When Subcontracting phone work and other types of work, What type of systems (phone system, email system etc..) do you use to get phone calls and other work to your subcontractors?

This is a great question. I haven't subcontracted yet so I will be interested to hear how other members answer this question. I would think some of the project management software that's used would be helpful when subcontracting.

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Kimberly
Facebook Marketing Magic!

I use subcontractors in my business and I'm project manager for another VA supervising her subcontractors for work. I don't do phone or e-mail answering or management so that's not something I subcontract out. To get projects to my subcontractors I use backpackit.com to upload their projects and keep notes in one place. It's similar to basecamp or myclientspot. It's the "baby" of basecamp, not as many functions but cheaper.

Not sure if that answers your question but I don't have a need for phone or email subs.

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Lanel Taylor, CVA ~ Virtual Bookkeeper
Taylored Office Solutions
Custom fit solutions for all your office needs.

I use:
- Client Spot
- Skype
- Weekly skype conference meetings

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Kylie Short
Tilda Virtual Services - Making virtual personal

Thanks, I will look into some of these options, I am thinking about using subcontractors, is there any other systems I need to know about?

The best advice would be to never take on any work that you can't do yourself. You never know when sub will flake on you (trust me it happens ALL the time). So, if you can't handle doing the work yourself or aren't capable of doing the work yourself don't accept the job.

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Lanel Taylor, CVA ~ Virtual Bookkeeper
Taylored Office Solutions
Custom fit solutions for all your office needs.

That's my philosophy too Lanel. If I can't do it myself I won't subcontract it out.

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Kylie Short
Tilda Virtual Services - Making virtual personal

Originally Posted by lanelt

You never know when sub will flake on you (trust me it happens ALL the time). So, if you can't handle doing the work yourself or aren't capable of doing the work yourself don't accept the job.

I completely agree with this, having learned the hard way!

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"Instead of looking for things that have gone wrong and trying to fix them...Look for things that went right and try to build on them" Tom Peters

Hi there,

I also subcontract work and for most of my services I have 2 or 3 subcontractors per service. I like to make sure that I have VA's availabe at all times and if somone does flake out you have backups. It's great to have great relationships with VA's that you can trust. Build a relationship with them so that you can have the comfort level of working with them.

For phone system I do not normally do client phone work however if I am asked to and the price is right I will accept the job. I think GOTVMail has a great reputation. You can forward the phone to any number you like.

Hope I helped and I hope I understood the question

Serena Carcasole

Originally Posted by lanelt

The best advice would be to never take on any work that you can't do yourself. You never know when sub will flake on you (trust me it happens ALL the time). So, if you can't handle doing the work yourself or aren't capable of doing the work yourself don't accept the job.

That is great advice! I believe in that also! I may not be strong in some areas and more often than not, I just sub it out completely. For example, my best client asked me to do a marketing brochure. I knew that my web designer could blow away anything that I could do so instead of taking her $, I referred him to her and the end product is mint! Plus I get high kudos from my client for being a solution provider!

I know what you mean about subs flaking on projects, I have been burned several times in the past!!

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