spark lost connections.

Still feeling stressed? Maybe what you need is to decompress your mind. Sometimes our minds need some Spring cleaning too. Write down everything you can think of (brain dump), go for a walk, meditate, go on vacation, etc. Find a way to relax and free up your mind to allow room for new ideas, creativity and productivity.

A little Spring cleaning can go a long way to helping you and your business grow and be successful. Whether it’s a messy desk or an overwhelmed mind, take steps to tidy up.

Still overwhelmed? Register now for 30 Days to Overcome Overload, my new 30 day program to help you to transform your business and regain control.

image credit: http://www.gvbtx.com/blog/2012/03/ten-top-tips-for-spring-cleaning/

Trust:

the assured reliance on the character, ability, strength, or truth of someone or something.

{Merriam Webster}

Trusting in someone can be a difficult prospect, especially if that someone is being trusted with something that is important to you like your family or your business.

For business owners, trusting someone to manage business tasks is like trusting them with your family because you rely on your business to help you to care for the ones you love.

So how do you know when it’s time to entrust, or delegate, tasks to those working for you? What steps can you take to have peace of mind when doing so?

First things first: you must hire, or contract, workers whose abilities you have faith in and whose experience can prove beneficial to your business. If you ever get a “bad feeling” about someone or have serious doubts for any reason, it is always best to trust your instincts. It’s ok to feel nervous or hesitant. In fact, it would be more concerning if you weren’t a little worried.

You have invested both time and money into building and growing your business and have the right to be selective when handing over tasks and responsibilities. In the same respect, you must also understand that you cannot do it all by yourself. If your business has any hope of growing, then you will eventually have to delegate or run the risk of falling behind.

If you’re not ready to jump in with both feet, start small. Assign non-critical tasks that offer some flexibility. Monitor your admin’s progress but allow them the space to do their job.  As important as it is to trust in their abilities, you must also give yourself some credit and have some faith in your ability to hire and train your team.  If you doubt yourself, they will too.

You can also find ways to test their skills. For example, let’s say you have an important client coming into town next month on the same day you have a luncheon with a different client. You know you will need to have to delegate the task of picking up this client from the airport and transporting them to their hotel since you will be unavailable. While your admin’s resume states that this is something that they are familiar with, you haven’t needed this skill until now. If you want the reassurance that this task can be handled appropriately, set up a test run. Have the admin pick up a more laid back client, or even a time sensitive item (like documents from the printer or flowers for a meeting) and deliver it within a given time frame. Perhaps send them on this assignment knowing that they will be facing construction on a major freeway or rush hour traffic. This will let you see how they manage stress and problem solve.  If this is not possible you could even simply role play with them to gauge their reaction to certain situations. You can do this by suggesting a scenario and then asking them “what would you do if…..?” or “how would you deal with…….?”

Another option could be to schedule an “out of office” day. If you really want to know what they do when you’re not around, perhaps you can intentionally “throw a wrench” into things. Make yourself unavailable to them when a problem arises and test their ability to think on their feet.  Let them sweat a little and see how they deal with unexpected issues. Of course, choose when and during what task you do this, with care. In the rare instance your admin completely fails or shuts down, you don’t want to find out during a major or vital assignment.

Your business is your baby. You never want to have to put it in someone else’s hands or trust anyone else with its well being. It’s emotionally complicated to loosen the reins and to hand over at least some of the control. It’s ok to be weary or nervous but you cannot do it all, all of the time. You must learn to delegate and share responsibility with members of your team. That’s what they are there for. That’s what you pay them for. You must also always be prepared. Sometimes bad things do happen and you must prove to be resilient and be able to think on your feet, too. You need to be able to react swiftly and appropriately if the job you delegate is not handled properly. Not only will this leave your prepared for anything, it will show the rest of your team that you are on top of things.

Remember, while trust generally must be earned, it also sometimes has to be shared. Have a little faith and you will find yourself with more time to spend growing your business. After all, isn’t that why you built your team in the first place?

