A Virtual Assistant - Do I need one?
I’ve considered this before, the whole GetFriday.com thing, “free up your time by outsourcing half of your life”. But, when I looked in more depth at the tasks these companies were performing I really couldn’t find that much in my life that they could actually do!!
What have I done so far today (remember it’s a Saturday!):
- Got Up
(can’t see them helping there, my wife is enough of an alarm call!) - Checked my email
(Hmmmm, they might be able to pre-process it for me, but I’d never want anyone replying for me) - Made coffee
(anyone willing to do this for me is always welcome in my life) - Had a shower
(hmmmmmm) - Directed lost delivery drivers to the house
(someone doing this would take away some of my pain sometimes!) - Eaten breakfast
(nobody can do this for me!) - Sorted out a server problem for a customer
(I could outsource this but I won’t for reasons I’ll get to in a minute) - Caught up on a few blogs in my Google Reader
(quite a leisurely read) - Hunted out my digital dictaphone to lend to a friend
(hey, I struggled to find it and I put it in that box!)
OK, why am I telling you all this?
I’ve recently started reading Amanda’s blog and she’s a Virtual Assistant. We’ve been discussing doing things in business you have a passion for. The reason I couldn’t oursource the email, or the sorting a server problem is that I have a genuine passion for what I do!
So here’s my challenge to Amanda - what could you do for me, that would make my life easier and be cost-effective for me! Call it a case study!? This goes for any other VA’s out there - but Amanda get’s first dibs!
The only thing I’ve really managed to come up with so far, is typing if I were to dictate to my digital dictaphone - but I’m a reasonable quick typist - so would it be cost effective for me?
On the flip side, if hiring a VA has already changed your life - let me know - I’d be keen to find out how!
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
[...] over at Full Time Blogger is wondering just that. And he’s challenged me to give him the answer. In Kieron’s case, given the information that I have, the answer is [...]
Oh I do so love a challenge! From what you posted, I’d say no, you don’t need a VA - at least not yet. I go into more detail on this post (Do you need a Virtual Assistant) but basically, if you have time to do all of the things you’re passionate about then why would you get rid of them?
It’s a great question you asked though and I hope my response can help you - or anyone asking the same question - to find the correct answer.
Having read your post I can see where you are coming from, although I do have things I hate doing!
Ine in particular is my book keeping. However I’ve gone down the route of automating that as much as humanly possible (that’s not to say I don’t drive my accountants mad every year!), I’d love someone to keep on top of it for me on at least a weekly or monthly basis - but that requires them understanding all my methods and the accounting package I use! Where do VA’s fit in with picking up things with different skillsets like that?
Let me just say that as a Financial Planner (I’m a woman of many talents) it sounds like what you’re doing is good - automation is the way to go.
As a Virtual Assistant, doing a weekly reconciliation (monthly is too long IMO) is right up my alley. Most VAs are versatile and good at learning new processes (part of the challenge that presents is why many VAs do what they do) so, while there would be a learning curve, it shouldn’t be a problem for anyone who has any bookkeeping background.
You may not want to go with someone who doesn’t know their A/P from their A/R, but unless your personal system is completely wacked out, having someone else do this should virtually (pun intended) take it off your plate.
You’ll still have to be involved of course (as you’d want to be with your money) but it should be on a high-level basis, reviewing and authorizing payments, not on a day-to-day level.
On a personal experience note (just a little plug ;)) I do happen to have experience with bookkeeping, having provided that service for multiple businesses over the years.
On a final note, one especially good thing about establishing a good relationship with a VA is that as you add to their duties, if they don’t have a particular skill they probably know someone does and can either connect you directly or manage the project for you so you only have one point of contact.
For example, I love getting businesses set up with a web presence, but I’m not a designer. So I outsource that part. My clients know this, but to them it’s a seamless process and it’s all handled by me. It makes everyone’s life easier to only have one gate keeper.
Hope that helps.
[...] of Full Time Blogger wonders A Virtual Assistant - Do I need one?. (See my response to his challenge here. Make sure you read the comments on [...]
[...] First up, it’s one of my own blogs! Full-Time-Blogger.com has become one of my interests, I’d love to be able to be a full time blogger, I can’t see it happening mind - my latest topic over there involves a challenge to Amanda, a Virtual Assistant to prove whether I really need her help! [...]
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