As a small business owner, you know that running a successful operation takes time, effort, and resources. It can be challenging to keep up with all the tasks that need to be done on a daily basis, especially when you’re doing it all on your own. That’s why outsourcing to a virtual assistant (VA) can be a game-changer for your small business. But, it’s not without challenges! In this article we’re going to break down some great reasons for why your business could benefit from a VA and some tips for managing how you might work with them to grow your business.
Why outsource some of your work to a VA?
Cost Savings
Hiring a full-time employee can be expensive, especially if you’re a small business. It’s often why so many small business owners start by doing all the things at all hours of the day and night! You need to pay not only for their salary but also for benefits, taxes, and other associated costs (and we know that for many of you, you may not be taking a proper wage for yourself when in start up mode). Outsourcing to a VA, on the other hand, allows you to pay only for the work you need to be done, as and when it needs to be done. This can result in significant cost savings for your business.
Increased Productivity
When you outsource tasks to a VA, you’re freeing up time and resources that can be better spent on other areas of your business. This allows you to focus on what you do best, which can lead to increased productivity and efficiency. You can delegate tasks such as administrative work, email management, bookkeeping, social media management, and research to your VA, giving you more time to focus on core business activities.
Access to Specialised Skills
As a small business owner, you may not have the expertise or skills required to perform all the tasks that need to be done. Hiring a VA with specialised skills can help you fill those gaps. Yes of course you can learn how to do things, but you can fast track the process significantly if you bring in someone who already knows what they are doing immediately to hit the ground running for you. VAs can bring a wide range of skills and experience to the table, including marketing, design, web development, and more. This can help you improve the quality of your work and deliver better results to your clients.
Flexibility
One of the biggest advantages of outsourcing to a VA is the flexibility it offers. You can hire a VA on an as-needed basis, whether it’s for a few hours a week or a few hours a day. This allows you to scale up or down as needed, depending on your business’s needs. You can also work with a VA from anywhere in the world, which can be particularly helpful if you have clients in different time zones.
Better Work-Life Balance
As a small business owner, it’s easy to get caught up in work and neglect other areas of your life. Outsourcing to a VA can help you achieve a better work-life balance. By delegating tasks to your VA, you can free up time to spend with family and friends, pursue hobbies, or simply relax. This can help you avoid burnout and maintain your passion for your business.
Improved Customer Service
Your VA can help you provide better customer service to your clients. They can handle tasks such as responding to customer inquiries, scheduling appointments, and following up with clients. This can help you build stronger relationships with your clients and provide a better overall experience.
Increased Efficiency
Outsourcing to a VA can help you increase your business’s efficiency. Your VA can handle repetitive tasks and streamline your workflows, allowing you to get more done in less time. This can help you stay ahead of your competition and grow your business faster.
So now that you know some of the key benefits that a VA or other outsourced resource can bring to your business, why don’t more small business owners like you do it? The answer is not always simple and often doesn’t even involve the cost. Often, the answer is about control and standards.
We want to control every aspect of our new pride and joy – our business – and we have exacting standards that we believe no-one can live up to. The truth is, yes, people can live up to your standards, you just need to make sure that they know what your standards are. This will help make the difference between having a successful business and getting burnt out.
To help ensure that any outsourced resource or VA gives you the outcomes you are wanting, you need to communicate effectively with them and define what is really needed. Setting them up for success from the beginning will save a lot of heartache for you.
We recommend following these simple steps when you start outsourcing work in your business.
Setting your VA up for success
Clearly define your expectations
Before hiring a virtual assistant, clearly define your expectations and communicate them clearly to the VA. This includes the tasks you want them to perform, the timeline for completion, the quality of work you expect, and any other important details.
Provide proper training
Provide proper training to your VA on how to perform the tasks you have assigned to them. This could involve giving them access to relevant documentation, sharing screen recordings, or setting up training calls to walk them through the processes step by step.
Establish regular check-ins
Schedule regular check-ins with your VA to assess their progress and provide feedback on their performance. This will help you catch any issues early on and give your VA the opportunity to ask questions or provide updates.
Use project management tools
Use project management tools to track the progress of tasks and ensure that they are completed on time. This will help you stay on top of your VA’s work and make sure that they are meeting your standards. Asana or Trello have great free programs that will help you and them stay on top of what needs to be done and when.
Provide constructive feedback
Provide constructive feedback to your VA on their work. This could involve praising them for a job well done or giving them specific suggestions for improvement. By providing feedback, you can help your VA to learn and grow in their role.
Not only do these steps help set your VA up for success, they help set up your business for growth. This is how you set yourself up for success, by sharing the load in a smart way, you can have more time to focus on what attracted you to your business in the first place. Play to your strengths and outsource all of those annoying jobs to someone who has strengths in those areas. It will be a win for you, your business and your clients!
If you’re looking for help to improve your business, we know the best place to start! Our business advisor’s have deep experience across a multitude of industry’s, from startups all the way through to mature businesses look to scale or pivot. Book in a call with one of our business advisor’s today and set your business up for success. It’s free to get started!