Guest Blog: How To Get The Best Out of a Virtual Assistant (VA) – 5 Top Tips

More and more switched on business owners are starting to realise that VAs can be the perfect solution for your business, allowing you to pay for exactly the work you need, when you need it, cherry picking the very best experts in the areas that you need assistance with. 

A VA could turn out to be the best thing that ever happened to you and your business, but it’s important to approach the arrangement wisely and with forethought.  If you want the partnership to work, to last and to be valuable to your business, then we recommend you focus on these five areas:

1.       Delegation

When you started your business, you ran the whole show – but you don’t have to do it all by yourself anymore!  Your relationship with your VA is all about delegation.  Hand tasks over in stages and the results will give you confidence and encourage you to hand over more and more projects.

2.       Expectations

A VA is an assistant – not a business partner.  They may be unfamiliar with your industry, your product, or the way you do business and may not be able instantly to leap in and take over.  Keep your expectations in line with the remuneration you can offer, the time allotted and the level of expertise you require.

3.       Planning

A VA can do many things, but they cannot read your mind.  A clear list of tasks, procedures, or instructions is very important.  You also need to consider how the two of you will communicate.  Make sure it’s clear to both of you what kind of feedback will be needed, when and in what format.

4.       Evaluation

Establish a system for making sure the relationship is working for both of you. It’s no crime to find yourself with the wrong person for the job; be ready to make a quick change of direction if need be. You will have learned something valuable about your working style and can go on to make a more informed next move.

5.       Value

A VA can be worth their weight in gold – or a wasted opportunity: it’s up to you.  Remember that you get what you pay for: tasks like stuffing envelopes may require one level of expertise, but if you ask the same VA to take on more skilled work, you may find they are not up to the task.  Make sure at the outset that you have the right person for the job so that you can realise the potential value on offer.

If you would like to receive our top tips or to talk further about how a virtual assistant could transform your business then please contact GetAheadVa.

Website address: www.getaheadva.com

Twitter address: @GetAheadVA

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/company/get-ahead-va

This Guest Blog was written By Rebecca Newenham of Get Ahead VA.

The Cultured Bride: Herts, Beds & Bucks Bridal Fayre - Sunday 21st September 2014

The nights are shorter and the days are longer which can only mean one thing!…Wedding season is here!!!...So are you that blushing bride-to-be soon to embark on that beautiful road to marriage or do you know someone who is about to?

If you answer "I am" or "I do" to the question then please keep reading...

The Cultured Bride is proud to present the First Multi-Cultured Bridal Fayre in Luton, Bedfordshire catering for Brides & Grooms in Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire & Buckinghamshire.

To be held on Sunday 21st September 2014 at the prestigious Crescent Hall, Luton, it will be a bride's one stop shop for all things wedding! From wedding dresses to place cards - great suppliers from in and around the area will be exhibiting. To know what/who is hot in the Wedding Supplier Industry you need to be there, so register for your FREE ticket here. 

We aim to showcase service providers from all ethnic diversities: African, Caribbean and Asian backgrounds, showcasing services in Decorations, Entertainment, Clothing & Accessories, Cakes, Hair & Makeup, Photography & Videography, Wedding Planners and lots, lots more.

What you can expect on the day:

- FREE Goody Bag filled with lots of useful information/products courtesy of wedding suppliers

- Seminars/Workshops that bring focus to key areas in planning a wedding

- A variety of service providers to make choosing the best for your big day easy

- Food & Cake Tasting

- Competitions, Competitions, Competitions

So register for your FREE ENTRY at www.theculturedbride.eventbrite.co.uk 

And if you are a wedding supplier that can service clients from the Herts, Beds & Bucks areas, then we also want you to come along and exhibit! You can email us at info@theculturedbride.co.uk for more information on exhibiting or visit the website and register directly www.theculturedbride.co.uk

If you would like to speak to the organising team, please call 01322 250 015 or 07931 908 995

2Inspire Network Profile: Event Planner and Manager Charley Jai

Former actress turned Event Planner and Manager, Charley once managed MonologueSlam UK (London) produced by TriForce Promotions where she introduced the ‘artist performance slot’ for musicians, dancers and other such performers to showcase their skills in a segment much for the entertainment of the audience, which would also serve to have the artist seen by professional industry persons. Charley booked a variety of talents for this slot including Duane Lamonte (from UK vocal harmony group Brick City), Rapper Luc Skyz, street dance crew Boadicea and British comedian Jason Patterson. Charley has co-coordinated events for many years and has worked alongside the likes of NLPR UK Ltd (www.nlpruk.com) and Deal with D.V. www.dealwithdv.co.uk).  Read more about her incredible journey below.

