Summer is coming to a close and business is in a flurry! In the upcoming weeks I’m speaking to two groups on the topics of time management and is a VA the right fit for your business. Both of these speaking gigs will incorporate delegation tips.
If you are like most super successful business owners you are running to planes, trains and automobiles all the while managing your business. Feel like your laptop and smartphone are attached to your body? It’s likely your business has grown to the point where you need help managing your calendar, following up with prospects, coordinating travel, events and getting invoices out on time. The quandary you face is finding someone who is professional, responsible and trustworthy to hand over the keys to your kingdom.
Unfortunately the angst of delegation sometimes keeps business owners from doing it. They think ‘No one is good enough to do what I do. I’ll keep doing the work myself.’ Or how many of us have said ‘It’s going to take too much time to train them on how I do things. That’s counterproductive.’ Sound familiar?
Transparently… I’ve said both of them myself. Yep the delegation specialist is human AND has the same business owner conversations in her head that you do. How do I coach clients to delegate? Very slowly and very purposefully. I also share with them that if they don’t take the risk and begin delegating their business won’t grow and we’ll be having this same conversation next year. Here are some ideas I encourage clients to consider…
- You’re wrong. Someone can do it better AND quicker than you can. Don’t let that hurt your pride. Everyone is replaceable.
- Efficient training. Depending on the professional you choose they most likely will get up to speed much quicker than you think.
- Trust issues. ‘I’m handing over confidential financial info to someone I don’t know’. Check references including speaking with current and past clients. Give the professional a small project and see how they do. Then give them more info, responsibility and projects.
- Get a referral. I’m grateful to say that 100% of our business comes from personal referrals. It gives potential clients a lot of peace knowing they are handing financials and other sensitive information over to a professional that a trusted colleague knows.
- What works for you? If you need to see ‘a butt in a chair’ from 9 – 5 and tell someone what to do an employee is the best fit. If you are comfortable working with someone you don’t see a virtual professional is a good fit.
- You get what you pay for. It’s true. MAKE SURE you bring a professional onto your team. Someone with a proven track record of confidentiality, ethical behavior and professionalism.
If you’d like help strategizing which professionals are the right fit for you and your business please reach out. During that strategy we’ll figure out which type of professional is best (Employee, intern or VA/VP) and what skills and level of expertise you need the professional to have.
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