Comment

Comment by Pam Ivey on March 23, 2011 at 8:32am

Do you use a project management/collaboration tool to help you manage your multi-VA business? There are so many out there and I think I've tried just about all of them. My favorite is Central Desktop. I find it super easy to use, my clients do too, and has some great features that really help in tracking projects, progress and people.

Comment by Pam Ivey on March 23, 2011 at 8:29am

Do you have a procedure manual and/or welcome package for your new team members? If yes, what types of things have you included?

Comment by Pam Ivey on March 5, 2011 at 2:32pm

Not at all Jeanette. With the captcha ability of Jotforms, I haven't received any spam. A BIG plus. =)

Oh man, how right you are. It's so important that we don't keep all our eggs in one basket. I learned that pretty quickly working with the real estate industry when I first started. There's a lot of flakes in that industry (as well as gems, of course).

Onward and upward! =)

Comment by Pam Ivey on March 4, 2011 at 5:49pm

Darn - just noticed I spelled your name wrong Jeanette - 100 apologies! =)

Comment by Pam Ivey on March 4, 2011 at 5:48pm

WTG Jeannette! Coolio on the 4 potentials. That really is a bunch to come in at once. =) Fingers crossed...

Personally, my #1 favorite way to find new team members is to meet them at live industry events. Are you going to be going to Portland for the IVAA Summit in May?

Otherwise, I ask other multi-VA business buddies for recommendations (they don't always work because we often have different working styles), and I submit RFPs to all the usual places - IVAA, CVAN, CASPAA, VAnetworking, etc. That's what we've just done recently. I'm adding a bunch of people to the team in anticipation of a big new partnership I'm developing.

I have a lengthy evaluation ("application") form on my site at http://mycreativeassistant.com/join-our-team.html and use that to pick out the most talented of the bunch. Then my team manager conducts the first interview, then sends me her top picks. I chat with them (I always have specific structured questions handy), and then we always check references (either current or past clients or even other multi-VAs). They can always say they can do something, but we want to make sure it's really accurate.

We have a true system around our "hiring" process, which makes life much simpler because we don't have to reinvent the wheel each time.

Does that help any?

Comment by Pam Ivey on March 4, 2011 at 5:08pm

How do you find team members when it's time to expand?

Comment by Jenni Cole on February 21, 2011 at 7:40pm

Perfect - thanks Pam. I will have a listen tomorrow first thing!

Comment by Pam Ivey on February 21, 2011 at 7:10pm

Jenni, You might be interested in listening to the audio of the multi-VA team building teleseminar that we just held last week: http://multivatraining.com/audio.html

Comment by Jenni Cole on February 21, 2011 at 6:34pm

Great discussion!

I am definitely looking at starting a Multi-VA team or joining one that already exists. Nice to hear some of the hurdles that you ladies have gone through.

 

 

 

Comment by Vivian Butler on February 21, 2011 at 5:40pm

Hi Ladies,

I had an idea of creating a team of independent VA's business partners to work with me for different reasons as stated in the comments, work overload, projects which need additional support and having another individual to network with can be an asset as well. Creating a Multi VA team requires a comittment from a VA's who are looking to work for you for the long haul. Subcontracting and Mentor Protege' agreements can be very rewarding for both parties involved.

@Jeanette B - share with the other VA's what specialities do you need help with right now that you can not do? Lots of VA talent "up in here"...lol...

• ‹ Previous
• 1
• 2
• Next ›
• Page