| So you have decided to hire a VA to take over | | | | 2. Communication - This is the most important |
| those never ending tasks and you can | | | | part of a successful partnership. To avoid |
| concentrate your time and energy on more | | | | misunderstandings, I recommend documenting |
| important matters. Hiring the right Virtual | | | | how you prefer to communicate with your Virtual |
| Assistant is a life saver! It can give you the time | | | | Assistant. For instance, you prefer to receive |
| to pursue a hobby, spend time with your family | | | | your daily status reports in an email. Or you |
| or take a vacation. However, it is important to | | | | prefer a phone call if the VA has a detailed |
| define the terms of the working relationship from | | | | question. Remember, communication is the key to |
| the beginning to avoid misunderstandings and | | | | a happy and healthy relationship! |
| undue stress. Here are three steps to ensure you | | | | 3. Setting expectations - It is imperative that both |
| are starting off on the right foot. | | | | parties understand each others expectations. As |
| | | | the customer, you may need to indicate when |
| 1. Outsourcing the "right" tasks - Ask yourself | | | | you need a task completed, or when you need to |
| "What tasks would provide the biggest benefits to | | | | receive documents to review. The Virtual |
| me if I outsource them to a Virtual Assistant?" | | | | Assistant may need to indicate if they are willing |
| The answer to this question varies depending on | | | | to work off hours or how much lead time they |
| your business and what is important to you. If | | | | would need for a new task. By setting |
| you are unsure, you may consider starting with a | | | | expectations early in the relationship you can |
| few key tasks and adding additional ones as the | | | | avoid undue stress and misunderstandings. |
| relationship grows. | | | | |