Sunday, November 28, 2010


Spotlight on Cybertary Roseville

"There used to be a person that did this, and he isn’t here anymore, and the work still needs to be done, but we’re not hiring.”

That’s the refrain that partners/owners Valerie Dow and Tina Angell of Cybertary Roseville often hear when companies contact them for virtual assistance. Theirs is the first Cybertary franchise, which the two formed in February 2007. Today, they’ve got eight team members.

“With the economy in general, people have been downsizing their work forces,” says Valerie, “and in lieu of hiring, they’re outsourcing some of their tasks to protect their existing work force.” That’s where Cybertary steps in. “It’s a win-win for us and for larger companies, and even for some smaller ones,” she said. Without having to commit to a contract or a minimum amount of work, companies can plug in Cybertary services at the drop of a hat or a wireless mouse, and feel good about saving money.

One of the franchise’s major coups last year was assisting the city of Dixon, CA. in the summer of 2009 in putting together a grant package that earned them $3 million from the US Department of Commerce. The grant is being used to make water supply and storage improvements in a commercial/industrial area of Dixon, and is projected to create 1000 jobs and generate $40 million in private investment. A glowing example of where outsourcing allowed the city to pursue a project that otherwise may have overwhelmed existing staff members and might not ever have taken off.

At a recent economic forum, Tina learned that the projected behavior for most business comes down to a single word: Caution. “There may be some hiring, but companies—typically large and mid-sized ones—are going to be cautious. So as they grow they’re going to need someplace to expand that overflow work.” Cybertary offers the perfect solution.

Monday, November 15, 2010


Cybertary Chicago featured in Chicago Tribune

Kelly Tanaka, owner of Cybertary Chicago, was recently featured in an article in the Jobs section of the Chicago Tribune. The article, titled "Weaving a rewarding career path, no rungs required," highlights how many workers are rejecting traditional "corporate ladder" careerism for alternatives that provide the kind of flexibility, learning experience, and work-life balance they desire for themselves and their families.

Kelly provides one example.
After 17 years in corporate sales and marketing jobs, Kelly Tanaka took a new route when she bought a Cybertary virtual assistance franchise in May. The business, which uses about 15 contract workers, is based on a belief that many workers "want to do something different than the standard of becoming a full-time employee," she said.
Tanaka's typical recruit is a stay-at-home parent or retiree with professional experience looking for a flexible job.
"They get to tell me what they want to do, what they're good at and how many hours they want to work," she said.
 Congratulations, Kelly, and thanks for spreading the word!

Patricia interviewed on "This Little Parent Stayed Home" podcast

Cybertary founder Patricia Beckman was interviewed for the "This Little Parent Stayed Home" podcast for October 29, 2010. iTunes users can download the podcast here.