This has been an interesting and enlightening conversation. In business, you have to take the good with the bad and like Kylie said, "halk it up to bad experience" and move on!

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Doreen R. Patrick, MVA, ACS, CIVA
www.virtualbusinesspartners.net

The whole conversation about subcontracting is is interesting. I would be interested to hear the experiences of VAs (positive and neagtive) of actually being the subcontrator. For example, did you get paid on time, did you enjoy the work, did you learn alot, etc.

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Lidia Griffin - Majenic Virtual Solutions
Virtual Assistant Services for Real Estate Professionals

Quote:

For other VAs looking to subcontract out, I highly recommend interviewing your subcontractor just as you would an employee or client. Ask for work samples and maybe have test projects to give potential subcontractors to complete for you. Really get to know them before adding them to your team and unleashing them on your clients.

This is a good idea, Kylie. That is exactly what I will do should I need to sub-contract with someone for my client's project.

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Brenda A. Jones
www.brevos.com

I really like the idea of a Test Project. As a newbie I don't really have a lot of work samples (but I am working on doing some of my own just for exampls of what i can do), and a test would be able to prove to other VA's that I have what it take.

I am not working full time and am just finishing receiving maternity benefits ... so I take my business VERY seriously. I get so disappointed when I see others out there who hurt the reputation of an industry by actions But I guess it happens in all other industries as well. Its just a matter of doing all you can to ensure you contract out to the right people.

This gives valuable information regarding the ins and outs of sub contracting work out as I was thinking about this have gained some great info. Need to do some more serious thinking

Thanks

This is a great topic. I think it is best for lead VAs to give subcontractors test projects that they would be willing to complete for free. If the subcontractor is serious about their business and wants to create and establish great business relationships, then he/she will do this without hesitation. Also, as mentioned earlier, communication is key. If you have given a subcontractor work, you must constantly communicate with that person to get status updates so you won't be burned at the last minute.

These types of stories make it difficult for VAs to trust other VAs to do work for them, which in turn could decrease the chances for good businesses to take on work for lead VAs. It is difficult for lead VAs to delegate to other people when they have bad experiences with subcontracting work and their level of expectations is a lot higher than the person working on a project for them. I've tried to offer my services to other VAs in the past, but they always mention the difficulty they've had with finding good businesses to work with. As a result, I lose out on good business opportunities.

Derek

I agree with Derek, if you are serious about getting into this industry you have to prove yourself. Someone mentioned earlier that if a Lead VA subcontracts work out, the VA receiving the work needs to treat the Lead VA as a client, essentially that is what they are.
On the flip side, if the subcontract VA meets all expectations the Lead VA should provide a testimonial for them. Which will help them get started and the Lead VA has a reliable person.
I know the problem is if they don't perform the Lead VA has egg on their face. Tough position for everyone.

If a lead VA acts like a client and wouldn't discuss about the "original" client's outsourced work being outsourced again, then more likely, the subcontractor wouldn't think that it's not really his/her business that will be affected if the work isn't completed. Letting the subcontractor think and feel that the buck stops with him/her would give him/her a sense of ownership.

Thanks for these tips guys, i am a newbie and i am also interested in doing sub contract works to other VA's. I learned so much on this topic. Very nice.

Great topic! As someone who has trasitioned into the "multi-VA" model, I have had some ups and downs with subcontractors.

Tess is exactly right when she said that subs need to remember that the lead VA IS their client. That seems to be my biggest problem as some subcontractors I've dealt with don't seem to take the projects I hand over as seriously or treat with the same sense of urgency or attention to detail as it is not THEIR client that they are doing work for. That drives me crazy.

But some additional tips to those that want to subcontract
1. Read the instructions or directions for a project thoroughly. Many lead VAs have worked painstakingly on those task instructions so that they do not have to repeat themselves. And one missed detail can mess up a whole project.
2. Do not leave a lead VA hanging when a challenge arises after agreeing to take on a project. Nothing is worse than having a sub take on a project and when things get sticky or they can't figure out a part of it, they just give up and say "I couldn't figure this out, sorry!" and vanish. Be proactive and help find solutions.

I must say overall, I have assebled some great team members now and I am looking forward to growing further. I've made some mistakes along the way but it has been a great learning experience.

Being new to the business, what's the best way to subcontract for other VA's? I'm in need of cashflow while building my client base. Any suggestions?

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Laurie Brown
VAofSWFL

I'd say to get subcontract work for other VAs, besides browsing through and answering RFPs that VAs will submit at different networking groups, you should network, network, network. Let other VAs know you exist, that you are eager for work and looking to help out. But don't only beg for work when online networking, you should also contribute. Let us know what your skill-set is. Demonstrate your knowledge on a specific topic, or contribute to in interesting debate or conversation. That will help get you noticed by other VAs and hopefully drive some business your way.

Megan

Thank you Megan, I appreciate the feedback and will take your advice.

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Laurie Brown
VAofSWFL

This thread has had a great flow of conversation! I know that this has been mentioned a lot, but communication is key. I say this because my confidence, again, has really been tested about working with VAs that are not personally referred to or that I do not know. I have seriously reconsidered using an RFP to meet potential VAs.

Onward and upward!

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Doreen R. Patrick, MVA, ACS, CIVA
www.virtualbusinesspartners.net

This really has been a great thread. I can totally understand the concern when subcontracting your work out to other VAs that you don't know. I believe there will come a time when I have to subcontract work out to other VAs. I believe I would have to subcontract out to either people I know I can trust and/or people with a proven positive track record.

I value each and every one of my clients, I work my hardest to keep them happy! I think if I ever were to subcontract for another VA, I would work just as hard for the VA(possibly a bit more)because I know what it is like being a VA and how much my clients depend on me. The VA I am subbing for (my client) is depending on me to assist them with their clients. Their reputation is on the line(as well as mine and their clients'). I would not want to do anything to make anyone look bad, ever.

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Darlene Victoria Gonzalez
The Voice & Vision Behind Your Business