Looking for the Best Virtual Assistant Company? Why 2021 Will Be the Year to Hire

Looking for the Best Virtual Assistant Company? Why 2021 Will Be the Year to Hire

What’s the best virtual assistant company to help your business grow in 2021? As the new year approaches, you likely find yourself setting business goals to improve your approach. If so, one of the best ways to reach your goals is to delegate tasks through virtual assistant services.

As 2021 draws closer, this year looks to be the best one yet to find support from a remote assistant company. To say the least, 2020 was an unusual year for businesses because of the pandemic. The unexpected events led to a higher demand for VA services and that doesn’t look to change in 2021.

In his “Forbes” article entitled 5 Ways Your Business Can Benefit from a Virtual Office, Chris Porteous shares the following:

“Virtual offices have seen a massive rise in popularity. In these tough economic times, businesses have realized they need to reconsider their spending. If a business can eliminate 15% of its expenses, it has more leeway when it comes to turning a profit.”

Why will 2021 be the best year yet for VA services? Here are several reasons.

Hiring a VA Company Will Come More Naturally for Businesses in 2021

Although not true for all businesses, many transitioned to virtual staff arrangements on a large scale. What does that mean going into 2021? Although it was an undeniably ‘bumpy ride’ in the short term, plenty of businesses became more comfortable with the idea of virtual staffing out of necessity.

This coming year will be an easier transition into virtual assistant services. Businesses understand the benefits of virtual employees in a way that is light years ahead of where they were less than a year ago.

So, going into 2021, hiring a virtual assistant, virtual team or online business manager from a VA company will make more sense. Right from the start, you’ll already understand how these services can help your business, have greater experience working with virtual staff and feel a higher comfort level with going this route.

The Pandemic’s End Won’t Stop the Interest in Virtual Work

This year was incredibly stressful for many businesses. Besides the potential for significant loss of revenue, unprecedented disruptions drastically changed how work was done. In many cases, these interruptions were made more challenging as in-person workplaces were abandoned for at-home and virtual ones.

So, the big question is, “How will work be different after the pandemic becomes controlled through a vaccine?” While there are various opinions out there, most agree that the workplace will never be the same.

We quickly realized we neglected to operate at our full technological potential. Because we didn’t gradually make changes over the past decade, immediately doing so during a pandemic emergency was incredibly difficult and, in some cases, impossible.

Businesses fought hard to change to a virtual workplace this year. They won’t want to lose all the ground they gained once 2021 rolls around. For that reason, even after life returns to ‘normal,’ virtual assistant services will remain in high demand. The way we do work has fundamentally changed and there’s no going back.

As more businesses learn how to effectively operate remotely in 2021 and beyond, look for them to use VA services more frequently. The days of viewing delegation to a VA company as ‘futuristic’ or ‘ahead of its time’ are officially over. The dawn of virtual work has arrived en masse, and it’s here to stay for businesses able to pull it off logistically.

Companies Will Want to “Future Proof” their Businesses

“What else could disrupt my company in the future?” Countless businesses are asking this exact question. Although no one knows the answer for sure, plenty of companies want to update their approach before the unforeseen strikes again.

Even after the pandemic concludes (hopefully sometime in 2021), look for businesses and employees to desire and encourage remote work as a form of ‘future-proofing.’ No one in our lifetime will forget what happened in 202o, and no one wants to be caught in a situation where they’re unable to rapidly function remotely.

Having help from a virtual assistant company in 2021 will uniquely position businesses to prepare for any obstacles that come their way in the future. That could include national security threats, natural disasters or another health emergency, for example.

We learned the hard way this year that the time to prepare for the unexpected as a business isn’t once something happens. If there are ways to prepare beforehand, that makes the most sense.

Finding the Best Virtual Assistant Company for Your Business

Would you like to learn more about our VA services? If so, please reach out to us. Smart to Finish has helped many businesses navigate the pandemic more effectively. We also look forward to assisting businesses once COVID is more under control. Whether you need a remote team, online manager or virtual assistant, we can offer the support you need.

Scheduling a free 30-minute consultation with us only takes a moment but could be a significant turning point in your business. We look forward to chatting with you soon!

The Qualities of a Superior Virtual Team in 2021

The Qualities of a Superior Virtual Team in 2021

Could your business benefit from a virtual team’s help as we soon head into 2021? If you’re like many rapidly growing companies, you may not have the time to build your own virtual team, but the need persists. That’s where finding a virtual assistant company that can provide the VA team option can be indispensable.

