Prioritizing Commitments and Managing Your Calendar

Posted on January 22, 2024April 15, 2024 by Two Brothers

Managing Your Calendar by Prioritizing Commitments

Managing your calendar isn’t just about scheduling – it’s about strategic prioritizing.

This approach to calendar management significantly boosts professional efficiency, ensuring that every commitment adds value to your personal and professional growth.

It’s about understanding the power of ‘No’.

Not every meeting, task, or opportunity deserves a slot in your already packed schedule. Learning to decline is an essential skill, allowing you to focus on what truly matters.

In this blog, we’ll explore the essence of prioritizing commitments. We’ll explore why it’s crucial to understand the value of your time, the pitfalls of over commitment, and how saying ‘no’ can actually open doors to better opportunities.

We’ll share practical techniques for politely declining requests and strategies for identifying high-impact activities. You’ll learn about aligning your calendar with your goals and maintaining flexibility for those unexpected, yet crucial opportunities.

Let’s embark on this journey to master the art of saying ‘No’ and transforming how you manage your time.

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The Importance of Prioritization in Calendar Management

Understanding the Value of Your Time

Time is the most valuable resource in a professional’s arsenal, yet it’s often the most overlooked.

Unlike other resources, time is finite. Each day offers a limited number of hours, making it crucial to use them wisely. In a business context, how you allocate your time directly correlates to your efficiency and success.

Recognizing the value of your time means understanding that not every task, meeting, or project deserves your immediate attention. It’s about focusing on what propels you towards your goals, and learning to differentiate between what is urgent and what is important.

The Consequences of Over commitment

Over committing is a common pitfall in calendar management. It might seem productive to fill every slot in your calendar, but in reality, this leads to decreased productivity and increased stress.

When you over commit, quality often takes a backseat to quantity. Tasks are rushed, meetings become less effective, and the overall standard of work can suffer.

This relentless pace can lead to burnout, negatively impacting not just your professional life, but your personal well-being too. Effective calendar management isn’t about squeezing in as much as possible; it’s about prioritizing what truly adds value and gives you room to perform at your best.

By understanding the value of your time and the consequences of over commitment, you’re setting the stage for more mindful and productive calendar management.

The Art of Saying ‘No’

Learning when to say ‘no’ is a crucial skill in effective calendar management. The key criteria for this decision-making process involve assessing the value and relevance of a commitment.

Ask yourself: Does this align with my professional goals? Will it contribute significantly to my or my organization’s growth?

If an opportunity doesn’t align with your strategic objectives, it’s often more beneficial to decline.

Situations warranting a ‘no’ include overlapping commitments, tasks outside your expertise requiring significant time to learn, or meetings with no clear agenda or outcome.

Recognizing these scenarios helps you maintain focus on high-impact activities that drive real progress.

Techniques for Politely Declining

Saying ‘no’ doesn’t have to be uncomfortable or impolite. It’s all about the approach.

Start with appreciation; express gratitude for the offer. Then, be clear and concise in your refusal – ambiguity can lead to misunderstandings. Offer a brief, honest reason if appropriate.

For instance, “Thank you for considering me for this project. Unfortunately, I won’t be able to commit the necessary time it deserves due to my current workload.”

If possible, provide an alternative solution or a referral to someone who may be better suited for the task. Remember, saying ‘no’ is not just about rejecting an offer, but about making a strategic decision for better time management and productivity.

Strategies for Effective Commitment Prioritization

Prioritizing tasks is pivotal in maximizing productivity. The key is to distinguish high-impact activities from those of lower priority. You still need to smar – reaching inward, being vulnerable, embarrassing sexuality, all

Identifying High-Impact Activities

Start by evaluating the potential outcomes of each task. High-impact activities typically align closely with your key goals and have significant long-term benefits.

Ask, “What will have the most substantial effect on my business or career growth?”

Additionally, consider deadlines and the consequences of not completing a task.

Another effective technique is to assess the ROI (Return on Investment) of your time. If an activity yields significant value relative to the time spent, it’s likely a high-impact task.

Utilizing Tools and Methods for Prioritization

Several tools and methods can aid in effective prioritization.

The Eisenhower Box, for instance, is a simple yet powerful tool for sorting tasks into four categories: urgent and important, important but not urgent, urgent but not important, and neither urgent nor important.

This method helps in visualizing and categorizing tasks, making it easier to focus on what truly matters.

Other methods include the ABCDE method, where you assign a letter grade to tasks based on their importance and urgency, or the Pareto Principle, which suggests that 80% of outcomes come from 20% of efforts.

Experiment with these tools to find what best suits your style and needs, ultimately crafting a more productive and manageable schedule.

Balancing Commitments with Personal and Professional Goals

Effective calendar management hinges on aligning your commitments with both personal and professional objectives.

This alignment starts with clarity on what these goals are. Once you have a clear understanding of your objectives, assess how each commitment contributes to these goals.

Prioritize tasks that directly support your strategic objectives. For personal goals, ensure you allocate time for activities that enhance your well-being and personal development. This might mean blocking out time for exercise, family, or hobbies.

The idea is to create a balanced schedule where professional success doesn’t come at the expense of personal fulfillment.

The Role of Flexibility in Scheduling

While it’s essential to have a well-structured calendar, maintaining flexibility is equally important.

Rigid schedules can lead to missed opportunities and increased stress. Allow for buffer times in your schedule to accommodate unexpected yet significant tasks or meetings.

Flexibility also means being able to reassess and shift priorities as new information or opportunities arise. This adaptability is vital in today’s fast-paced business environment, where being able to quickly respond to changes can be a significant advantage.

A flexible calendar is not about being disorganized; it’s about being prepared to capitalize on opportunities as they present themselves.

Case Studies and Real-World Examples

One notable example of effective calendar management is a tech startup that revolutionized its productivity by implementing strict prioritization techniques.

The CEO, recognizing the importance of focus, began to meticulously evaluate all meetings and tasks against the company’s core objectives. This approach led to a 30% increase in productive output, as the team spent more time on high-impact projects that directly contributed to their goals.

Another success story comes from a marketing professional who used prioritization tools to allocate time effectively, leading to a significant improvement in campaign outcomes and work-life balance.

These cases highlight how understanding and applying effective prioritization can lead to tangible improvements in both business performance and personal satisfaction.

Lessons Learned from Poor Calendar Management

It goes without saying, but poor calendar management can lead to very negative outcomes, as seen in a retail company that suffered from chronic over-commitment.

The management’s failure to prioritize tasks and delegate effectively led to missed deadlines and a stressed workforce. This resulted in declining employee morale and a drop in customer service quality, ultimately impacting the company’s bottom line.

Another case involves a freelance consultant who took on too many projects without proper prioritization, leading to burnout and a tarnished professional reputation due to subpar work quality.

These examples underscore the detrimental effects of poor calendar management, emphasizing the need for effective prioritization to avoid such pitfalls.

Long-Term Benefits of Effective Calendar Management

Effective calendar management is a key driver of long-term productivity and efficiency.

Improved Productivity and Efficiency

By prioritizing tasks and commitments that align with your goals, you streamline your workload, focusing your energy and resources on what truly matters. This strategic approach reduces time wasted on low-impact activities, leading to a more efficient work process.

Over time, this efficiency translates into consistent, high-quality output, as you’re able to give each task the attention and effort it deserves.

Moreover, this focused approach fosters a culture of productivity within teams and organizations, setting a standard for success and achievement.

Enhanced Work-Life Balance

Saying ‘no’ to less critical commitments is not just beneficial for professional productivity; it’s also crucial for maintaining a healthy work-life balance. Effective calendar management allows you to carve out time for personal interests and family, which is essential for mental and emotional well-being.

This balance is key to avoiding burnout, a common issue in today’s fast-paced work environment. By ensuring that your professional commitments do not overwhelm your personal life, you sustain your enthusiasm and energy both at work and at home.

In the long run, a well-balanced life contributes to sustained career success and personal happiness, proving that sometimes, saying ‘no’ is the most productive thing you can do.

Final Thoughts

In this exploration of effective calendar management, we’ve underscored the critical importance of prioritizing commitments and the empowering art of saying ‘no’.

Remember, time is a finite resource; valuing it means focusing on high-impact activities that align with your personal and professional goals.

