Making the transition from being an employee to being an employer is not an easy feat for many. This transition involves a learning curve with several bumps along the way while figuring out the processes necessary to succeed. One of the biggest challenges managers face during this time is doing everything on their own. From handling business operations like building corporate relationships to overseeing marketing and maintaining the books, being a one-person show can take a toll on new business owners.
It’s easy to see why many new business owners take on every responsibility themselves at the beginning to save on capital. However, without savvy management and distribution of responsibilities, things can fall through the cracks and end up costing more in the long run. To mitigate this issue proactively and ease the transition from solopreneur to manager, delegating some of your responsibilities to an assistant is an invaluable solution.
When hiring an in-house assistant, the undertaking could get costly as it involves more than just remuneration. You will likely need to provide benefits, a working space, 401k matching, etc. – this is why utilizing virtual assistants is a more cost-effective solution.
There are several benefits in hiring virtual assistants:
The most important benefit of hiring a virtual assistant is time. By delegating duties like record keeping, cold calling clients, scheduling, etc. to a virtual assistant, you will have more time on your hands to focus on your bigger business goals. Your priorities will shift to handling larger scale responsibilities and focusing on the growth of your business, rather than the administrative tasks. You may even get to carve out a little personal time!
As a new business owner, it’s expected that your work doesn’t stop at 5 p.m. Launching a new business is time consuming. Having virtual assistants can give you some time back in your day to grab lunch with potential clients and friends and allow you to spend more time with your kids or pets.
With plenty of advantages to hiring virtual assistants, there are a few things to consider before finally hiring one. Here are some tips to guide you through the process:
BE THOROUGH WITH THE JOB DESCRIPTION
When you approach agencies that provide BPO solutions, you have to be specific in your expectations for a virtual assistant. This can include:
The number of hours per week you want the assistant to work
A general explanation of the tasks they will be responsible for
Skills you want the virtual assistant to possess
Work values you expect them to demonstrate
SKILLS & QUALIFICATIONS
Virtual assistants possess a wide range of skills and are differently qualified, depending on their niche. As expected, an assistant to a Chief Technology Official will require more technical skills pertaining to IT compared to one assisting a marketing manager.
In addition to basic qualifications, the following skills are an important asset of any great virtual assistant:
There are soft skills virtual assistants should possess as well. These all contribute to developing effective and efficient operational methods. These include:
- Transparency
- Reliability
- Meticulousness
- Efficiency
- Resourcefulness
- Time management
- The ability to multitask
- Shows initiative
LOOK BEYOND THE RESUME
These skills and qualifications are pre-requisites that prove a virtual assistants’ eligibility for the position. When you request interviews through a vendor, look for cues that indicate a match with your personality.
You will be working very closely with your virtual assistant. It’s imperative that you not only get along with them but that your hire is quick to get up to speed. Conversing with them will give you a clearer picture of whether you will be able to connect with your virtual assistant.
HAVE REALISTIC EXPECTATIONS
When you are hiring virtual assistants, you might have a preconceived notion that the first choice will always hit the mark and deliver exactly what you were looking for and beyond. However, it’s you have to set realistic expectations as the adjustment period is the same on both ends.
Virtual assistants only have video conferences and virtual communication channels to get to know who they are working for. They will require some time to understand your standards, your method of running the business, and your expectations from them.
This is where you will also have to put in a little time to train them. Once they get the hang of things, you can get on the same page. You need to consider it an ongoing relationship, which will need consistent, productive communication.
CHOOSE A RELIABLE VENDOR
When searching for virtual assistants, do your homework on the vendor they come through. Rocket Station sets high standards when it comes to their virtual staffing solutions.
From clerical skills and basics qualifications to soft skills and aptitude for the role, they pay attention to small details when finding a match for you. The care that they put into their filtering process will make hiring the right virtual assistant for you easier.
We understand that your needs for a virtual assistant require careful consideration. With over a decade of experience under our belt, we can help you during your transition into becoming a true business owner. Give us a call today or schedule a meeting to see how we can help your hunt for a virtual assistant.
