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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
Dec 2004 Volume 3/Issue 12 |
What is a Virtual Assistant?
What is a Virtual Assistant? And who are you protraying to the
business world?
I recently had a wonderful conversation with a woman who was interested
in becoming a VA. It was a great reminder about what I believe sets
a VA apart from someone offering office support services. I'd like
to share with you some of the things that make me so passionate about
this profession and hope you will find yourself inspired.
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 is a VA?
For me it is not the fact that we provide administrative support
or that we work from home offices, it is the totality of the services
we provide to support the growth of the client's business and the
deeply collaborative nature of the client relationship. This is
what I believe sets us apart and makes us Virtual Assistants.
Can you expand on the
"collaborative nature of the client relationship"?
When we first begin working with clients we often will be doing
smaller administrative tasks or projects very similar to what we
did in our employee roles. As we develop the relationship, enter
the entrepreneur to begin to see past the day-to-day running of
the business and look beyond into the future and growth of the business.
We can look at streamlining and improving systems and processes
within the business and then to larger goals and visions for the
business as a whole by collaborating with our clients.
By sharing our thoughts, ideas, and solutions and not being satisfied
with the status quo we work in partnership with the client not for
the client. Ask lots of questions and listen carefully to what your
client is and is not saying in order to see beyond your current
role.
How do I convey this when
speaking with clients?
When you are talking to potential clients try to use words such
as business solutions, growth and support. Broaden the description
of what you are providing. Explain that you partner (not in an legal
sense) with clients to support them in all areas of their business
including administrative. Make the focus of the conversation on
the success of their business in whatever form that may take. Talk
about accessing resources whenever necessary and the assistance
available from your professional community.
What is meant by "the
totality of the services we provide"?
It means that while we do provide administrative services for our
client we are not limited to or by those services. Research, implementation,
marketing, sales, project management, team building, office management,
ghost writing and strategic planning are all areas that a VA can
expand into with their client.
I believe if you are only offering bookkeeping then you are not
a VA but a bookkeeper, if you only offer editing then you are not
a VA but an editor. If you are only offering office support services
then you are you a Virtual Assistant? I'll leave that up to you
to decide and while some of you may think I am taking a hard line
of this and some of you won't agree with me that is okay! If I can
inspire some of you to expand your thinking all the better!
What if I don't know how
to do some of the things needed by the client?
Be willing to learn, learn and learn some more. One of the wonderful
things for me about being a VA is that I am constantly learning
new things, and I love to learn! Don't be intimidated by the unknown
and know that you can find a solution to just about anything if
you put your mind to it. You don't have to know the answers but
just be willing to go out and find it. Do this by accessing your
community of fellow VA's and other professionals. Even if you think
you are not good at something, would not like doing it or don't
have the skills for it try it on anyway, you may be surprised to
find a hidden gift or passion (I know VA's who have!) If you try
something on and it doesn't fit don't be afraid to tell your client
and offer to find the right person to fit the bill. Be the source
of resources for your client.
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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