January 2004

CreatorBase Works for Virtual Assistants

Erick Mott, CreatorCo.com

A Silicon Valley company provides services for virtual business success

by Erick Mott

Reality Check

Let me start by saying everyone on the planet is a creator because we all have the ability to make things happen – based on our unique talents, relationships and passions. From a business point of view, we each have the capacity to deliver professional services (i.e., content development, project management, event planning, graphic design, etc.) and there are millions of prospective clients in the marketplace who value and utilize these services everyday. The key for a creator like you is to connect with clients and team members in an environment that is accessible and satisfactory to your clients, and suitable for your business. New virtual business practices and proven technologies are making professional connections possible and easier to manage from anywhere, anytime.

Virtual Business Bound

Perhaps like you, I started a new business because I believed in the vision and was confident I could launch and manage the operation. Other factors including a slow economy and layoff contributed to a career move that went from Fortune 100 company innovator to virtual entrepreneur in a very short period of time. However, I learned through personal reflection that good business ideas don’t happen in an instant. In fact, these ideas are created and shaped over time as we: think about problems and solutions stimulated by hands-on experiences; while listening to and observing people; as we use intuition and data to envision how current trends will affect the future.

I’ve been fortunate to work in strategic and tactical roles for large technology companies including Sun Microsystems, Cisco Systems and Philips Semiconductors, roles where I experienced what technology can do for people and – if used properly and at the right time – what technology can do for business relationships and success. Everything we learn in any organization can be applied as we move into independent and/or leadership roles. That said, it’s important to perceive all work experiences as assets that, if deposited correctly, can be applied in future work situations. My knowledge base and people connections were essential to launching our business for consultants, entrepreneurs and professional groups. The decision to start Creator Connection was not a knee-jerk reaction, but instead the result of a value proposition concept that had been brewing in my mind for more than 10 years; one that is articulated in four words: Your space to create.

Social Networks and Infrastructure

I immediately missed two things after leaving Sun in 2002. The first was a network of professional relationships I had established in five years, and second was the corporate infrastructure that had been all around me in the form of an IT network, knowledge, the culture and significant brand equity. I quickly learned that social and IT networks are critical for business success and personal sanity. As I’m sure you can relate, the combination of small business isolation and email SPAM will drive anyone just a little crazy. I’m not complaining. My startup experience was necessary for understanding what independent professionals like Virtual Assistants are faced with everyday. Our team of technology partners and 1099 employees used these insights to develop a new virtual office and networking service called CreatorBase. Because most independent professionals working from home and on-the-go don’t have the expertise, time or cash to set-up and maintain their own social networks and IT infrastructure, CreatorBase is an ideal solution for Virtual Assistants with its low-cost, ease-of-use appeal. An email account, Internet access, and computer are all you need to get started and succeed with CreatorBase.

No VA is an Island

A virtual office with CreatorBase is great, but what if you don’t have clients or you would rather not spend a lot of time and money doing business development to secure project work? This is a valid concern for Virtual Assistants and Creator Connection has a solution. In September 2003, we announced a new project work initiative called Made in the Net. This action was in response to three significant trends that affect us all: mobile computing; labor market shifts; social networking. For CreatorBase subscribers, Made in the Net provides a means of connecting the right people with the right projects, regardless of duration or location. One example of a project is a new, patented product that requires specific roles and connections to take the consumer product to market. Another project in the works is a new corporate brand and Web site for a successful Silicon Valley startup. Keep in mind too that other CreatorBase subscribers are working with their clients to deliver services and complete projects – which creates opportunities for you to join current and future project teams.

Special Promotion

I applaud Sharon Williams and the Alliance Leadership Team for their dedication and collaborative effort. Creator Connection would like to offer support to Alliance members by providing discounted monthly and annual subscriptions to CreatorBase. Further, I welcome a conversation with any Alliance member who would like to share their story with us. Creator Connection is always looking for talented independent professionals to help us achieve our business goals as well as to complete client project work. We’re a virtual business and our success depends on practicing what we promote. For more information about CreatorBase and the special promotion available to Alliance members, please visit http://www.AllianceforVirtualBiz.com/creatorco.html.

About the Author

Erick Mott is the founder and CEO of Creator Connection, Inc., a San Francisco/Silicon Valley-based application service provider (ASP) and collaborative network for consultants, entrepreneurs and professional groups. Erick can be reached at 650-327-1986, ext. 2 or email erick@creatorco.com. The company web site and CreatorBase login is available at http://www.CreatorCo.com.