Investing in the training of your virtual assistant (VA) entails more than just delegating small tasks. Rather, it entails cultivating a valuable business partner who has the potential to enhance the performance of your organisation.
As your virtual assistant (VA) acquires more expertise and proficiency, your company stands to benefit significantly in the long term. To ensure effective training of your VA, consider the following tips:
Set clear expectations
Make sure your VA knows what tasks they’re responsible for and why they matter. By establishing realistic and transparent expectations, you and your VA can stay on the same page and work towards the same objectives.
Important topics to discuss beforehand include:
- Communication: Schedule regular video calls and chats. This helps both of you feel more at ease with one another.
- Roles and responsibilities: Clearly outline the goals of the training and communicate what you expect your VA to accomplish.
- Availability: Find a suitable time for both you and your VA, ensuring that the training sessions cause minimal disruption to your business operations.
- Payment: Remember to compensate your VA for the time spent on training, as it is an essential part of their professional development.
Hold regular training sessions or meetings
Frequent meetings with your VA offer a chance to enhance their skills and keep them engaged and connected. Use these sessions to provide feedback, monitor progress, and identify areas that need improvement.
Some top tools for conference meetings are:
- Zoom
- Skype
- Google Meet
- Zoho Meeting
Create video tutorials
They enable you to demonstrate how specific tasks should be completed and act as a convenient reference for your VA whenever they need a refresher.
Loom is a fantastic video recording tool to start with, but there are other options as well, such as OBS Studio and Camtasia, to help you create engaging video tutorials for your virtual assistant.
Encourage hands-on practice
Allowing your VA to practise tasks helps them refine their skills and gain confidence. Let them handle tasks independently, gradually giving them more significant responsibilities as they become more capable.
Offer mentorship or a buddy system
Training can be more enjoyable with the support and guidance of a mentor or buddy. An experienced team member can provide valuable insights into company culture and speed up learning. Plus, a VA with a work buddy is more likely to stay with the company, as they have someone to consult and share challenges with.
Keep in mind that everyone learns at their own pace, and it may take time for your VA to master new skills. Even seasoned VAs need training to grasp your company’s inner workings, so be patient and kind.
By providing the appropriate support and training, you can assist your VA in achieving their full potential.
