It’s time to grow your team.
You’re overworked and your business isn’t growing as fast as you’d like.
There are several different options to consider. You could add a Virtual Assistant (VA) to your team. You could also bring on an Online Business Manager (OBM).
Let’s take a look at a few questions and considerations to help you decide which choice is best for you.
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Are You Ready to Let Go?
When you hire an OBM you’re essentially saying, “Please manage my ____ for me.” It might be customer service, it might be a product launch, your marketing plan and so on. An online business manager is just that; a manager. They oversee the steps necessary to complete your plan. They communicate with contractors, establish a timeline and facilitate processes. You have to be ready, willing, and able to let go and allow them to manage specific areas of your business.
Is it Task Oriented? Small Picture versus Big Picture Results
A virtual assistant, on the other hand, generally takes care of specific tasks. They take care of the small steps, while an online business manager takes care of the big picture. If you simply have a series of tasks that need to be checked off a list, then a virtual assistant may be the best choice.
Do You Have a Team?
Do you already have a team of contractors and assistants working for you? If you already have virtual assistants, writers, designers or others working for you, you may need someone to lead your team. An online business manager can be that person. They can manage assigning tasks, communicating and answering questions, as well as the hiring and payment of contractors. Rather than you spending time communicating with a handful of different contractors, you communicate with one person; your OBM.
If you don’t have a team and are just beginning to work with contractors, then a virtual assistant may be the way to go. You can unload some time consuming tasks and become accustomed to delegating responsibilities. Keep in mind that as your business grows, you may want to add an online business manager to your team.
What Are Your Goals?
What do you want to accomplish with your hire? What are your goals? Are you looking for help with time consuming or specialty tasks, or are you looking for someone to take over key areas of your business? Decide what you want to accomplish and evaluate your current situation.
Keep in mind that a virtual assistant can be an incredible source of help. However, if you already have a team then adding another assistant to that team may not save much time in the long run. You may be better off finding an online business manager to lead them.