When you know that you need PA support, it’s tempting to launch in at the deep end and hire a virtual PA without a second thought. But this can lead to issues where the PA doesn’t appear to perform in the way that you would have expected. To ensure you get the most from the arrangement, you must do these three things first.
1. Make sure you have a plan
You can’t simply hire a PA and expect them to magically sort out your entire office and to perform without training and an induction. Virtual PA services offer high quality, flexible PAs with plenty of experience, but they will still need to understand what you want from them. Businesses have very different needs and it’s vital that your PA is treated as an extension of the team, with a proper welcome, introduction and regular communication to keep them in the loop with what is happening.
2. Implement the right systems
Your virtual PA is also not there to create your business systems. Make sure they are in place first with the appropriate policies and procedures documented according to a quality system, so that your new staff member can refer to them as part of their training. Not only will this help your virtual PA but it will also ensure that all of your team are on the same page and following quality procedures that will help you to run a more compliant, successful business – https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/254672.
3. Hire well
Your virtual PA may be flexible and available through an agency, but their role is still crucial to the success of your business and you must hire an individual that will help you to achieve your goals. A quality agency such as https://www.mushroombiz.co.uk/homepage/services/virtual-pa/ can help you to find a PA with the necessary experience and skillsets that will support you. For example, you may need an individual who has particular expertise in setting up larger meetings or even events, a PA who is fast at transcribing with particular knowledge or an individual who has advanced Excel skills. Write a job description and share it with the agency to find the perfect match.
Get these elements in place first and you will have a far better chance of finding the perfect PA to help take your business forward.