Over commitment can lead to decreased productivity and increased stress, but by mastering the skill of polite and strategic refusal, you can maintain control over your schedule and priorities.

We’ve dived into various strategies and tools for prioritization, from identifying high-impact activities to employing methods like the Eisenhower Box.

Balancing your commitments with personal and professional objectives, and maintaining flexibility in your schedule, are key to achieving a healthy work-life balance.

The long-term benefits of these practices are clear: improved productivity, efficiency, and a more fulfilling personal life.

We encourage you to integrate these strategies into your professional routine. Prioritize wisely, say ‘no’ when necessary, and watch as your productivity and personal satisfaction soar.

Contact Anequim Today

Embrace the power of effective calendar management with Anequim’s expert Remote Professionals.

Start prioritizing your commitments to boost productivity and achieve a harmonious work-life balance. Let Anequim guide you in refining your time management skills for lasting success.

Connect with us today and unlock your potential for a more organized, efficient, and fulfilling professional journey.

Your path to mastery in prioritization begins here, with Anequim.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Welcome to our FAQ section. Here, you’ll find straightforward answers to common questions. If you don’t see what you’re looking for, feel free to contact us for more information. We’re always ready to assist.

What are the key benefits of effective calendar management?

Effective calendar management leads to improved productivity, better work-life balance, and reduced stress. It helps in focusing on high-impact tasks and making efficient use of time.

How can I identify which tasks are high-priority?

High-priority tasks are those that align closely with your personal and professional goals and have significant long-term benefits. Evaluate each task based on its impact, urgency, and alignment with your objectives.

What are the consequences of over committing in a professional setting?

Over committing can lead to decreased productivity, lower quality of work, increased stress, and potential burnout. It also hinders your ability to focus on important tasks and meet deadlines effectively.

What are some techniques for saying ‘no’ professionally?

Start with appreciation, be clear and concise, provide a brief reason if appropriate, and offer alternatives or referrals. The key is to be respectful and direct.

Can you explain the Eisenhower Box method for prioritizing tasks?

The Eisenhower Box categorizes tasks into four quadrants based on urgency and importance: urgent and important, important but not urgent, urgent but not important, and neither urgent nor important. This helps in prioritizing and scheduling tasks effectively.

How does maintaining a flexible schedule benefit professional productivity?

A flexible schedule allows for accommodating unexpected yet significant tasks and opportunities, fostering adaptability and responsiveness in a fast-paced work environment.

What is the role of prioritization in achieving work-life balance?

Prioritization helps in allocating adequate time for personal interests and family alongside professional commitments, essential for mental and emotional well-being and preventing burnout.

How do I align my calendar with my personal and professional goals?

Regularly review and assess your commitments against your goals. Prioritize tasks that directly contribute to these objectives and ensure you allocate time for personal development and well-being.

What are some common pitfalls in calendar management?

Common pitfalls include over committing, failing to prioritize tasks, not aligning tasks with goals, and lacking flexibility in the schedule.

How can I improve my calendar management skills?

Start by understanding the value of your time, use prioritization tools like the Eisenhower Box, learn to say ‘no’ to non-essential tasks, align tasks with your goals, and maintain flexibility in your schedule. Regular practice and refinement of these skills are key.

How can Anequim’s Remote Professionals assist in managing my calendar more effectively?

Anequim’s Remote Professionals specialize in helping you prioritize and manage your commitments, ensuring your schedule aligns with your professional objectives and personal goals, leading to improved efficiency and work-life balance.

Can Anequim help in identifying high-impact activities for my business?

Absolutely. Our Remote Professionals are trained to evaluate tasks based on their impact and alignment with your business goals, helping you focus on activities that drive the most value.

What strategies do Anequim’s services offer to avoid overcommitment?

Anequim provides strategies for effectively assessing and prioritizing requests, along with tools and methods for saying ‘no’ in a professional manner, thus preventing overcommitment.

How can Anequim’s solutions enhance my productivity?

By efficiently managing your calendar and prioritizing tasks, Anequim’s solutions free up your time to focus on core business activities, significantly enhancing your overall productivity.

Does Anequim offer tools or methods for task prioritization?

Yes, Anequim integrates various prioritization tools and methods, like the Eisenhower Box, into their service offerings, tailored to suit your specific business needs.

How do Anequim’s services help in achieving a better work-life balance?

By effectively managing your professional commitments, Anequim’s Remote Professionals ensure that you have ample time for personal interests, leading to a healthier work-life balance.

Can Anequim assist in aligning my professional commitments with my business goals?

Definitely. Anequim focuses on understanding your business goals and aligning your professional commitments accordingly to ensure that every task contributes to your objectives.

What makes Anequim different from other virtual assistant services?

Anequim stands out due to its specialized recruitment process, focus on long-term employee retention, and customized approach to team building that aligns with your company culture and needs.

Can Anequim handle sudden changes or need for flexibility in scheduling?

Yes, Anequim’s Remote Professionals are adept at maintaining flexibility in your calendar, swiftly adapting to changes and unexpected opportunities to keep your schedule effective and responsive.

How does Anequim ensure the quality of its virtual assistants?

Anequim employs a thorough recruitment process, selecting Remote Professionals with high skills from Mexico, and ensures continuous training and development to maintain the highest standards of service.

Stagnant Business: Can Virtual Assistants Help?

Posted on July 18, 2023April 15, 2024 by Two Brothers

Can Virtual Assistants Prevent Your Business From Stagnating?

Do you have a stagnant business? Struggling to make progress? Are you overwhelmed with administrative tasks, juggling schedules, and trying to keep up with customer service demands?

It’s time to ask yourself an important question: Have you considered hiring a virtual assistant?

In today’s fast-paced and highly competitive business landscape, staying stagnant is a risk no entrepreneur or business owner can afford.

The key to success lies in maximizing productivity, focusing on core tasks, and efficiently managing resources. This is where virtual assistants, also known as remote professionals, come into play.

The Power of Virtual Assistants in a Stagnant Business

As a business owner or manager, you may find yourself wearing multiple hats, trying to juggle numerous responsibilities simultaneously. This can lead to burnout and hinder your ability to focus on critical tasks that drive growth. Fortunately, virtual assistants are here to alleviate the burden and propel your business forward.

Versatile Support for Various Tasks

Virtual assistants offer a broad spectrum of support services that cater to the diverse needs of businesses.

From handling administrative tasks like managing emails, data entry, and document organization to scheduling appointments and coordinating meetings, they excel in streamlining operations and freeing up your time.

By entrusting these routine tasks to a virtual assistant, you can redirect your energy towards strategic planning and high-level decision-making.

Specialized Expertise at Your Fingertips

In addition to general administrative support, virtual assistants often possess specialized skills that can enhance your business’s performance.

Need someone to manage your social media presence, create engaging content, and interact with your audience?

Virtual assistants with expertise in social media management can take on these responsibilities, helping you build a strong online presence and engage with your customers effectively.

Similarly, if you require assistance with bookkeeping, website maintenance, or graphic design, there are virtual assistants with the specific skill sets you need.

Flexibility and Efficiency in Remote Collaboration

One of the standout advantages of virtual assistants is their ability to work remotely.

Operating from their own location, they leverage digital tools and communication platforms to collaborate seamlessly with you and your team. This flexibility eliminates geographical constraints, allowing you to access top talent from around the world without the need for a physical office space.

Whether you’re a small startup or a mid-sized business, virtual assistants offer scalability and adaptability to meet your evolving needs.

Time and Cost Savings for Stagnant Business

Time is a precious commodity in business, and virtual assistants help you make the most of it.

By delegating time-consuming tasks to a competent virtual assistant, you can focus on revenue-generating activities and strategic planning, ultimately driving growth. Moreover, hiring a virtual assistant can be more cost-effective compared to hiring an in-house employee.

With virtual assistants, you avoid expenses such as office space, equipment, and benefits, while paying only for the hours or services you need.

Virtual Assistants serve as invaluable allies in preventing your business from stagnating. They offer versatile support, specialized expertise, remote collaboration, and cost savings—all of which contribute to increased productivity, efficiency, and business growth.

Now that we’ve explored the power of virtual assistants, let’s dive into the process of hiring one and uncover the steps you can take to find the perfect fit for your business needs.

Hiring a Virtual Assistant: What, How, and Where

Now that you understand the immense benefits virtual assistants can bring to your business, it’s time to dive into the practical aspects of hiring one.

