One of the most common questions once you decide to outsource is how to make the most of having a Virtual Assistant? It can be difficult to choose from candidates and deal with the uncertainty of hiring someone you don’t know, but there are some best practices that can help assist with a smooth transition into outsourcing for you and your business. Whether you’re looking for one or a team of Virtual Assistants (VA), here are some tips to help make it a success.
1. Define the job or tasks you need the VA to do:
Output is directly correlated to input. Before looking for a Virtual Assistant, you first need to determine the specific tasks that your remote employee will be doing on your behalf. Knowing these tasks, you will also be able to decide on which skills you need your VA to have. Make a list of the tasks and skills necessary to complete these tasks and the amount of hours needed to complete them. This way, you will know what to expect from the individual and vice versa.
2. Set a schedule or time frame
In every business, time is gold. It is essential that you find someone who can turn around the work in the time frame that you want. Depending on your business needs, you can either set a work schedule or set a deadline for every task. Your time frames should be reasonable and you should ensure you have allocated ample time for training and becoming versed with tasks that may require more familiarity and experience.
3. Budget
Can you afford the VA that you want? There are different types of Virtual Assistants but most of them can be classified into Beginners and Experienced. Does your employee need to have specific experience or expertise within a certain field or industry? It is important to know what your budget is so you know if the Virtual Assistant you are seeking can be hired with your range.
4. Quality of work
In any business, quality is imperative. The Virtual Assistant you wish to hire should understand this and should be able to complete the work with high quality even without your supervision. You may want them to complete practice exercises to see how they process the work. It is important to spend some time training and orientating your Virtual Assistant on exactly how you want things done so that they are completing tasks in the manner you prefer.
5. Reputation
You need to trust your employees whether they are in your office or working remotely from another location. Utilize social media and Google to research the person or company that you are employing and use long established individuals and companies who you can communicate and feel comfortable with.
In the end, it is important to keep in mind that outsourcing should save you time, money and effort. If you do the right homework prior to any engagement, you can reap the rewards of a successful outsourcing relationship.