Need Administrative Help? Consider Hiring a Virtual Assistant

As a business attorney, I try to understand my clients’ businesses and keep up with trends that may help my clients address problems they may encounter as their business grows. Three of my favorite podcasts that help me do that include Mac Power Users, which helps you get the most out of your technology, Cortex, which features business and productivity tips from independent content creators, and Free Agents, which discusses the trials and tribulations of starting your own business. On all three shows, the hosts have mentioned that they have hired virtual assistants to help them with various aspects of their growing businesses.

While browsing LinkedIn, I noticed that Frances Annis, a connection I met through the Southern Lancaster County Chamber of Commerce, had recently moved to a Lancaster-based virtual administrative support company called My Reliable Admin. Fran put me in touch with My Reliable Admin founder, Angie Mobarak, who explained that the company provides virtual administrative support to busy professionals and business across the country, utilizing technology and flexible plans and pricing to suit the needs of their clients.

Angie described My Reliable Admin’s approach to providing a positive client experience: “The VA (Virtual Assistant)/Client relationship hinges greatly on trust and communication. The highly responsive nature of our Assistants creates an in-person feel even though clients may reside in a different time-zone from their VA. Full transparency is also critical in building trust as our clients can always know how their Assistant’s time is being spent by viewing a task tracking portal we provide.”

 So how might a virtual assistant help you or your business? The idea of working with a virtual assistant is an intriguing option for businesses at any stage. For startups and growing businesses, a virtual assistant operating as an independent contractor may be a good way to go before hiring a part-time or full-time employee, or before adding a new employee to fill an administrative role. At any point, do you have too many things on your plate? Could your time be spent more wisely by delegating certain tasks to an assistant?

While you may not be hiring a new employee, it is important to understand your needs and consider interviewing several prospective virtual assistants. Consider the following questions:

• Do the assistant’s strengths address your needs?
• Is specific industry experience required?
• Can they give you examples of other types of clients they’ve worked with, and do they have references or testimonials?
• What are the terms of the relationship and do they match up with your business goals?
• What is their approach to confidentiality and security, and if necessary, do you have an appropriate agreement in place?
• What happens when you want to cancel or terminate the relationship?

Do you have questions about how to help your business grow? I’d be happy to help you evaluate the options – contact me today. Interested in learning more about the about how a virtual assistant may be able to help you or your business? You can request a consultation from My Reliable Admin at: https://www.myreliableadmin.com/contact.

Matt Landis is an attorney at Russell, Krafft & Gruber, LLP, in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. He received his law degree from Widener University Commonwealth School of Law and works regularly with business owners and entrepreneurs.