Have you ever met someone for the first time and found that you both just clicked? You might have found that you have similar values, laugh at the same Dad jokes, understand each other’s concerns and worries of running a business and juggling family.
You feel as though this person is someone who understands you completely, and wish they could be your OBM/VA!
Finding an Online Business Manager or Virtual Assistant (OBM/VA) can be like that, you want to find someone who is friendly, trustworthy, who understands your business, who can give you guidance on areas that need improving and can provide you with the best services for your money.
That’s why it’s important when first looking for an OBM/VA to interview more than one business professional so you can see what each person is like.
- Are they serious and business-like, or do they seem fun and caring?
- Are they a good listener?
- Do they seem to speak the truth i.e. talk the talk?
- Do they share the same values as yourself?
At the end of the interview, you want to have an idea of what it would be like to work with that person.
Expectations vs. Reality
Once you’ve conducted an interview and signed a contract, you’d expect everything to be smooth sailing afterwards, right?
Well, that’s not always the case.
Let’s take a look at a scenario of expectation vs. reality.
Expectation scenario:
It’s 5.00pm Friday afternoon, Mr Client realises that he has a Zoom presentation at 10am Monday but has forgotten about the PowerPoint presentation that he is supposed to send the other business early that evening. Mr Client calls his OBM/VA who answers her phone and agrees to work on the presentation and get a draft to the client by 6pm that evening. Mr Client is relieved and thankful he found a great OBM/VA!
Reality scenario:
It’s 5.00pm Friday afternoon, Mr Client realises that he has a Zoom presentation at 10am Monday but has forgotten about the PowerPoint presentation that he is supposed to send the other business Friday evening. Mr Client leaves a few frantic voicemails and sends numerous emails stating he needs assistance urgently and asks the OBM/VA to call him back immediately!
The OBM/VA doesn’t answer her phone or email until 8am Monday morning. She spent the weekend away with her family where there was no wi-fi and left her laptop at home!
She calls her client Monday morning, and apologises for not being available, however the client is furious and tells her that this relationship is not working out. There is frustration on both ends.
Be clear about your expectations
This scenario could have easily been avoided if expectations were clear at the start.
This could have been done by firstly advising the OBM/VA of any requirements and setting up terms and conditions in the contract that details the days and/or hours to be worked, response timeframes to emails, communication preferences, and circumstances relating to urgent work etc.
Sometimes having a simple conversation can say a lot
By having honest, open communication in your initial meeting and throughout your working relationship you will get a sense of what you can expect from your OBM/VA and you can see how they will fit in with your team and business.
In the interview you could discuss your values to see if there’s align with yours – for example, if the OBM/VA has small children and can’t be available at the time of drop-off and pick-up times, this might be the tell-tale sign that informs you that they might be on a different course to you!
Only by listening to your gut and the facts, will you know which candidate will work best for you!
If you want to know more about OBMs or have a question about my packages feel free to email me.
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