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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
July 2005 Volume 4/Issue 7 |
Confidentiality
Confidentiality is a key to developing trust. Are your clients
confident you protect their confidentiality?
When you begin working with a client trust is a key issue. Clients
may be concerned their privacy will be jeopardized with respect to
information concerning their business. With both new and existing
clients it is imperative you respect that trust and treat in confidence
all information given to you. Let’s discuss the issue of client
confidentiality.
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 the best way
to address confidentiality with a client from the beginning?
With every client you should have a signed agreement or terms and
conditions. This sets out the guidelines for how the relationship
will work and an important piece of that is a clause on confidentiality.
Put in writing the understanding that you will be obtaining private
and privileged information about their business and you uphold to
keep that information confidential. Ease their concerns that this
information will be used in any other way other than the performance
of duties.
What things
are considered confidential? Database contacts, financial
information including but not limited to credit card numbers, bank
account numbers, balance sheets, profit and loss statements, user
names, passwords, intellectual property, product content, supplier
discounts, business agreements, proposals, marketing plans, etc.
What
may not be considered confidential? Things that you may
use for the client but are not specific to them and can be used
with other clients. Resources such as long distance plans, web sites,
service providers (as long as it does not present a conflict), information
copyrighted by others i.e. assessments, standard industry forms
or articles, systems and processes created and used by you in the
performance of tasks along with ideas or suggestions you make.
What
can I do to ensure I don’t breach my client’s confidentiality?
Be sure to discuss and outline ownership of any plans, designs,
or ideas in your agreement. Some things, including those mentioned
above, may fall into a grey area depending on yours and the client’s
perspective. Any time you are unsure or feel strange or funny about
something talk about with the client prior to making a decision
to share something. Better safe than sorry and you want to protect
and preserve your client’s trust and your relationship with
the client.
What
should I do if it accidentally happens? If you do inadvertently
share something confidential about your client be sure to discuss
this with the client. Always take responsibility for your actions
and be honest with your client. While you may still end up losing
the client better to have done that with integrity than dishonesty.
Also speak to the individual with whom you shared the information
and inform them of your error and ask that they do not under any
circumstances share it with anyone else.
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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