Finding a great Virtual Assistant or Online Business Manager can feel really overwhelming. They are out there but if you don’t know what to look for, you might end up making a poor hiring decision. In fact, I hear from so many Transformational Coaches and Leaders that they have been putting off finding the support they need (and deserve!) because it’s just too overwhelming or they just don’t know where to start.
The truth is, there are people out there who want to support you on your mission and free you up to do what you do best – coach and serve your clients! You just need to know what you are looking for.
When finding the perfect fit for your team you are looking for someone who meets the mark in 3 key areas.
1. Skill Set: The knowledge and learned skills to do the work!
This may seem like a no-brainer but I want to emphasize two things here around skill set.
First, you really do need someone who has experience in working in a virtual environment. It’s not the same as working in an in-person setting. He/She needs to know how to ‘show up’ and make you feel like they are there to support you even when they are in a time zone (or more!) away.
Second, you don’t need someone who can do everything. In fact, you just aren’t going to find this unicorn and you are going to limit your search. You do need someone who is resourceful enough to find people who can do the things that he/she can’t do.
2. Strengths: The striving instincts and strengths to do the work
This is different from skill set. Skills and knowledge can be learned and acquired over time. Your striving instincts are ingrained at a very young age and don’t change over time. These are the natural strengths you need to work within in order to really do your best work and thrive in any role.
For example, if you need someone on your team to create air-tight systems and processes and see every little step to get your team from point A to point B you need someone who has these natural strengths. Someone who does not have these natural strengths will always struggle to do this kind of work, or they might get by doing this work but they will not enjoy it.
I recommend the Kolbe Indexes as a tool to help you identify these strengths in a potential team member or the strengths for a role you are looking to fill.
3. Motivation and Values: The desire and drive to support you (this is the sweet spot!)
This is really where the magic happens in your relationship with a Virtual Assistant or Online Business Manager. You must find someone who is really excited and motivated about what you are up to.
If your team member has a connection with your mission and the clients you are serving they will see and feel that everything they are doing is contributing to this mission. There is no mundane task at hand, everything is in an effort to support you in what you are up to and be a part of the ripple (or title wave!) that you are creating.
Speaking from experience – I’ve worked as a Virtual Support Professional and I saw every task that I did, every project I managed, every system I set up having a direct impact on my clients’ big mission. I know that I have truly supported hundreds of thousands of people through the work I’ve done. <- You want an assistant who sees the work he/she does in this same way!
If you find someone who meets the mark in all three of these areas and you truly enjoy their company, you know you have found a great match!
I started my business as a Virtual Assistant in 2008, I later became an Online Business Manager and now I consult with Transformational Coaches and Leaders to help them achieve business operational zen by leveraging and improving 3 key areas in their business – People, Profit, and Process. If you are looking for a team member to support you, I want you to have the support you deserve and I can help you find the perfect fit.
Click here to complete my 3P Assessment and schedule a strategy call to explore how I can help you find your next team member.