In this section, we will explore what to consider, how to go about the hiring process, and where to find the perfect virtual assistant for your unique requirements.

What to Consider When Hiring a Virtual Assistant

Before embarking on the search for a virtual assistant, it’s crucial to define your needs and expectations clearly. Take the time to assess the tasks you want to delegate and the skills required to fulfill them.

This will help you identify the qualities and expertise you’re seeking in a virtual assistant. Additionally, consider factors such as communication style, availability, and cultural compatibility, as these aspects contribute to a successful working relationship.

How to Hire a Virtual Assistant

Outline the Job Description

Start by creating a comprehensive job description that outlines the tasks, skills, and qualifications you’re looking for in a virtual assistant. Be specific about the level of experience you require and any specific software or tools familiarity.

Source Candidates

There are various avenues to find virtual assistants. Online platforms offer a pool of talented individuals. Specialized virtual assistant agencies, like Anequim, can also connect you with pre-screened professionals who match your requirements.

Review Portfolios and Resumes

Take the time to review the portfolios and resumes of potential virtual assistants. Look for relevant experience, skills, and any testimonials or recommendations from previous clients.

Conduct Interviews

Shortlist candidates and conduct interviews to assess their communication skills, professionalism, and suitability for your business. Consider using video calls to establish a more personal connection.

Trial Period

Consider implementing a trial period where you can evaluate the virtual assistant’s performance before committing to a long-term partnership. This period allows you to assess their efficiency, attention to detail, and ability to meet deadlines.

FAQs: Addressing Common Concerns About Hiring Virtual Assistants and Stagnant Business

1. How much does hiring a virtual assistant cost?

The cost of hiring a virtual assistant can vary depending on factors such as the level of experience, skill set, and location.

Virtual assistants may charge by the hour, project, or on a monthly retainer basis. It’s important to discuss pricing structures and negotiate rates that align with your budget and the scope of work.

2. How do I ensure effective communication with a virtual assistant?

Effective communication is crucial when working with a virtual assistant.

Utilize communication tools like email, instant messaging apps, or project management software to establish clear channels of communication.

Schedule regular check-ins and provide detailed instructions to ensure tasks are understood and executed accurately.

3. Is there a risk to data security when working with virtual assistants?

Data security is a valid concern. Prioritize working with virtual assistants who demonstrate a commitment to data protection and confidentiality.

Use secure file-sharing platforms, encrypt sensitive information, and sign non-disclosure agreements to safeguard your data.

4. How do I manage the time zone differences when working with a remote virtual assistant?

Time zone differences can be managed effectively by establishing clear working hours and availability expectations.

Discuss overlapping hours and set communication protocols to ensure effective collaboration, even with time differences.

5. What if I’m not satisfied with the performance of a virtual assistant?

Open and honest communication is key.

If you’re not satisfied with a virtual assistant’s performance, provide constructive feedback and discuss areas for improvement.

Consider establishing performance metrics and regular performance reviews to ensure expectations are met.

6. Can virtual assistants handle sensitive or industry-specific tasks?

Yes, many virtual assistants have experience in handling sensitive tasks and can adapt to industry-specific requirements.

Clearly communicate your expectations and provide any necessary training or background information to ensure they can effectively handle sensitive tasks.

Remember, each virtual assistant is unique, so finding the right fit may require some trial and error. Be patient, maintain open lines of communication, and address concerns promptly to build a successful working relationship.

By addressing these frequently asked questions, we aim to provide you with the necessary information to make informed decisions and overcome any reservations you may have about hiring virtual assistants.

Unleash the Growth Potential of Your Business with Virtual Assistants

Congratulations! You’ve now gained a deep understanding of the immense value that virtual assistants can bring to your business.

From versatile support and specialized expertise to flexibility and cost savings, virtual assistants have the power to transform your operations and drive growth.

Don’t let your business fall into stagnation. Embrace the opportunity to leverage virtual assistants and unlock your full potential. Define your needs, follow a systematic hiring process, and explore reputable platforms and agencies to find the perfect fit for your business.

Remember, virtual assistants are not just administrative support; they are strategic partners dedicated to helping your business thrive. By delegating tasks, freeing up your time, and focusing on core responsibilities, you can take your business to new heights.

So, take that leap of faith, harness the power of virtual assistants, and watch your business flourish.

Ready to take your business to the next level? Start making job descriptions that make sense, so you can focus on what your business really needs from you. Learn the step-by-step instructions for writing an exceptional job description with our FREE guide.

To get even more amazing tips, tricks, and techniques for scaling up your business, check out The Bootstrappers Podcast! Get the free advice you need to turn your vision into reality.

Administrative Remote Professionals: What Do They Do?

Posted on July 5, 2023April 15, 2024 by Two Brothers

What Does an Administrative Remote Professional Do?

A virtual administrative assistant, often called an Administrative Remote Professional, can really change things for a business. But it’s important to make sure this job is set up right. If it’s not, it could add more stress to a busy workplace.

After setting up many roles for administrative and executive assistants, there are a few helpful tips to share. These can stop you from wasting time, money, or energy on a role that doesn’t work. Instead, you can create a role that makes your life easier and less stressful.

Many people reach out for help because they’re swamped with emails and work, and their personal life is chaotic. They’re looking for someone to help them get organized, manage their day, and handle tasks that aren’t worth their time.

These are all good reasons to hire an administrative assistant.

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How do You Design a Virtual Administrative Assistants Position for the Busy Executive?

Many times when we are consulting with an overwhelmed executive about the administrative professional role, what we find is that the executive is doing operational tasks they should not be doing, such as accounting tasks or customer service tasks, and designing a position that takes care of those things in an operational way really is what will relieve the stress the most.

When that is not the case, we still try to find some operational tasks that the executive assistant can do that need to be accomplished directly by the executive.

Some tasks that should not be done in the operation but have an operational component include:

Quality Control

Creating a system where when problems happen, someone researches the issue, finds out the cause of the problem, and determines if it was the processes and procedures.

If a problem needs to be fixed, the root cause needs to be identified first. Procedures that are unclear should be redrafted so they can be followed correctly.

If it is a training issue, the person executing the procedure should review the relevant documentation and make sure it is done properly in the future. If there is a flaw in the process or workflow, this should be added to the leadership team’s agenda for further discussion on how to resolve it.

Quality control is an ideal task for executive assistants when they are not performing their normal duties.

Sales Team Auditing

Sales teams are notorious for not following protocols or taking notes.

This can oftentimes lead to operational issues because the operational side of the business gets blindsided when the sales funnel operates in the dark.

This creates tension between sales and operations. It has the potential to create crisis situations on the operations side if they cannot fulfill the business coming in.

Having your executive assistant audit the sales pipeline and enforce rules for follow-up, and utilizing reporting tools as outlined in your processes and procedures can be a huge help to both the operations and sales teams.

Process and Procedure Auditing

Clean processes and procedures end up always being a moving target if you are growing really fast. Sometimes the processes and procedures don’t scale with the business and have to be reworked.

Any new introduction of software means a change in the documentation and the workflow of the operation and it seems like to be successful, they have to be constantly audited, organized, and managed.

This is often a part-time job and has to come from leadership which makes it the perfect operational task for an executive assistant while there is a lull in personal tasks or while their workload in other areas wanes.

Financial Auditing

Leaders should be asking questions such as:

Are salespeople taking unnecessary days on the road and charging the company?
Is the SEO vendor doing what they’re supposed to?
Is the Google Ad money leading to good leads?
Are sales commissions reasonable?
Are all the HR personnel necessary?

However, due to a lack of time, leaders may not have the opportunity to look into these queries themselves. This is where an executive assistant can help. They can act as the leader’s eyes and ears in the company. They can ask the important questions and get answers that could lead to greater profits than last year.

Research

As executives, it can be difficult to do the research necessary to make informed decisions.

Questions such as:

What is the competition doing?
Are there any new technologies we should consider?
What are CTOs at XYZ company like?
Is this coaching program any good?
What about XYZ vendor?
Can we reach out for additional references?
And what is being said on the Facebook user group about their experience?

All require time and effort, which some leaders may not have. An executive assistant can help with all of these questions, providing thorough research and making sure that the team makes sound decisions.

