Am I Really Ready for a Virtual Assistant?
Working with a Virtual Assistant can be the most rewarding partnership when building your business. However, it is so important that you understand how a virtual assistant works and how you envision working together.
In my experience, I have found that clients who fail to recognize
that Virtual Assistants are business owners, with many of the same responsibilities they have (finding and satisfying clients, planning to ensure the success of the business, fiscal responsibilities including paying taxes, paying vendors, growing the business and even finding startup capital) are deeply disappointed when the Virtual Assistant is not available to them all day/every day.
This is why it is key to really identify what your needs are BEFORE launching your search for a virtual assistant. Key things to ask yourself:
Do I have a clear vision, business plan and strategy? (Please note your Virtual Assistant is not responsible for creating strategy for your business)
Have I clearly identified what I need my assistant to be responsible for?
Do I understand the value of having a Virtual Assistant on my team or do I want someone I can nickel and dime and try to get more than what I've agreed to pay for?
Do I trust that my assistant can do the job well?
Does my assistant need to be available to me every hour of the day?
Do I expect my assistant to work around the clock including after-hours and weekends?
Do I expect my assistant to be available for daily, random and unscheduled phone calls from me on a regular basis?
Am I consistent or do I change my mind more often and faster than a speedreader turns pages?
Is everything an emergency and needs an asap response?
Don't be the nightmare client from HELL! Yes, I said it, lol. Remember this is a partnership and if you are not prepared to treat your Virtual Assistant with the same respect, professionalism, and kindness that you do with your clients and customers, then you're not ready to work with a PARTNER Virtual Assistant - you might be better served working with a remote employee.
An employee is answerable only to you. All monies earned are paid by you. You do not share this person with another company. You can control the services provided - what will be done and how it will be done. You can create as many interruptions and distractions you prefer because the only person your employee serves is you.
No matter what you decide, Virtual Assistant or Remote Employee, remember “treat them with respect and pay them well and they will be committed to the growth and success of your business.”