'Virtual CEO Goal' August 2010 Monthly Report

August 2010 “Virtual CEO Goal” Monthly Report

September 4, 2010 13 Comments

Virtual CEO - Chris Ducker's August Monthly Report

My desk at the Live2Sell Group HQ - Yes, the one I want to give away!

Location: Home Office – Reading Time: 6mins

Number of Days in the Office: 13, Total Number of Employees: 213

So, here we go with another monthly round-up as I get closer and closer to approaching my end of year goal, and becoming that (hopefully) full-time Virtual CEO. First up, I spent considerably less time in the office this past month, which is great. This wasn’t actually down to me making sure I did this, however, it simply ‘just happened’ as I have been focusing on different projects and have been working more from home to stay focused throughout the ‘creative’ stage on things.

The biggest part of August was the launch my of Virtual Staff Finder service. For a full run-down on the service and its features, you can visit the seperate website, or read my full launch post here on the blog.

We were, frankly, blown away with the response and I have been up to my eyeballs in consultation calls over the last couple of weeks. As we launched the service to the VBL subscriber list only we expected a certain number of people to sign-up, but saw a lot more sign-up’s than we anticipated. So far, so good… with over 20 virtual assistants already deployed to entrepreneurs around the world, through the service.

Although this is not 100% ‘passive’ income, it is to a certain degree. Meaning, nothing actually takes place until someone sign’s up and pays for the service. At that point, myself and my team work on things. I must say, I have enjoyed coming back from dinner and from being out on the weekend, to see emails from Paypal…!

Other going-on’s this month included:

Two new client sign-up’s.
Expansion on our sales and marketing team.
Promoted 3 members of staff to mid-management level.
I enjoyed spending time with a good friend that came into town from the UK.
Finally found my Eskrima teacher, and a Grand Master, no less (more on this in a future post!).
My Son is now a full-blown bodyguard for his Mommy, not even letting me get a little hug-time in!
I’ve started planning my first full-blown online product, too.

We also surpassed our target of 1,000 RSS subscribers here at the blog, too (at the time of writing this report we are around 1,020, I believe). Thanks to all the subscribers and if you haven’t added us to your reader yet, please do so, to make sure you never miss an update on the blog. Be sure to also join us on Facebook and follow me on Twitter, too.

Another point to mention is that our iTunes Podcast has grown from strength to strength, and has been featured very predominantly throughout the last month in the ‘Noteworthy’ section of the Business listing consistently. You’ll see in the above image that we’re featured along with Pat Flynn’s great new podcast, too.

So, a pretty strong month. Thanks to everyone for their continued support on these reports. They won’t last forever, in terms of the current format anyway, and I do enjoy reading the feedback from you all, very much so. See you on the next post!

Comments

Matthew Needham says:

September 4, 2010 at 6:08 am Matthew Needham(Quote)

Hi Chris,

I’ve started listening to all the podcasts over the last week and I’ve got to say they are awesome.

Congratulations on the progress towards your goals!

- Chris C. Ducker says:
  
  September 4, 2010 at 1:54 pm Chris C. Ducker(Quote)
  
  Hi Matthew
  
  Extremely happy that youre enjoying the Podcasts. I am also enjoying putting them together, and anticipate doing more and more in the future. Perhaps even with a regular schedule in place. We’ll see.
  
  Thanks for the kind words, buddy.
  
  Chris
  
Steve Wyman says:

September 4, 2010 at 10:34 pm Steve Wyman(Quote)

Hi Chris

It’s great to see you progressing towards you goal.

My goal is a virtual CEO with just outsourced members of the team. No middle management and working with other people engaged in location independent Living. I built and sold an IT company with 18 people so know the issues 

The first stage of course is to establish an online income at $2.50 dollars a month from adsense I have a way to go.

How do you find life in Philippines? Have you lived elsewhere in Asia to compare?

Regards

Steve Wyman

- Chris C. Ducker says:
  
  September 5, 2010 at 9:51 am Chris C. Ducker(Quote)
  
  Hi Steve
  
  First up, thanks for the comment.
  
  Yes, establishing that online income is, at the end of the day, what its all about. And I am working on it, believe me. But, let me clarify, I am not selling my company, nor turning my back on it – I have over 200 awesome staff and love the company, the industry and the client base. I’m simply wanting to work more remotely, thats all.
  
  Hey – $2.50 is a start…! Lol.
  
  Philippines is great. I also did 2 years, on and off, in Hong Kong, too. Still one of my favorite places in the world, too.
  
  All the best, and thanks again for dropping by.
  
  Chris
  
Steve Wyman says:

September 5, 2010 at 3:32 pm Steve Wyman(Quote)

Hi Chris

Sure I full understood your goal, sorry if I muddied the water with my comments, they were specific to my strategy.

I believe that many CEO’s, even in traditional business’s, should spend more time away from their office desk. Create a structure values etc and leave the team to run.

You may have read Work the System by Sam Carpenter (www.workthesystem.com for his blog) although based around a static business and a bit religious (kinda), for my taste, it’s worth the time to read. I learnt some things from it that were worth the price.

Regards

- Chris C. Ducker says:
  
  September 5, 2010 at 8:11 pm Chris C. Ducker(Quote)
  
  Indeed, Sam’s book is excellent. I have read and recommended it to many people.
  
  Systems make EVERY business run – mine has many in place, and more will be getting introduced in the final quarter of the year, as I get closer to taking that fateful ‘Full-Time Virtual CEO’ leap of faith.
  
  Thanks for the follow-up comment, bud.
  
  Chris
  
Rick Resch says:

September 7, 2010 at 2:30 pm Rick Resch(Quote)

Hello Chris,

The name of your company is Live2Sell, right? I need the name because I’m creating a business plan to get government help and I want to use your services for outsourcing. I also need to know how much you charge to get the VA and how much per month for the service.

I look forward to working with you in the future.

Cheers,
Rick

- Chris C. Ducker says:
  
  September 7, 2010 at 5:47 pm Chris C. Ducker(Quote)
  
  Hi Rick
  
  Yes, the name of my company is the Live2Sell Group of Companies, to be precise.
  
  Thanks for including us in the BP – very nice of you, and once you get that funding, let me know, we’d be happy to work with you on things.
  
  All the best,
  Chris
  
Ben says:

September 9, 2010 at 1:50 pm Ben(Quote)

Fantastic Chris.

The clocks really ticking now and you’re moving closer and closer to the finishing line.

Can’t wait to see that first video of you on your first proper virtual day next year.

- Chris C. Ducker says:
  
  September 9, 2010 at 3:37 pm Chris C. Ducker(Quote)
  
  Hi Ben
  
  Thanks, bud.
  
  I’ve just hired that elusive Op’s Manager I have been needing… A month later than I needed to, but, I am confident that I’ll still hit the target. Have to be honest – I cant wait until this year is over…
  
  It’s been a busy one, for sure!!!
  
  Chris