In The Know

Outsourcing Guide on Barne & Nobles' NookBook

If you haven't already purchased a copy of the guide, "Outsourcing: A Guide to What You Should Know Before Choosing to Outsource, 3rd Edition," you can find it published on Barnes & Noble Nookbook as an e-book. What does this mean for the guide? it's a convenient way to obtain the guide as an e-book to view electronically.

Will the guide still be available in print form? Yes. Assistant Services & Associates will continue to offer the guide in print form should you decide to not want it electronically or you do not have computer and/or internet access.

The one difference with putting the guide on Nookbook is that you do not have to deal with shipping charges whereas ordering the guide in print form, you will be subject to $3.95 shipping.

The guide is available at $35.

For more information on how to obtain a copy of the 3rd edition of the guide in print you are welcome to send an email or call 877 436-7077.

Business Ethics

To support the growing need to spread the word to other business to enforce the practice of proper business ethics, in August 2009 Assistant Services & Associates has signed the Business Ethics Page which can be found at http://business-ethics-page.org, becoming a part of a movement to help change the world of business.

This is a unique opportunity to create a moral code of business ethics based on honesty, integrity, and quality, and about creating a climate where businesses are expected to behave ethically, and where executives who try to drag their companies into the unethical swamplands find that nobody's willing to carry out their orders.

Join the movement by signing the business ethics page at http://business-ethics-page.org.

Rate Modification for Better Pricing Options

In order to serve clients better, the rates have been slightly modified to better represent the fee schedule and provide a better understanding to how fees are charged.

The Per Project Plan has been renamed to Per Project Services which reflects the per-project pricing and will relate to individual services. The Long-Term, Ongiong Services has been eliminated due to the availability of the Retainer Plans.

These changes have already taken affect and should be referred to when making a decision in terms of what best fits individual working budgets when selecting services.

Assistant Services & Associates Launches the Accounts Management Systems Division

The launching of the Accounts Management Systems Division was to provide quality collection services to clients. The division offers a variety of services that fall in line with using today's software to locate debtors of delinquent accounts to collect on behalf of the client to successfully satisfy accounts.

Clients will be happy to know that there is 25% collection fee on accounts successfully collected. They do not pay a fee if the accounts are deemed uncollectable. The launch of the new division is continued evidence of how Assistant Services & Associates is growing. Creating new services based solely on immediate needs of clients.

For more information on the Accounts Management Systems Division visitt he AMS Division page. Additional information and requests to assign accounts can be emailed to the division at AMSDivision@asstservices.com.

Call Assistant Services & Associates Toll Free

Did you forget that Assistant Services & Associates now has a toll free number? New, current and returning clients can now take advantage of contacting their service provider at 877 436-7077 with questions and/or inquiries. The service was tested for six months in 2011 and it proved to be a viable service to the business.

January 2012

Enforced Payment Policy

Thanks to everyone who offered suggestions, tips and ideas as to the improvement on the payment policy Assistant Services & Associates has in place. The positive feedback has been effective in making it possible to enforce the policy as well as implement the deposit policy as well.

A deposit will be required on all individual projects and contractual projects to ensure payment in full at the conclusion of projects and contractual projects. This protects Assistant Services & Associats and is a reassurance that invoices will be closed in a timely fashion. Deposits will be based on the type and size of the projects. With regards to retainers, read the information in the next article on Fee Increase in Retainer Plans.

Fee Increase in Retainer Plans

2012 is a year of continuous development in the growth and restructuring of the business for overall improvement and enhancements. The retainer plans have been a successful resource. In order to move the business forward, the fees were increase in 2011, however those fees as listed below will not change.

The current Basic Retainer was increased to $550 from $450; the Upgrade Retainer was increased to $850 from $750, and the Annual Premier Retainer Service Plan was increased to $1,750 from $1,500. All other fees have not been increased.

Invoices currently invoiced at the previous retainer rates will be honored at those rates. Only new contracts will be invoiced at the new retainer rates effective immediately.

General Service Contracts will be billed at the Annual Premier Retainer Service Plan rate of $1,750. A 50% deposit will apply to all retainer plans and service contracts unless otherwise discussed and arranged.

If you have any questions regard the fee increases and you are concerned as to how this will impact you, contact Assistant Services & Associates toll free at 877 436-7077, or send an email to info@asstservices.com.

Take Advantage of the New Blog

Recently, Assistant Services & Associates has ventured into the blogging world and has established a new blog which can be found by going to Assistant Services. The blog features business, finance, employment, economic views, and other business related information.

If you are interested in being a contributing or guest writer to the blog, feel free to submit an email to officeservices@asstservices.com, include the topic you'd like to write about and you will receive information on how to contribute your article.

Please note that all blogs should be related to business and finance, employment, education and health care.

Calendar events are welcome if you have upcoming corporate events you would like announced.

New and Improved Database Service

The database service has been added back into the menu of services. This services has been greatly updated to offer you the most in database services with regards to internet research and monthly maintenance.

The prerequisites for maintaining an update database is that it is received in good form and cannot be more than six month out of date, otherwise it cannot be accepted. Clients who are in need of internet research services can either pay a monthly fee or pay per record -- whichever meets their budget for this type of service.

View the Pricing page to review additional information on this service.

Resume Services

The resume service helps to develop professionally written and prepared resumes to candidates who are in the job market looking to land that right position.

Assistant Services & Associates will help to write and prepare professional resumes, and will assist in updating outdated resumes as well. In addition, clients will receive up to 20 copies of their resume, and a copy saved to a CD for sake keeping. Clients will also receive a copy of "Tips to Successful Interviewing" sheet and an interview checklist.

Cost for this service is $35. Returning clients will receive $5 off the cost as well as a new set of up to 20 copies of their resume and a new version saved to a CD.

For more information and details, feel free to send an email Assistant Services & Associates at info@asstservices.com

Assistant Services & Associates

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