Wisconsin VA: Training the Client

Dear Client,
In my last post, I challenged you to challenge your Virtual Assistant and give them more work that will help you and your business.

In this post, I'll share with you some ideas for you to consider.

1. Corporate Holiday Greeting Cards. Have you finished yours yet? Have you asked your VA if your VA has done his/her own yet? You may be surprised to hear the answer. Did you even think that your VA might be doing Corporate Holiday Cards? Yes, Virtual Assistants are running their own businesses and as such have to foster relationships like all other Entrepreneurs and Business Owners. Your VA will probably have great ideas on where to find inexpensive well-made Holiday Greeting Cards.

2. Corporate Gifts. Where are the best places to purchase Corporate Gifts? What are the newest trends in Corporate Gifts? Your VA knows! Ask!

3. Personal Shopping. Just tell your VA what you need and she'll get it delivered to you! She could probably even do your Christmas shopping for you.

4. Emergencies. Yes, even corporate executives have emergencies. Your rental car isn't available and you need a ride from one hotel to another. Call your VA and she'll find you an inexpensive limo service to take you point-to-point. While you wait.
Missed a deadline? Did you know that there are On-Call Virtual Assistants who run on adrenaline alone and love deadlines? Prairie Business Partners LLC is one (shameless self promotion).

There are so many others that only you in the situation you find yourself can think of. How can you be more efficient? How can things be more efficient for you? Don't think of the technology; that is what the VA is there for. Your job is to get your tasks done and achieve your goal: Success!

May you have an extremely productive day!

Take care,

Gretchen Koehler-Swaney
Virtual Assistant, Project Manager and Business Analyst
On-Call Virtual Assistance; We're Ready When You Are 24/7!
Call and see! 847-476-2183
Prairie Business Partners LLC
http://www.prairiebusinesspartners.com/

Wisconsin Virtual Assistant: Training You, the Client

Dear Client,
You are the reason we exist. That being said, we must make a living. If your VA is spending all of his/her time waiting for your email, that VA can not do all of those things other Entrepreneurs and Small Business Owners must do to build a business.

VAs can do so much for your business. Little did you know that your Virtual Assistant may be a Certified IT Project Manager, a Business Planner, a Writer, a Bookkeeper or even a Computer Programmer. VAs have come from all industries and many have more than 10 years of experience in their field and have even branched out into other areas of expertise upon opening their businesses.

There is hope for you, Client!

You actually have the opportunity to push the limits of what you think is possible and ask your VA to do more! When we think of admin, we think of data entry, PowerPoint presentations and simple bookkeeping. We don't think of writing e-books, blogs, creating websites, updating technical manuals, writing technical proposals. We don't even think of any of the Personal Assistant tasks that are possible. Are you a busy person who needs to purchase holiday corporate gifts? Your Virtual Assistant can find just what you are looking for!

As a Client, you have the RIGHT to foster your relationship into more! Your Virtual Assistant can help you grow your business in ways you never thought possible.

In my next blog, I'll give you some great ideas!


Take care,
Gretchen Koehler-Swaney
On-Call VA, Project Manager, and Business Analyst
We're here when you need us: 24/7!
Prairie Business Partners LLC
http://www.prairiebusinesspartners.com/

Wisconsin VA: Clients, You Need to be Trained!

I am dedicating this blog to all of my fellow Virtual Assistants out there who are struggling with clients. As a service to my fellow VAs I will attempt to setup some guidelines for CLIENTS to facilitate better communications and a better working relationship with you and your Virtual Assistant. Your relationship can be a great one and your Virtual Assistant can help you in so many ways. Your Virtual Assistant can help you:

• Launch your business
• Take your business to the next level
• Bring in more clients
• Provide the polish and professionalism you deserve in your business
• ...and many, many more!

Keeping all of these in mind, clients need to be mindful of how the system works. Clients of Virtual Assistants have the distinct advantage of hiring on a Virtual Assistant for a fraction of the hours that you would otherwise bring in a Full-time assistant or even a Temporary. Clients can have the professionalism that only experienced administrative professionals can provide for 20, 30, 40 and more hours each month. The problem is, Clients, that that administrative professional you've hired for 25 hours per month, is only obligated to work on your project for 25 hours per month. Those 25 hours can be divided up in any number of ways from 1 hour each day to 25 hours in one week. The time charged to perform the work is not only hitting the Forward button, answering the phone, but actually the time YOU, Client, require your VA to wait for that phone call or email. If you require your VA to wait for an email for 1/2 a day then that is 4 hours of time you could be charged essentially. As a former Department Manager of a major US Corporation, one that was very mindful of being conscientious when it came to charging time to a project, I have learned to be very meticulous to make sure all time is recorded and can be accounted for. This actually serves to protect You, the Client!

There is hope however! See my next blog to continue!

Take care!

Gretchen Koehler-Swaney
Virtual Assistant, Project Manager and Business Analyst
Prairie Business Partners LLC
www.prairiebusinesspartners.com