| p>Small business owners wear all the hats | | | | with staff management; and though the return on |
| required by their operation, and for many, that's | | | | your hiring investment can benefit your bottom |
| part of the fun. Who wants to do the same thing | | | | line, is it by a convincing margin? |
| every day? Besides, you're a holistic thinker, you | | | | The problem is that an employee's self-image |
| like to keep your attention on the big picture, | | | | differs so widely from the business owner's that |
| your finger in every pie. | | | | there's little realistic hope of shared conviction |
| Because you're excited about your product or | | | | about the business. An employee is supported by |
| service, and even more importantly because | | | | you; it is not a situation in which, technically |
| you're a wide-angle thinker, your business is doing | | | | speaking, you are supported by them. Your |
| okay, maybe even well. If you've been at it a | | | | employees may like you, be respectful and skilled, |
| while, perhaps you really take pride in its smooth | | | | and fulfill your work needs well, and still not be a |
| operation; and when you hit any bumps in the | | | | support to you beyond the specifics of their job |
| road, you're ready for them. You may even | | | | description. |
| venture to say that you feel fulfilled, connected, | | | | Nor should you, the business owner, expect any |
| and satisfied. | | | | more. As one who has endured the rigors of |
| On the other hand, perhaps you're just starting a | | | | business start-up, you should know that what it |
| new business, or you've been struggling to get | | | | takes to own the operation is entirely removed |
| one off the ground, or maybe you've been | | | | from what it takes to be an employee. Your |
| noticing declining sales, not to mention your own | | | | fundamental motivations and personality types are |
| declining energy in a business you've had for | | | | very different. |
| some time. For just about everyone, there | | | | Instead of hiring a traditional employee, think |
| comes a point in your career when you're | | | | about the merits of working with a virtual |
| working hard at something and you're dedicated | | | | assistant (VA) for your small business. A VA is a |
| to it, but somehow you do not feel fulfilled, | | | | business owner just like you, and understands |
| connected, or satisfied. | | | | what it is to be self-employed. |
| You could use some support. How ridiculous that | | | | Though many VAs specialize, for the most part a |
| this is not everyone's first thought when | | | | VA is not a coach, or consultant, or therapist. But |
| personally perplexed in any way. We carry some | | | | because you and the VA are collegial small |
| ancient taboo against asking for help. Rather than | | | | business owners, you may well come to rely on |
| seek assistance, people will assume tons of guilt | | | | this relationship for the motivational, organizational, |
| over the fear that they're not capable of doing it | | | | and even emotional support it can provide. |
| all themselves. If this describes you, here's a | | | | A VA accomplishes administrative tasks for you |
| news flash for you: No Man or Woman is an | | | | through an independent B2B contract; and if you |
| Island! You may feel like one, but that's an illusion. | | | | work over time with one, not only will your work |
| Finally - or better, right in synch with your | | | | get done professionally, but the VA will likely also |
| business plan timeline - you decide to get that | | | | become a virtual partner in your business! You |
| support. You think about hiring employees. The | | | | can turn to him/her for advice, friendship, and |
| logic appears to be seamless: I will pay people to | | | | peer feedback almost as you would with an |
| be at my place of business and do work for me. | | | | honest-to-goodness partner. |
| This will reduce my work load and support the | | | | VAs often declare: My success is your success. |
| health and growth of my business. | | | | VAs encourage a cooperative market, where |
| This system has been in place from time | | | | everyone wins. Go ahead, get online and find a |
| immemorial, although there's always been an | | | | virtual assistant company that looks right for you. |
| inherent flaw. The business owner replaces his/her | | | | The internet connects islands to one another! |
| previous work load with new tasks associated | | | | |