Project Management and Follow Up

Big projects make or break progress at all organizations.

Your executive assistant can follow up with the people charged with these projects, get status updates, see if there are roadblocks, set up meetings where things are not moving fast to figure out why and do something different.

They can be the ones to make sure to-dos, quarterly projects, and other high-priority projects actually get completed on time and on budget.

Virtual Administrative Assistants High-level Reporting

If you have investors, silent partners, etc. you probably have to provide reports on a regular basis. You may want to have a company-wide meeting on the state of the industry or your company on a regular basis.

Your executive assistant can do the heavy lifting and you can verify the information and present it.

Do it with them the first time, create a procedure for what they need to look for and how to get the data that is relevant to the audience, and then have them create the reports from there on out.

Manage speaking engagements, podcasts, award applications, and other PR functions.

Do you want to get more earned media for your business or yourself?

Have your executive assistant apply for awards. Have them reach out to podcasts and propose you as a guest. Additionally, you can have them propose you for speaking engagements that could help you get clients.

What Tasks Can Virtual Administrative Assistants Perform for Your Personal Life?

An executive assistant can save you a lot of time and hassle with your personal life, freeing you up to focus on other important tasks. Here are some examples of what they can help with:

Sending birthday and holiday presents
Keeping your family’s sports and school calendars up to date
Booking vacations and travel
Paying school fees and buying supplies online
Booking appointments for the whole family (orthodontist, cosmetic, doctor/dentist)
Arranging home maintenance
Booking teacher conferences
Organizing after-school activities and filling out all necessary forms
Booking summer camps

As a working mom, I know that I wouldn’t be able to do both my job and daily family activities without my executive assistant, who helps make sure all deadlines are met, that all necessary activities are signed up for, and that my kids make it to their events on time.

With such a valuable team member helping out with the form front, I can have peace of mind knowing that my family will stay on track.

Getting the most out of your Virtual Administrative Assistants

Managing a virtual executive assistant can be a great way to streamline your workflow and free up time for more important tasks. Here are some tips on making the most of your assistant:

Think through the role clearly before hiring an assistant, and consider if it’s necessary to create separate roles for specific operational tasks.
When designing the position, include operational and repeatable tasks that make a real impact on your business goals.
Have clear expectations about what you want from the assistant so they know exactly how to help you achieve those goals.
Make sure communication is consistent and that both parties are on the same page about their roles and responsibilities.
Successfully fulfilling the needs of a busy executive requires careful planning and design.
And finally, trust your assistant to do the work!

With good communication, clear expectations, and trust in their abilities, you’ll get the best out of your virtual executive assistant.

Find Your New Virtual Administrative Assistants

A virtual administrative assistant can be a valuable asset for businesses that need help with administrative tasks, phone calls, and social media management from a remote location.

However, designing the position correctly is crucial for success. It’s important to identify tasks that are time-consuming and take up valuable office space and hire virtual administrative assistants to take care of them.

Don’t waste time or money on a position that won’t work for you – design the role for success and enjoy the benefits of having a virtual assistant company on board.

Now that you know what a VA can do for your job, make sure you make an accurate job description to find you the best remote professional. Not sure how to?

Start making job descriptions that make sense, so you can focus on what your business really needs from you. Learn the step-by-step instructions for writing an exceptional job description with our FREE guide.

Virtual Assistants Will Make You Stop Hating Meetings

Posted on July 5, 2023April 15, 2024 by Two Brothers

How to Stop Hating Meetings: Virtual Assistants

Virtual Assistants can transform the way you take virtual and in-person meetings; they can even make you like them, so if you are fed up with the same old monotonous virtual meetings, or you have noticed that your team’s morale and productivity decline during video calls, this episode is for you.

In this Bootstrapers episode, Gwenn and Jeremy Aspen share tested tips on how to make meetings more enjoyable and how virtual assistants can supercharge their effectiveness. Forget about dreading meetings; learn how to stop hating them today!

Unlimited PTO Policy virtual assistants stop hating meetings

Listen To Full Episode

The Virtual Meeting Curse

After the changes of the last few years, virtual everything has taken over the job market. Many people are grappling with the monotony and inefficiencies of virtual meetings, especially in these times of remote work. How did they become so exhausting?

Without a clear agenda or structure, virtual meetings can quickly devolve into a chaotic exchange of ideas with no clear direction. Also, with the convenience of virtual meetings, it’s easy to fall into the trap of over-scheduling. Back-to-back virtual meetings can leave little room for focused work or even short breaks, leading to burnout and decreased productivity.

Lastly, virtual interaction can be exhausting as well; the term ‘Zoom Fatigue’ has been coined to describe the unique kind of exhaustion associated with a constant virtual exchange between colleagues, employees, and customers.

But here’s the good news: we have some tried-and-true tips that can turn your meeting dread into productive anticipation. The secret is in virtual assistants.

The Role of Virtual Assistants in Meetings

Virtual assistants (VAs) can help you manage tasks more efficiently. They can schedule meetings, send reminders, help set agendas, take notes, guide the meetings, and maybe the biggest game changer is follow up on to-dos afterward. Incorporating a virtual assistant into your meeting routines can be a productivity supercharger.

Time-saving

One of the significant benefits of using a VA is the time it saves. Instead of spending precious minutes or even hours scheduling meetings, a VA can do this for you. You simply provide the necessary details, and your VA takes care of the rest.

Virtual Assistants Can Send Reminders

Forgetfulness is part of human common mistakes; we all forget meetings, especially when we are too busy running a business or taking care of urgent tasks. A VA can help mitigate this by sending out reminders before a meeting reminding people what they were supposed to do in between meetings so that when they come back they know they will be expected to have that task completed.

These reminders can include the meeting agenda, necessary preparation materials, expectations on what needs to be done before the meeting, reminders of the meeting subject and questions to ask, and the meeting link, ensuring everyone comes prepared and on time.

Productivity

We all have been there: it’s time for another long and exhausting meeting, and once the virtual gathering starts, no one knows what it is actually about; there is no clear guidance or purpose.

A VA can also play a crucial role in enhancing meeting productivity. It can help determine the meeting’s objective, ensuring that each meeting has a clear goal and purpose. This provides direction and focus, enabling team members to come prepared and contribute meaningfully.

Some VAs can open a space for virtual collaboration during meetings. This could include real-time document editing, brainstorming, and other activities that will push your meeting forward. Your virtual assistant can even help you find the perfect virtual meeting software for your company and goals.

Structure

Your virtual administrative assistant can take care of administrative tasks, like team meeting structure. Having a well-structured meeting is vital for efficiency. A VA can assist in establishing a solid structure for your meetings, reducing time wasted on irrelevant topics and promoting focused discussions.

KPI Establishment & Follow Through

Finally, a VA can help establish Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for meetings, like participant engagement, meeting duration versus planned time, problem-solving time, and more, providing a measurable way to assess their effectiveness.

Moreover, they can follow up on these KPIs, ensuring accountability and progress moving forward.

Hire Virtual Assistants and Forget all About Meeting Exhaustion

In conclusion, virtual assistants can be instrumental in transforming your virtual meetings from dreaded events to productive sessions.

By saving time, enhancing productivity, providing structure, and ensuring follow-through, VAs can supercharge your meeting effectiveness. So, forget about dreading meetings; it’s time to embrace them with the power of virtual assistants.

If you are still looking to hire for virtual assistant jobs, don’t worry; you can still make your internal meetings effective and concise using our FREE one-on-one reusable meeting form to save you much time and effort.

Contact Anequim today to hire your first virtual assistant.

Virtual Administrative Assistant: What Do They Do?

Posted on June 7, 2023April 15, 2024 by Two Brothers

What Does a Virtual Administrative Assistant Do?

A virtual administrative assistant, often called a Remote Professional, can really change things for a business. But it’s important to make sure this job is set up right. If it’s not, it could add more stress to a busy workplace.

After setting up many roles for administrative and executive assistants, there are a few helpful tips to share. These can stop you from wasting time, money, or energy on a role that doesn’t work.

Many people are looking for someone to help them get organized, manage their day, and handle tasks that aren’t worth their time.

These are all good reasons to hire an administrative assistant.

How do You Design a Virtual Administrative Assistant Position?

When that is not the case, we still try to find some operational tasks that the executive assistant can do that need to be accomplished directly by the executive.

