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Writer's pictureCyrina Thomas

3 Things to Address Before You Bring on a VA

As a procurement expert and small business consultant, I've helped countless creative entrepreneurs streamline their operations and bring their big ideas to life. In my work, one of the most common challenges I see business owners face is trying to hire the right virtual assistant (VA) to support their growing workload. In this edition of the newsletter, I'm sharing 3 essential steps to ensure you bring on a VA that moves the needle in your business, rather than adding more to your plate.

Establish Systems First

Before you even start looking for a VA, it's crucial to have your internal processes and workflows in order. Without clear systems and routines in place, you risk your VA not having enough to do or not meeting your expectations. I recommend checking out the book "Scrambled Eggs: A Must Have Playbook for Organizing an Entrepreneurs Brain" by Connie S. Falls for tips on setting up efficient business systems. I read it at the beginning of my business journey and it helped me lay a solid foundation.

Identify the Root Cause

Ask yourself - why is this work not getting done currently? Is it a capacity issue where you simply don't have enough time? A skills gap on your team? Or an unresolved conflict that needs to be addressed first? Hiring a VA to avoid dealing with an existing problem on your team is a recipe for frustration down the line.

Set a Realistic Budget (and Stick to It)

Many business owners are attracted to the low hourly rates of VAs, especially those overseas. But, you often get what you pay for. The hourly rate is important, but it is even more important for you to determine a reasonable budget that allows you to find quality talent, and commit to testing out that person on the team for at least 6 months. Platforms like Upwork can give you access to a wide range of skills and price points to find the right fit - but funding this fit can take time. Hiring the right VA can be a game-changer for your business, but it takes some upfront work to set it up for success.

Think through these 3 pieces, and you'll be well on your way to finding a VA that moves the needle for your business. Need help getting your systems and processes in order before bringing on support? Reach out to my team at CT Consultants - we specialize in business management to help creative entrepreneurs like you work smarter, not harder.

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