Comments on: Is Your Time Worth More Than $15 An Hour? http://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2009/07/29/time-worth-15-hour/ Learn, Network, Invest Sat, 11 Feb 2012 01:23:53 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Erichttp://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2009/07/29/time-worth-15-hour/#comment-67589 Eric Tue, 11 Aug 2009 03:29:47 +0000 http://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/?p=6126#comment-67589 The flip side of effectively utilizing a virtual assistant isn't just teaching them what you want to do, but learning how to efficiently communicate what you want. Sure, a good full-time, in-person employee will eventually learn your specific mannerisms, desires, and manner of speaking - but that doesn't mean you can't work on being clearer. The flip side of effectively utilizing a virtual assistant isn’t just teaching them what you want to do, but learning how to efficiently communicate what you want. Sure, a good full-time, in-person employee will eventually learn your specific mannerisms, desires, and manner of speaking – but that doesn’t mean you can’t work on being clearer.

]]> By: Nikki Romerohttp://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2009/07/29/time-worth-15-hour/#comment-67341 Nikki Romero Mon, 03 Aug 2009 08:51:15 +0000 http://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/?p=6126#comment-67341 I agree with Monika that you should allow for a bit of learning curve and training time with your assistant, personal or virtual, before that person can be effective and proficient in your business. The value of your assistant is seen over time ... the more work she does for you, the more effective and efficient she becomes and the more time you have on your hands. It's pretty much the same as having an employee save for taxes, leaves and other employee benefits and expenses. You can also control how much time you'll have them work for you.Tim Ferriss is big on outsourcing so you can get a lot of tips from him if you're open to hiring overseas.What's good about virtual assistant companies is that you get a whole range of skills. You can actually get a full virtual team to help run your business! I agree with Monika that you should allow for a bit of learning curve and training time with your assistant, personal or virtual, before that person can be effective and proficient in your business. The value of your assistant is seen over time … the more work she does for you, the more effective and efficient she becomes and the more time you have on your hands. It’s pretty much the same as having an employee save for taxes, leaves and other employee benefits and expenses. You can also control how much time you’ll have them work for you.

Tim Ferriss is big on outsourcing so you can get a lot of tips from him if you’re open to hiring overseas.

What’s good about virtual assistant companies is that you get a whole range of skills. You can actually get a full virtual team to help run your business!

]]> By: Monikahttp://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2009/07/29/time-worth-15-hour/#comment-67296 Monika Fri, 31 Jul 2009 13:20:59 +0000 http://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/?p=6126#comment-67296 David - In Tim Ferris "4 Hour Work Week" are not the type of Virtual Assistants that form an alliance with your business and help your business to grow and prosper. These set ups that Tim talks about are for the most part "Call Centres" ie large firms of Virtual Assistants. Most Virtual Assistants (freelance Secretaries/PAs) work from a home base, mostly sole traders or a small network of home-based Virtual Assistants. These home-based Virtual Assistants have a vested interest in your business to do well. Your business does well, their business does well and they hopefully will get referrals from you.The way to start working with a Virtual Assistant is find one that will be suitable for your business ie if you are into Real Estate you may want a specialist Real Estate Virtual Assistant. If you are a Speaker, Coach or Consultant find a Virtual Assistant that would specialise in those areas. Then once you have found someone who may be suitable start off with small projects so you can both get used to what is expected of each other. A Virtual Assistant expects to be supporting you for the longer term. The amount of work you provide your Virtual Assistant doesn't matter - it may start off with one or two hours per week and build up or just stay at a few hours per week. Also if you were to engage a new employee in an office situation then you would expect a period of transition and a learning curve before this new person became proficient in their new role. The same goes for a Virtual Assistant - depending on the task, you should allow for a small learning curve although with a Virtual Assistant because of their experience levels the learning curve would be shorter.Then communication is the big key - be very clear and precise about what you are achieving/or what the final outcome is to be and fill your Virtual Assistant in on the details to help them understand what is required of them so they can help you better.I hope that explains how a Virtual Assistant works and what benefits they can provide for you. David – In Tim Ferris “4 Hour Work Week” are not the type of Virtual Assistants that form an alliance with your business and help your business to grow and prosper. These set ups that Tim talks about are for the most part “Call Centres” ie large firms of Virtual Assistants. Most Virtual Assistants (freelance Secretaries/PAs) work from a home base, mostly sole traders or a small network of home-based Virtual Assistants. These home-based Virtual Assistants have a vested interest in your business to do well. Your business does well, their business does well and they hopefully will get referrals from you.

The way to start working with a Virtual Assistant is find one that will be suitable for your business ie if you are into Real Estate you may want a specialist Real Estate Virtual Assistant. If you are a Speaker, Coach or Consultant find a Virtual Assistant that would specialise in those areas. Then once you have found someone who may be suitable start off with small projects so you can both get used to what is expected of each other. A Virtual Assistant expects to be supporting you for the longer term. The amount of work you provide your Virtual Assistant doesn’t matter – it may start off with one or two hours per week and build up or just stay at a few hours per week. Also if you were to engage a new employee in an office situation then you would expect a period of transition and a learning curve before this new person became proficient in their new role. The same goes for a Virtual Assistant – depending on the task, you should allow for a small learning curve although with a Virtual Assistant because of their experience levels the learning curve would be shorter.