In our rapidly changing world, virtual assistant services are continually evolving. And the remote team aspect is no different. To that end, here are some characteristics of superior remote teams to consider as we approach 2021.

Remote Team Members with Experience

If you value a virtual assistant company that can provide you with a remote team, you’ll want a team with experience. This is especially true since the pandemic has brought many new virtual assistants and VA companies into the mix.

While it’s not always possible for everyone on a VA team to have years of experience, there should be the right balance of veterans among the ranks. A virtual team already skilled because of familiarity with tasks will give you a noticeable advantage as 2021 draws near.

A Virtual Team that Values Unity

We all come from different places with unique perspectives on life. While this is a good thing, it can also work to divide us if we aren’t careful. There are no perfect remote teams or individuals who make up those teams. We all have our struggles and triumphs.

The best virtual assistant teams in 2021 will possess open-mindedness, compassion and maturity to appreciate the humanity of those on their team and any companies they assist with tasks. This means looking for the good in others regardless of political affiliation, race or any other barrier while making a unified effort towards project goals.

Unity will be all the more important, given the potential for vast geographical and cultural differences between virtual team members and the companies they assist.

A Constant Desire to Improve

Today’s virtual team landscape is continually changing. “We’ve always done it that way” will continue to be a dangerous phrase. Instead, quality remote teams will think, “There has to be a better way” and then figure out what those new strategies should look like.

If your business is considering hiring a virtual team this year, look for a group that aren’t scared off by technological advancements and outside-the-box solutions. A complacent and business-as-usual virtual team just won’t cut it in 2021.

Strong Virtual Team Leadership

Successful virtual teams are only as capable as their leadership. Effective virtual teams will need a highly qualified online manager in 2021, especially given today’s challenges.

In their “Forbes” article entitled How to Lead Virtually in a Time of Pandemic, Nick Petschek and Rachel Rosenfeldt share the following:

“Especially in a crisis, we cannot forget that we are all human – and tapping into that humanity is the foundation of leading in such uncertain times.”

Leading virtual teams was never a ‘walk in the park’ but the close of this year and the year to come will require even greater wisdom and skill from those overseeing virtual project management.

Virtual team communication will be a must in 2021 and beyond as work and home lives collide due to rapidly changing conditions caused by the pandemic. The strongest remote teams aren’t necessarily the most gifted or driven in the traditional sense. Instead, they do their best work when each team member feels cared about and their contributions are valued. A competent yet compassionate and kind online manager will be a significant asset in 2021 as the pandemic continues.

Could Your Business Benefit from a Virtual Team in 2021 and Beyond?

If so, Smart to Finish can provide your business with a remote team. That way, you’ll have a qualified group to help you from day one regardless of where your business calls home. We also can assist you if you need a remote assistant (virtual assistant) or an online business manager.

The best way to find out how we can help your business is to get in touch with us. Feel free to schedule a free 30-minute consultation to learn more. We look forward to chatting soon!

How to Choose the Best Virtual Assistant Company for Your Business

How to Choose the Best Virtual Assistant Company for Your Business

Are you a business owner or business manager looking for the best virtual assistant company, given your unique needs? If so, you already realize there are many choices out there. But you also understand that not all options offer equal value.

How do you decide on the best virtual assistant services for your company? While that answer will be slightly different for everyone, here are some useful guidelines to keep in mind.

A Well-Established Virtual Assistant Company

When the pandemic hit this year, many businesses became painfully aware of their neglected digital marketing strategies. More than ever, the ‘brick and mortar’ approach wasn’t cutting it with the lockdowns and uncertainties.

Maybe it was a website that needed updated content, design or features that caught their attention. Or perhaps digital marketing strategies like social media marketing were lacking. Plenty of other concerns surfaced as well.

With that surge in digital demand came new VA companies and solopreneurs to meet that need. That led to an increase in fledgling VA businesses and some scams. While there certainly are some quality recently established VA companies out there, you’ll generally experience more consistent results from a virtual assistant business established well before then.

For that reason, it makes sense more than ever to choose a virtual assistant company that’s been around for a while. That way, you’ll have a greater chance of getting the results your company needs (especially during the crucial times we find ourselves in).

