Tag: effective virtual assistance

Are You Using the Term “OC” in the Workplace Correctly?

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The term “OC” is commonly being used to virtual assistants, who tend to be keen to detail whenever working. In other words, they do not mind allotting time counterchecking their work. However, what does this term really mean?

Psychology.org defines obsessive-compulsive disorder as an anxiety disorder in which time people have recurring, unwanted thoughts, ideas or sensations (obsessions) that make them feel driven to do something repetitively (compulsions). The repetitive behaviors, such as hand washing, checking on things or cleaning, can significantly interfere with a person’s daily activities and social interactions.

From the aforementioned definition, it is quite inappropriate to call someone an OC if he or she is simply critical in pointing out mistakes to avoid repetitive work. A much better term should be “efficient” or perhaps, “reliable.”

Virtual workers tend to forget the fact a person, who ensures mistakes are not present in a certain work prior to submitting it, helps an organization from project delays and extra operational costs.

In the same manner, for instance, you have a superior, who tends to perfect things out (no matter how long it may take), then you should be appreciative of your situation. Apparently, if you get used to such setting, you will be able to adopt the same ethic. As a result, you will not let your work be a substandard one. Always keep in mind that your work reflects who you are as an employee.

If you submit deliverables, which have to be checked repeatedly, you are making your client realize that it is useless to have an assistant. This is due to the fact he or she still has to do all the checking in the end. Extra work is synonymous to extra burden for him or her. As a virtual assistant, you are meant to handle the time-consuming tasks of your client. Give him or her peace of mind despite being occupied with other business matters.

Should the real concept of having an OCD is applied to a virtual assistant, then that person would never be satisfied with his or her work. Additionally, the said employee would never finish his or her task within a specified time.

As a remote employee, one should keep in mind there is a huge difference between having OCD and being an effective employee. If you use these terms interchangeably, there may be misconceptions. A person you are supposed to pay a compliment by calling him or her an OC may result to him or her taking it negatively.

This topic may be trifling for some, but remember if you are a true professional, you would not let this fact an inconsequential matter.

Why Teamwork Should Mean No Credit-Grabbing?

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Even in the online industry, there will be cases that you would work with a team. Despite the lack of personal interaction, be reminded that you should still initiate teamwork. Otherwise, you may end up suffering from consequences, which could be as serious as losing your job.

When working with a partner or a team, you should remember that the client considers you as one unit. Thus, regardless of the differences with your tasks, you will likely be considered liable for the failure or success of your team members. Apparently, you have the obligation to check on your colleagues, as well. Take note that each of you has a contribution to make. It is not all about you. Even if you are done with your part, there is no project completion unless your other team members meet their requirements.

Credit-grabbing is a workplace disease that one should steer away from. Indeed, it may look good that you finished first or that you are the sole member, who managed to handle your tasks effectively. Still, this does not imply that you have the right to say that the success of your project is due to your efforts. Be reminded that as a team, you should have at least offered your assistance to your team members, who are struggling to finish their part.

No client would think that you are good enough if you ended up brushing aside your team members’ need for help, despite them not voicing it out.

Furthermore, take note that in a team, the success of one is an achievement for all. This should be a sufficient encouragement for you to ensure your team members are doing well.

Your client has his or her discretion if you are better compared to your team members. If your purpose of showing off is to climb up the ladder, kindly take note that your employer can assess a person’s capability. It is also better for you to show professionalism and care for your colleagues, which are pluses for your reputation score. A client is more critical in an employee’s personality than his or her skills. Why? Apparently, you cannot always train someone to be a good co-worker. Most of the time, it just comes out naturally from a person.

If you are confident that you are good enough with what you do, make it a reason to share your knowledge and guide your team members. This will make you a better employee.

Stop the habit of competing for yourself when in teams for this would only lead to your downfall. Instead, start appreciating the pleasure of working with people when everyone’s concern is each member’s welfare.

Never Misuse Your Privileges as a Virtual Assistant

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You are a virtual assistant, who has the greatest benefit of working at home. Thus, you do not have to socialize with a lot of people while working, helping you focus more on your tasks. Also, your family is near your reach, giving you fewer worries even if you are on duty. This gives you the security to attend to your loved ones, particularly in times of emergencies. Furthermore, you have the convenience of not battling with traffic – simply open your PC or laptop, and you are good to go.

There are many advantages a virtual assistant could have besides the ones mentioned above. Unfortunately, not all seem to take it into account. There are ones, who still end up in the ill-use of their privileges, which should not be the case.

If you are a virtual assistant, you have this benefit of asking for leaves as easily as possible. Simply imagine how less disconcerting it can be to know that you do not have to see the facial expression of your client when asking for approval.

Due to this, there are some, who take advantage of this and make it a habit to be off-duty, stating various reasons relative to the matter. You should never establish such personality, for it will be your peril one day – easy dismissal from your job. Remember, your absence even in a day is already a great loss to your client. Many tasks will be delayed and your client may be off track, for you will not be there to assist him or her.