Then communication is the big key – be very clear and precise about what you are achieving/or what the final outcome is to be and fill your Virtual Assistant in on the details to help them understand what is required of them so they can help you better.

I hope that explains how a Virtual Assistant works and what benefits they can provide for you.

]]> By: David Safeerhttp://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2009/07/29/time-worth-15-hour/#comment-67258 David Safeer Thu, 30 Jul 2009 14:37:06 +0000 http://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/?p=6126#comment-67258 My experience has been that an assistant, virtual or not, may take a lot of time to train and to work with, depending on what you what your assistant to do and their experience. (Experience is both in your business as well as life experience.)For a virtual assistant explanation, try Tim Ferris' "4 Hour Work Week."For a personal assistant, I have found that my best assistants have been women from 35-55 years old that are detail oriented. I find that there are back-burner, repetitive task projects that can be done immediately. It takes about 2 weeks to be productive (they save you more time than you spend) and 1-2 months to be fully trained.David Safeer cleardaycap.blogspot.com .-= David Safeer´s last blog ..<a href="http://cleardaycap.blogspot.com/2009/07/isnt-it-all-creative-real-estate.html" rel="nofollow">Isn't it All Creative Real Estate?</a> =-. My experience has been that an assistant, virtual or not, may take a lot of time to train and to work with, depending on what you what your assistant to do and their experience. (Experience is both in your business as well as life experience.)

For a virtual assistant explanation, try Tim Ferris’ “4 Hour Work Week.”

For a personal assistant, I have found that my best assistants have been women from 35-55 years old that are detail oriented. I find that there are back-burner, repetitive task projects that can be done immediately. It takes about 2 weeks to be productive (they save you more time than you spend) and 1-2 months to be fully trained.

David Safeer
cleardaycap.blogspot.com
.-= David Safeer´s last blog ..Isn’t it All Creative Real Estate? =-.

]]> By: gg - Malibu Wedding Plannerhttp://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2009/07/29/time-worth-15-hour/#comment-67253 gg - Malibu Wedding Planner Thu, 30 Jul 2009 10:03:04 +0000 http://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/?p=6126#comment-67253 I tried the virtual assistant in my business and it just didn't work as well. The efficiency and communication was always a bit off. Something about being in person helps. I tried the virtual assistant in my business and it just didn’t work as well. The efficiency and communication was always a bit off. Something about being in person helps.

]]> By: Keithhttp://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2009/07/29/time-worth-15-hour/#comment-67251 Keith Thu, 30 Jul 2009 09:42:14 +0000 http://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/?p=6126#comment-67251 Jason,First off, great article. I was attracted to the article after doing a search for "virtual assistants" to view the latest news in our industry. I'm glad I landed on your blog and I'm hoping my posting can help others with questions about virtual assistants.I own a virtual assistant firm called Virtual Appoint and I think you described very succinctly why our clients hire us - to handle tasks they either do not want to do and/or do not have the time to do.Joshua, your comments are well taken and just like in any business, there are good providers and less able providers. We strive to exceed our client's expectations and because we sell time and don't operate under contracts, we prove ourselves to our clients every month.At the risk of coming off as "salesy", I'd like to encourage you to email me at info@virtualappoint.com and I will answer your email personally and immediately, unless I'm sleeping (which doesn't happen often). I'm confident we can help you.Have a good one,Keith www.virtualapppoint.com Jason,

First off, great article. I was attracted to the article after doing a search for “virtual assistants” to view the latest news in our industry. I’m glad I landed on your blog and I’m hoping my posting can help others with questions about virtual assistants.

I own a virtual assistant firm called Virtual Appoint and I think you described very succinctly why our clients hire us – to handle tasks they either do not want to do and/or do not have the time to do.

Joshua, your comments are well taken and just like in any business, there are good providers and less able providers. We strive to exceed our client’s expectations and because we sell time and don’t operate under contracts, we prove ourselves to our clients every month.

At the risk of coming off as “salesy”, I’d like to encourage you to email me at info@virtualappoint.com and I will answer your email personally and immediately, unless I’m sleeping (which doesn’t happen often). I’m confident we can help you.

Have a good one,

Keith
http://www.virtualapppoint.com

]]> By: Joshua Dorkinhttp://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2009/07/29/time-worth-15-hour/#comment-67249 Joshua Dorkin Thu, 30 Jul 2009 06:53:23 +0000 http://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/?p=6126#comment-67249 Dick - I've tried using virtual assistants myself on several occasions, and each time I spent just as much time doing work teaching/training them as I would have spent doing the job myself. Lots of people swear by them, but I'm not convinced either. Dick –
I’ve tried using virtual assistants myself on several occasions, and each time I spent just as much time doing work teaching/training them as I would have spent doing the job myself. Lots of people swear by them, but I’m not convinced either.

]]> By: Dick Rosenhttp://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2009/07/29/time-worth-15-hour/#comment-67246 Dick Rosen Thu, 30 Jul 2009 03:51:49 +0000 http://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/?p=6126#comment-67246 The assistant that's going out and taking pictures of properties and taking out the trash... I can grasp that one but explain to me this concept of virtual assistant for admin work. I hear of several people doing this but I just can't comprehend what it is that you have them doing and how. The assistant that’s going out and taking pictures of properties and taking out the trash… I can grasp that one but explain to me this concept of virtual assistant for admin work. I hear of several people doing this but I just can’t comprehend what it is that you have them doing and how.

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