What better day to talk about partnership than Valentine’s Day? 👀
We all know two is better than one, and having someone to work with is better than working solo. But, as positive and beautiful as the word ✨ “partnership” ✨ sounds, it’s not always gonna be a bed of roses. A good partnership, be it a romantic or professional one, isn’t that easy to achieve.
Speaking of professional partnerships, as an entrepreneur, one thing that’s crucial to your business’s long-term growth and success is fostering good relationships. If you’re thinking of building a team – be it an internal one or if you’re thinking of outsourcing to a virtual assistant team – it’s important you know how to establish a good relationship with them.
The question is: How?
How to Prepare for Working with A Virtual Assistant
There are many actionable ways to prepare for and build relationships with your team, but we’re going to share a few we find absolutely essential.
1 - Be clear about expectations
Just as you would in your romantic relationships, you need to be clear about your professional expectations. What do you want your virtual assistant to do for you? Do you want your VA to write blogs and handle your social media content? Do you need them to handle your podcast and video edits?
Create a list to determine exactly what it is you want your virtual assistant team to do for you. Also, be ready to make adjustments along the way. Even though you may have a list in the beginning, it will grow with time as you become more comfortable with your VA and realize that they can do a lot more than what you initially thought.
2 - Think about your budget
As unromantic as it sounds, most people set aside a certain budget for dates, romantic trips, anniversaries, etc. Why not do the same for your business, too? You should absolutely consider your budget before hiring a VA.
Decide how much you’re willing to pay a VA. Remember, you don’t have to pay for their office space, office supplies, or benefits. Will you pay them hourly? Or, maybe you’re looking for someone who offers a package deal? Package deals are a good way to go because you can have them perform X number of hours for a fixed price. For instance, if you’re looking for an affordable virtual assistant that offers package deals, 8point8 has the perfect packages for you! Learn more here.
3 - Establish communication protocols
One of the biggest differences between hiring a full-time internal employee and a virtual assistant is the ease of communication. Full-time employees are physically in the same office as you are, which means that communication can be instantaneous. On the other hand, there are going to be challenging with a VA – especially if you hire someone from an entirely different continent. So, what do you do?
Make sure to establish communication protocols – set up a process that works for both sides. Do you use Zoom or Skype? Do you prefer emails or is Slack enough? By establishing protocols from the very start, it will help ensure future success with your VA.
4 - Give Honest Feedback
Humans are sensitive beings. While you may have to tread carefully around romantic partners, friends, and peers, there’s no time for that at work. Once you hire a VA, be constructive, direct, and open. If there’s a problem, address it right away, and don’t let it fester. Just remember to be constructive when providing honest feedback.
The Bottom Line
Allow your business to grow by hiring a virtual assistant. With a VA by your side, you can invest your time toward core business processes and allow your trusted virtual assistant team to handle the rest. With the things mentioned above, you should have a better idea of how to prepare yourself and your business for a virtual assistant to join your team. Good luck!
Whatever partnership or relationship you have this month of love, 8point8 hopes it’s as strong as ours with our clients.
You can book a free call with us here, and see if we’re a perfect fit for your business!
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