Some tasks that should not be done in the operation but have an operational component include:

Quality Control

Creating a system where when problems happen, someone researches the issue, finds out the cause of the problem, and determines if it was the processes and procedures.

If a problem needs to be fixed, the root cause needs to be identified first. Procedures that are unclear should be redrafted so they can be followed correctly.

Quality control is an ideal task for executive assistants when they are not performing their normal duties.

Sales Team Auditing

Sales teams are notorious for not following protocols or taking notes.

This can oftentimes lead to operational issues because the operational side of the business gets blindsided when the sales funnel operates in the dark.

This creates tension between sales and operations. It has the potential to create crisis situations on the operations side if they cannot fulfill the business coming in.

Having your executive assistant audit the sales pipeline and enforce rules for follow-up and utilize reporting tools as outlined in your processes and procedures can be a huge help to both the operations and sales teams.

Process and Procedure Auditing

Clean processes and procedures end up always being a moving target if you are growing really fast. Sometimes the processes and procedures don’t scale with the business and have to be reworked.

Any new introduction of software means a change in the documentation and the workflow of the operation, and it seems like to be successful, they have to be constantly audited, organized, and managed.

Financial Auditing

Leaders should be asking questions such as:

Are salespeople taking unnecessary days on the road and charging the company?
Is the SEO vendor doing what they’re supposed to?
Is the Google Ad money leading to good leads?
Are sales commissions reasonable?
Are all the HR personnel necessary?

Research

As executives, it can be difficult to do the research necessary to make informed decisions.

Questions such as:

What is the competition doing?
Are there any new technologies we should consider?
What are CTOs at XYZ company like?
Is this coaching program any good?
What about XYZ vendor?
Can we reach out for additional references?
And what is being said on the Facebook user group about their experience?

Project Management and Follow Up

Big projects make or break progress at all organizations.

They can be the one to make sure to-dos, quarterly projects and other high priority projects actually get completed on time and on budget.

High-level Reporting

Your executive assistant can do the heavy lifting, and you can verify the information and present it.

Do it with them the first time, create a procedure for what they need to look for and how to get the data that is relevant to the audience, and then have them create the reports from there on out.

Manage speaking engagements, podcasts, award applications, and other PR functions.

Do you want to get more earned media for your business or yourself?

Have your executive assistant apply for awards. Have them reach out to podcasts and propose you as a guest. Additionally, you can have them propose speaking engagements that could help you get clients.

What Can a Virtual Administrative Assistant Do for Your Personal Life?

An executive assistant can save you a lot of time and hassle with your personal life, freeing you up to focus on other important tasks. Here are some examples of what they can help with:

Sending birthday and holiday presents
Keeping your family’s sports and school calendars up to date
Booking vacations and travel
Paying school fees and buying supplies online
Booking appointments for the whole family (orthodontist, cosmetic, doctor/dentist)
Arranging home maintenance
Booking teacher conferences
Organizing after-school activities and filling out all necessary forms
Booking summer camps

With such a valuable team member helping out with the form front, I can have peace of mind knowing that my family will stay on track.

Getting the Most Out of Your Virtual Executive Assistant

Managing a virtual executive assistant can be a great way to streamline your workflow and free up time for more important tasks. Here are some tips on making the most of your assistant:

Think through the role clearly before hiring an assistant, and consider if it’s necessary to create separate roles for specific operational tasks.
When designing the position, include operational and repeatable tasks that make a real impact on your business goals.
Have clear expectations about what you want from the assistant so they know exactly how to help you achieve those goals.
Make sure communication is consistent and that both parties are on the same page about their roles and responsibilities.
Successfully fulfilling the needs of a busy executive requires careful planning and design.
And finally, trust your assistant to do the work!

With good communication, clear expectations, and trust in their abilities, you’ll get the best out of your virtual executive assistant.

Final Thoughts

A virtual assistant can be a valuable asset for businesses that need help with administrative tasks, phone calls, and social media management from a remote location.

However, designing the position correctly is crucial for success. It’s important to identify tasks that are time-consuming and take up valuable office space and hire a virtual assistant to take care of them.

An executive assistant can help with tasks such as quality control, sales team auditing, process and procedure auditing, financial auditing, research, project management and follow-up, and high-level reporting.

With these pointers in mind, you can hire a virtual assistant who will be a great addition to your team, make your life easier, and reduce stress.

Don’t waste time or money on a position that won’t work for you – design the role for success and enjoy the benefits of having a virtual assistant company on board.

Download your FREE reusable form for creating an impactful strategic planning meeting HERE!

To get even more amazing tips, tricks, and techniques for scaling up your business, check out The Bootstrappers Podcast! Get the free advice you need to turn your vision into reality.

Social Media Virtual Assistant: What do They do

Posted on May 17, 2023April 15, 2024 by matttompkins

Why Virtual Assistants Are the Secret to Social Media Marketing

A social media virtual assistant will change the way you view digital marketing. Business owners like us don’t have the luxury of extra time, which is why virtual assistants have been a game-changer for how we manage social media marketing!

It’s important to have a strong online marketing presence to reach and engage with customers. However, managing multiple social media accounts can be time-consuming and overwhelming.

You’re likely trying to do everything for your business yourself, including creating and scheduling social media posts, responding to comments and messages, and analyzing performance metrics. It becomes too much and we struggle to keep up with the demands of running the business.

Hire a Social Media Virtual Assistant to Manage Your Channels

Hiring a virtual assistant, or remote professional as we refer to them, is a true game-changer for small business owners. You can find an experienced social media manager or digital marketing virtual assistant who is just as capable as any ‘in-person’ employee but at a fraction of the cost.

Remote professionals will fully understand your business’s needs and help you create a social media marketing strategy tailored to your target audience. With their help, you can free up time to focus on other important aspects of your business.

What is Social Media Management?

Social media management involves creating, scheduling, and posting content on social media channels like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. It’s essential to have a consistent social media presence to engage with your audience and stay top-of-mind.

Social media tasks can also include responding to comments and messages, analyzing performance metrics, creating social media profiles, blog posts and developing a social media strategy.

Why Hire a Social Media Virtual Assistant?

Let’s face it; social media management is a full-time job. We think that we can do it ourselves because we spend enough of our personal time on social channels, but effectively managing a social media marketing strategy is completely different. Managing just one social channel is challenging enough, but most businesses are on an average of 6 different social platforms. That means it takes 6X the amount of time to manage (time that you already didn’t have to spare).

Hiring a social media virtual assistant can help save time and improve your social media strategy. They are trained in social media marketing and can help you manage your platforms and create engaging content. A virtual assistant can also help you keep up with the latest social media trends and best practices, which can be hard to maintain and track on your own.

Social Media Virtual Assistant Can Manage Multiple Accounts

Managing multiple social media accounts can be overwhelming, but there are tools that can help. Social media management tools like Hootsuite, Buffer, and Sprout Social can help streamline the process by allowing you to manage all your social media accounts in one place. These tools also allow you to schedule posts in advance, which can save you time and ensure consistent posting.

Scheduling out your posts and video content is one half of the equation, while the other half is responding and engaging with your tribe. Think of each social platform as a digital storefront for your business. Each represents your company, which means that each must have full-time attention dedicated to it.

Creating Engaging Posts with a Social Media Virtual Assistant

Creating engaging social media posts is key to attracting and retaining your audience. Social media virtual assistants can help you create relevant content that is tailored to your audience’s interests. They can also help you incorporate multimedia elements like images and videos into your posts, which can increase engagement.

The algorithms are always changing, but today they are based on one simple metric: engagement. If your posts are not getting likes, comments, and shares, social channels like Facebook and Instagram will not put you in front of more people. This means that you must dedicate the time and resources to creating truly engaging content that your target audience wants to see.

For most businesses, hiring a virtual assistant is the best option for quality content that fits their budgets.

Developing a Social Media Strategy

Developing a social media strategy is crucial for the success of your social media efforts. Your strategy should target your audience and be aligned with your overall marketing goals. It should also track the success of your efforts, so you can make adjustments as needed. Social media virtual assistants can help you develop a social media strategy tailored to your business’s needs.

Tracking metrics is the only way to know what types of content is working for your digital marketing. Consider the first 6 months as merely data collection. Trial and error, testing different lengths of videos, styles of videos, graphic content vs video content, etc. is the only way to discover what your specific audience wants more of – so that you can deliver that to them for ultimate social media success.

