| Many business owners do not understand how to | | | | for your convenience, whether project |
| work with a virtual administrative assistant (VA) - | | | | documents are typically emailed, and how, or in |
| it is a fairly new industry, and involves fairly | | | | what manner project specifications are delivered |
| contemporary use of technology. While many | | | | and returned. |
| different variables can occur with each process | | | | - What to expect from the VA such as |
| there are some standards within the industry for | | | | communications, project updates, etc. They may |
| working with a VA. | | | | have a policy for deadlines, and usually have a |
| Before work can even begin, a virtual assistant | | | | policy for issuing updates or reports. You'll also |
| should offer a consultation. This consultation should | | | | learn their billing and retainer policy. |
| be about learning about the potential client as well | | | | - The VA's personality type and compatibility. |
| as giving the potential client the ability to learn | | | | You'll learn whether you can work with this |
| about the VA. | | | | person, or if they just drive you nuts. |
| What a VA hopes to achieve | | | | - Getting the biggest bang for your buck. A good |
| - Information about the potential client's business | | | | VA can offer suggestions for streamlining the |
| such has what type of business, how long been in | | | | work to keep it as affordable as possible. |
| business, where the client would like their business | | | | Once the initial consultation has taken place it is |
| to go, etc. This helps the VA offer more | | | | then the VA and the clients' responsibility to |
| personalized service. | | | | decide if the VAs services can benefit the client, |
| - Challenges that the business is trying to | | | | if working with a VA is a right step for a client, if |
| overcome such as marketing, competition, | | | | the clients needs are something that the VA can |
| administrative etc. This helps the VA know what | | | | address and provide solutions for and most |
| services will benefit you most. | | | | importantly if there is compatibility between the |
| - What the business owner expects from their | | | | client and the VA. |
| virtual assistant. This information helps the VA | | | | Compatibility between the VA and the client is |
| meet those expectations more precisely. | | | | extremely important because if there is an issue |
| - The client's personality type and compatibility, so | | | | of trust, micromanagement, or just two |
| the VA can work with the client more | | | | completely different personality types there may |
| successfully. | | | | be issues in the future and then both the VA and |
| - Closing the deal - the last point of this meeting is | | | | client will be frustrated and nothing will get |
| generally an agreement to work together, if such | | | | accomplished. |
| a decision has been reached. | | | | An initial consultation can take place over the |
| What a consumer should hope to achieve | | | | phone, in person, or occasionally, by email. It is an |
| - Information about the VA's background such as | | | | important first step in beginning to work with a |
| business, experience, history, client satisfaction, | | | | VA. |
| etc. This may have been given earlier, but here | | | | Working with a VA is not just a quick 10 minute |
| you have a chance to ask specifics. | | | | process. It takes planning, consideration and |
| - How to work with a virtual assistant. A VA will | | | | dedication. VAs are there to help businesses |
| let you know if they have an online back office | | | | succeed for the long haul. |