Sunday, February 14th, 2010
Being a manager and a teacher who works in about 10 different time zones every week — I’ve
come to realize the importance of being organized and punctual. I’d like to share some of my tricks with you to keeping organized — especially when you have a pretty full plate.
- Google Calendar – by far the BEST google application since gmail! I’m able to organize all of my appointments, classes, and teachers. I can invite others to join on the calendar — and it is all synced automatically. I can even get reminder pop ups or emails before I have something scheduled. A must have for ANYONE who has a busy schedule.
- Time Zone Converter – another essential tool – it lets you figure out your time zone differences. So for example 2pm in Uruguay is 11am in Toronto and 5pm in Madrid. I use this application all the time — to check and double check appointments — can’t be an effective manager if I’m doubled booked all the time :
- Sticky Notes – yep just like post its — only on your computer — I have a few going at once — they stay on my desktop even after a shutdown — great for keeping notes in a meeting, or words during a lesson — or a “TO DO” list of sorts.
With Virtual managing becoming more and more popular the need for ease and tools to make your job more efficient are a must. I’d be interested to hear your tips to keep things in check…
Tags: google, manager, online, organizing, real time, supervisor, teachers, teaching, time zones
Posted in English Improvement, English for Business, Teaching Online, Uncategorized | No Comments »
Saturday, February 6th, 2010
Jillian Zavitz
-Programs Manager
-Working at TTC since early 2008
What exactly is a Programs Manager?
Well the Programs Manager is someone who does a little bit of everything. I am primarily responsible for interviewing, hiring and training new teachers. I have a staff of over 20 regular teachers that I keep track of and am always on the look out for new teachers. I also write blogs, teach lessons, am an emergency go to person for everything. I am always researching on how to be better, how to train and manage people online — and most recently have been involved in many interviews about my experiences related to human resources for major news outlets.
How did you get involved in this type of online work?
By chance — google is a great tool for everything — especially finding jobs. I started out as a teacher with just a few individual students — and then quickly moved up to Programs Manager and have been in this position ever since. I love being involved in something that has so much potential — and seeing that what I do directly impacts the outcome — which is of course why I give it my all — all the time :)
A typical day?
Involves me looking at my google calendar — figuring my schedule for the day. Sometimes my day starts at 1am or 3am and goes until 10pm that night — of course not continuously. I teach on average 6hs/day (throughout the day), then do some Programs Managing (maybe 2-3hs/day). I chat and talk with Marc the General Manager on a daily basis — figure out new information and new action plans. It’s very busy — I don’t have a regular schedule — normal sleeping times or eating times. But that is perfect for me — as I am more of a laissez faire type gal in all aspects of my life anyway – luckily this just fits in perfectly.
Advice for teachers who want to get into working online?
It’s hard work — not easy at all — but it’s SOOOOOO much fun! This is the best job that I’ve EVER had — and I’ve had some pretty awesome jobs before. I get to work from home — make up my own schedule — and meet people from ALL over the world.. it’s pretty sweet if you ask me. You have to be the right kind of person for the job, and if you have a look at some of my earlier posts you’ll see what it takes to be a “wow” online teacher.
Tags: esl, manager, managing, native canadian speaker, organizing, Programs Manager, teaching english, teaching via skype, work from home, working
Posted in Teaching Online | 1 Comment »
Thursday, January 21st, 2010
Marc Anderson
- General Manager
- Working at TTC since early 2006
What is a typical day for you at TalktoCanada.com?
Good question, not getting very much sleep..just kidding. I would say that a typical day starts with answering a lot of emails, keeping up on prospects and than talking with my other managers either on telephone or on Skype. After the usual stuff is done, I probably spend the rest of my time on the phone or in meetings with current and potential clients. Some of my time is spent supervising projects and making sure they are delivered in the way that the client requested which can sometimes get difficult depending on the highly specialized nature of the course materials. The rest of my time, is probably spent reading, which can include the latest business book or visiting several of my favourite websites including entrepreneur.com, searchenginewatch.com, msnbc.com and checking up on our industry competitors. My day doesn’t end at a specific time or start at the same time everyday, having to deal in so many countries around the world, some days I have to wake up while I am sleeping for a meeting or at supper time. You have to give up the 9-5 hours if you expect to be successful in this type of job.
What is the toughest challenge you have faced since starting with TalktoCanada.com in 2006?
I would have to say beyond a doubt, getting our first client was the toughest challenge. With such a new service by a very unknown company it’s hard to convince individuals and companies of your worth. Naturally the vast majority of those people interested in our services were skeptical and without my selling skills being full developed it took a while to get off the ground.
What would you say is your biggest triumph?
This would probably tie into the previous question. Getting our first client was the most exhilarating experience you could possibly have in a new business. A client was willing to give us the chance and I will never forget the name of this company for the rest of my life.
What is the best part of your job?
Meeting with clients around the world. I majored in accounting in university and seriously contemplated being an accountant but than thought if I am going to be in an office, I would rather do something more exciting. I haven’t looked back since and I love my job and would trade it for any other business job.
Tags: clients, creativity, daily life, demonstrations, email, english experience, esl, foreign language, global english, hot new trend, individual training, innovative teaching methods, language training, languages, manager, reading, skype, sleep, stages of development, supervising, TalktoCanada.com, work, working
Posted in English for Business, Learning English Online, Teaching Online | 2 Comments »
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come to realize the importance of being organized and punctual. I’d like to share some of my tricks with you to keeping organized — especially when you have a pretty full plate.
