Working remotely has become more mainstream post-pandemic.
Due to the talent shortage, small to medium business owners (SMEs) are also more likely to benefit from outsourcing.
Yet, managing a remote team has its fair share of challenges.
So, to help you out, here’s a short list of dos and don’ts to remember when hiring virtual assistants.
Do: Establish Clear Expectations
Setting clear expectations with any employee (ideally, before they’re hired) is vital to successfully managing a virtual team.
So, discuss specific tasks you want your virtual assistant (VA) to handle and set reasonable deadlines and goals. This way, they know exactly what you need from them.
Doing so also fosters a culture of accountability.
Don’t: Micromanage
Nobody enjoys being micromanaged.
Micromanagement is one of the leading causes of employee turnover and kills an employee’s motivation, creativity, and job satisfaction.
Micromanaging tendencies can be a result of your previous negative experiences with an employee.
However, being a micromanager only displays a lack of trust in your employees.
You wouldn’t want your virtual assistant to feel like you’re breathing down on their neck.
To prevent yourself from falling into micromanaging habits, try delegating tasks more effectively instead.
Let go of perfectionism too because nobody is perfect, and accept that there will always be a learning curve when you hire new people.
Do: Keep Your Virtual Assistant In the Loop
Remote work requires constant communication.
Some experts even favor overcommunicating.
Though you shouldn’t bombard your VA with messages, make it a habit to inform them of any critical decision you make.
Don’t leave them in the dark and then expect them to know what to do.
They’re not mind readers, after all.
Further, establish clear communication channels, especially if you have a preference (like Skype for direct messages, Microsoft Outlook for emails, etc.).
Don’t: Neglect to Train New Virtual Employees
In general, there’s a lot less hand-holding in a remote work environment.
Many clients sometimes expect their virtual assistants to anticipate their needs without any prior warnings immediately.
Remember, companies have their own culture and policies so you shouldn’t expect any new virtual employee to know these things.
Have a clear onboarding process for new hires so they are aware of your company’s standard operating procedures.
Do: Offer Feedback Regularly
As we said earlier, nobody is perfect.
However, there’s always room for improvement.
So, provide your virtual assistant with regular feedback so they know which areas require improvement and which ones they’re doing well.
Just be sure to offer your constructive feedback in a timely manner so they can implement adjustments as soon as possible.
Don’t: Be Afraid of Conflict
Conflicts are a normal part of any professional relationship.
You won’t always agree with your virtual assistant the same way they won’t agree with you 100% of the time.
Still, there’s a way to address any issues without resorting to hostility.
When managing your virtual assistant, hear them out with an open mind and work with them to address issues that may arise.
Leaving real concerns unattended will soon impact team dynamics and affect productivity—or worse, the business itself.
Finding the Right Balance Takes Time
Managing a virtual assistant always involves a bit of trial and error.
Don’t take it against them, however.
Just as you’re growing your business, your VA is growing with you too.
Still, by taking note of these dos and don’ts, you reduce your chances of running into some of the most common remote work issues.
On that note, if you’re ready to hire a virtual assistant, why not partner with a staffing agency? Remote Staff vets its pool of candidates, ensuring they’re highly qualified for any role you have in mind.
Remote Staff has also been in business for 16 years (and counting)! The company also has a team of dedicated Client Relations Executives (CREs) who you can reach out to should you encounter any issues.
Want to get started? Schedule a callback today!
Herschel Lili has a collective four years of professional writing experience. She enjoys reading anything under the sun, but in recent years, she has turned her attention to books that leave her feeling profound. At present, she looks forward to learning everything she can about remote working and sharing the knowledge through succinct write-ups.
