An increasing number of real estate agents and teams are opting to enlist the services of virtual assistants for their businesses. One significant factor contributing to this trend is the generally lower cost associated with hiring a virtual assistant compared to an in-office counterpart, especially when sourcing talent offshore.
While the cost-effectiveness of virtual assistants is appealing, many agents find themselves frustrated by the time-consuming process of training and the added challenge of communication, particularly when assistants reside in different time zones.
For those considering the hiring of a virtual assistant, whether local or offshore, here are some tips to ensure a successful working relationship:
- Clearly Define Tasks: Develop a comprehensive list of tasks to delegate to the virtual assistant. Establishing processes and workflows beforehand is crucial. If these are not in place, consider hiring an assistant capable of setting them up.
- Create an Onboarding Timeline: Outline the desired outcomes and set dates for when you expect the virtual assistant to achieve them. Clearly communicate expectations for the first week, second week, and first month, ensuring that your new assistant understands the timeline.
- Provide Support Without Micromanaging: Balancing assistance without micromanaging is crucial. Clearly communicate expectations and outcomes for each task. Utilize task management platforms like Trello, Monday, or Asana to create checklists based on assigned tasks, facilitating the successful completion of duties.
- Conduct Performance Evaluations: After 2-3 weeks, perform a comprehensive performance evaluation that includes the list of tasks and expected outcomes. Assess the assistant’s performance on each task to determine their suitability for the role. This evaluation is also an opportunity to refine the onboarding process and assess the overall effectiveness of workflows.
As a business owner, your active involvement is pivotal in setting up your assistant for success in their role.