Hiring a Social Media Virtual Assistant

Hiring a social media virtual assistant is the most cost-effective way to improve your social media marketing efforts. Virtual assistants are experienced in social media management and can help you with a variety of tasks like creating content, scheduling posts, and responding to comments. They can also help you stay up-to-date on the latest social media trends and best practices.

What About A.I.?

Artificial intelligence platforms like ChatGPT, Google’s ‘Bard,’ and a long list of other options look like a perfect solution for small business owners at first but they often don’t deliver the results your business needs. A.I. platforms are merely tools; they are not humans.

Google, along with every other social media platform, weights quality content as the highest value with the biggest rewards for your marketing. People engage with quality content. A.I. platforms aren’t yet able to connect with, resonate deeply with, or relate to human beings because they aren’t people.

Should you use A.I. platforms to streamline certain aspects of your business? Absolutely! However, marketing is not one of those areas for one big reason: Marketing is all about feelings. People decide to hire your business based on the emotional connection they have. Do they trust you? Do they like you? Will they remember you?

Robots (Artificial Intelligence) are incapable of feeling, so how can we expect them to know how to connect with people on an emotional level? This is just one more reason why virtual assistants are the true game-changer. Remote professionals are actually affordable for small businesses and their budgets. However, remote professionals are still people. They are highly skilled, highly trained, and know how to connect your marketing with your target audience.

Virtual Assistants Are The Answer For Your Business

Hiring a social media virtual assistant can be a game-changer for your business. With their help, you can create a social media strategy tailored to your target audience and save time on managing your social media accounts. They can also help you stay on top of the latest social media trends and best practices, so you can focus on other important aspects of your business.

I can personally attest to the benefits of hiring a social media virtual assistant. Since I hired a virtual assistant for my own business, I’ve been able to free up time to focus on other areas of my business.

With the help of my virtual assistant, I’ve been able to create a consistent social media presence, engage with my audience, and grow my online following. They’ve also helped me to track and analyze my social media metrics, which has helped me to make data-driven decisions about my social media strategy.

Anequim Remote Professionals For Your Business

If you’re looking to hire a social media virtual assistant, it is important to do your research to find a remote professional with experience in social media management and a proven track record of success. Fortunately, Anequim does all of that research for you, and they make the entire process seamless, from searching for top talent to making the final hire.

Anequim also has proven processes and procedures to help you clearly communicate your goals and expectations and work together to develop a social media strategy tailored to your business needs. With the right virtual assistant on your team, you can take your social media presence to the next level and grow your online presence.

Give your remote assistants the best tools. Create an excellent customer service experience quickly with our FREE Service Guide. Start Providing the best experience for your customers now.

To get even more amazing tips, tricks, and techniques for your social media virtual assistant and business-related topics, check out The Bootstrappers Podcast! Get the free advice you need to turn your vision into reality.

Freelancer and Virtual Assistant: What’s The Difference?

Posted on May 3, 2023April 15, 2024 by Fabi Sanchez

Virtual Assistant or Freelancer: Which One is Better?

The difference between freelancer and virtual assistant can be confusing. As someone who has been in the business of managing virtual assistants and freelancers for several years, I know firsthand how daunting it can be to find the right person for the job.

It wasn’t until I had my own experience with a virtual assistant that I truly appreciated the value they can bring to a business.

I struggled to keep up with the administrative tasks bogging me down and taking me away from the more important aspects of running my business. That’s when I decided to take the plunge and hire a virtual assistant.

Between a Virtual assistant vs freelancer article what's the difference?

Entrepreneurs Are Now True Believers in Virtual Assistants

So many entrepreneurs have become firm believers in the power of virtual assistants to help businesses run more efficiently and effectively. And that’s why I’m here to share my expertise and help you understand the key differences between the two.

Whether you’re a small business owner looking for extra help or curious about the world of virtual assistants and freelancers, read on – I’m confident you’ll find this blog post helpful.

What is a Virtual Assistant?

A virtual assistant (VA) is a remote worker who can fulfill the tasks of any role that can be done behind a computer, making them a valuable asset for small businesses. Virtual assistants are a perfect fit for nearly any type of business, as they can do the same quality work as any in-person employee can, just remotely.

Virtual Assistant companies will find the perfect person for any role you need to be filled, from data entry and customer service to accounting, bookkeeping, administrative and executive assistant positions, marketing, graphic design, and everything in between.

Virtual Assistants have run entire companies and organized major conferences and events remotely, so anything is possible for your small business needs!

The Advantages of Hiring a Full-Time Virtual Assistant:

They are invested in your company’s success
They can be held accountable just like any other member of your team
They can be trained, mentored, and elevated to essential roles within your company
They are loyal to your business because they have a stake in its success
They become an integral part of your team-building for future growth

What is a Freelancer?

A freelancer is also an independent contractor who offers specialized skills to businesses, but they work differently than a virtual assistant.

Freelancers work on their own and offer their services directly to clients. They can work on a variety of projects but they are not full-time members of your team like a remote professional is, and they provide specialized skills like web design, content writing, or graphic design.

When hiring a freelancer, business owners can expect to work with someone with specific expertise in a particular area. Freelancers tend to compete against each other for the lowest price, but cheaper isn’t always better (in fact, it rarely is).

The Risks of Hiring a Freelancer:

They are not invested in your company’s mission, vision, and growth
It is harder to hold freelancers accountable since they can exit at any time
Freelancers have many other clients, which means your business is not their main priority
With multiple clients, freelances are dividing up their talents, and quality can suffer
Freelancers can leave you high and dry at any time, which is a risky investment for any business

Difference Between Freelancer and Virtual Assistant

The main difference between virtual assistants and freelancers is the type of services they offer and the way they work.

Virtual assistants are typically full or part-time employees who work for, and report directly to, you and your business. They are not tied to any other clients or companies like freelancers are. Remote professionals are just like any in-person employee, the only difference being they work remotely.

Freelancers often work independently and usually offer only one kind of service, like web design or writing. They can work on many different projects at once and work for many different clients, which means they are dividing up their time, talents, and quality of work.

When deciding whether to hire a virtual assistant or a freelancer, it’s essential to think about the type of work that needs to be done.

The best way to sum it up is this: Virtual Assistants are invested in your company’s long-term growth and success just like any other member of your team. Freelancers are invested in their own success since they are their own companies separate from yours.

Freelancer and Virtual Assistant

Both virtual assistants and freelancers have different roles and responsibilities that can help your business grow; however, a full-time virtual assistant will offer far more consistent benefits for your company.

With a virtual assistant, you have someone full-time who you can train, mentor, and integrate into your current team. Accountability is another major benefit for Virtual Assistants because you can hold a full-time remote worker responsible for your company’s standards and requirements. A freelancer cannot be held as accountable as a full-time virtual assistant.

Freelancers will also not be as invested in your company’s mission, vision, and long-term success. Virtual Assistants are just like anyone else on your in-person team, except they work remotely. As a part of your team, they will have a stake in your company just like the rest of your team.

Business owners should carefully consider their needs before deciding whether to hire a virtual assistant or a freelancer. It’s important to research options and pick the right one for the business.

Let us Help You Build The Perfect Remote Team!

Ready to take your business to the next level? Make your internal meetings with your virtual team effective and concise using our FREE one-on-one reusable meeting form to save you much time and effort.

To get even more amazing tips, tricks, and techniques for scaling your business, check out The Bootstrappers Podcast! Get the free advice you need to turn your vision into reality.

Virtual Assistants: What Do They Do for Your Business?

Posted on April 20, 2023April 15, 2024 by matttompkins

What Do Virtual Assistants Do?

Virtual assistants, otherwise referred to as Remote Professionals, can be game changers for any business.

However, it’s important to design the role for success because it is also a job that if not done well can stress out already stressed-out professionals.

After years of designing Administrative assistant and executive assistant roles, I have some pointers so you don’t waste time, money, or stress on a position that won’t work and design the positions so it gives you exactly what you need to make your life easier, happier and less stressful.

Virtual Assistants Are The Answer For Business Owners

Most people who call us asking for an administrative or executive assistant do so because they are overwhelmed with their email, their life and their business.

