Has anyone taken courses to enhance your role as an Online Business Manager or been certified? What programs/websites do you recommend?

Thanks!

Hi RobnT08 -

There is only one that I would recommend and that is Tina Forsythe's program. She has been doing this for a long time, and many VA's turned OBM that I know have gone through her. In fact - after all these years I finally signed up with her membership program and I'm looking forward to certification. I've had her on my radar since 2009.

HTH...

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Pam Blackman - On My Wings International
Integrated Virtual Business Management Solutions | Mentoring | Coaching

That's the one I am currently looking into that program now as it has been recommended by a couple of VAs on my mastermind group. I have been deliberating whether to become a member of AOBM since they have so much to offer, including her book, webinars, past and present etc.

I can't find pricing, am scheduled to talk to her or her assistant next week, but is it affordable?

Thanks, Pam.

I consider it affordable. I'm not going to quote on her behalf though, because prices change. You have to put it into perspective with this because it isn't going to be only a couple hundred dollars. Being an OBM is a different level so you can expect to pay more because you will be making more. It is all relative so consider the ROI vs. price and know that it is an investment.

Think about it. Let's say the certification program costs $997.00, for example - and I have no idea if that's where it is right now - but let's say it is. If you are able, as an OBM, to charge $50.00 - $70.00/hour...and we'll go with the low end - you only need 20 billable hours to make your money back. 20 hours should not be hard to obtain.

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Pam Blackman - On My Wings International
Integrated Virtual Business Management Solutions | Mentoring | Coaching

I heard it was pricey, but like that you put it in that perspective - that we can charge more and make it back in a short time. Makes complete sense.

Have you found it easy to accommodate your work schedule with the certification workload?

I signed up for the AOBM so I could get her book, have access to the webinars etc. Just seems worth it.

Thanks!

Well...as I mentioned above...haven't done the certification yet. It's coming up again this fall. I think she just opened it back up.

My take on these things though is that sometimes we have to make time if we deem it to be that important.

I do want to share one thing with you. Honestly, in the 6 years I've been in business I have never had anyone ask me about certification. When I do this - it will be for me. There are others who also share my notion on this, including our illustrious VAF leader. Here's a post you may find interesting. I just want you to have good information before you spend all that money. To be certified or not to be certified

Sometimes we need to decide what to spend the money on, and see if we can obtain the skills on our own. For instance, for me, it was more important to have a mentor and coach until now. I want the certification for my own edification - not because my clients seem to demand it.

Make sense? I'm sure I'm doing a little rambling today.

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Pam Blackman - On My Wings International
Integrated Virtual Business Management Solutions | Mentoring | Coaching

No, I don't find you are rambling. I appreciate your input. I find in my busy life I almost need some accountability for extra training or else I spend all my time marketing and working to make money. That's part of the reason I am looking into certification.

This OBM was brought to my attention by someone I work with on a VA Team and the person pointed out that with my experience and knowledge that this route could potentially increase my income based on the demand for OBM services. I thought certification would look better on my profile as well as on my resume, so this would be more for me but also because I think it will look good to potential clients, not because clients are asking.

I am going to do a lot more research first and read Tina's book first. A lot of the OBM work is what I already do, so I want to make sure that certification is what I actually need. Who knows perhaps we'll be in the program together!

Do you think that with certification you will earn more money? Because that seems to be my thought and I want to be corrected if I am wrong.

Thanks for the link to the post, I am off to read it now...

I am not an expert to answer your question...but by my own experience and like I mentioned what I've found about people not even caring whether I'm certified or not...really has not been what's earned me anymore money. It's the skills. Truly - all people really care about is "can you solve my problem." If you have a good reputation, and you know your stuff and can support it, that's all they seem to look at.

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Pam Blackman - On My Wings International
Integrated Virtual Business Management Solutions | Mentoring | Coaching

I know and understand, but it's still nice to hear from other people. Thanks.