Tuesday, June 23, 2009

NACBA Convention-May 29-31, 2009 Chicago, IL

The following article is by Jeannie Lynch, NSVBA Member and Participant at the recent NACBA Convention in Chicago, IL.

NACBA CONVENTION FEEDBACK

The May, 2009, NACBA Convention was exciting, encouraging and enlightening on many levels. There was huge interest in Virtual Bankruptcy Assistance and how the process works. At times we were facing three and four attorneys deep at the exhibitor table, excitedly detailing not only the benefits of utilizing a VBA but the benefits that flowed to each attorney who teams with a member of the National Society of Virtual Bankruptcy Assistants. (A neighboring exhibitor likened his experience to Marketing Boot Camp and I could not agree more!)

One common thread among those attorneys who could especially benefit from the services of a VBA -- those sole practitioners with limited assistance and those who physically input client information into petition software themselves -- is their hesitancy to give up control. These attorneys are “hands-on” with client information and have a hard time envisioning how they can possibly transfer that information to someone outside their office.

We explained to these attorneys that while letting go may be difficult at first, the rewards of adding a competent, skilled, professional team member cannot be overstated. Not the least of these rewards is giving back to the attorney his or her valuable time to spend in more profitable ways such as increasing his or her client base and otherwise building and fine tuning the practice for increased profitability.

Everyone knows what it’s like to have a professional, productive, efficient team member on board. They get their assignments, diligently apply themselves to their tasks and complete their projects -- mostly without flaw and always timely. They require little to no supervision and limited follow up. It’s like they’re not even there, yet the work flows smoothly, efficiently and impressively. This is what can be expected when teaming with an NSVBA affiliated Virtual Bankruptcy Assistant -- without a doubt, one of the best investments a sole practitioner Consumer Bankruptcy Attorney can make.

So, how does the attorney get the client information and documentation to us easily and securely? Faxing and email certainly make the list. Clients are computer savvy these days. Many conduct a great deal of their personal and professional business by computer, which makes easier the transfer of that information. Some VBA’s offer additional security options such as utilizing their own secure server or secure online file sharing programs by which files can be uploaded and downloaded with the click of a mouse, often allowing the dragging and dropping an entire folder of multiple files. These programs operate under an “ https” connection, meaning that the data transferred is encrypted so that it cannot be read by anyone except the recipient. The transfer of information between Attorney and VBA is neither difficult nor risky but, rather, user friendly and secure.

Post-convention follow up continues for me as I assume it does for my fellow attending VBA’s. The attorneys we had the pleasure of meeting were impressive and eager to learn about the possibilities for better representation of their clients and improved work flow and productivity. As we at NSVBA continue to provide them the avenue to seize these opportunities, our valuable reputation will grow.

The National Society of Virtual Bankruptcy Assistants is a highly professional and ethical organization whose primary goal is the success of each individual member through training, networking, and marketing. This goal not only serves to ensure the success of the group as a whole but also the attorneys we serve. I am proud to be a member.
Attending the conference was a personal and professional pleasure and I thank Vikki Watanabe and NSVBA for allowing me the opportunity.

Jeannie Lynch
Lynch Legal Support

Thank you again Jeannie!

Vikki

Monday, June 8, 2009

Featured VBA-BARBARA BROCK- Manchester,Missouri

For the next two weeks, our Featured VBA is Barbara Brock. Many of you recently met Barbara at the 17th Annual NACBA Convention.

If you're an attorney seeking the expertise of a VBA, look no further.

Barbara J. Brock

Professional Background:

Barbara is a Certified Bankruptcy Assistant whose 30+ year background includes experience as an Executive Assistant, Administrative Assistant, Data Analyst, and Business Owner. Barbara has diligently pursued education and research to advance her computer skills and knowledge of the various industries in which she worked. She is also a Missouri Notary Public.

Widowed in her early 30’s, Barbara decided to start her own business to allow her the opportunity to be available for her son. She orchestrated the approval and construction of a small building to house a grooming business and stained glass studio. This was her first taste of business ownership and the satisfaction that comes from providing quality services that she was responsible for. Along with this endeavor, she engaged in satisfying volunteer work. After six years as a single parent, in 1992, Barbara married her best friend. In 2001, a move to St. Louis necessitated her relinquishing her business.

In the past 8 years, she advanced her way in the medical records department of a major St. Louis hospital from a data entry position to the position of Data Analyst/Special Studies. In this capacity, she excelled in analyzing data to produce special reports and graphs for use by the Director of the department. Her eye for detail and tenacity for producing high-quality projects assisted the Director in presenting data which motivated action for improvement. Barbara’s reliability to complete projects on time, without supervision, was a pivotal factor in the decision to allow her to work in this position from her remote office. Barbara became an integral part of the Director’s team, multi-tasking to produce reports and graphs, presentations, policies and procedures, researching topics, and teaching others computer skills.

With a revived desire to pursue her own business, in 2006, her research into business opportunities uncovered the beginnings of the Virtual Bankruptcy Assistant industry. She took an avid interest in this field because of her own personal experience with nearly having to file bankruptcy at one point in her own life. Her determination and tenacity in working with creditors to get out of that difficult and stressful situation made her feel she would have special compassion and understanding for attorneys’ clients. She had also been intrigued by the legal profession having assisted friends with legal research both on-line and at the top-rated Washington University Law Library.

The decision made, she began the road of bankruptcy education and petition preparation training. Barbara is now a Certified Bankruptcy Assistant with the Association of Bankruptcy Judicial Assistants (ABJA) and a Certified Virtual Bankruptcy Assistant with the National Society of Virtual Bankruptcy Assistants (NSVBA). She continues her education through webinars, networking with seasoned VBA’s, bankruptcy publications, on-line research, and paralegal courses. The NSVBA has been a strong ally, providing Barbara with training and a close network of information from more experienced VBA’s. The NSVBA also presented her the opportunity to attend both the NACBA Fall Workshop in Hilton Head and, more recently, the NACBA Convention in Chicago. At both these venues, she thoroughly enjoyed the interaction with attorneys as she explained how a Virtual Bankruptcy Assistant would free up their time and take a tremendous workload off their shoulders, then seeing their excitement as they realized the value of this service. She is currently working with several attorneys to set up her VBA service for their law firms.

To learn more about Barbara’s services and credentials, please visit her website at: http://www.brbsolutionsllc.com/

Personal Background

On a personal note, what Barbara will tell you about herself is that she is a down-to-earth person who is interested in helping others. She enjoys being a professional assistant. She has been called tenacious by others, particularly her father-in-law, and admits that she demands of herself to give the best to others as she would expect to receive. Barbara prides herself as being dependable, honest, confidential, hardworking, and caring. She thrives on the challenge of working with numbers, details, and doing research.

On the lighter side, when she’s not working, Barbara takes pleasure in the time she spends with her husband, family, grandchildren, and friends. She loves to travel, but is always happy to be home. Several years ago, she undertook the challenge to begin learning Chinese and volunteers her time to help in an education work. Her other passions include cooking, photography, and stained glass.

The decision for Barbara to be self-employed has been greatly influenced by her desire to be able to choose time for these important facets of her life. That is why she strongly feels that the service she provides as a Virtual Bankruptcy Assistant is invaluable for those she works with so they, too, can have more time for what they consider to be most important to them.

ATTORNEYS:

To contact Barbara, visit her website at:
http://www.brbsolutionsllc.com/

Once there, go to the "Contact Us" page.

Thank you Barbara,

Vikki