How to grow your VA business through the use of Associates…

How to grow your VA business through the use of Associates…

When you are building your VA business, you have to be aware that, as an entrepreneur yourself, that you are not falling into the same trap that many of your clients have fallen into. What is that trap? It’s the entrepreneur trap.

“The Entrepreneurs Trap” means that the entrepreneur aims to do everything themselves, exchanges all their time for money, and therefore, becomes a self-employed employee of their business. This kind of defeats the purpose of becoming self-employed.

If you think that working full time as a VA is the aim, then that may be the best model for youbut it is not for the vast majority of people starting out on this journey.

Your focus is to work for whom you wish and the hours that enable you to create the lifestyle that you wanted when you launch/launched your VA business.  In addition, you want to focus on building associates VAs around you to act as the support you need to create that lifestyle, or, at least as back-up support when you need it.  It is not about waiting until you have enough work to give to another VA; this is about you ensuring you provide full client management and give yourself the option to boost your income.

So this module focuses on all the above. Escaping the entrepreneur trap, avoid thinking you have to work full-time, and building support around you as a back-up system as well as to help you create the lifestyle you dream of.

• Key reasons why to have an Associate VA as part of your business
• How to find the right Associate
• Contracts and Fees
• Building a professional relationship
• What to do if it all goes wrong

So what is a Lead VA?

A Lead VA is a business owner who manages a team of associate VAs to expand their services and client base. This role involves strategic planning and active management, rather than being a passive income source. Lead VAs bring associates on board for several reasons:

– Contingency Planning: To ensure there is always backup support.
– Increased Workload: To manage a higher volume of tasks.
– Service Expansion: To offer specialised services or those outside the Lead VA’s expertise.
– Business Growth: To focus on strategic roles like being the CEO instead of handling day-to-day tasks.

Pros and Cons of Being a Lead VA

Pros:

– Scalability: Ability to serve more clients and increase revenue.
– Diverse Skill Set: Access to a variety of skills through associates.
– Professional Image: Having a team can enhance your business’s credibility.

Cons:

– Active Management Required: You must manage both your business and the associate team.
– Responsibility: Delegating tasks does not remove your responsibility for quality and delivery.
– Expectation Management: Balancing expectations between clients, associates, and yourself.

Fundamentals of Being a Successful Lead VA

To succeed as a Lead VA, you need to maintain a business mindset, which includes ensuring the team members you bring in:

– Legal Compliance: Registering with ICO, AML and having Professional Indemnity insurance as appropriate.
– Self-employed Mindset: Understanding that you are still running your own business.
– Valuable Skills: Offering in-demand skills or services.

Finding Good Associates

There are several ways to find suitable associates:

– Networking: Connect with other VAs through social media groups and local events.
– Industry Events: Attend conferences like the UK VA Conference to meet potential candidates.
– Recommendations: Ask for referrals from trusted colleagues or clients.

– I share many more ways on the Masterclass. 

Working Together: The Process

The process of integrating an associate into your team typically involves:

1. Recruitment Process: Start early with applications, interviews, and skill assessments.
2. Onboarding: Provide contracts, set up IT systems, and explain processes clearly.
3. Payment Terms: Who decides the rate?

We cover a lot more detail on the Masterclass

Managing Client Expectations

It’s important to maintain consistent communication with clients about your team structure:

– Clear Messaging: Ensure all communications reflect the “we” rather than “I”.
– Service Levels: Define roles and responsibilities clearly in contracts.
– Regular Updates: Keep clients informed about who is handling their work.

By understanding these aspects, you can effectively manage a team of associates and grow your VA business successfully.