Remember that ‘Cheap’ Virtual Assistants Won’t Save You Money

Especially with many businesses struggling this year more than usual, this one bears repeating. Some businesses new to the virtual assistant world figure they can build their business with cheap virtual assistant services.

After months or years of disappointment, they finally realize they’ve spent more money on ‘cost-effective’ services because they’re just a watered-down version of the reliable services they needed all along. That’s because a cheap remote assistant, remote team or online manager will cost you more in the long run.

You lose more than money in this pursuit too. You also lose the time you could’ve spent building your business the right way from the start. In the virtual assistant world, if it seems too good to be true, it probably is. There’s little doubt you’ll get what you paid for but didn’t want if you go the cheap route.

For that reason, be cautious of offers to build your business from the ground with mere pennies. If it were that easy, a lot more people would own successful companies. Instead, look for a quality business that gives you more value in their pricing.

Especially if you’re unsure if you can afford a VA, don’t give in to the low-rate trap. Even some more established businesses were tempted to go that route this year given the harsh economic times. But remember that inferior work at basement prices will cost you more now than when things were economically stable.

Assess Your Needs First

It’s easy to jump into the search phase when looking for top virtual assistant companies. You already feel the crunch for time and are falling behind on tasks after all. But choosing too quickly could make the process more difficult.

Before searching for a VA company, get a good idea of your business needs. Besides that, also figure out your company’s major weaknesses and future goals. This will allow you to not simply fill roles in your company. It’ll also allow you to solve your most perplexing concerns and reach for your dreams.

In her “Inc.” article entitled Virtual Assistants are the Best-Kept Secret of Modern Productivity, Diane Gottsman shares some of the possible needs you may have as a business:

“Perhaps you would benefit from higher-level support, such as a virtual business manager capable of creating the processes and forms that your growing company needs. VAs can also be personal assistants, managing a mix of business and personal tasks.”

If you take the time to discuss your needs, weaknesses and future goals beforehand, you’ll have a better idea of the best VA company for your business when the search phase begins. Without taking that step first, it’ll be tough to decide.

Looking for the Best Virtual Assistant Company for Your Business? Let’s Chat!

With Smart to Finish, delegating tasks doesn’t have to be drudgery. We provide the perfect solution to your digital needs, whether your business could benefit from an online business manager, virtual office assistant, digital marketing virtual assistant or virtual team.

If you’d like to learn more about how we can propel your business forward, please contact us for a free 30-minute consultation. We look forward to becoming a vital part of your business development and growth strategy.

Could a Virtual Team Help Your Six or Seven-Figure Business Recover from the Recession?

Could a Virtual Team Help Your Six or Seven-Figure Business Recover from the Recession?

A virtual team may be just what your successful company needs to recover from a historic recession brought on by the pandemic. The reality is that most successful businesses (although not all) have struggled this year.

And for some, it feels like you’re just trying to pick up all the pieces. Now, it may be time to regroup and rebuild. Feelings of hope and doubt may visit you in turns over whether you can satisfyingly do that.

If that’s where you find yourself, you aren’t alone and you have options when growing a business after a recession (and during it). The same entrepreneurial and risk-taking spirit that got you this far is still there. So, you look at the challenges, even if they seem daunting, and courageously find solutions. That’s just who you are.

As you figure out how to grow your business in light of the pandemic, we can help. We’ve been able to support successful businesses in adjusting to this year’s volatile market conditions.

In her “Forbes” article entitled How to Reinvent Your Business to Survive a Recession, Michelle Clarke shares the following: “With some preparation and foresight, companies with executable business continuity plans in place are usually better positioned to dedicate the resources required to quickly implement a strategic response to a disruption by pivoting or reinventing their business model.”

Here are some reasons to consider a virtual team as you decide on business growth strategies during the recession.

Prompt Results When You Need Them Most

Perhaps you had to let some of your employees go, and now you need to scale your business quickly again. The only trouble is that you feel stuck because hiring takes loads of effort, time and training. How will you ever promptly deliver the results your customers or clients demand?

Hiring a virtual team can help you to scale or rescale your business rapidly. That means less stress over having the help you need. It also means you can set aside the worry over having the expertise you’ll need. Right from the start, you’ll have a highly skilled team ready to make great things happen at your company.