They want someone to help them organize their life, their day and take the tasks that are below their paygrade off of their to do list. These are all great reasons to get an administrative assistant.

Virtual Assistants: How To Design The Right Position

Many times when we are consulting with an overwhelmed executive about the administrative professional role what we find is that the executive is doing operational tasks they should not be doing such as accounting tasks or customer service tasks and designing a position that takes care of those things in an operational way really is what will relieve the stress the most.

When that is not the case we still try to find some operational tasks that the executive assistant can do that need to be accomplished directly by the executive.

Some tasks that should not be done in the operation but have an operational component include:

Virtual Assistants Help With Quality Control

Creating a system where when problems happen someone researches the issue, finds out the cause of the problem and determines if it was the processes and procedures.

If a problem needs to be fixed, the root cause needs to be identified first. Unclear procedures should be redrafted so they can be followed correctly.

If it is a training issue, the person executing the procedure should review the relevant documentation and make sure it is done properly in future. If there is a flaw in the process or workflow, this should be added to the leadership team’s agenda for further discussion on how to resolve it.

Quality control is ideal for executive assistants when they are not performing their normal duties.

Remote Professionals Can Do Sales Team Auditing

Sales teams are notorious for not following protocols or taking notes.

This can oftentimes lead to operational issues because the operational side of the business gets blindsided when the sales funnel operates in the dark.

This creates tension between sales and operations. It has the potential to create crisis situations on the operations side if they cannot fulfill the business coming in.

Having your executive assistant audit the sales pipeline and enforce rules for follow up and utilizing reporting tools as outlined in your processes and procedures can be a huge help to both the operations and sales team.

Virtual Assistants Help With Process and Procedure Auditing

Clean processes and procedures end up always being a moving target if you are growing really fast sometimes the processes and procedures don’t scale with the business and have to be reworked.

Any new introduction of software means a change in the documentation and the workflow of the operation and it seems like to be successful they have to be constantly audited, organized and managed.

This is often a part time job and has to come from leadership which makes it the perfect operational task for an executive assistant while there is a lull in personal tasks or while their work load in other areas wanes.

Remote Professionals For Financial Auditing

Leaders should be asking questions such as:

Are salespeople taking unnecessary days on the road and charging the company?
Is the SEO vendor doing what they’re supposed to?
Is the Google Ad money leading to good leads?
Are sales commissions reasonable?
Are all the HR personnel necessary?

Remote Professionals Assist With Research

As executives, it can be difficult to do the research necessary to make informed decisions.

Questions such as:

What is the competition doing?
Are there any new technologies we should consider?
What are CTOs at XYZ company like?
Is this coaching program any good?
What about XYZ vendor?
Can we reach out for additional references?
And what is being said on the Facebook user group about their experience?

All require time and effort which some leaders may not have. An executive assistant can help with all of these questions, providing thorough research and ensuring the team makes sound decisions.

Project management and follow up

Big projects make or break progress at all organizations.

They can be the one to make sure to-dos, quarterly projects and other high priority projects actually get completed on time and on budget.

Remote Professionals Can Do High-level reporting

If you have investors, silent partners etc. you probably have to provide reports on a regular basis. You may want to have a company wide meeting on the state of the industry or your company on a regular basis.

Your executive assistant can do the heavy lifting and you can verify the information and present.

Do it with them the first time, create a procedure for what they need to look for and how to get the data that is relevant to the audience and then have them create the reports from there on out.

Manage speaking engagements, podcasts, award applications and other PR functions

Do you want to get more earned media for your business or yourself?

Have your executive assistant apply for awards. Have them reach out to podcasts and propose you as a guest. Additionally you can have them propose you for speaking engagements that could help you get clients.

How Can an Executive Administrative Virtual Assistant Help With Personal Tasks?

An executive assistant can save you a lot of time and hassle with your personal life, freeing you up to focus on other important tasks. Here are some examples of what they can help with:

Sending birthday and holiday presents
Keeping your family’s sports and school calendars up to date
Booking vacations and travel
Paying school fees and buying supplies online
Booking appointments for the whole family (orthodontist, cosmetic, doctor/dentist)
Arranging home maintenance
Booking teacher conferences
Organizing after-school activities and filling out all necessary forms
Booking summer camps

With such a valuable team member helping out with the form front, I can have peace of mind knowing that my family will stay on track.

Getting the most out of your Virtual Executive Assistant

Managing a virtual executive assistant can be a great way to streamline your workflow and free up time for more important tasks. Here are some tips on making the most of your assistant:

Think through the role clearly before hiring an assistant, and consider if it’s necessary to create separate roles for specific operational tasks.
When designing the position, include operational and repeatable tasks that impact your business goals.
Have clear expectations about what you want from the assistant so they know exactly how to help you achieve those goals.
Ensure communication is consistent and that both parties are on the same page about their roles and responsibilities.
Successfully fulfilling the needs of a busy executive requires careful planning and design.
And finally, trust your assistant to do the work!

With good communication, clear expectations, and trust in their abilities, you’ll get the best out of your virtual executive assistant.

Remote Professionals Are Your MVPs

A virtual assistant can be a valuable asset for businesses that need help with administrative tasks, phone calls, and social media management from a remote location.

With these pointers in mind, you can hire a virtual assistant who will be a great addition to your team, make your life easier, and reduce stress.

Don’t waste time or money on a position that won’t work for you – design the role for success and enjoy the benefits of having a virtual assistant company on board.

Ready to take your business to the next level? Create an excellent customer service experience quickly with our FREE Service Guide. Start Providing the best experience for your customers now.

To get even more amazing tips, tricks, and techniques for scaling up your business, check out The Bootstrappers Podcast! Get the free advice you need to turn your vision into reality.

Remote Virtual Assistant Jobs: Are They Good For Your Business?

Posted on March 16, 2023April 15, 2024 by Gwenn Aspen

Is a Virtual Assistant a Good Fit For Your Business?

Are remote virtual assistant jobs a good idea for your business? When considering a virtual assistant, there are a few things to take into account. After all, hiring the wrong person or not being effective at managing that person can really put a damper on progress for in-office employees and remote workers. Questions like “What do I need this virtual assistant to do?” and “How will I effectively manage them?” need to be asked in order to determine if you are ready.

This process of asking questions and assessing needs is key, as it ensures you know exactly what you’re getting into before taking the plunge, whether it’s with hiring a virtual executive assistant, virtual administrative assistant, or an entire full-time remote team. Hiring virtual assistants can provide relief and structure to businesses but it’s essential that everyone is on the same page to make it work.

Virtual assistant having a business meeting

Remote Virtual Assistant Jobs: Processes and Procedures

With a virtual assistant as your remote professional, you can take the guesswork out of managing or training remotely. Processes and procedures are key for maintaining quality services, making sure your staff is on target, and that training sessions run smoothly, especially when working remotely. Plus, you don’t need psychic powers to get ahead – let technology do the work. Investing in virtual assistants is simply investing in your business.

With your remote professional, you’re one step closer to success. You’ll need to be extra disciplined when managing remote teams, so make sure to jot down feedback from one on one meetings and provide video tutorials or written instructions for the training. It’s also great to have someone tune into customer service calls – that way people always see the same face of your business interacting with them. We can’t encourage you enough to start writing down your processes and procedures now so that you can sit back and watch your business take off! Download our free ebook on creating processes and procedures here

If Someone is Not In-office, are You Likely to Forget About Them?

For virtual assistants to work for the long haul and be as effective as domestic employees, you need to meet with them regularly and give them feedback. You must have scheduled meetings where you get things done. For small business owners especially, there is always a list of things to do that is a mile long, so it’s not uncommon to simply forget to check in with in-office team members, let alone someone working remotely.

Having processes and procedures definitely helps (a ton) but you still need to check in with your team or it will impact how your virtual assistants perform. Running your business will only get easier and less stressful with scheduled check-ins and accountability, whether it’s with administrative tasks, phone calls, day-to-day operations, or social media management. Even something as simple as data entry for a remote job requires focus and attention, which remote professionals will deliver on if you set them up for success.

Remote Virtual Assistant Jobs: A Mindset Shift

The idea that virtual assistants can only do remedial and super easy tasks was literally infused in our brains for probably twenty to thirty years in the United States. I don’t know how, why or what happened to create this perception, but it was absolutely a pervasive perception in the 1980s- and still is very prominent today. What influenced this false perception could have been the media, pop culture, television shows, or simply family and friends who carried these beliefs from previous generations.

