As a busy Business Owner or Consultant, it is likely that you feel stretched, dare it is suggested, even overwhelmed at times...

You have reached a point of being able to do everything yourself quite easily (or at least, well) and you are digging your heels in when the notion of outsourcing has been suggested or even considered.

The fact that you have managed your business effectively until now is surely proof that you can continue as you always have!

Whist it is obvious for me to respond to such an objection with several reasons why you shouldn't and don't deserve to as a Business Owner, I won't. 

Instead, I shall highlight how you can work with someone remotely effectively because, let's face it, the world has become, at the very least, a hybrid working one in many cases.

I challenge those that refuse to believe remote working can be implemented effectively in many cases, it might just take time to think outside the box of how to do it best.

Whilst working a successful way of working remotely with your Virtual Assistant touches briefly on the subject, much more can be considered in the overall working remotely effectively with someone. 

1. Communication

An absolute ‘must’ in any business, if communication is lost, disaster can strike with little notice. 

Communication must be clear and candid when working with someone remotely without it being all consuming. 

It is best to have regular ‘check in’ times, a weekly or bi-weekly catch up so that non urgent matters can be raised during those set times. 

There is nothing worse than being busy and receiving multiple emails and messages with a minute-by-minute update of how someone is progressing.

It has become more common for people to share something with others ‘as it happens’ and in ‘real time’, however, unless there is an urgent need to communicate something that will impact the other person, it can wait a little longer before sharing.

2. Trust

In order to be able to work with anyone well, trust is required. 

Trust is often earned and so when you start working remotely with someone, it is particularly important to build trust up between one another as quickly as possible.

If you can get on with what you are needed and expected to do whilst the other person feels trusted, it is far more likely the relationship is strengthened and business flourishes.

The optimum scenario is when one of you will know exactly how the other would react if you are left to make a decision that may require you checking in with them. 

To be able to carry on with your daily business knowing the other is doing the best they can for you is like having your very own cheerleader!

3. Experience

There, I said it!

There is little point in feeling nervous in the first place about working with someone remotely and then choosing to work with a less experienced person. 

If you can find someone that is an expert in their field, having worked remotely for some time, you are more likely to be able to work effectively with them from the start.

It is particularly important to work with someone with experience if you, yourself, aren’t used to remote working.  They should be able to upward manage you in a diplomatic, positive and productive way.

4. Mutual respect

Communication and trust forms part of the respect that can be demonstrated when working with someone remotely. 

It isn’t just that though.  Whilst it is important, it takes more than that. 

You need to be able to give them space to be able to undertake the work being asked of them. 

Boundaries that are set so that time is respected and the person you are working with doesn’t feel micro-managed should be maintained. 

Being able to understand one another well and the responsibilities of what is being completed by each of you helps build up mutual respect and the longevity of the relationship is likely to be good.

5. Focus and discipline

When you work remotely, it takes real focus and discipline to remain productive. 

Being able to manage your own time is one thing and it is equally as important to understand the time constraints and management of the person you are working remotely with.

Like you, their discipline will need to be high to be able to complete the workload and tasks in a timely manner and being able to provide them the opportunity to have the focus and discipline required will help with this.

Similarly to the above, defined boundaries shall be helpful together with coming together at a mutually convenient time to discuss what has been completed and what is yet to be done.

6. Involvement

Working remotely with someone needs to be well planned for it to be beneficial to you.

It is all too easy to adopt the thinking of ‘It will be quicker to do it myself!”

Being able to invest in the time to show, teach and mentor someone will allow them to be involved in the way in which you need and expect them to. 

This will have an overall benefit of them bringing much value to you and your business because they are part of your team and feel involved.

This will reap dividends and the pressure from you will be alleviated when the person you are working with feels valued as an involved team member.

 7. Variety and Challenge

Working remotely has been known for monotonous and process driven work.

Provided the work that you are working remotely with someone has variety this should not cause a problem.

Doing data entry, for example, for much of the day for the majority of week might not be something that excites a person you work remotely with, however, the likelihood of this being the case is slim.

Virtual meetings and chats together with creating a varied schedule work can lead to hugely productive outcomes. 

Due to people working remotely, commuting and travel times are cut so that the time they spend can be better utilised as well as them not having the stress of public transport being delayed or cancelled.  

Remote working has its advantages, and it is important to capitalise on how to do it effectively as much as you can in the hybrid working world that we find ourselves in.

People in today’s business world are ready to work as well as they did in less modern times which means that more flexibility and thought is required to how it can work.

Being forced to work from a particular place is no longer viable for many.

It is not what they expect, nor are they are willing to do.

Provided you put in place the requirements to work remotely effectively, you and your business can find that the savings in cost and the positive mental wellbeing of those you work with will create a productivity in business that you might not have envisaged.

If you are struggling to continue doing the things that you always have done in your business because it has got busier, it is time to put serious thought into how you can outsource to an expert who is experienced in working remotely because that is where their skills lie.

Get in touch with me.

Anna

anna@akavirtualassistant.com