A Team Outside of Your Company’s Challenges

When your business goes through challenging times, all of your team members feel that stress from the top to bottom. And just when you need innovation the most, all that stress can translate into a drop in energy, creativity and purpose.

How do you bail yourself out of such a scenario? While the best plan will require a multi-pronged approach, one answer for some businesses is to hire a virtual team outside of the company to assist with navigating these challenging times.

Instead of just hiring one virtual assistant, you’ll get a virtual assistant team. Bringing on a virtual team outside of your home-grown one has its advantages during tough times. Your remote team will be able to better emotionally separate themselves from the stress you feel in your business (while still being passionately involved in building your dreams).

What does that mean for you and your company? Help for your most pressing challenges from an energetic and creative team. You’ll get optimal results even when anxiety levels may be high in your business. You might also benefit from an outside perspective which will allow you to break free from operating in survival mode or feeling paralyzed.

White Label Services When You Need Them Most

White label virtual assistant services can also be a vital part of your comeback strategy. As you recover from the recession, now may be the opportune time to add new services or reintroduce previously existing services you had to cut back on for a while.

But what do you do if you’re not yet ready to hire someone as a full-time employee? One possibility is hiring a skilled part of our team to be part of the face of your team. You can present individuals from Smart to Finish as your own employees with our white label services during tough times, impressing your prospective clients or customers in the process.

Not only do you look more established by doing this, but you’ll automatically bring on an expert. That type of customer confidence can allow you to grow (or regrow) your business with fewer frustrating moments and unknowns. You just may find that bringing on a team of white label professionals is the ‘secret sauce’ for how to grow your company during challenging times.

Could a Virtual Team Be Part of the Solution to Your Pandemic Challenges?

Have you hit six figures or seven figures in your business, but things have been unusually tough this year? At Smart to Finish, we understand the many obstacles facing a six -figure business and larger along the path to success. We also realize that what matters most is that you can improve the lives of people around you who need your product or services while meeting your revenue goals.

If you’d like to learn more about how we can assist your business during the pandemic and the future, feel free to get in touch for a free 30-minute consultation. Whether you need an online business manager, virtual assistant or remote team, we’re here to make sure you grow your business regardless of the challenges.

Business Growth Strategies for Your Pandemic Quantum Leap

Business Growth Strategies for Your Pandemic Quantum Leap

Business growth didn’t go as planned this year, that’s for sure. It’s safe to say that no one could’ve guessed how 2020 would unfold. Not too far into the year, the pandemic rapidly changed how we live and do work worldwide. Many businesses took massive financial hits, and some of them didn’t survive.

But some businesses bringing in six figures or greater have experienced just the opposite. Jordan Valinsky’s “The Mercury News” article entitled Business is Booming for These 14 Companies During the Coronavirus Pandemic shares the following: “During this upheaval, some companies have been thriving because of dramatic shifts in consumer behavior.”

You feel fortunate as an entrepreneur because your company is one of the few that thrived, possibly more than ever, this year. You feel incredibly grateful because some of the seemingly most immune industries suffered major business growth setbacks as a pandemic-induced recession rocked the global economy.

Maybe you specialize in online creative services, outdoor products, or medical supplies or another industry that just went crazy in a good way this year. While you’re thankful for the business, you may feel overwhelmed by the customer or client demands you need to meet.

The most pressing question if your business is bringing in six figures, seven figures or more is, “What do I do now? What do I do today to meet that customer or client demand?” If those are your questions, we have some answers that may help. Specifically, you may want to seriously consider hiring a remote team to assist your business during times of such high demand. Here’s why.

Delegating and Outsourcing Without Lengthy Delays

You instinctively know now isn’t the time to hire a team and spend weeks and months training them if you have delegation needs today. It just isn’t realistic. You’d lose so much time and resources in the process. You also don’t want to heap unrealistic expectations on new hires during such stressful times.

That’s where hiring a remote team from a virtual assistant company can help. You get on-demand delegation power when you need it most. That allows you to meet the needs of your clients or customers more seamlessly. And that same excellent service will help to ensure that your customers and clients return.

Expert Help Right Away

As a business owner, you realize that building the right team can take months and years. It isn’t an instant-gratification pursuit. It takes patience and persistence. But what do you do when you can’t grow the skills of your employees in time?

Although there are a variety of strategies worth considering, one of the best is hiring a team of already established experts who will provide the skills you need at your moment of need. That’s what a remote team can do for you.

