Home
Despite Dismal economy, P A Business' Is Expanding
The current economic scenario is dismal in the country. Well-known banks and mortgages companies have crashed. Some big businesses have gone bust. Millions have lost their jobs. Yet surprisingly, in America the concierge services business is exploding right now. The number of independently owned and operated companies serving time-strapped clients has mushroomed, right along with customer demand for such businesses. By all accounts, concierge services are one of the fastest growing small businesses in the USA. A personal concierge service runs on the most basic of premises: people want things done but don't have the time to do them. But they're happy to pay someone to do them on their behalf. This service offering is also known as lifestyle management. This business is an offshoot of the long tradition of the hotel concierge and their promise of exclusive personal service and local knowledge. In earlier times, such service was the exclusive preserve of the very wealthy. Now, however, with falling data processing costs, cheaper direct channels of communication and the wider and easier availability of information on the internet, these services can be delivered more economically, and are within the reach and affordability of a wider audience. Little wonder then, new concierge businesses have sprung up in all the major metropolitan areas, promising to help manage the busy lifestyles of their corporate and personal customers. The National Concierge Association, a Chicago-based group, was founded in the late 1990s as a networking and resource organization for both personal and hotel concierges. And in 2001, the International Concierge and Errand Association (ICEA) was set up in America, Today, both associations serve their members through essential resources, continuing education, networking opportunities and other professional help. Although no exact figures are available about the number of concierge businesses in the county, it is estimated that there are several hundred, and the industry is still growing. And there is plenty of room for even more growth, industry analysts say. The reasons for this stupendous growth are not difficult to fathom. Simply put, Americans are working harder than ever, and finding it increasingly difficult to cope up with their workload at offices or businesses while trying to fulfill personal and familial chores and responsibilities. It is seen that most people end up accumulating heaps of stuff – both in the workplace and in their homes. In a recent survey by Steelcase, a leading designer and manufacturer of office furnishings, 27 percent of office workers described themselves as "pilers," while 12 percent described themselves as pack rats. Taking care of all that "stuff" requires time and organization. Some people need help just to get organized; others could manage the paperwork if they weren't saddled with so many other chores. That's why they turn to (or would like to be able to turn to) personal concierges to help keep them organized, run errands, and ensure that business and personal responsibilities are fulfilled. Another survey, co-sponsored by AOL and Women's Day in 2005, found that 67% of people would prefer a personal assistant to a life coach. On the other hand, the main reason the number of independently owned concierge companies has skyrocketed is because the start-up costs and barriers of entry have become quite feasible for many entrepreneurs. Another big reason for the growth and popularity of concierge businesses is that they serve very wide spectrum of customers. From small business owners, busy professionals, seniors living independently, two-career families, recuperating patients, out-of-town visitors, realtors, lawyers, busy moms to new parents. In fact, anyone who feels overwhelmed with their to-do lists. And they provide an incredible array of services: from informational requests, setting dinner reservations, making telephone calls, researching travel arrangements, sorting out bills, organizing activities, personal shopping, waiting for deliveries, grocery shopping, pet sitting and much more. They do more than run errands. They stand in lines, research events, book tickets, plan your holiday vacations and can find the most efficient and affordable methods of travel when needed. In essence, a good concierge creates a second you, completing your tasks exactly the way you want them done. A personal concierge can customize their offerings. They may choose which services to offer and when to conduct business, making this a fairly flexible job. And for the customer, the best part of the personal concierge business is the payment for the services. Typically, concierge companies bill on an hourly rate, and depending upon the type of task at hand the charges can vary. But when you hire a personal concierge, you don’t have to pay salary or employee benefits. The personal concierge is a business owner.
Do you have to be rich to use the services of a personal concierge?
Once, it was thought to be a luxury. There was a time when the use of a personal concierge was the exclusive preserve of the rich and famous and jet-setting executives. Not any more. Today, ordinary people – from small businesses and time-deprived professionals to seniors and busy parents – can access and afford the services of a personal concierge. Of course, if you have a good income it certainly helps. But you don't need to be well-off to hire a personal concierge. Today, anyone can opt for the time-saving benefits that come with hiring a personal concierge. Personal concierges play a key role in reducing the stress suffered by busy people, parents and others who can not do it all. In fact, it is precisely because their services are now affordable that an entire industry has blossomed around the phenomenon. And it continues to grow. Concierge services run the gamut from in-house "personal assistants" who bring catered meals to the office, pick up dry cleaning and arrange babysitting services to telephonic and Web-based vendors that offer discounts at local restaurants, shopping malls and automotive service venues. For a fee, a personal concierge can shop for groceries, take the car in for service, research home repairs, wait for the cable guy. As for the pricing, each company has their own way of doing business and the cost varies between companies. But generally, the services of a personal concierge can range between $40 to $100 an hour, a relatively small amount for those who cannot put a price on their quality time. Many clients hire personal concierges on regular basis. But you can also engage a personal concierge as a one-off to help organize a specific event. Or you can call them on an as-needed basis, and get the pricing up front. If you like the quoted price, you can go for it. If not, you can always shop around. Evening, weekend and holiday hours can be arranged. The best part is: once you have established a relationship with a concierge, they are more likely and willing to cut you deals. So, when you need help, just go on the internet or look in your local yellow pages for a concierge service to come to the rescue. It’s a good feeling to know that you don't have to go it alone. It just takes finding someone to hire that you feel comfortable with. Once you see how easy it is to use them, whenever a new situation arises, you know who to call. The security and peace of mind is worth their price, so try a personal concierge today. You may just end up feeling happily spoiled from being treated so well.
