What comes to mind when you look at the picture? Closing a deal before you board, troubleshooting an IT issue, confirming a meeting? If you are a VA client it may bring to mind the many conversations you’ve had with your VA as you travel. As the VA to many road warrior clients I’ve had countless conversations with my clients during their travel. Over the years they’ve shared with me how much I decreased their stress traveling as they knew things were being taken care of back at the office.
Why do I share that story with you? It’s not to tell you how great I am; I want you to know you can experience the same. As long as you are willing to invest what it takes to find a great fit AND build that relationship you can have the same relationship I have with my clients.
Unlike our days in corporate America VAs do not sit outside our clients’ offices. We are also not employees who are more concerned about collecting a paycheck on Friday than helping our clients grow their businesses. It’s a very different relationship – peer to peer not boss to employee. It’s not a fit for every business owner and that’s okay.
Some businesses need employees due to the company culture or they may own a brick and mortar business where customers come onsite to purchase their products and services. Sometimes business owners have communication, delegation or trust issues thus an employee is the best fit for them. Other businesses that operate on the cloud, have a small or home based office are often a great fit to partner with VAs and other virtual professionals.
Do What You Do Best – Delegate the Rest
Take the quiz below and find out if you are a fit to partner with a VA.
- Need more hands on deck but don’t have consistent 40 hour weekly work.
- The idea of partnering/collaborating with a fellow business owner w/different strengths is great.
- My team must be onsite at our office.
- A professional who support my business and understands the challenges of being an owner would be refreshing.
- I don’t think a contractor would be as loyal as an employee.
- Communicating via email and phone is not my strength.
- I have a hard time giving up control.
- Delegating rocks! I see the value.
- I like the idea of paying only for the work I need instead of paying a salary/benefits package.
- There is tremendous expertise in the contractor marketplace.
- No one works as hard or does tasks as well as I do.
- Working in the cloud is where it’s at.
- Contractors care more about the longevity of my business than some employees I’ve had.
- I travel a lot so a virtual team is a no-brainer.
- Sharing confidential information with someone who is not an employee isn’t comfortable for me.
If your answers show partnering with a VA is something that fits you and your business I’d love to hear from you. I consult with small business owners often re: adding a VA partner onto their team.
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