lme (aka Lisa M. Englert)

After
attending a women's conference with two good friends/colleagues in 2000, we came to the realization that
we had the combined talents to start our own business, but we weren't
sure what direction it should take. As soon as
I read about virtual assistance in
The Cary (NC) News in April 2001,
however, I knew this
was what I was destined to do!
A year later, I enrolled in Assist University (AssistU), a training organization that
provides a rigorous 20-week study program for people who want to work as Virtual
Assistants. I graduated in October 2002 and soon thereafter opened
virtualme, inc. The rest, they say, is history.
Prior to becoming a VA, I was employed for more than 20 years as an administrative
professional in both the private and public sectors. Since I
acquired much
of my work experience in public relations, marketing and
communications environments, those are the services that I
specialize in as a Virtual Assistant.
My past employers have included the North Carolina Department of Transportation
and First Flight Centennial Commission (in Raleigh, North Carolina); the law
firm of Fox, Bennett & Turner and The Distilled Spirits Council of the United
States (in Washington, DC); and BellSouth Corporation (both in Atlanta, Georgia
and Washington, DC).
Throughout my career, I learned many valuable skills that I have brought to
my VA practice. They include:
Communications
I have excellent written and oral communication skills. I'm adept at "asking
the right questions" to build consensus and do not shy away from confrontation.
As is often said, most arguments are not 95%/5%, they are 49%/51%. This means
that consensus -- and the best solution -- is often just one question away.
Event Planning
Throughout my career, I have planned and coordinated numerous significant
events involving thousands of people, including federal, state and executive
branch officials, international political figures, and members of the media.
My experience has taught me how to work under deadlines with a limited budget
and that no detail is too small to be overlooked, from invitations to handouts
to dynamic presentations and memorable finales.
Leadership
I am skilled at building consensus among diverse groups and able to effectively
lead and inspire others to accomplish their best work. I believe that anyone
is capable of being a leader and I enjoy bringing out this quality in others.
Organization
I am a true believer in the importance of organization and am a strong proponent
of Florynce Kennedy's philosophy of "Don't agonize -- organize!" With early
and solid organization, no project is insurmountable.
Technology
I have a passion for new technologies and the perseverance necessary to put
ideas into practice. I'm known as a "problem-solver" with a reputation for
solid results. I have a proven knowledge of HTML and experience in Web
design and maintenance.
A native of Atlanta, Georgia, I attended
Georgia State University and completed coursework towards an
Associate of Science Degree in Aviation Administration. I live
with my husband in Cary, North Carolina.
Outside of my VA practice, I serve in voluntary positions as
Chair of the Wake Technical Community College Advisory Committee for Office
Systems Technology and Vice Chair
of the Town of Cary's Sister Cities Commission. I am the
former Board Secretary for Chix
in Business, Inc., an organization of women-owned businesses in
Raleigh and I currently serve as a board member for Friends of the Page-Walker
Hotel, a nonprofit organization established to save Cary's historic cornerstone.
When time permits, my hobbies include
herb gardening, traveling, golfing, wine tasting, watching Food
Network and The Fine Living Channel, and reading fiction (in
particular, female detective novels).
