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Ask the Master Newsletter Archives
Welcome to the previous editions of the Ask the Master newsletter.
On your left you will find links to tips and the how to’s of
running a Virtual Assistant practice. We hope you enjoy your stay
and if you have a question you’d like answered send it to submission@vatp.ca.
Ask
The Master
August 2005 Volume 4/Issue 8 |
Client Agreements
How strong is your foundation with new clients? The stronger the
foundation the taller the building that can be built.
Without exception every VA should have a formal signed agreement or
terms and conditions with every client. Hard line? Perhaps, however,
if you have an opportunity to define, clarify and communicate expectations
and boundaries right from the beginning why would you not take advantage
of that opportunity? Avoiding future misunderstandings and start with
a solid foundation on which to build your client relationship.
Warmly,
Mary-Lou Ashton
Master Virtual Assistant
Questions In This Edition
(Click on the links to go to that question.) What can I do
to improve communication with a client?
What are the main components
of an agreement? In your agreement you should cover confidentiality,
privacy issues, your status as an independent contractor, ownership
of intellectual property and ideas, safeguarding client information
such as back ups and storage, and financial information such as
pricing and payment policies and expenses.
Why is it important
to have my status as an independent contractor included? This
is to protect your client relationship from being considered an
employee/employer relationship by the government, which may cause
implementation of income tax deductions, vacation pay and other
contributions required by the government. It protects your status
as a business owner versus an employee for all the reasons you became
a business owner.
What
is the difference between confidentiality and privacy issues?
Confidentiality deals with the safeguarding of all information
revealed in a client relationship (for more information see the
July 2005 issue
of Ask the Master. ) while privacy deals strictly with personal
information of clients or their clients such as name, address, phone
number, email address etc. Privacy is especially important to Canadian
VA’s in light of the Federal Personal Information Protection
and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) implemented by the Canadian
government in January 2004 (for more information visit the Government
of Canada Privacy Legislation web site here.
).
How
do I set up the information in my agreement? Remember you
first of all want to alleviate or minimize any client concerns so
put the items of most importance to your client such as confidentiality
and safeguarding information at the beginning of the agreement.
List them in order of importance to your client. This indicates
they are important to you and you care about the relationship.
What
else is important about agreements? Remember you are a business
owner and not an employee and as such need to reflect that in how
you do business. The agreement is an indication of your professionalism
and that you take your business seriously. If you do not utilize
an agreement ask yourself if really want to be a business owner
or if some fear is standing in your way.
Brought to you by
Virtual Strategies
and the Virtual Assistant Training Program
Making dreams reality!
www.vatp.ca
info@vatp.ca
1-604-483-3740 |
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