Experience Working with Businesses in the ‘Quantum Leap’ Phase

Even before the pandemic and resulting recession, our team regularly worked with businesses going through a boom.

We understand what it takes to help companies during high-demand times. We also realize how necessary it is that your business rises to the occasion when there’s a rush for a particular service or product.

Given our experience, you’ll gain a virtual team skilled in helping you navigate the good stressors of a booming business. That way, you’ll be able to focus more on ‘steering your company’s ship’ instead of existing in survival mode.

Would You Like to Maximize Your Business Growth During the Pandemic?

If so, Smart to Finish is here to make sure that, no matter how busy you are, you’re able to meet the increasing demand for your product or services brought on by the pandemic. We can help your six-figure business or seven-figure business to keep delivering the same stellar service your customers or clients have come to expect.

Regardless of whether you need a virtual assistant, virtual team or virtual manager, we can make growing a business a lot less frustrating. If you’d like to learn more, please reach out to us for a free 30-minute consultation to discuss the best business growth strategies for your company.

How the Power of Delegation Can Grow Your People Skills as an Entrepreneur

How the Power of Delegation Can Grow Your People Skills as an Entrepreneur

Learning the power of delegation can take months and years to achieve. So, why go through with the sometimes-painful process of learning the art of delegation as an entrepreneur?

The increased opportunity to grow your business and revenue as an entrepreneur should be enough to take it seriously. But have you considered the personal growth benefits associated with delegating? Although the fiscal pressures you face can sometimes be immense, the people skills you gain can be even more valuable over time.

Although budgetary needs are critical and can feel all-consuming, it’s possible to meet them and still not succeed on a deeper level. Because, ultimately, the point of the entrepreneurial journey is to improve the lives of people. That means your customers, clients, staff and yourself. Money aside, if that goal isn’t met, then what’s the point?

Your most valuable business connection is the people meaningfully involved with your dream. As you learn how to improve delegation, you’ll notice that your people skills grow too. And it could be argued that no greater ability exists than being able to meaningfully and authentically connect with others. Here are some people-skill benefits you can expect as you learn to excel at delegating tasks.

Delegating Helps You Listen to Your Intuition Better

When you first became an entrepreneur, you may have ignored your ‘gut feelings’ or intuition when making business decisions (and gotten burned as a result). But, after a while, you probably regretted not listening better.

This ‘sixth sense’ is so essential to business growth. It allows you to be guarded or less so even when all the facts aren’t in. It helps you decide to go with the ‘less impressive’ job candidate because there’s something about them you can’t fully explain that’s different.

As you delegate work, you continually improve your intuition skills. Fostering this skill allows you to read between the lines, pick up on non-verbal cues and make the best decision. No course or book can give you the answers on whether to outsource a particular task to ‘John’ or ‘Andrea,’ for instance.

You listen to your intuition, fully understanding life is nuanced and people are far more complex than we often admit. Being sensitive to what’s best for you, your staff and your customers through following your intuition can make them feel cared about and valued. People will always appreciate authenticity like that.

It separates you from entrepreneurs who bowl over others because they feel they have to ‘win’ at all costs. And it can help you achieve your higher purpose while in business and leave a lasting legacy worth following.

Delegating Teaches You How to “Let Go” for Better Results

As an entrepreneur, you can control how hard you work, but you can’t perfectly guarantee your results. You have to learn to control what you can and let go of what you can’t.

But what can and should you control when it comes to people? You really can only control yourself. You naturally hate being micromanaged as an entrepreneur, and so does your staff. Attempting to gain more control than necessary on projects and oversight leaves you emotionally and physically spent.

Micromanagement also leaves your staff feeling frazzled, untrusted and less productive than they could’ve been. Learning effective delegation teaches you the invaluable people skill of letting go. Because the surest way to lose your people is to ‘smother’ them in an attempt to bend them to your will.

In his “Entrepreneur” article entitled How to Delegate Better and Become a Great Leader, John Boitnott shares the following advice:

“Empower your workers to feel like they’re making valuable contributions and are trusted to handle new responsibilities. Part of that empowerment means giving your workers access to the people, equipment, information and materials they’ll need to do a good job. As a result, they’ll gain more self-confidence and will achieve more.”

