Virtual Assistant Forums | Work from Home

executive_assist · #1 (**permalink**) 01-25-2011

I have been flying solo for the past year and only have openings for 2, possibly 3 new clients. I have a couple of people ready to step in when I start getting over loaded, but at what point did you start to assemble your team? I'm sticking with loan officers and agents because that's what I know and love best, but I don't want to jump the gun on this and over think it too much when I know there is a whole forum full of support!

I have 3 deals pending currently with one working me into his budget, one still assembling his team, and one that is definitely going to need help as she is losing her husband/ partner in their top producing team to a regular job (something he is doing to help a friend with that business and not because their RE business is slow or anything). She's a referral from a loan officer that actively promotes me. So, it looks like my practice will be completely full within the next month and I want to make sure I do this the right way

Thanks in advance for all your help! And wow! I just didn't think I'd ever get here! lol.

Amanda1987 · #2 (**permalink**) 01-25-2011

Double post sorry,

Admins could you possibly delete this one?

Amanda1987 · #3 (**permalink**) 01-25-2011

You should start preparing now, because you have a lot of questions to ask yourself and a lot of things to set up if you want to be a multi VA practice.

Where are you going to find the people and what skill sets do they need? Place that in a job ad format.
How are you going to manage your team and make sure they are conducting business the way you need it done?
Are you going to subcontract, if so how much are you willing to pay them so you can still make a profit? Or are you going to raise your rates?
What if they don't do the job correctly, what will the business procedure's be for that?

It can honestly go on and on. It's always best to plan for it early and answer as many questions as you can now, so when it does happen your ready.

executive_assist · #4 (**permalink**) 01-25-2011

Thanks Amanda! I'm taking time this week to plan it all out. I know I will be subcontracting and I have 2 people lined up that I already know are excellent, so that isn't so much the issue. I just wondered how soon to start doing it or if I'm jumping the gun here. I hadn't originally planned to subcontract, but with my husband coming into the business with me some time this year it just seems the smart thing to do. If there are going to be 2 of us, I might as well aim high!

Amanda1987 · #5 (**permalink**) 01-25-2011

It depends on your flow and how you want to do it.

Since you are going to be sub contracting you can sign your team members up and let them know you will be working on bringing them clients. Or you could see if they would be willing to wait until you hit that point. I guess it also depends on the relationship you have with your sub contractors.

dynastyww · #6 (**permalink**) 01-28-2011

I was lucky enough to have enough people "on standby" that I waited to call on them until I needed them.

taskpass · #7 (**permalink**) 02-01-2011

I have people on "standby" already that are ready when I tell them I need them.

PamH53 · #8 (**permalink**) 02-01-2011

Why not give them some work now, when you are slower than you expect to be. That way you will know how you work together when work gets busy and there won't be any hassles. Call it a trial run.

D_Victoria_Virtual_Assistance · #9 (**permalink**) 02-01-2011

Hi Serita,

I agree with Pam on this - if you happen to have some work that you can give to a member or members of your team at this time - do so. Best case scenario, it relieves you of some of the items on your plate so you can focus on maintaining client relationships and other client work. Worst case scenario (and could also be best case depending on how you look at it) you find out that the team member isn't a good fit and you find you will have to find a different person to help you out. Worst case, because it's never fun realizing that someone you had high hopes in falls flat. Best case, you found this out before you setting them loose on a client project only to find things weren't working out.

I did the above when I assembled members of my team - basically started them out slow and then progressed from there. By the time I really needed a lot of help, I knew the strengths of each team member and was able to task them work that played to not only their strengths, but their likes as well.

KC Virtual Solutions · #10 (**permalink**) 02-06-2011

Hi

I haven't been around on the forums for a while, mainly because I've been so busy, which is amazing!

I've used other VAs as subcontractors for overflow, and I've had a friend come into the office for a few hours per week to take care of my admin.

Recently I've got to the stage where subcontracting overflow work is no longer an option as I've gained additional clients that need someone on board who can offer support alongside me.

So it's been in the planning and thinking stage for a while, and I think I've now got the right mix of members to proceed at building a strong team. I started interviewing some candidates and then shortlisted, and some took about a week to respond to my email after shortlisting, one person stood out, so I gave her a one off task to test the quality of her work, which was great! and then started giving her a few other ad-hoc tasks. I would like to be able to go on holidays and hand my clients over to her confidently. Fingers crossed!

Can't believe I've got to the stage through my own merits and 100% from Twitter, but I have and I'm so excited for the future.