The option to outsource work to a virtual assistant in the UK presents a valuable opportunity for businesses to scale while keeping costs low.
By entrusting tedious and time-intensive admin-based tasks to a virtual personal assistant in the UK, you can significantly reduce stress and reclaim valuable time to focus on the pressing parts of brand development.
To fully harness the advantages of this collaboration, cultivating a solid working relationship with your virtual assistant based on mutual respect and clear communication is paramount.
Define Your Expectations Clearly
The initial step in building a successful working relationship with your virtual assistant (VA) is outlining your expectations clearly.
What tasks will they handle? What platforms will they use to communicate with you? What kinds of deadlines can they expect? By establishing clear guidelines from the get-go, you can ensure both parties remain on the same page. Doing this will mitigate confusion and make holding them accountable for their output more straightforward.
Regularly Communication
As with any working relationship, communication is key.
Because VAs work remotely, falling into a pattern of relying solely on email or instant messaging may become easy. Avoid this. You’ll want to schedule routine check-ins over the phone or via video conferencing to discuss progress made and any potential issues while allowing them to ask questions.
This type of communication ensures you develop a stronger sense of trust and connection, alleviating the notion that you’re merely a name on a screen and doing wonders for their morale.
Distinguish Boundaries
A common challenge of partnering with a VA is the expectation of availability.
As the employer, remembering that your virtual assistant is not your employee will be crucial for forming a long standing working relationship. They deserve to have their time off, just as you do. Setting boundaries, such as appropriate contact times outside of regular 9-5 working hours, is vital to maintaining a healthy work-life balance on both ends.
Offer Feedback
If you notice areas where your VA could improve, take the time to discuss it constructively. Similarly, don’t forget to express your praise when their performance has impressed you, such as completing a project successfully before the deadline.
Creating an environment where your VA feels comfortable coming to you with any problems or concerns is also beneficial. Urge them to share their feedback on your communication or work style. Constructive feedback is essential to any healthy working relationship and can help your VA grow and improve to be an even more harmonious fit for your company.
A virtual assistant can be an incredible asset to your business, allowing you more time to focus on your passion and growing your business. Avoid trial and error by using our services at Vassistme. Our team will help match you with the ideal virtual assistant for your needs. Start the journey by getting in touch with us today!