Presentation put together to show ways that Virtual Assistants (VA) can work together for the better of the client and themselves.

1. STOP! Collaborate & Listen!
How to work collaboratively with other
Virtual Assistants

2. Who We Are
Carol Mikel Rebecca Thompson
· A virtual assistant since 2006 · Facebook & Stuff (it's what I do)
· General admin /social media · Social Media Specialist
· Passion for business · Certified HootSuite LOVER
· Constantly learning new skills · Believer in Pay Forwarding
· Live a little SW of Houston · Lives in a suburb of Houston

3. Definitions
According to Wikipedia:
Competition:
A contest between individuals, groups, animals, etc. for territory, a
niche, or a location of resources. It arises whenever at least two
parties strive for a goal which cannot be shared.
Collaboration:
Working together to achieve a goal. It is a recursive process where
two or more people or organizations work together to realize
shared goals, (this is more than the intersection of common goals
seen in co-operative ventures, but a deep, collective, determination
to reach an identical objective).

4. Why We Decided On This
VAs don't know how to truly collaborate
VAs don't really TRUST other VAs
People ask us all the time "how do you..."
Today we will tell you "How"

5. Ways to Collaborate
Same Niche Different Niche
A potential client wants a local Sub-contract to another VA you
VA and you are not trust
Yours and clients personality Not your specialty
don't mix
Referral Bonuses
Your skills are not as
specialized as what a client Work with someone at a lower
needs rate to learn a new skill under
their watch
Break a huge project into
smaller bits

6. Why Collaborate
Builds trust between the term "Colleagues"
More support for the Client
More income for BOTH people involved
Gain new skills

7. How To Collaborate
Communication is KEY
Shared Google Docs
Project space for joint projects
Skype meetings
Face to Face meetings (if local)
Be respectful of the other person's thoughts and ideas

8. What To Look For
You need to find a VA who fits your quirkiness
Look at how they work
Talk to them and see if there is a connection
Be Yourself and EXPECT the same of them
Do they respect your thought process and understand it
Similar tastes and still bring in their own style too

9. Where to meet other VAs
Local Places
Networking Events
Meetup Groups
Online Places
Forums
Organization Websites
Just like anyone else, VAs can be found EVERYWHERE

10. Questions
Even though we don't have all the answers,
we would love to answer questions for you.
Collaborative Effort on behalf of Rebecca Thompson and Carol Mikel
STOP! Collaborate & Listen!