What drives me to be the best Virtual Assistant I can be
Member feature : by Susan Smit of VA Connect
I’ve studied logistics for 4 years. During that time, I already knew that I loved project and production management and knew what I wanted to achieve in life…… the goal was to work for myself on my own terms in this field. While growing as students and young adult, I formulated the specifics of my goals. I became driven to provide client satisfaction and problem-solving methods to my clients so that they don’t have to deal with it themselves. I wanted to add value in such a way that clients should feel I am right there beside them, loving their product just as much. And them feeling satisfied with work delivered that they know they cannot do it without me.
I always wanted to have the luxury of a great home, amazing family, and being my own boss, but having all of this meant long days and sometimes nights and missing family time. I’ve always kept one thing in mind when the going gets tough, and it’s to succeed, building toward aching my goals and having my own business. Easier said than done. I’ve learned so much in the time being a VA that the qualities expected of me isn’t always the easiest:
Reliability
Updating your client on work progress and reporting back when work is expected, answering emails and calls. It does not always have to be straight away but as soon as possible. Being professional in every matter even if you feel you want to shout!
Good communication skills
Try to meet work progress and timelines at all time. If you know you cannot deliver on time, update your client.
Time management
Working for multiple clients at once isn’t always easy but setting a good time schedule that works for all is essential. Use apps available to you to manage this effectively.
Adding value
Go the extra mile to succeed in the success of your business. There will be expected of you to do tasks that you would rather someone else do. But this makes your client look up, notice and see.
Professionalism
Always stay professional even if you have a difficult client. The way you talk, and act plays a big role in how you present your business. Your business is you. How you treat anyone in life is how you will treat your client. If you lack this skill, start immediately with courses. This is probably one of the biggest moneys adding value next to sales in your business. If you feel upset, take time to cool down and only then respond.
Self-motivation
Providing the best work and keeping your eyes on goals can sometimes feel draining. When feeling like this, do something that relaxes you. Keeping your mindset positive and ticking off your achievements will feel like winning all the time. Balance is not always possible in this line of work but burning out has never helped anyone either. Sometimes you will meet people saying it is not worth it…but these are the people usually sitting in a job that frustrate them. At least I am doing something that I would love to do over weekends. Probably why I can work for 12 hours a day, 7 days a week and still be motivated.
Being resourceful
Being able to do whatever is expected and being able to do the work that you have never done before is always a challenge, and ALWAYS rewarding. Never have I thought I would like to do tasks required from Personal Assistants. I am terrible at being a PA. And yet, my client always treated me with respect and consideration when I made mistakes. That said, now I love handling tasks that are out of my comfort zone. Just imagine this, I have not moved to a new house in the last 14years, and last month I planned a move in 2 days, in another country!!!!! And guess what, I freaked out and thought it impossible, but I made it happen. So yes ladies, you can do it if you put your mind to it.
To bring it all together
Working, Building and learning to be a VA helped me understand what it was that I needed to do to have a successful business. These goals became my life lessons: Delivering quality work and excelling in my performance to become the best in what I’m doing. Setting my goals and working towards it, creating my own values and expectations of what it means to be a VA. Being confident when dealing with clients. Overcoming obstacles that might have been mountains in front of me but going through it meant yet another option to learn every step of the way. Mind over matter!
For more about Susan and how VA Connect can help your business achieve greater growth, please do visit our members page.