Guide your staff only as much as necessary. After that, as hard as it initially can be as an entrepreneur, let go and let your team do their best work. After all, the feeling of being in control of others is just an illusion. A vital part of growth personally and professionally involves getting out of the way so everyone can give their best effort towards collective success.

Delegating Improves More than Just Your Work Relationships

Developing effective delegation skills means learning to get things done with the help of others. It means learning to ‘play’ as a team, work hard, foster mutual respect and accomplish your goals while remaining sensitive to others’ goals and dreams.

Delegating done well can improve your work relationships as an entrepreneur. If carried out correctly, your workers will feel valued that you entrusted them with so much responsibility. They’ll appreciate your healthy balance of proper guidance and autonomy.

The valuable people skills gained from the delegation of responsibility will also give you the tools needed to nurture your most vital relationships. That may involve how you interact with your extended family, close friends, children and significant other or spouse.

With solid people skills in place you’ve learned from delegating, you’ll have the unique ability to nurture your most vital relationships. And in doing so, you’ll have a healthy support system in place to make a positive difference in the lives of your clients, customers, staff and personal life.

Want to Discover the Power of Delegation on a Deeper Level?

As you grow in your delegation skills, you’ll find a variety of available strategies to meet your company’s needs. One powerful possibility is hiring a virtual assistant company to assist you with tasks.

Smart to Finish can help you with delegation whether you need an online business manager, virtual team or virtual assistant. We offer on-demand solutions to your staffing needs, so you don’t have to wait months and years to grow as a business.

If you’d like to learn more about how we can grow your business, feel free to reach out to us. Scheduling a 30-minute free consultation only takes a minute but could be one of the biggest steps you take towards scaling your business.

Delegating Tasks: Why It’s Important to Your Growth as an Entrepreneur

Delegating Tasks: Why It’s Important to Your Growth as an Entrepreneur

Why is delegating tasks necessary to your growth as an entrepreneur? Because learning how to delegate is far more than something you do. Most importantly, the delegation of responsibility done well shapes who you become.

In her “Entrepreneur” article entitled 7 Rules for Entrepreneurs to Delegate Effectively, Anna Johansson says, “You need to think about delegating some of your work. Delegation is a key factor in entrepreneurial success, on both a personal and professional level.”

At first glance, delegating may seem like nothing more than a mundane task entrepreneurs check off their lengthy to-do lists. But the end result is a destiny and not just a duty.

As an entrepreneur, you’re continually growing. You may not always think of it that way because of your ever-growing responsibilities, but that’s the undeniable reality whether your company is struggling or thriving.

Not all entrepreneurs experience the same growth trajectory though. Some look more like a stunted, water-deprived garden plant. Others experience lush growth like a plant regularly given plenty of water. What makes the difference between the two?

While the answer to such a question is nuanced, learning the art of delegation as an entrepreneur is an integral aspect of your growth process. Here’s why you should regularly delegate work if you want to grow as an entrepreneur.

Someone Out There Can Do Those Tasks Better

Yes, that’s initially a tough one for one’s ego as an entrepreneur but so true. Among all the jobs you have to get done, some are a constant struggle because they aren’t where your passions and strength lie.

That doesn’t make you weak or inept. It’s just the reality every entrepreneur out there faces. To grow, you have to learn to play to your strengths. But you can’t stop there. You also need to gather individuals around you who are strong in areas you aren’t.

The more this happens, the more your business will thrive. You won’t always feel like you’re doing some tasks well but failing at others. You’ll have more time to grow in the skills that interest you most and become even better at them because of your delegation skills.

Less Frustration Means More Passion

You need to maintain your passion as an entrepreneur to stay motivated and continually grow. But somewhere along the way, all the things you have to do can sap the joy out of you. And you can start to feel regularly frustrated.

Every entrepreneur goes through seasons of aimlessness, complacency and a loss of vision. And not all entrepreneurs survive this stage. For some, that’s a good thing because they’re ready for a different entrepreneurial challenge. But others simply need a bit more perseverance to break through the listlessness.

Although seasons of frustration can help you grow, no one receives a trophy for staying there longer than you have to! Less frustration through effective delegation gives you more time and inner calm to make the best choices for your business and those who’re helping your mission to become successful. You also have more time and energy to focus on personal growth as an entrepreneur.

