The document provides 6 basic steps for businesses to hire a virtual assistant (VA): 1. Define the goals, expectations, and scope of work for the VA role. 2. Determine who will be responsible for managing the VA relationship and ensuring its success. 3. Decide whether to hire a VA directly or use a third-party service to handle the hiring and management. 4. Consider where the VA will be located and how their location may impact language, culture, time zones, and costs. 5. Create a 6-month transition plan for onboarding and training the VA. 6. Consider additional factors like the level of risk, how much management time is required, and contingency plans

1. HOW TO HIRE A
VIRTUAL ASSISTANT
6 BASIC STEPS FOR YOUR BUSINESS
VA
BUSINESS
FUNCTIONS
DEFINE THE "WHAT"
Start at the beginning. What are the business goals,
the means, the expectations, the concerns, the risks,
the time-frame, etc. If VA outsourcing fits the WHAT,
then define the scope & role. E.g., Requirements,
Skills, Experience, Relationship | Responsibilities &
Evaluation | Transition & Future Expectations.
VA
MANAGEMENT
RELATIONSHIP
WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR SUCCESS?
Someone is responsible for managing the VA
relationship & it's success. Who is important because
this requires time, dedication, communication &
patience. The direct manager needs to weigh the
resources invested versus the expected business
returns to be gained, short and long-term.
VA
SELECTION
PROCESS
DO IT YOURSELF OR THIRD-PARTY?
It starts with how you hire a VA. DIY Pros: Mgt Full
Control & Responsibility | Lower Costs | Comm
Unfiltered. Cons: Time & Mgt Attention | VA Support
Burden | No VA Backup | Payment & Taxes.
Outsourcing Pros: Hiring & Vetting | Less Mgt
Attention | Less VA Support Burden | VA Backup. Cons:
Less Mgt Control | Comm Filtered | Higher Costs
VA
LOCATION
SELECTION
WHERE IS THE VA LOCATED?
The VA physical location does affect service delivery,
independent of technology. Inshore: No issues related
to language, cultural affinity & time zone difference.
Nearshore: Potential issues with language & culture,
but lower costs. Offshore: Potential issues with
language, culture & time zones but lowest costs.
VA
TRANSITION
GUIDE
6 MONTHS TRANSITION PERIOD
This is when the direct manager & the VA experience,
learn and evolve the business. Create a 6 month plan
defining what the VA needs to accomplish. The VA
develops a manual of activities for future reference.
The VA tools should be standardized. Delegate to the
VA repetitive tasks, communicate & be patient.
VA
RELATED
FACTORS
SOME THINGS TO CONSIDER
>> How much time should the manager dedicate to
the VA relationship? No more than necessary...
>> What is the level of risk & confidentiality in the VA
relationship? Less is better...
>> What if the VA relationship blows up? Marriages
often end in divorce...
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SOURCE:
https://nexusteleservices.com/2020/02/03/how-to-hire-a-virtual-assistant/