Business Talk

When meeting with a new client I am often asked the question "What can a Virtual Assistant do for me?" While it is easy for me to rhyme off a list of assignments and tasks I perform for other clients, it may not be the kind of work that this new client needs immediate help with. Administration work does have commonalities to it, but every client's needs are different and unique to them.

Virtual Assistants are a relatively new concept and as such it is hard for people to know what we can do, but basically if you can imagine giving a task to an Assistant you can most likely give it to a Virtual Assistant! With the vast array of technology available enabling people to work effectively while mobile, today it is easier than ever to effectively support a client that is half a world away. Half of my clients I have never physically met; I have never been to their office and they have not been to mine! Being based in Brisbane Australia, it always intrigues and enthuses me that I can assist my clients interstate here in Australia and recently, China, just as effectively as I do my clients a few kilometres away.

I have found that Solo Operators seem to make up the majority of my clients. Solo Operators are usually people who work extremely effectively on their own and don't want the physical presence of somebody in their office. Virtual Assistants fit in with their dynamic well. We are on call when they need us and don't disturb their workflow with a dozen little questions everyday. On the flipside, medium size organisations I have found, also use Virtual Assistants. They may have undergone restructuring, where non-core staff (often found to be admin. staff) have been reduced. This sometimes leaves the situation of highly skilled professionals each doing small amounts of administration.

If you are considering, or even if you currently use a Virtual Assistant, following are some ideas to help you get the most out of your relationship with your Virtual Assistant:

What Would You Really Like To Be Doing With Your Time?

Wouldn't you like to be spending more time working 'on your business' and not 'in your business'? Yes I know it is a clich?but to achieve this you really have to let go of some things. All the Business Coach's tell us that to be successful, you have to try to work yourself out of your current position. You need to put a plan in place to delegate some of your current work load in order to move on to that higher position (even if it is in your own business). You can start this process by simply making a list of things "I would like my Virtual Assistant to do" and match it with a list of "things that I want to do when I have more time".

Express Your Personality And Working Style

Are you outgoing or introverted? Do you like regular updates & contact or do you prefer to work autonomously? All these little idiosyncrasies speak volumes to a Virtual Assistant. We don't have the benefit of working 'physically' alongside you everyday and observing your behaviour. Perhaps after deciding on your Virtual Assistant, have a casual conversation sharing details about yourselves; what are your business goals, what times of the day do you prefer to be contacted, how do you prefer to be contacted (email, sms, phone) and so on...

Be Specific With Instructions And Deadlines

It is all in the detail... the more detail that comes with an assignment the better - we like to give you exactly what you want. Deadlines are always helpful, they can be as specific as '2pm Thursday' or as general as 'sometime in the next week'.

Getting To Know You

Remember that when you begin working with someone new in an office environment it can take several months for you to learn each others quirks, habits, etc and become comfortable working side by side. You have to give your Virtual Assistant a little time too!

Most of all make sure that your Virtual Assistant's personality and attitude fits you. Do you want an extrovert with a 'can do attitude' or do you prefer a 'quiet achiever'? Spending the time to find an Assistant who is the right fit, can lead to further business success for you!