Image credit: http://www.jillkonrath.com/sales-blog/bid/110357/3-Sales-Strategies-to-Build-Trust-WhenYour-Prospects-Don-t-Believe-You

Do you sell products or services, physical or digital, online? Are you struggling to find an effective, easy to use and affordable shopping cart service that fits your business’ needs?  If so, check out 1ShoppingCart (also known as 1SC). 

1Shopping Cart is an amazingly capable service that does more than just process payments. Let’s take a look at what 1SC offers.

Shopping Cart

Whether you sell pocketbooks, bookkeeping, or e-books, you can easily accept payments, create receipts and confirm orders with 1SC. You can process credit card payments and even set up reoccurring payments. 1SC can even help you to set up your store.

Contacts

Use 1SC to build your contact list and then use that information for prospecting clients, creating newsletters, sending coupons and launching marketing campaigns.  There is also an auto responder that lets you customize automatically generated emails to customers based on what they purchase, their geographical location or if, for example, they sign up for your mailing list. You can manage your contact list easily and even run reports to find repeat customers or to identify those who perhaps signed up for your mailing list but haven’t yet made a purchase. This allows you to target your marketing campaign more effectively. You wouldn’t really want to send a “Thanks for your business” type email to someone who hasn’t actually given you any business.

Not sure how to create an email that will capture the attention of those on your list? 1SC even offers users  templates to help create eye catching emails.

Cost

Starting at just $34/month, 1SC is both smart and economical. Depending on your needs, you can choose the option for just the Email Marketing or, if you prefer, just the Shopping Cart. You can also choose combination of both. Even better, there is also a Professional package (which is also their most popular) which includes both the Shopping Cart and Email Marketing PLUS Upsell Express (automatically offers your customers additional products/ services that they may be interested in), Affiliate Software (work with affiliates to draw in more web traffic) and Digital Downloads (great for selling, delivering and licensing e-books and digital products).

1ShoppingCart can be used with your existing website or you can let 1SC quickly and easily help you to create one. Along with their set-up services they also offer training and of course support along the way, as well as strong and effective security to give you and your customers peace of mind.

1SC is user friendly and easily grows with your business.  You can even activate Doba in your 1SC account. For more about Doba (drop shipped, wholesale products) click here.

Sign up now and you can even get 4 weeks to try it out for only $3.95!!

image credit: http://www.squidoo.com/automated-internet-shopping-cart?utm_source=google&utm_medium=imgres&utm_campaign=framebuster

As you may or may not know, back in November the FBI made arrests in connection to what is now known as the DNSChanger Trojan, which affected nearly a million Mac’s and PC’s running Windows operating systems.

What is the DNSChanger?

How the DNSChanger basically worked was by delivering malicious software (Trojan in this case). That software would then take certain web addresses you entered on your computer and reroute them through other servers and sites controlled by criminals. By directing web traffic through those sights, those criminals were then getting paid by advertisers and affiliates on those pages for that traffic.

Example: I want to go to www.google.com but when I enter that web address I find myself on a completely different page. My traffic to that page (whether I meant to go there or not) has now put money in the bad guy’s pockets.  

The DNSChanger which is believed to have been launched way back in 2007, has made the bad guys millions of dollars. The good news is that the FBI made arrests and seized their servers last November. The bad news is that, while the FBI was able to work with the Internet Systems Consortium (ISC) — a nonprofit corporation that supports the Internet’s infrastructure to maintain safe and operational servers, it is a temporary and costly fix. The problem now is that when the FBI shuts down these servers, there could still be as many as a half million users who probably don’t realize they’re affected, that would lose their connectivity to the internet as a result, causing a sizable internet blackout.

Originally scheduled to be shut down on March 8^th, the new deadline is July 9^th, 2012. This allows those that are affected, or think that they might be affected, time to check their computers and to clean up the infection.

Am I One of Those Affected?

Some of the signs of malicious software are:

• Being redirected to unintended web pages
• System running slowly
• Difficulty connecting home computer to work VPN
• Cannot run msconfig or system restore
• Anti -virus is turned off without you doing it

How Did I Get This “Infection”?

According http: trojanwatch.org :

The only way a user comes in contact with this specific threat is by installing a fake version of ActiveX, which the user may be prompted to when downloading other software.  Users should be careful of when and where they download seemingly necessary software from, and they should watch for signs of abnormalities in their systems after downloading such software.

