I hired an assistant several months ago and she has really proven herself to be an asset. Her professional background is much more extensive that the work I am giving her, and I'm ready to have her take on more responsibility. My question is, should I tell my clients about her before doing so? I would never give an assistant any work that involves my clients' finances, but I'd like to hand off some work to her that involves passwords - Constant Contact, Yahoo Groups, etc.

Any suggestions?

Hi,

I subcontract a lot as my skill set is so diverse...If you are going to have her work on client projects and interact with the client (ie. the client is going to see an email or get a call directly from her) than you should inform that client that your assistant/partner/whatever title you wish to bestow upon her, will be assisting you with their projects. If however, all work is going through you and the client will not see nor know the work is not 100% your own it isn't a big concern to introduce the to anyone else. Basically it is good policy to only introduce clients to someone else if they will be in contact with that person in some way. Otherwise you are going to confuse them.

That's my take on it. Go with your gut!

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Kristi Bennitt
Virtual Assistant/Bookkeeper

I think it's important to be up front with clients - they hired you to do the work based on their opinion of /experience with YOU and should know if a project is going to be completed by someone else. I don't think you have to put the client in touch with your sub in order to do that though.

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This is interesting - I'm in a similar situation where I subcontract to a bookkeeper. I find that if I mention it to clients they want their direct contact details to deal with them themselves and then I end up having lost the contract!

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Diane Murray, Scotland
www.theadministrator.co.uk

Two weeks ago I attended a Service Level Agreement training. One thing emphasized was that you need to inform your prospective client about your plans to subcontract way before he/she hands over the project to you. This shall assist your client to make an informed decision on outsourcing. Thanks.

Great thread as I was thinking about hiring someone to assist me part time! I think that when I get the initial contact I will mention '...some projects and tasks may be completed by an assistant.' Now, I'm thinking I'll add it to my Work for Hire Agreement and NDA...

Thanks for the ideas!

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I haven't had to sub out yet (almost did, but didn't), but I did just update my T+C's to include a short statement about the potential use of subs if needed. I said something about how my clients' info would not be given out, etc. - & how any sub I choose to work with will be accountable to me, & therefore any agreements & assignments would be established between us (not them & the client).

I thought I was going to have some phone work to do which I'm not interested in, but have someone who doesn't mind it - in the end though, I changed my mind about working with that client on that task for many reasons, but it still prompted me to add that statement to my terms just in case it ever comes up again. Now my clients (& potential clients) will know my intentions. I'm not sure if I would tell them on the fly if I was using a sub to help with a project, I just think it's good practice to let them know there could be a possibility though.

Of course, I do also agree with Tess about the level of skill or task that's being provided.... if it's more involved like web design or something similar, then it's only fair the client understands who's doing all the work - however, I still think I would keep the flow of work going through me anyway to hopefully avoid confusion (& still keep the accountability issue between me & the sub).

Just my take on it - I hope I made sense... lol

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shana
www.shanafore.com

I tell all my clients that I have a few people who work for me so if they need something done that I, personally, can't do I assure them I will oversee the entire project to completion with one of my associates.

That way I'm being honest with them from the get-go. They may assume I sub out or that I have actual employees. Either way, it gives them the opportunity to make the decision.

No need to provide the specifics of your company workings.

Now, if they specifically ask if I have employees or subs, I tell them the truth. I also assure them that I will be overseeing ALL work.

No problems yet. Plus, my business has recently skyrocketed so I've had lots of chances to try this method out. :-)

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~Christina-Business Darlings-Magazine for Virtual Business Owners

I agree: not only is it morally necessary to inform your clients that you have people working for you, it is also good legal advice. If someone comes to you because they expect performance from you, then obviously they will usually not be okay with you passing the work off to someone else, when they chose you because of your expertise. For example, if you hired the best cake shop in your town to make your wedding cake, then found out that they delegated that duty to Wal-Mart, what would you think?

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Melissa Rushing
Sanity Office Services

This is an interesting discussion. I would have to agree that the best approach would be to inform your clients that you have an assistant (whatever the title) working with you. I find that some clients are particular and they want only YOU to work on their projects.

Communication is extremely important so I believe it is important to tell a client. You can put a clause in your contract that states this as well.

The other things from a subcontractor's point of view. If you're proud of the work your sub is doing. Shout it from the moutain top. You were the one that found this person and obvisouly work well together. So why now be proud and let your clients know you have a good team member

This was very helpful. I don't do any marking so I was planning on using my assistant who has a degree in marketing and didn't know if I had to tell the clients or not.

Well on my website I make it clear that i have a "team" so it is pretty obvious from the get-go that I subcontract right?

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Alyssa Avant
http://creativevapartner.com

Alyssa if you have it clearly stated on your website, they should know that you have either a team of actual employees or subcontractors that you collaborate with to complete projects. I think it's pretty self explanatory.

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Progressive Business Partners
"Progressing your business to the ultimate level"

I am torn on this one. First of all yes up front honesty & I would also include in contract and assure the client that I would be overseeing the project.

I prefer using the term Associate rather than sub - personal preference but appears to me to be more professional sounding and respectful of the expertise of the person doing the work. I am hoping to obtain some "sub" jobs and I really want to be considered a right-hand and my expertise to be acknowledged.

ALSO I think the cake analogy is great - however they hire the Bakery and there is usually more than one person involved. I feel that when you have a group of team members (i.e. my family in Deb's Professional Services) you have more resources and should use the strengths of each. (I am SICK of filing and I have a daughter who loves it - I am anal enough to check every detail. I may be busy on one location but my husband can pick up or deliver papers - I still do the actual paperwork, notary, meet with client etc. Marketing and Mass mailing - a family affair! My daughter in law is working on Bachelor Degree and is hoping to start helping more if I get enough business - in transcription. But I would proofread etc.