~ma to cindy and vw.

How much should a CEO of a smallish firm (5 million in assets) pay for a personal assistant? What's the hourly on someone who untangles and solves practical problems?

Look on craigslist for your area, and determine what the going rate is for PAs. Then determine how much value a PA would add to your firm and figure out if it is worth the cost.

Thanks Andi, and everyone. I think once my head clears it'll be much easier to get it on straight - if you know what I mean.

Beej, that's a toughie. You'll be an independent contractor rather than an employee? Has the CEO floated any numbers at you?

Timelies, all! Seems to be a quiet morning, except for poor CIndy. I hope the doctor trip goes okay.

I had nightmares myself last night. I was watching The Practice justbefore bed and there was a Hannibal Lecter-copy cat serial killer. I dreamt about him all night. Nice. Actually, I dreamt about shooting him, but still.

Cindy, I feel so bad about your family's Winter of Sick. I feel like you should all be sheep dipped in Listerine or something. I hope health sneaks into your house and you get some easy-times -ma.

First off, demand a pony.

yeeessss! t puts that on the list

No numbers floated yet Cindy. I'm meeting him tomorrow afternoon and would like to feel like I have a baseline to work from.

It is likely that I'll be contracting again, though, I'm wondering about the high cost of this independent life, yo. I need either much more income to cover that cost or to figure out how to be an employee.

Thanks for the thought on Craig'slist Tom. Hadn't thought of that.

The value added is blending all my coaching, counseling and advising experience which runs from executive development through O.D. to individual problem solving.

This fellow is so busy, it took me two months to get on his calendar. He's overwhelmed and is not enjoying his life at all.

I go to PHAT Tuesday with C+C Music Factory, Rob Bass, and.. Digital Underground

flails with jealousy. Also with the awesome beat.

This fellow is so busy, it took me two months to get on his calendar. He's overwhelmed and is not enjoying his life at all.

sounds like you can name your price :)

sounds like you can name your price

You'd think, right?!

It's frustrating coming up with a dollar amount when what I want to say is "look...I can FIX this...in the you never have to think about it again sense...I'll make so much room in your life, you'll have to come up with NEW stuff to be stressed about! What is that worth to you?"

Beej, do you charge hourly or a lump sum?

I've done project work both ways...sometimes by the completion, others by the hour. It really depends on the sitch.

Right now, I'm teaching a women's group a three session course...that's half up front half at the end.

Last week, I managed aspects of a cross country move, that was hourly (and yet to be paid...)

Recently, I designed and implemented a major 'caper' for a corporate client that included 90 employees and a multi-day learning event revolving around a series of fake bank heists. That one was hourly.

eta: I should add that lump sum is not really my friend because I do more than I should in each new contract. Everybody gets custom work and I end up spending more time than I estimate.

Which sounds like a faux answer to one of those interview questions..."My weakness is I just work too hard..." Pathetic.

But, usually, it ends up being true. I've got to learn restraint...and to develop a plug 'n play something or other that I don't reinvent every time.