How Can I Know for Sure if I’m Affected?

There are a few sites that offer tools for detecting this Trojan.

• DNSChanger Eye Chart – Green means you’re safe, Red means you may be infected
• FBI Look Up form that will help you to determine if a DNS server is one that was identified by the FBI as malicious (using IP address)
• Avira DNS Repair Tool  (even though it is called a “Repair Tool” it is strictly for diagnosis)

I’m Infected!!! How Do I Get Rid of It?

This is one of the best resources listing tools to get rid of this problem. On this site you’ll find a list of free tools to help you to remove DNSChanger from your system as well as links to self help guides to use those tools.

Worst case, you may have to reinstall your operating system.

So, hopefully you will find that you are NOT infected with the DNSChanger Trojan. But, if you are one of the estimated 500,000 that are, now you have some tools that can help you.

image credit: http://dns-ok.us/

Last week I had the amazing opportunity to speak to other members of the VA community, at the IVAA conference in Memphis, about overcoming overwhelm. This is an incredibly common problem among Virtual Assistants who often find themselves battling to remain in control as their business grows.

You probably chose to be a VA for the freedom to spend more time with your family and to have more control over your life. Unfortunately, it can be difficult to find that balance between work and home. As your business grows, you may find yourself beginning to feel anxious, disorganized and unproductive. If it continues, you may find you become so overwhelmed that you just shut down.

It is important to remember that overwhelm doesn’t care how much you love your business, your clients or your product. It can sneak up on you regardless of how good your intentions are, or how well your business used to run.  If you don’t know how to handle increases in your workload, manage your time or keep your information organized, you may find yourself in a state of overwhelm without ever seeing it coming. If you find that you are already in a state of overwhelm, you may not know how to get out from under it.

With that being said, I am very excited to announce the launch of my new program to help VA’s with this challenge: 30 Days to Overcoming Overload.

Beginning June 1st, I will help you to transform your business in just 30 days! This program will leave you feeling more in control, more organized and more creative!

In 30 days we will:

• Realign your business with you Vision and your Values
• Create Good Productivity Habits
• Work through everything that has your attention
• Review the systems that every business needs
• Develop a plan to carry you forward.

This course is broken down into four modules containing daily emails and resources to help you overcome the overwhelm you are feeling and transform you into a more organized and productive individual. Some of the specific topics we will be addressing include:

• Vision and Boundaries
• Good Habits
• Calendar Management
• Email Management
• Time Management
  • Files – Electronic
  • Files – Paper
  • Systems
  • Task Management
  • Delegating

Along with daily audio recordings from me addressing each topic and providing additional information and resources, you will also have access to an open Q&A and even a special Facebook group. This will be a great way for members of this program to have access to, and offer to others, support and conversation as we move forward.

So, if you are struggling to stay on top of things, feel overwhelmed or need a better way to do things, register now for 30 Days to Overcome Overload.

So you’re working on a new training program. You have spent countless hours working and reworking it. It is nearly perfect. As you do a final review of what has turned into hundreds of pages of information, worksheets, templates and reference materials, the unthinkable happens: your computer freezes and then, as you sit there holding your breath praying that it is just a bad dream, your entire computer system crashes.

So now what?

Are you the person just sitting there, staring at a blank screen? Are you crying? Screaming? In shock? Pressing every button on your computer hoping for a miracle? Wondering how on earth you can recreate that entire curriculum in the 1 week you have until your deadline?

Or, are you the person thanking your lucky stars that you backed up your data with Carbonite?

If this has ever happened to you, then you already know how devastating a system failure can be. If it hasn’t ever happened to you, you’re lucky. Let’s look at the odds of facing potential data loss:

• 1 in 3: estimated likelihood of getting a computer virus
• 1 in 309: odds of a residential house fire
• 1 in 419: odds of home robbery
• 1 in 285: odds of being robbed on the street
• 20%: the estimated number of laptops that will fail after 3 years
• Almost 50%: estimated number of Americans who have already experienced at least one computer crash in which they lost all of their {digital} data

These are just a few of the many ways you could be facing unexpected data loss. Whether by fire, flood, robbery or virus, one thing is for sure: if you haven’t backed up your information, it’s likely gone for good.

