If you’re always running around like a headless chicken, never managing to keep up with things, then it might be time to hire a VA. We magical folk are here to help pick up the slack and make life a lot easier for you. But if you want to get the best value out of your VA, then there are a few things you need to do before, and during your work with us. Want to know what they are? Read on.
Hire The Right Person
We know, it’s easier said than done! But if you take that extra time before hiring, it will pay dividends in the long run. So scope out your options ‘and have as many meetings as you need. Find someone who has the skills you need and who fits well into your company. You need to click with your VA on both a business and a personal level to see the best results, so the research stage is vital. It’s an expensive mistake to hire the wrong person, so do your due diligence and trust your gut.
Build In A Warm-up Period
A new VA starting work with you is just like having a new employee start. They will need time to become familiar with how your company works, what your processes look like and what sort of tasks you want them to do. So make sure you’re building in some time for them to get up to speed. Let them analyse things, get the lay of the land, and who knows, they may even suggest some improvements you hadn’t thought of!
Get Used To Delegating
This might be one of the most important tips to help you get the most out of your VA. And it’s one that most clients seem to struggle with! You need to give your VA enough to do if you want to get some value! This will probably mean letting go of control of some things you’ve been handling since day 1 -and that can be hard! But trust us on this one, it’s worth doing.
Communicate Very Specifically
VAs might be incredibly talented people. but we aren’t mind readers! In order for us to be our most productive we need communication from you. We need to know what you want us to achieve, how, and by when. we will always communicate clearly and openly with you, so if you can do the same for us, things will be peachy.
Set Clear Priorities
If there’s one thing VAs are good at, it’s prioritising. But that can only be done if. we know what your priorities are. so it’s vital for you to prioritise the work you want your VA to do. Leaving your VA to prioritise the work means that things will get done, but you might not feel like you’re getting the most from them. so make sure you’re clear on what’s most important from your perspective.
Trust Them
Micromanaging never works – but it works even less when it comes to working with a VA. Once you’ve set clear objectives, deadlines, and priorities and trained them on your processes – walk away. Leave them to get on with the tasks. Micromanaging your VA isn’t the best use of your time, and it won’t help you build a trusting relationship either.
Include Them In Team Activities
Ok, this one is optional, but it’s always appreciated. Make your VA feel like a valued part of the team by including them in team activities – whether that’s weekly briefing meetings or staff social events. It might not always be possible for your VA to attend, but it’s always nice to be invited and can really solidify them as part of the team.
Pay Them On Time
It seems basic, but you would be amazed at how often VAs are paid late. In fact, one of the most common reasons why VAs choose to stop working with companies is because they aren’t paid on time. Not paying your VA on time shows a huge lack of respect, and will have a negative impact on their positivity and satisfaction working with you.
Use Their Expertise
VAs are nifty little folk, and we have all sorts of tips and tricks up our sleeves. Working with so many different businesses means we come across all sorts of different scenarios, problems and solutions. We become business problem solvers, so use us! Ask what other areas of knowledge your VA has, who they know, and what experience they have so that you can benefit from it too.
At Your Admin Hub we love working with busy business owners who are feeling overwhelmed by their admin burden. If you’re thinking of working with a VA but aren’t sure where to start, we’d love to put our hat in the ring. Just drop us a line to book a chat, and we’ll even buy the coffee!