Key #3: Training

By Ruthie Palmatier

Are you struggling with the thought of how to train your virtual assistant?  Is that preventing you from getting started?  I hear that a lot.  Maybe you are concerned with the amount of time it might take to train her.  I hear that too.  The first thing to remember is that if don’t train your virtual assistant to take over those tasks, you’re still stuck doing them yourself.  Are you ready to move forward and get back to doing what you do best?  If so, then let the virtual assistant do what she does best.  She’s the skilled administrative assistant.  She LOVES doing that kind of work. 

Now, there are a couple of ways to go about training your assistant.  While your assistant is already a trained administrative professional, you will still need to train her to your specific ways of doing things.  Yes, it may take you some time to go through each of the steps, but once you do and she’s off and running you can move on to those things that you have been wanting to get to.  If the training is complex or lengthy, consider recording the training call.  That way she can go back over her notes and make sure she didn’t miss anything.

Did I say notes?  YES!  Have your assistant take notes of your training calls, each and every time.  At the end of the training, have her type up those notes and email them to you.  Go over those notes yourself to make sure she got all the steps and that you didn’t miss anything.  This is a good way to also ensure that she understood you correctly.  Then have her save that document into a new folder called “Training Manual”.  Each time you go over something new, have her document the training and then again, email you those training notes.  These notes are now building a training manual for you and your business. 

As a business owner, having a training manual, or a procedures manual is really critical.  What if your VA gets sick and you need to bring someone else to fill in?  What if down the road you decide you want to add to your staff, virtual or otherwise?  Having document training materials will truly make your life easier.  So, please take the time to train your assistant properly.  It is an investment that will pay off with high returns!




About the Author:
Ruthie Palmatier began her “virtual” career in 1996 doing transcription work for California-based private investigators. After her family’s move to Idaho in 1999, Mrs. Palmatier returned to onsite employment as a personal assistant to a commercial real estate developer. Her career progressed and she went to work for a commercial and residential broker. 

Feeling the urge to work from home again, Ruthie investigated virtual employment opportunities. It was not long before she discovered Team Double-Click® and started transcription work for several of the company’s clients.  Before long, Ruthie had gained five clients and expanded her responsibilities into the real estate investing industry providing administrative support. This allowed one of her clients to leave their full-time job within 3 months of obtaining her services to focus real estate investment only.   In early 2005, Ruthie shifted her career into overdrive by becoming part of the Team Double-Click® Core Team. As a virtual staffing consultant, she educates and empowers current and prospective clients on the benefits of having an extra set of hands, eyes and ears. 

Team Double-Click® provides virtual assistance for small and home-based businesses. Visit Ruthie on Team Double-Click’s Web site at www.teamdoubleclick.com/teambios/Ruthie_Palmatier.html or call her at 888.827.9129 ext 87. Click to receive your free report, 101 Ways To Work With A Virtual Assistant.  If you’ve enjoyed reading Ruthie’s article, check out her blog at www.teamdoubleclick.com/blogs/Palmatier.

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