A while back, I finally hired a Virtual Assistant to help me on a regular basis with my business. Here are some musings on what I've learnt so far about engaging and working with a VA:
1. Schedule a monthly call or Skype video call to check in and use this as a monthly planning mechanism for your business (2 birds with 1 stone always good for busy workshifters!) Not only will this ensure clarity in communication and prioritisation, it will also build solid working relationships and help your VA feel enthusiastic and a real part of your business, rather than just a "hired help".
2. When you are hiring a VA, decide whether you want someone to follow your processes or whether you want someone who will work with you developmentally - i.e. someone who will make suggestions for your business and use their initiative. I wanted the latter, but if you are clear about what you want done and you don't want deviation from your own procedures, you need to make this clear at the outset.
3. If, like me, you want someone to use their initiative, recognise that the downside of this is that they will almost certainly carry out some tasks differently from you. This means that you either have to let go and allow this, or ensure regular and upfront communication when they do something that isn't in line with your business brand or personal style.
4. Accept that when you are working with anyone after being a solopreneur for some time, you are going to spend more time initially setting up and skills transfer, just as you might have done at work if you were training up a new member of staff.
5. Use the opportunity of hiring a new VA to get clear on what your business strategy is, how the VA will help you achieve that strategy and what your business processes are. It forced me to think logically through the different elements of my daily business and to establish who does what.
6. Remember that all human beings are starved of acknowledgement and we all need regular and meaningful praise. When your VA (or any member of your virtual workshifting team) delights you, make sure you tell her!
7. Your VA will make mistakes. Again, it's about recognising that you are hiring a fallible human being. Mistakes are part of the learning and business development process. Deal with them, shrug your shoulders and remember that it's all good learning!
8. If you're wondering whether you can afford to hire a VA, err on the side of throwing caution to the wind! I've been in business for 7 years, but with the benefit of hindsight, I would have hired a VA much sooner. In the long term, I believe that outsourcing 20 hours of work per month to my VA will make my business more profitable. I've started to see the results already. If I had to choose whether to pay my salary or pay a VA, I'd pay the VA first and use the time I'd gained to concentrate on doing what I do best - attracting and serving my clients
What do you think? Do you have any tips to share?
Photo Credit: Sean Dreilinger