The bottom line is that everyone and their mother told you for as long as you were in business that limitations existed for certain workers and there was no way to get around it. It is incredibly difficult to shift that perception after so many years of hearing it and having it ingrained in the business ethos. Remote professionals, however, are just as capable as anyone you hire in person. Remote professionals can do anything from helping you apply for a business loan to making travel arrangements, and everything in between.

Not Shifting Your Mindset is Bad For Business

You don’t want to miss out on the huge potential of virtual assistants because remote professionals will change your mind fast. They’re not just great for keeping costs low – they can bring a real, profitable gain to your team. To get the most from your employees, you’ll need to challenge them with bigger and more complex tasks. Track the progress of your remote team so that you can see their true potential. And with a remote professional in the mix, remote management becomes a breeze.

Successful entrepreneurs know that you don’t want to set up your project’s success from the start. Make sure you believe in what you’re doing and hire remote professionals that match the vision. That way, everyone gets the feedback they need to stay motivated and improve, making the process faster and easier. As with anything for your business, putting the work in on the front end will prevent setbacks and heartache in the long run.

Remote Virtual Assistant Jobs: Feedback

If you want to reap the same rewards from virtual assistants as you do from domestic employees, it’s essential to give them feedback. While it can be daunting to set up an ‘appointment’ for something as seemingly simple as feedback, making time for it is the only way they’ll progress in this remote work environment – and so will your project! And if giving feedback isn’t your strong suit, no sweat – remote professionals are used to working with employers who need some extra guidance in this area.

Feedback isn’t necessarily about telling someone they did something wrong or giving negative reviews of performance. Tell your virtual assistant what you want more of, knowing what you want more of is as valuable as telling them what you don’t want but having these conversations takes a little more in a remote setting. Successful entrepreneurs build successful teams by finding the right people and putting them in the right roles, and growth comes from attention to these details.

Will You Utilize Technology Tools?

Embrace technology means that you will get the most out of virtual assistants. Invest in phone systems with softphones so calls can be recorded and reports generated. Get a time tracking system in place to ensure your remote professional is paid fairly for their work. Video conferencing has changed how everyone communicates but with this new power comes responsibility. With video meetings, simply having the camera on, so that people can read your body language, becomes crucial to building a strong and successful team. Technology will make things easier and more rewarding, so don’t shy away from embracing it.

Whether a team is working in your office or working from home, technology in the wake of the pandemic has changed how we do everything. There is no difference in quality or performance between in-person staff and remote workers, the only difference is in how much it impacts your budget and bottom line.

Virtual Assistant choosing what technology tools to utilize.

Can You Build The Right Remote Team? YES!

Hiring a virtual assistant is no harder than managing any other employee – it just requires a few tweaks, best practices, and the right technology tools! Seeing the value they can bring to your business with those tools, and keeping expectations high – that’s all it takes to make this year awesome(ish). Don’t forget about your virtual assistants because remote professionals need love too.

Will You Hire Remote Professionals – For Your Business?

Remote professionals are the key to growth in an ever-changing labor-challenging world. Every generation of business owners has been presented with challenges and opportunities and, in every generation, it’s the entrepreneurs that embrace change and opportunities that survive and thrive. So, the real question is this – are you ready to take your business to the next level of success faster than you ever thought possible, all while fulfilling your vision for your company?

Ready to grow your business with VAS? How effective is your leadership? Are you ready to take that step? Find your strengths and areas of improvement with our scoring leadership test for FREE today.

Listen to the Bootstrappers For Entrepreneurs podcast for more tips to help scale your business!

The Property Management Mastermind: All You Need to Know

Posted on January 17, 2023April 15, 2024 by Two Brothers

The Property Management Mastermind Conference

At the Property Management Mastermind Conference, Anequim attends as a company that was born out of a real pain point that most property management companies face because it was conceived to help our founders’ own property management company.

Today, Anequim is the leading virtual assistant partner for property management companies, providing highly skilled virtual assistants to property managers across the country. While Anequim has grown, so has our fondness for conferences like PMM Con, serving a vital need for the property management industry.

Why Attend the Property Management Mastermind Conference

Anequim has attended the Property Management Mastermind conference since its debut many years ago, and it has always been a rewarding experience to build relationships and network within the property management industry we know and love so much.

Every year we look forward to attending the conference and Gwenn Aspen’s opportunities to speak, present, and join panel discussions to help other property managers learn and grow their companies.

Property Management Mastermind

The conference focuses on building in the Mastermind Idea. Masterminds are not a new concept, but they are stronger today than ever before because of how effective they are at growing businesses.

This unique approach encourages small group interaction, which helps us learn better. We exchange ideas, share experiences, and find solutions together. A combination of big-name speakers and breakout sessions strikes the perfect balance of networking, education, and relationship-building for a strong and vibrant property management industry.

The mastermind concept truly unlocks our potential for success.

Conference Are Learning Opportunities

It doesn’t matter which city PMM Con is held in; the opportunities for learning and growth are always apparent and obvious to attendees. Founded by Brad Larsen of RentWerx, PMM Con has evolved into one of the country’s top-tier Property Management conferences year in and year out.

With a range of topics, from digital marketing to tenant management and legal updates, there’s always something new and valuable to learn. Business owners are information seekers who naturally want to solve real-world problems.

Knowledge workers, as they’re often referred to as, will always be in demand. In an industry like property management, where margins and markets are traditionally challenging just like many industries today, problem-solving becomes the pivotal decider between those property management companies that succeed and those that do not.

Opportunities like PMM Con are tremendous for entrepreneurs in the property management industry because they are centered on learning, growth, and networking among peers.

The conference format building ensures that attendees make the most of their time there.

Connecting with Like-Minded Professionals

One of the most significant benefits of attending the Property Management Mastermind Conference is the small group interaction. Our founder and CEO, Gwenn Aspen, has had the privilege of both speaking as a keynote addresser and leading small group discussions and panels – both being high-value aspects of the PMM Conference.

These sessions provide a comfortable space for us to connect with other property management professionals. Call it a “safe space” for property management employees, leaders, owners, and team members to ask real questions, have real debates, and learn in very tangible ways.

Asking the right questions is the only way to get the answers business owners need to learn in order for them to build successful and profitable companies for the future. These small group interactions and breakout sessions are of a sizable value to attendees who leave the conference armed with everything they need to take their businesses to the next level.

It’s amazing how much we learn from each other and the friendships we’ve made along the way.

Property Management Mastermind: Learning from Industry Leaders

The mastermind concept brings industry leaders to share their knowledge and experiences with us. Masterminds are unique in the way that they bring together some of the top leaders, shakers, and movers in a given industry, and property management is no different.

These experts offer practical advice and insights that we can apply to our property management businesses. It’s like having personal mentors guiding us toward success.

Hearing from, having discussions with, and collaborating alongside the titans of the property management industry is a truly rare experience that is alone worth the price of a ticket to attend. Learning directly from the most successful names in the property management industry is the opportunity for unprecedented individual, personal, and professional growth by all attendees.

PMM CON: A Memorable Experience

Each year, our team is filled with anticipation to discover where PMM Con will be held next. From Las Vegas, Nevada, to Nashville, Tennessee, the Property Management Mastermind Conference never disappoints in its latest home city.

Brad Larsen and his team at RentWerx will likely tell you that the birthplace of PMM CON is based in Texas, where he and his team are based out of, but the true home for the Property Management Mastermind Conference is in the hearts of each and every attendee.

Property Management: Boosting Our Business

Attending the Property Management Mastermind Conference has helped us boost our businesses in many ways. We have built many relationships that last to this day and have had the opportunity to help so many other property management companies who are in desperate need of our highly skilled virtual assistants.

We’ve gained valuable knowledge, expanded our networks, and discovered new strategies for managing tenants and marketing our services. It’s an investment that pays off year after year.

If you’re in the property management industry, we highly recommend attending the Property Management Mastermind Conference. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or just starting, there’s so much to gain from the experience.

Don’t miss the opportunity to learn, grow, and network with the best in the business.

To get even more amazing tips, tricks, and techniques for scaling up your business, check out The Bootstrappers Podcast! Get the free advice you need to turn your vision into reality.