Creating a Back Office Dream Team - Virtual Assistant Forums

#1 (**permalink**) 10-07-2009

Good morning everyone!

I was thinking this morning as I was getting ready for work and thought of a (possible) marketing addition to the VA Calculator. Ok, we all know that a business owner can save money and time by hiring a VA over an in-house employee (the calculator shows this) but, what if they could create their very own "Back Office Dream Team" for a fraction of the cost of hiring a full-time in-house assistant.

Think about it... IF a small business owner/entrepreneur/solopreneur is lucky enough to hire a full-time office assistant, they generally wouldn't be able to afford hiring an office expert. This person may be adequate at what they do (and may be pretty darn good by most people's standards) but they would probably be more of a "jack of all trades, master of none" (and willing to learn more) rather than being a SME. But, embracing the VA philosophy (if you will) would allow this same business owner to afford having their very own dream team with several VAs providing different specialized services at which every single one of them is a SME at what they do. For instance, you could hire a bookkeeper, a general admin person (this one could even be on an as-needed basis rather than a retainer), a social media/online marketing guru etc. and they would still probably save money over hiring an in-house assistant.

What do you think of this marketing idea? I know it would be great to use if you were a multi-va business but it may not be bad for even a single VA if you think about it. I'd hate to drive a PC away from using me for everything but, honestly, I probably wouldn't want to handle everything anyway (maybe I don't like bookkeeping or I don't know how to do it so I wouldn't want to do that anyhow but I'm an expert at social media/online marketing which is also needed so am I really driving business away).

#2 (**permalink**) 10-07-2009

Wow Stephanie, you have my head spinning. I have been trying to set up relationships with accountants and web designers for this very reason. These are the areas that I do not have the expereince to offer, but that I get asked about a lot. I would like to get a great working relationship with a couple of them so that I can recommend them and they can recommend me to businesses that would benefit from having a dream team.

#3 (**permalink**) 10-09-2009

That's part of what's wonderful about networking here at VAF - we're all able to make connections with [and refer to] other VAs who can help fill in the blanks when it comes to specialty services we may not offer but know our clients need.

This is also exactly why multi-VA teams get established. Creating a one-stop-shop for your clients is always good marketing, as long as you have the right team members in place to help execute those requests you can't fill yourself.

#4 (**permalink**) 10-09-2009

This is what we, VA subcontractors, thrive on, helping build that dream team. I love the ring to the Dream Team. Get an expert for each area of your business this is what a subcontractor like myself can help another VA do. Along with the single VA keeping their own client.

#5 (**permalink**) 10-09-2009

Stephanie:
What you describe is how I generally work .. in a team. As I specialize in virtual bookkeeping, and only bookkeeping, I usually work in teams with a generalist VA and sometimes a Web marketing VA who can handle the more advanced issues of web sites, blogs and such. This setup works great, as we are all aware of what each other is up to and can pinch-hit if needed. I stink at anything remotely creative, but I can cover for the generalist VA when she's on vacation, for instance. The range of skills that we bring to the table usually cover almost any need that the client has. And the client is saving bundles of money over having this same kind of expertise in-house

Deb

#6 (**permalink**) 10-10-2009

It makes total sense to create either a team or to have people who you can bring in for specific clients. It's really one of the only ways you can consider expanding plus bringing in new clients plus making your current clients long term.

It's a delicate balance for sure though because you either have a partnership kind of team or you have someone who is primarily responsible for client, account and project management. As I've been working on expanding my own team recently, I've been doing quite a bit at getting my business model to reflect being a team that can handle a wide-variety of tasks.

You are smart to realize this early on if its the kind of model you want to pursue because you can start setting up your systems early.

#7 (**permalink**) 10-16-2009

I've recently formed a "working relationship" with a web designer. He loves doing all the design, etc., but dislikes interacting with the people who want his service. I've known him for several years and we've worked well together on a few nonprofit websites. He approached me and asked if I'd consider going into "partnership" where I do all the people stuff and he does everything else. Great deal.

FYI - we've never met - everything has been virtual! We only live 20 minutes from one another.

Carol

#8 (**permalink**) 10-17-2009

I think this is a great idea and most of us do it already!!

Think of how you keep a home running smoothly, occasionally you need someone who is a "specialist", plumber, electrician or maid service. Now run your business the same way, call in the experts when you need them, event planner, paralegal or accountant.

So a VA you can form a team for the client or on the other side the client creates a team by contracting with many VA's. I had a contract this summer with a client (event planner) who needed admin work and she was able to please her client just as Kimberly says above.

Cheers!!

#9 (**permalink**) 10-19-2009

This is a great idea. I am currently working with a Virtual Assistant Company that actually specialized in web design and development, but also offers many other VA Services depending on their customer needs. I am currently completing the bookkeeping for this company and one of their customers. It works out great.

Subcontracting out the services while one person works on sales sometimes is the best approach. This also depends on where you see your business going. I know there are some VA's that just want as much work as what keeps them busy, they do not want to get into subcontracting, which is great also.

Robyn

#10 (**permalink**) 05-12-2010

Very good idea, I wonder if I will ever start, I keep rethinking the more I learn!!...