On the other hand, there are virtual assistants, who tend to abuse their privilege of having stagnant hours in a day. As a result, they do activities unrelated to their work, risking them in missing the urgent requests of their client. Be reminded that even if your client does not provide you work that would fill in your hours for the shift, this does not mean that he or she will never need you at unexpected times. In truth, the said hours are meant for you to stand by, specifically for emergency requirements.

Thus, if your client sends you a missive, you should at least be as responsive as possible. Remind yourself that you do not have work at those idle hours. This means that you have all the time in the world to attend to your client’s concerns.

Another good example of this matter is when a virtual assistant does not even set up a conducive workspace. As a result, whenever he or she speaks with his or her client, the latter would hear unnecessary background noises, resulting in distraction. Be reminded that even if you are home, you should at least keep your environment free from such, especially when communicating with your client. This will appear very unprofessional. Even if they understand you are at home, keep in mind that you are working and you should act like one.

Indeed, there are virtual assistants, who become less appreciative of their benefits as a home-based worker, but this does not mean you should be one. There are many ways to become an effective one, such as by starting to appreciate the advantages you got on hand.

How Understanding Your Client Takes You a Long Way

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You need to understand that a relationship between you and your client is two-way. In other words, aside from your employer considering your situation as a whole when it comes to assigning you tasks, you also have to give regards to his or hers as well. This is a bigger picture that some virtual assistants miss.

To make it clearer, one good example is when your client misses providing you a task for your shift. As a result, you kept on waiting during the day and you wasted your hours, which is not a good feeling for you as a virtual assistant who is paid by the hour. This is despite the fact your client does not mind to pay for your stagnant hours.

When the said type of situation arises, you should avoid acting hastily and bother your client repeatedly. Indeed, there will be cases that you should already have the initiative to reach out and ask for tasks, either via message or call. Still, you have to keep it to the minimum. Otherwise, you may end up becoming an annoyance to your client. Why? This is due to the fact that you fail to realize first what should have caused him or her from missing to provide you activities to carry out in a day.

Keep in mind that your client is most likely a person, who is filled with appointments to attend to, not to mention the other tasks he or she has to carry out daily. This is highly applicable if your client is a business person. This only means that there is a big responsibility on his or her shoulders. A simple task (for you) of giving a task may not be the case for him or her, especially now that it would consume his or her valued time.

Another good example of understanding your client’s situation is in terms of analyzing his or her mood. You cannot simply say that a person is not fond of you or having negative feelings towards you due to a simple “short and direct” reply. Be reminded, once again, that your client is a busy person. Thus, you could anticipate that your client will not even have plenty of time to speak with you or elaborate things further when you are inquiring about something. They would be straightforward as much as possible.

Do you know that some virtual assistants even encounter clients, who do not even communicate after sending tasks? Hence, consider yourself fortunate for having a busy client, who still finds time to support you.

By being an understanding virtual assistant to your client, you would have a better approach to dealing with him or her. You would not demand too much for attention or time. Instead, you will do your best to ensure exemplary work delivered to him or her without putting much pressure on his or her highly engaged life.

With a personality as such, your client will be more confident to trust you and work with you going forward. This could also be a ground for him or her to keep you for the long-term.

Why Reporting Your Daily Accomplishments Matters

Why Reporting Your Daily Accomplishments Matters

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Communication has always been an essential part of taking the role of a virtual assistant. However, it is not simply a single entity, but is composed of various factors that should be identified individually. One of the essential components of effective communication in virtual assistance is updating the client of your daily accomplishments.

Various virtual assistants tend to make the mistake of not even giving their clients report on the things that were finished for the day. As a result, problems arise. For instance, clients would need to spend extra time simply to check if you have done your work for the day. This will definitely be a bother, especially if he or she is often caught up with tons of appointments daily. Remember, you are a virtual assistant for various reasons, one of which is to lighten the burden of your client.

Moreover, there is a possibility that your client may even doubt if you have done anything for the day. This is normalcy, especially if the virtual assistant simply logs in and leaves work without even considering to update his or her client. This has been experienced surely by a handful of VAs already. The end scenario is always that he or she has to defend his or her end. This is an event that could have been prevented in the first place.

By updating your client, you will also help in keeping him or her aware if he or she is still supplying you tasks as necessary. There are clients, who depend on what you report prior to delegating further activities on your end.

There are various ways to keep your client aware of your daily accomplishments. One good example is to maintain a habit of updating him or her every time you have done an activity. This is regardless of not receiving any response from your client often. As long as you are certain he or she is able to read your updates, this could already work.

On the other hand, you may report at the end of your work day instead. Simply ensure that your report is concise enough, which will keep your client from reaching out to you and clarify things out. Otherwise, this would just make the whole idea of updating him or her useless.

As a virtual assistant, updating your client could also be your opportunity to keep open communication between you two. This is also your chance to ask questions and even propose better means of executing certain activities for him or her. Alternatively, as you exchange words regarding your tasks, you can even learn from your client as he or she shares how things should be done more effectively.

Always keep in mind that even though you are a virtual assistant, this does not imply that you have to alter your work ethics altogether and adopt robotlike manners. Even if you are working home-based, you should still preserve human touch while reporting to your client. You may not be physically present, but you can appear to be such with the way you work.

Communicate continually.