The pace of business today is going too fast and that can still be an understatement. Business owners are accomplishing more but they are also doing more than what their counterparts were doing a decade ago. But there are also present-day solutions to “overworked” entrepreneurs. Enter virtual assistants, the gift of the universe to overwhelmed business people.
But the truth is many entrepreneurs are still hesitant to employ VA’s because of long-held fears about delegating very important tasks to a person they barely know, sometimes located on the other side of the world.
Here are some of the most common fears of business owners and some suggestions how they can conquer these towards sustainable business success.
Fear 1: The delegated tasks will not be completed on time
This is of course a possibility and a huge risk especially if it is the first time the company hires a VA. But the opportunities one can seize for the organisation when these fears are let go is way more vital. Choose to grow the business than be paralysed with mundane tasks others can easily do for you.
How to conquer the fear:
1. Be always on the loop what the VA is up to. Are you scheduling a meeting with a key supplier? Make sure to be cc’d on the email so that you will know that the task was actually done. This can build up your confidence on your VA while already freeing your time to do more important things for your business.
2. Always ask for a report at the end of the day what tasks were already done and what other things are pending for the week. Google Docs should be perfect for this purpose. This gives you a sense of control while also reassuring you that things are done right on schedule.
Fear 2: The tasks are too big to be delegated in the first place
Many entrepreneurs are convinced they are the only ones who can hack it, who can do the job right. However it is also true that there are many approaches to complete a task and sometimes these can even be better than what they are presently doing.
How to conquer the fear:
1. Be very clear to your VA how you expect them to do the job. This will allow you to delegate without sacrificing the “best practices” you think you have developed through the years.
2. Ideally though these pointers should be generic enough so that business operators will not stifle the VA’s ways and means to get the job done. By being clear with your expectations while providing space for the VA to work in his own style, the right compromise can be reached – tasks are done, standards are met.
Fear 3: Delegating tasks just takes too much time
Entrepreneurs like to get things done on the get-go and that’s fine. But sometimes slowing down to train VA’s is a very effective force multiplier to a business owner.
How to conquer the fear:
1. Remember the slow-down is temporary. When the VA gets the drift and builds relationships with your business’ network you can be assured of a smoother, faster, more efficient business operation.
2. Delegating can increase productivity. That is the end goal worth striving for, worth testing your fears for.
Perhaps now is the best time for you to hire a VA. Maybe this is the one thing that has been holding you back. Step right into the VA trend and reap its rewards for your business!
