As a business owner, you might be inclined to minimize costs by doing everything on your own. However, some tasks are best delegated to a virtual assistant, such as administrative duties, social media marketing and management, graphic and website design, to name a few.
More than resources and finances, time is one of the most valuable assets a business owner can have.
By getting the more mundane and repetitive responsibilities out of your hands, you can focus on higher-value activities that will improve your bottom line and advance your business.
But we get the hesitation; your virtual assistants may live hundreds or even thousands of miles away from you. You’ve probably been wondering if it’s even possible to supervise and connect with them—and we’re here to tell you the answer is a resounding yes! In today’s blog, we will be sharing our top tips on how to build rapport with your virtual assistant. I know you are ready to gain some valuable insights, so let's get the ball rolling!
The first thing that you want to do is to create a positive onboarding experience. Give your assistant a warm welcome and spend some time getting to know each other, so both of you have common ground to build on. You should also take the opportunity to help them acclimate to their new responsibilities and show them the ropes.
By doing so, you set them up for success while building trust!
And if you’re working with a virtual assistant of a different ethnicity or who comes from a different culture than yours, it’s crucial to make an effort to understand their cultural quirks.
Recognize that there may be differences in communication styles and time perception. Knowing these details in advance will help you manage them better and avoid possible misunderstandings. Of course, this understanding goes both ways. Discussing your own cultural quirks with your assistant will help them better understand your expectations of them.
Another excellent way to build a healthy work relationship with your assistant is to commend them for their work. Shoot them a quick congratulatory message or bring it up during your next meeting. When well-deserved praise is communicated effectively, it can motivate a person to stay productive and continue meeting—or even exceeding—expectations.
Positive feedback is incredibly impactful, yet it doesn’t cost a thing!
Lastly, avoid sending mixed messages by talking to your virtual assistant regularly and creating an environment where they feel comfortable enough to ask you questions when necessary. After all, you and your virtual assistant are working towards the same goal; boosting the productivity of your company. Make sure to also explore different online tools that make it quick and easy to exchange information or share valuable ideas.
Communicating openly and being transparent will encourage them to do the same.
We hope these tips serve you well and help you build excellent rapport with your virtual assistant. Keep in mind that you don’t have to follow every piece of advice that we mentioned. Feel free to get creative with your approach and go with whatever suits your company best!
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