Based on their answers, determine whether they are a good fit
for you and your business or endeavor. Things to watch out for:
•
Don’t be misguided by advertisements of $4.50 per
hour for a VA based overseas. The hassles of working
with someone so far from your time zone are not worth
the savings, especially if their first language is not the
same as yours.
•
Be prepared to pay $25.00 to $50.00 and more per hour
for a great VA, or a minimum per month retainer fee.
•
Get your work organized to minimize delegating work to
your VA.
•
Categorize your email subject lines as “Do ASAP,” “To
read,” or “To discuss” for your VA.
•
At the first glitch or sign of reticence on the part of your
VA, bring up your concerns.
There are many advantages to hiring a VA. They are
independent contractors, so you don’t have to pay for
benefits and their compensation is a business tax deduction.
You also don’t have to create office space for them, and you
don’t have to train them to do the work that they are capable
of doing.
Behind every successful professional coach there is a great
virtual assistant who is bright, creative, and demonstrates
professionalism. You can simply search the internet for
experienced VAs, and by following the tips above you should
find a perfect match for your business. A request posted at
the International Virtual Assistants Association’s website will
return more than enough leads. In your request, be specific
about the geographic area where you prefer your VA be
located. For example, I specified New England because I live
and work in Maine. You will receive applications from many
interested and qualified VAs who are worth considering (and
who already have their own office equipment!).
Suggested
questions to ask
a virtual assistant
applicant:
1. Tell me about yourself.
2. What is important to you in
life/work?
3. How do you face challenges/
conflicts in your work as a VA?
Ethelle G. Lord has a Doctorate of Management in Organizational Leadership from the University of Phoenix. She is former
president of the Maine Gerontological Society in the State of Maine, and is currently president of Remembering4You.com and a
Professional Alzheimer’s Coach, offering Alzheimer’s coaching and consulting through its businesses. She is a professor of organizational
behavior at several universities. She is married to Maj. Larry S. Potter, USAF retired, and lives in Mapleton, Maine. She is available for
presentations, training, and Alzheimer’s coaching and consulting.
Dr. Lords’ ten-year experience as a family caregiver originated with her husband, who was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in January
of 2003. In that decade she has seen a daily influx of new Alzheimer’s cases. She realized there is an urgent need for a change
in perspective in regard to providing individual and institutional care for individuals living with Alzheimer’s and other dementias, and founded
Remembering4You based on this vision.
Coaching World |
February 2013
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