Date: 23-06-2017
Time: 12:47pm
It has been an awesome couple of weeks. I learned and unlearned many things, like the basics of running a business, how to handle a "NO" from prospects and a lot more than you can imagine. Some of these stung me in ways I could not have imagined but it has made me a better person and business woman. One thing I have learned is a "NO" from a prospect is not an outright rejection. It usually not about you as a person. You either have to accept the rejection , retreat and mope around for a few days or weeks or you accept it, draw your lessons from the experience and come up stronger. A failure is one who quits.
I have had a great time working with several entrepreneurs. The truth is anyone who is an entrepreneur or business owner is an extremely brave person in my books. Running a business is no small feat, you have to deal with a lot no matter the size of your business. These are a zillion and one things to learn daily, everything is evolving, what was in yesterday is out today. It is a whole load of hustle and I am enjoying it. This means I am growing, I am no longer in my comfort zone, I am breaking through barriers mentally, physically and hopefully financially(Amen to that).
Working as a Virtual Assistant is fun, the most fun part for me is understanding my clients goals (business and personal) and helping them meet those goals. It helps build the client-consultant relationship and trust is no longer an issue as the client is encouraged to commit more into my able hands. Some issues are still of concern to me though and I am going to address them. Hopefully, this will help someone out there.
🌟 Dear Entrepreneur, I understand that your business is your baby. Your VA is not out to steal your baby( I am speaking for myself). Many people are unwilling to let go of the reins of some aspects of their businesses and this frustrates the VA . Please learn to let go. Imagine you have car troubles, you pick up your phone to call your mechanic. Your mechanic shows up and you shut your bonnet, lock up the car and hide the keys 😀😀. That sounds crazy right? That's exactly how it is when you hire a VA to run your schedule, plan your meetings or even manage your business and you refuse to share salient information with your VA. Your setting up yourself for a fall.
🌟 🌟 Your VA is not the enemy. Kindly inform your staff before you hire a VA, explain to them the duties of the VA and ensure the VA is given maximum cooperation. I have had to work with employees who feel threatened (no, I am not gunning for your job. I run my own business. Thank you!) or just totally ignore me. I need information from you to attend to what your employer needs and I think it is very immature and unnecessary to tell on someone not doing their job as they are supposed to. I leave it to the employer to find out except it is something that will threaten the business then I morally obligated to speak up.
🌟 🌟 🌟 I call, text send emails constantly at the beginning of a business relationship because I want to ensure that I have all the information I need and after this, you do not hear from me except there is a need for it. Communication is important, very important. Dear Entrepreneur, when I insist on you telling me your preferred communication channel ,please don't skip the question and complain when I send you emails when you would prefer a phone call. Merçi !
🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 My fingers are hurting so I will stop here an save the rest for my next diary entry. Having a system is important for every business, documenting your processes is vital for your business. Onboarding your VA is less tasking for you and the VA. It also makes it easy to run your business even in your absence. You cam focus on more important aspects of your business and even go on a long holiday when your VA has a proper understanding of your operations.
I intend to have a great weekend and I hope you do too.
XOXO 💙💚💛💜
