VAs that take on subcontracting work and leave hiring VAs in situations that end with bad experiences, puts us serious VA business owners in a rut. We have to work harder to prove we are unlike the others and it should not have to be this way.

__________________
Dusty Warren

Hello

I have outsourced (subcontract) my work out to other VA's. I never have a problem because when I initially hire them, it is understood that we MUST commuicate everyday via phone or email. If one day goes by without communication, I will call or email and ask what's going on. My reputation is online if a project is not completed. If I see that they're not complying with my request. I will pull the project, paid them for the time they have send on the project, either assigned it to another VA or completed it myself. My clients want good and precise service with little or no excuses. If I pull a project, I usually tell the VA don't take this personally, but this is business.
My rep is on the line. Another thing to remember never hire someone that's doing this job as a hobby, to me it seem that they're not serious about the project or the deadline. Hope this help you.

Phyllis L

Phyllis,

I agree with you that the lines of communication must remain open with your subcontractors - just like you would a regular employee. You can't always assume that they will do what is needed, and if you don't establish a "relationship" with that person to find out their strengths and weaknesses, it can bite you in the butt at a later time. Getting to know them somewhat will allow you to know just how responsible they are and how seriously they take their job.

__________________
Shaheda J

With regards to the discussion on subcontracting, and the nightmares it can bring I would love to hear some of the great moments it has created for your businesses as well; when approached properly.

I'm curious if there were expectations laid out prior to the work commitment, and if so, was it in the form of an agreement? And, when you subcontract work out, are your clients aware that you have subbed out a portion or all of this work?

Each of our clients have different expectations, communication skills and the amount of knowledge in not only their fields of expertise, but also ours, and what it takes to complete any given task or project... even if we're dealing with multiple clients from the same industry. With that said, only we know what their preferences and expectations are, and as a lead VA we need to make sure we're communicating those expectations and preferences to any subcontractors we choose to work with. I'm curious to know how many of you, who are currently using subcontractors, are passing along a profile of expectations and preferences of a client to the subcontractor, highlighting in writing your expectations and the ramifications if they are not met (missed deadlines mean discounted or non-payment for example), and are staying as the communication liaison vs. authorizing direct communications on a particular project. I've even gone as far as informing my subcontractor that they were responsible to getting me copies of their work for pre-approval, prior to the customer's desired deadline so I know we're working in the right direction. If it's not working out at that point (after any adjustments during a grace period) I've taken the project back into control and paid out any fair percentage for the work done up to that point. I've not had to completely decline any payments (knock on wood) as of yet.

Even under the best of intensions things can go wrong at times, it could happen to the best of us. And, even if we've taken some good measures (as highlighted above) you cannot gurantee a successful working relationship with a subcontractor -- nor have there always been perfect experiences on the behalf of a subcontract with the lead contract. But, I believe if we keep good, open communications with all parties involved, you can ensure a better experience for the end client - and that is the one we need to be most concerned with. That is our bread and butter.

Good subcontractors are a GREAT find. Bad subcontractors are BAD for business. But we, as Lead VA's also have to remember to always do our due diligence because, ultimately, it's our name on the line.

-Tanya

I have a concern about the suggestions for hiring a subcontractor VA for your business. For full disclosure, I have not subcontracted for another VA, and I am not actively seeking SC work with another VA at this time.

We as new VAs continually hear: "Its your business. Don't work for free. Choose your clients. Get paid before you turn over the work."

It seems that not all of those rules are supposed to be applied to SC work. The suggestion for having a SC submit a sample or work for free prior to being "in" with the lead VA seems counterproductive to your own business.

As a business owner, I would hesitate to work for free just to prove myself. There are other ways to prove myself, and giving away free work is not for me. Just as there could be dishonest or unreliable SC VAs, there could also be dishonest or unreliable lead VAs.

I whole-heartedly agree that the SC VA should treat the lead VA as their client. Obviously, if you do shoddy work for a VA, they will not continue their business relationship with you, and that could hurt your business.

In the end, it is based on your work ethics. Do you have a good work ethic? I know a few VAs that base their entire business on subbing for other VAs. They have a good relationship in the VA community because they apply themselves to networking and proving their reliability before any work or money is exchanged.

I agree with Shauna that I'm not about to start doing "free" work for someone to prove my worth... nor would I expect someone else to do the same for me. However, I don't believe it was anyone's intention here to suggest that this is a method to pursue either... unless I've completely missed something. With that said, to ask for an example of previous work completed as Diana suggested, especially in the case of creatives, or web designs, anything visual in nature, would be a completely acceptable practice that I don't think anyone should take offense to. I've had clients ask for examples of work I've done on many occassions. I think it's only good business to have a portfolio to refer to; whether that be a physical one or an electronic one that could be sent either via email, or via a link to a page where you have it stored online.

It doesn't matter if you're "interviewing" with your own clients, with another VA or if you're interviewing a VA yourself that you may want to subcontract. You can't expect someone who doesn't know you, your work habits, ethics or convictions to just hire on blind faith. And, as a business person, I certainly wouldn't hire someone on blind faith; especially when in the end, it's my name on the line.

Just my two cents.

__________________
TRImages, Ink
Tanya Ericksen-Troska
Executive VA - Member of Kudzu, IVAA, REVA, IREAA

Very good points, especially with the way the economy has been over the last couple of years.

I've only been hired once as a sub contractor, but appreciate the option to work as one when I don't have clients. The benefit of having work while you build your clientel is priceless. It's sad when others don't value this opportunity.

You are learning and being exposed to situations before they happen in your business and how the more experienced VA who you are working with handles them.

Also being honest if you don't know how to do something, may get you a job anyways the hiring VA may have the desire to train someone that is not experienced, if they have the time.

Just my 2 cents ;0)

__________________
http://Twitter.com/VAGirlFriday http://Facebook.com/YourVirtualGirlFriday

Glad to find this post.

I have a question.
Until what stage, will you consider a sub contractor to be given access to client's personal account? Like Facebook, Twitter, etc.

I just made a terrible mistake by giving someone that I used to trust, access to client's Facebook account and got banned. My contract was cancelled, then until now I got no word from the person (actually she used to be a good friend)

__________________
Virtary - The Leading Virtual Assistant Indonesia

Doreen I hope you find the right VA for your team next time, its very unfortunate that you've been burnt like this. I'm another that this has happened to. I did receive the finished product, only it wasn't up to standard and it wasn't worth what I paid for. Stupid me paid the bill and chalked it up to experience.

I don't have anything insightful to add other than I am another VA that has a team and the problem I have is that I am still trying to do everything myself. I have a great team and I know they are there behind me 100%. I've put two associates on retainers already to force myself to delegate So far it's working.

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.

__________________
Kylie Short
Tilda Virtual Services - Making virtual personal

Doreen,
Thank you for your advice. I'm a newbie and one of the ways I thought of building my VA practice was to ask around for sub-contract work. I believe the best way to get work is to have great references and the best way to get great references is provide exceptional service.
I started a different business last year that involves contractors and sub-contractors in the construction industry and one of the first things I told them was how important communication is. My business model is to refer homeowners to reliable contractors and sub-contractors. Even though I stressed the importance of communicating with both myself and the homeowner many of them seem to "fall off the face of the earth" and then they wonder why they aren't busy. Unfortunately this business is not very profitable which is why I'm interested in becoming a VA.
This was a long response but I wanted to let you know that it isn't just in the VA industry but this type of behavior is EVERYWHERE!
Laurie