As a virtual assistant, I’ve talked to dozens of employers, clients and fellow VAs and have heard some unpleasant stories from both parties about their experiences in working together.
Learning from their stories, I found that the same issues emerge over and over again. Given the diversity of tasks that virtual assistants are assigned to, it is quite common for a VA to under deliver if not given proper instructions.
If it’s necessary for you or your business to outsource to virtual assistants, your delegating skills will be essential to make or break your virtual assistant experience.
Here are some delegating tactics that can help:
Clearly define your expectations.
Knowing what results you expect will greatly affect the outcome of any task you delegate to your virtual assistant. Your expected results will serve as a guide while doing the project. This ensures that your VA will work towards meeting the same goals that you have.
Be specific.
When giving instructions or requirements, be as specific as you can. Vague instructions can lead to several back and forth emails between you and your VA, causing delays and affecting project costs.
For recurring tasks that are complicated (especially if you’re not using dedicated assistance), it would help to prepare instructional guides.
Prepare a timeline.
A timeline with scheduled milestones will give you realistic expectations on the time required to complete a project. Your VA can also work around that timeline and provide you with updates when necessary.
Having a timeline eliminates several issues, especially for big projects. If it’s met, you can be assured that your VA is in fact working on your project. It allows you to check the progress of your project regularly. This way, you can spot errors early on and have them revised before they affect the next phase of the project.
Be reasonable.
When presenting a project, be realistic with your expected results and with your deadline. A virtual assistant should not have to choose between quantity and quality. Unrealistic expectations will most likely produce inferior work. A good VA will strive hard to over deliver and to please their clients as long as they are reasonable with their requests.
Communicate.
VA’s like to hear from their clients. We normally improve through constant communication with you. Even if you’re criticizing our work, we will appreciate it because it gives us an opportunity to get better.
Communication helps us understand you and your business more, ultimately leading to an effective and harmonious working relationship.
Outsourcing should make your life easier. If it doesn’t, apply these simple tips and start getting the most out of it. A virtual assistant is a great ally to your business, but your delegating skills will ultimately be the key for your virtual assistant to fulfill your business needs.
About Pepper Virtual Assistants
Pepper Virtual Assistant Services is a business solutions firm that specializes on administrative assistance, customer support, CRM, copywriting, and personal virtual assistance. We take pride in our reliable service and responsive client handling which embodies our team’s optimal performance.
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