Tips on hiring a Personal Assistant
You are bed-ridden and cannot drive or walk around much, to get groceries or to do other chores. Or, you never have enough time; you are always running around frantically, trying to be the best in your professional life and, at the same time, trying to be the best parent. Or, you are going out of town and need somebody to look after your pets. What are you going to do? Try using a Personal Assistant service. A Personal Assistant acts like your assistant, and can relieve you of the load of responsibilities and chores that you find difficult to cope up with on your own. Hiring a Personal Assistant might seem like an indulgence, but when life gets busy or stressful, a Personal Assistant can accomplish a whole to-do list in just hours. And with their affordable rates, the trade off is well worth it. Their ranges of costs and services vary, so shop around and see who gives you the best deal for your money. Many Personal Assistants specialize in specific services. Others provide lifestyle management services. When hiring a Personal Assistant, be sure you discuss your needs and expectations openly. In turn your Personal Assistant will give you ‘back your time’ - allowing you to enjoy the life you want to live. Here are some important things to consider when hiring a Personal Assistant: • Make sure that the service is bonded, licensed and insured for your peace of mind and safety. This also assures you that the professional has integrity, is dependable, efficient and honest. • Find out about their scope of service and industry experience? How long they have been in business? Do they have the proven local, national and international (if needed) resources to handle even the most difficult tasks? • Find out more about the company: how is it run; how efficient are the staff; the kind of support systems are in place; what kind of assignments the company has handled in the past; any testimonials and references? • Find out about the charges: are there any additional fees? Are there any discounts (new client, package deals etc)? Any charge if the appointment is cancelled at the last minute etc? • Look for a Personal Assistant with a strong career background whose interaction with the community has resulted in long-lasting contacts and relationships. Their network and their associates will also be available to their clients. Find out if the Personal Assistant is a member of professional groups such as their local Chamber of Commerce and other community organizations. • Find a Personal Assistant with first-hand knowledge of the local region or city. • Look for a Personal Assistant who has excellent communications skills and practical hands-on experience in multitasking, problem solving, time management and organization. • Look for candidates who are positive, friendly, and have a go-getter attitude. • Try to find someone who is as flexible as possible to suit your needs. • Make sure that the Personal Assistant's Contact information includes mailing address, phone numbers, e-mail address and website information. • Above all, find someone you feel comfortable with and who you can trust. Trust is the key to allowing a Personal Assistant enough access to be of benefit to your life. A true Personal Assistant will build a confidential relationship with clients and develop the understanding needed to handle your needs.
How the Personal Concierge Service phenomenon evolved
With a limited amount of hours in a day, it can be a struggle to find time to simply enjoy life. Daily responsibilities, commitments and errands can rob you of free time until the quality of life is diminished. One innovative solution to this problem is hiring a personal concierge service, which can help you take care of all those little things that can add up to hours of lost time every day. Concierges have been around for centuries but the personal concierge is a comparatively recent phenomenon. How did the personal concierge come about? Briefly, this is how. The term “concierge” is derived from the French Comte Des Cierges, 'the keeper of the candles', who tended to the wishes of visiting nobles in castles of the medieval era. During that period, a "concierge" was typically a middle aged woman who met the nobles at the door with their candles and assumed the responsibility to tend to all their needs during their sojourn. Later in the 19th century and early 20th century apartment buildings, particularly in Paris, the concierge often had a small apartment on the ground floor and monitored all comings and goings. In modern times, a concierge came to essentially mean as the "keeper of the keys", especially at hotels. In hotels, however, a concierge began also assisting guests with small jobs like handling the storage of luggage, taking and delivering messages, making reservations for tours, arranging for spa services etc. In hospitals too, a concierge has been providing similar services. But here, instead of just serving a guest, a concierge started serving patients and employees as well, thus hugely benefiting the employees who worked long hours. It is from this background that the concept of the contemporary personal concierge evolved. The personal concierge came onto the scene in the mid-1990's. It started with the oft-traveling Executives who first became accustomed to having a concierge at their service, while away from home. Pretty soon, they wanted these same services when they returned back to their offices. On their part, the Corporations readily acquiesced, mainly to keep their Executives happy, and the Corporate Concierge niche sprang up. Concierge services became part of the Executives’ perks and soon Executives and, in a few companies normal employees too, realized its great advantages. They could ask someone to run errands, book tickets, arrange opera or cinema reservations etc and save time and hassles for themselves. And the companies gladly paid the concierge charges to keep their employees happy. Out of this has mushroomed the Personal Concierge Service phenomenon. Personal concierge services allow clients to “buy back” their precious time. A personal concierge works on the most basic of premises: people want things done and just don't have the time to do them. Recent studies have shown that the Baby Boomer generation, more than any other, has really fueled the growth of the personal concierge industry. Caught between raising children while tending to aging parents, this generation has been more time-strapped than any other in history. Little wonder, Baby Boomers have turned in hordes to personal concierge service industry to find relief from overstressed schedules and maddening personal responsibilities - in search of the priceless gift of time.
Search by Keyword
Copyright © AYSNW LLC Woodinville, Wa
aysnwllc@gmail.com
