4 Tips to Retaining a Virtual Executive Assistant
Are you considering acquiring a virtual executive assistant? The following three tips will make the task both easy and fruitful. A virtual executive assistant is a benefit to any business if the person matches exactly your needs. The assistant will be tasked with organizing conferences and appointments, planning workshops, writing and circulating in-house reports, along with dealing with email and other tasks as assigned.
Consequently, the first factor that you need to look for when outsourcing is his / her proficiency in your language. It’s really important that the virtual assistant be able to engage in effective communication with you and your clients via electronic mail and telephone.
Being able to use Microsoft Office effectively is the second necessary factor. Producing presentations, compiling market research into a database structure, or designing a newsletter may be required in order to attract and retain clients. A virtual executive assistant should have the capacity to make use of Microsoft Office and equivalent applications to be able to correctly complete what’s asked of them.
Availability is the third essential element. You need to be in a position to access needed services as and when you need, that person being your virtual assistant. It is critical that the expected time of daily availability is agreed upon. Luckily, technology today can facilitate 24 x 7 availability if need be. The most suitable time and means of contacting one another must be agreed upon.
The fourth vital issue for employing virtual executive assistants is to set up billing and fees. Keep in mind, you are outsourcing so that you can save time, money and effort. Only outsource the services which do at lease one of the things formerly outlined. Do an online search and ascertain the going charge for a good virtual executive assistant. Provide a fraction less than the going rate for a probationary period, to allow each of you to find out if it will be suitable for both of your needs. After you find the proper candidate for the work, determine the pay required to keep them interested in staying.
Keep in mind that whenever you engage a new virtual executive assistant, you’ll have to spend time away from your business to teach him or her. This normally requires time, effort and money. Consequently, it is more sensible to keep the (good) new employee satisfied and wanting to carry out his or her work.
Determine from the very start in what way the person desires to be paid, such as electronically, check, and so on. In addition, you must finalize the billing frequency beforehand so that neither you or the virtual executive assistant end up with any misgivings. If you are outsourcing it is always a sound practice to have the assistant bill you so you have a record of the expense.
As time goes on, you can develop a professional relationship you both find rewarding, and with him/her on your team, you’ll be able to build your company to new heights.