Being in the Virtual Assistant business for more than 15 years now, I can say that getting remote workers has its pros and cons.  Hiring a virtual staff is not for everyone and here are some reasons why.

Problem 1 – Communication, Collaboration, and Productivity

Remote work can create a lot of challenges with communication and collaboration.  When team members are not in the same physical location, it can be difficult to have impromptu meetings or discussions, and important information may be lost in email or messaging threads. This can lead to misunderstandings and a lack of cohesion among the team. Furthermore, remote work can also be more difficult to manage and oversee. It can be harder to keep track of the progress and productivity of remote workers, and there may be less opportunity for direct supervision and support. This can lead to a lack of accountability and a decrease in overall productivity.

The Solution

There are a lot of online platforms that you can actually use (free and paid) to make this happen smoothly.  Trello is one of those great tools to manage remote workers so you know what they are up to, what they have done, and what their issues are.  Trello also has a way where all communication can stay in one task card so that no messages are lost.  With this kind of platform, you don’t need to email each other or chat on Messenger or WhatsApp because all of the communication is in one place.

In our more than 15 years of experience in the Virtual Assistant industry, we have already created a tight system where it becomes easy for us and our clients to monitor progress.  I can tell you this now, we still use Trello until now.

Problem 2 – Trust and Confidence

Remote work can also make it harder to establish trust and build strong working relationships. When team members are not able to see each other face-to-face on a regular basis, it can be difficult to build the personal connections that are necessary for a successful and productive team.

The Solution

Just like any other relationship, the more you keep in touch, the closer you get.  Make sure to have a weekly coordination meeting with your Virtual Assistant.  You can discuss what she has accomplished, what she needs to accomplish, issues and concerns, and a lot more.  Based on our experience, this simple system has helped our clients (and Virtual Assistants) create that trust and confidence in the workplace, even if it is remote.

Problem 3 – Technical Issues

Whether remote or not, there will always be technical challenges such as issues with internet connectivity or equipment malfunctions. These problems can disrupt work and lead to delays and frustration.  These concerns are present even with in-office work; the only problem is that with remote work you have less control and businessmen like us need control.

The Solution

There are ways to make this work.  One way is to hire a Virtual Assistant company like Outsourced VA who has in-office Virtual Assistants.  There will be back up generators, backup internet, and its own in-office tech support.  If your remote staff is working from home, the best way is to require them to have a backup internet.  Asking them to have a power generator may not be feasible so making sure to hire someone in a location where power outage is not frequent is a plus factor.

Overall, while remote work can be a successful approach for some companies and team members, it is not a one-size-fits-all solution. It is important for companies to carefully consider the needs and challenges of their team and the specific demands of their industry before implementing a remote work policy.

As an added value to our potential clients, we offer a free discovery meeting with anyone who is considering hiring a Virtual Assistant.  In this meeting, you can ask all your questions and open up your concerns.  We will also be assessing if you really need one.  It’s a win-win!