Please tell us what is a typical business day for you?

Usually starting at 5am, as I freelance within various fields of media and entertainment, nothing is ever really typical about my day. Emails are checked and priorities a set in the shape of a check-list. After a strong coffee I then begin completing the tasks set and these can be anything from having to carry out research for journalism or drafting the structure for a segment of my online show. I try to finish my day by 7pm so that I can get a decent amount of shut-eye too however, that is the one thing I rarely achieve.

What made you want to work in media and entertainment and what steps did you take to start operating freelance in these fields?

As a youngster I was surrounded by a very creative family and also friends who inevitably had me take an interest. While at Secondary School I threw myself into my drama and English lessons where I developed performance and written skills. Once I realised my passions I then spoke with my drama teacher about how I could develop and she mentioned Theatre Royal which was local to the school. I later auditioned for their youth theatre and was given a place. I was just 13 or 14 when I joined. I went on to use my gift-of-the-gab to talk to anyone and everyone I met while at Theatre Royal and began to build my network; contacts.

What would you say has been your greatest accomplishment within media and entertainment to date?

Hmm.. I’d like to think the greatest is yet to come to be honest. I have achieved so much and mostly by putting myself forward through a fear of not knowing what may or may not be in my career. Landing my own radio show was huge as I had never hosted radio before, presenting on-screen for the first time was definitely a big deal, launching my very own initiative, Change the Stereo which has produced short film ‘Pass the Comb’ (shown on the community TV channel in April 2014) had a huge impact on me too! So, I cannot pinpoint one thing and I quite like that actually. I feel incredibly blessed to have reached certain goals especially where I have been able to share the success of such with others.

What has been your biggest challenge in business so far?

Trust! I do not find it easy to trust people at all and so, I tend to do a lot on my own. This can be both a good thing and something which holds you back. The sense of fulfillment from having accomplished a goal through your own efforts is just amazing however; there are times where the process can be made so much shorter and far more enjoyable with others on board. It’s a difficult one for me but, I believe I’m getting better. Although incredibly small, I have put together a team for my new online show. (www.youtube.com/TheRealTalkTVSeries)

What are your future plans in media and entertainment?

To be the absolute best I can be at every opportunity I am blessed with and in doing so to continue providing opportunities for others.

If you had to do it all over again, what would you do differently?

 Absolutely nothing because, I fully believe that every choice and action I have made (right or wrong) has led me to the very place I’m at today for which I am incredibly grateful.

Why is it so important to inspire young women in particular to follow their dreams?

For me, it is important to inspire everyone irrespective of their gender or background because, such is what motivates us to go out there and pursue our goals with confidence and self belief. I do not believe young women are any more in need of that than the more mature woman or boys and men. 

What advice would you give to somebody who wants to start a business in your industry?

Research absolutely everything, gain complete understanding of your chosen area, network like it’s your full time job, be humble, stay focus, surround yourself with positively driven individuals, eat three healthy meals a day, try to get a decent amount of sleep each night and finally, go with your own instincts but be smart with the choices you make!

What or who inspires you in business and why?

Fear of failure is my drive to be honest and anyone who is succeeding, especially those who show humility and look to help others achieve.

What is your favourite inspirational quote?

This is one of my very own but, I do love it (ha-ha): Let nothing and nobody stop you from boldly walking through any door of your choice because, that might just be the very step which will see you potentially achieve your biggest goal.

@msCJ80 www.facebook.com/MsCJaiCreative www.charleyjai-realtalk.blogspot.co.uk 
www.youtube.com/TheRealTalkTVSeries