If you want to back up your data securely, reliably, easily and inexpensively, there is only 1 choice: Carbonite.

Available for both Mac and PC users, Carbonite offers unlimited data backup at surprisingly low prices. By automatically detecting and saving new and changed data, Carbonite assures that your data, whether documents, photos, emails, music, etc., is safe. In addition, if you happen to need access to a document when you are away from your home or office, you can access your files from your mobile device(s) as well.

Offering a variety of options for data backup for your home and business, you can choose to simply back up your operating system and files or go a step further and even opt for the Courier Recovery Service and have a disc copy of your backup delivered to you if needed.

Pricing

Home and small business (1-2 person businesses) starts as low as $59/year.

For business with 3 or more computers, prices start as low as $229/year. Both the home and business plans offer a free trial.

Check out Carbonite’s web site for more information.

Update in lieu of recent events: please note in response to the controversy over the comments made on the Rush Limbaugh show, during which Carbonite ran an advertisement:

A Statement from David Friend, CEO of Carbonite as of 6:45pm ET, March 3:

“No one with daughters the age of Sandra Fluke, and I have two, could possibly abide the insult and abuse heaped upon this courageous and well-intentioned young lady. Mr. Limbaugh, with his highly personal attacks on Miss Fluke, overstepped any reasonable bounds of decency. Even though Mr. Limbaugh has now issued an apology, we have nonetheless decided to withdraw our advertising from his show. We hope that our action, along with the other advertisers who have already withdrawn their ads, will ultimately contribute to a more civilized public discourse.”

Image credit: http://online-backup.findthebest.com/l/10/Carbonite

I am so excited to be heading to the IVAA conference next week in Memphis where I will speak to other members of the VA community about Overcoming Overwhelm. I will be launching a 30 day program to help VA’s with this challenge, but we will discuss that more next week.

The IVAA, or International Virtual Assistants Association, has been hosting annual conferences (also called Summits) for VA’s since 2002. These conferences allow VA’s to network and draw inspiration from one another. It also offers both new and experienced VA’s the opportunity to share ideas and tools.

There are a number of organizations out there, like IVAA, that can offer you the tools, support and resources that you need to grow your business successfully.  Here are 5 reasons that joining a professional organization can benefit your business:

1. Networking – One of the most important reasons to join a professional organization is the ability to develop or enhance your business networks. By connecting with others who have the same interests or professional goals, you increase your  yourself to huge volumes of information and insight, gain contacts
2. Tools – While most professional organizations cost some money to join, or have yearly fees, this expense is often offset by the tools offered as part of your membership. For example, let’s say that you are thinking about joining ABC Org. There is a $150 membership fee. At first, you think that sounds high, but then you realize that your membership grants you access to webinars, classes, mentoring, resources and more.
3. Recognition – Sometimes being part of an organization can help to establish your credibility. It shows involvement, desire to improve and stay informed and willingness to invest in your business.
4. Stay in the Loop – Networking with like minds helps you to stay on top of industry trends and stay relevant. Sometimes it’s so easy to get caught up in our day to day routine that we forget to look outside of our little box. Connecting with others helps us to change our perspective periodically and consider options and ideas that may have otherwise been overlooked.
5. Do More with Your Business – While making money and being successful are certainly respectable business goals, joining a professional organization opens all kinds of doors to you. From joining or heading committees to discovering charitable and volunteer opportunities, your business becomes more recognizable and marketable when you are able to contribute to the lives and/or success of others.

So check out what professional organizations are available to you. When reviewing the fees and costs involved, consider what benefits are included in those expenses. You may find that paying a bit more up front is a better investment long term.

For listings of professional organizations near you (or that are based on the same interests) you can go to your local library, chamber of commerce, ask other business owners or even simply Google™ the type of organization you are looking for (be sure to use keywords that specify location or specific interest to narrow your search).

image credit: http://www.cfwcarpet.com/cfw/AboutOurCompany/OurAffiliations/tabid/60/Default.aspx