A year and a half ago, I was working in a corporate position. I loved certain aspects of my job, and in other areas...I just felt like I wasn't making any impact at all.
Most of my working life, I've had more than one job at a time, so I was also working as a part-time administrative assistant and project manager for a few small business owners/professionals as a side gig. For the clients I had, I could actually see that I was making a change within their businesses, so it was VERY rewarding.
In January of 2022, after much loving support from my professional colleagues, I decided to make it my mission to go after what I was passionate about...helping others with the resources and expertise that I've acquired over the years. I've learned SO much about the different aspects that it takes to run an efficient business. The common response I get from when I share this is: "Oh, good, so what do I need to do? Tell me what to do."
So here's my answer:
Vision/Goals
As a business owner or an entrepreneur, you have to get clear on what you want for your business, and how you'd like to impact your customer/clients. This vision will help create strategies for carrying out your goals.
Structures/Protocols
Setting up a clear framework and guidelines for how tasks should be carried out will help ensure consistency and minimizing errors. Once these are well-defined, everyone who is involved can work more efficiently, as they know exactly what steps to follow and what is expected of them.
Concise Financial Management
This is essential, as reviewing your finances regularly will help provide clear insights into the financial health of the company. It enables you to make informed decision-making and ensure long-term sustainability.
Strong customer service and support
Your interaction with your clients is of the utmost importance - this is where customer loyalty is built, as they drive positive word-of-mouth, and ultimately contribute to your business growth and success.
This is the EXACT reason why I love what I do. I'm always fascinated by the consultations that I have with people and discovering what's important to them and what THEIR definition of success is. Once I figure that out, I'm able to help them build a plan on what's going to work best for them.
The one standard that I do recognize with my clients (and now also with running my own business) is that it can be very challenging to balance the day-to-day tasks AND set yourself up for success with carrying out your long-term goals. Whether it's admin work, team management, larger projects...there's just not enough time in the day to get everything done.
I've heard people say, "Sure, that's to be expected when you're your own boss."
Here's the issue - you only have TWO hands. You're putting yourself in a position where you're at risk for significant stress and burnout. One solution to help eliminate some of this stress and free up more time for you to focus on growing your business is hiring a virtual assistant and/or a project manager.
Everyone has their own special skillset. Building a strong rapport with someone who you are entrusting your business with can feel like a bit of a rollercoaster. You have to be able to have faith in them and know that it's going to get done.
Virtual assistants and project managers may sound like buzzwords, but they're so much more than that. They can serve as crucial members of your team, providing you with the support you need to handle the day-to-day tasks that take up a lot of your time, so you can focus on the essential aspects of your work.
Hiring a full-time employee to handle administrative and project management tasks can be costly. There's the added expense of workspace, equipment, and benefits. On the other hand, hiring virtual assistants and project managers can be more cost-effective. You only pay for the hours worked, and there are no additional expenses such as health insurance, vacation pay, or retirement benefits.
VAs and PMs provide flexibility that can't be matched by full-time employees. As your business grows or demand for services change, you can adjust the number of hours you need from a virtual assistant or project manager. This eliminates the need to hire and train new employees or let them go if the work isn't available in-house. It’s a win-win situation for both you and your employees. Having this help lets you manage your time better. You're likely to receive numerous emails and phone calls during the day, which can be draining and time-consuming. By handing off these tasks to a virtual assistant and project manager, you can prioritize your time on tasks that generate revenue, build relationships, or drive growth. This type of support ensures that your business runs smoothly, freeing up your time to focus on other aspects of the business. VAs and PMs lend expertise in areas where a business owner may not have any experience of their own. These professionals have a wealth of knowledge and expertise in areas like accounting, IT, marketing, and more. They can offer suggestions and advice to help your business succeed and stay competitive in today's market. Lastly, one of the best things about hiring a VA or PM is that they work remotely, offering you the flexibility to run your business uninterrupted and with minimal overheads. You don't have to worry about providing a workspace, equipment, or the cost of commuting. (And it works out for the worker too!) So if you've been feeling overwhelmed and/or you're ready to expand but are not clear thought about what questions you should be asking yourself, I've created a worksheet that you can download and/or print out to help you get ready for when you're ready to look for that seasoned professional. Just want to talk to someone instead? Set up a consultation today - we look forward to meeting you.
Special Thanks to: Regina Lark and David Aaronson
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