The Power of Delegation Ensures Even More Growth Will Happen

What do you experience as an entrepreneur when you aren’t delegating appropriately? An incredible amount of physical, emotional and spiritual stress. You’re always busy—like someone lost at sea in a rowboat who’s unsure of where to locate the closest shore.

There’s an enormous effort with little progress. It’s hard to figure out a plan to grow as an entrepreneur (let alone figure out how to implement that strategy). You’re always just trying to ‘keep your head above water.’

Something drastically shifts when you begin delegating, though. You become more intentional about your business strategy, and you’re able to focus much more on self-improvement. You finally have time to get out of the way of your business and just concentrate on leading it.

And it’s not long before you find ways to improve. One major perk of noticing opportunities to grow as a business owner is that encouraging your team to grow personally becomes a higher priority. Your goal isn’t about ‘squeezing every last dollar out of them.’

It becomes about genuinely wanting your staff to achieve their highest potential because you’re interested in them as people. And when your staff feels valued, you’ll be amply rewarded.

Could You Use Some Help with Delegating Tasks?

Once you go all-in on delegation, finding virtual help can significantly improve your personal and business growth. You can quickly enhance your delegation of duties through a virtual assistant company instead of going through the long, arduous and unpredictable process of hiring in-person staff.

Instead, you’ll have an on-demand solution to all those nagging tasks that need to be done. Those tasks may be completed best by a virtual team, virtual assistant or online business manager. Smart to Finish can help you develop a customized delegation strategy so you and your business continue growing.

Would you like to find out more about how we can assist you? If so, feel free to reach out to us for a free 30-minute consultation. We look forward to working with you!

Happy Delegation Day!

“Are You Tired, Overwhelmed And Overworked?
Do you want to have support in your business but don’t even know where to start?

 

Are you staying up late at night trying to figure out how to setup an email campaign or broadcast?  

We dare you to do something about it. 

Discover why delegating is your secret weapon to have more time, energy and happiness. (Oh and of course business growth!)

Introducing… the Delegation Dare.

A 10-Day Virtual Intensive to train you how to change your mindset and learn the  key strategies to make delegating work for you.

Here is a recap of what you will receive when you join…

🤗 A private Facebook group where you will access daily trainings and live Q&A calls.

📃 Templates, checklists and action guides to use as tools in your learning.

💻 Includes 10 hours of virtual assistant support hours!

📩 Goodies in the mail to help you with your delegating practices! 

🛎 Includes a 30-minute bonus session to map out your delegating strategy!

Here’s what some of our clients have to say about delegating to us:

The easiest techie girl I’ve ever worked with and she knows how to make things pleasing to the eye. Plus, I love knowing if I’m in a pinch or my website has a glitch, she will find a solution fast! Amber ROCKS!”  Jeanna Gabellini

“Where most entrepreneurs get stuck in everything ’tech’ it takes to market their brand and sell online. There’s no need to do it yourself, or even figure out what you need. Smart to Finish is a great resource for busy entrepreneurs who need virtual assistance and tech support.”  – Ali Brown

How to Work from Home with Kids as an Entrepreneur

How to Work from Home with Kids as an Entrepreneur

Are you an entrepreneur who’s wondering how to work from home with kids? If so,
you’re already well aware of the many stressors that can occur when mixing kids and a
home-based business. Add to that the year of the Pandemic with disrupted school
schedules, and few other questions become as relevant as this one.

Although there are many benefits of working from home, the lifestyle has plenty of
challenges too. And until you try working from home with kids as an entrepreneur, it’s
hard to imagine how significant this adjustment can be.

In her “Small Business Trends” article entitled 10 Tips for Working from Home with
Kids, Annie Pilon sums up the struggle well:

“Parents see an advantage to spending more time at home. But they also find
it challenging to stay focused on their tasks. It leads to chaos during dedicated
working hours. And it can also be tough for some to “turn off” the office mindset when
it’s time to hang out with family.”

Can you relate to this tug-of-war obstacle? If your answer is ‘yes,’ here are some working
from home tips with children in the house to consider.

Avoid Doing Parenting and Remote Work at the Same Time

Why is this a bad idea? Because at least one of the two is bound to suffer. Either it’ll be
the health of your child or your business at stake. Since these two interests are
interdependent, and both need to thrive, you need a better option.

In reality, it’s impossible to regularly engage with work and family simultaneously. This
is especially true if you’re trying to figure out how to work from home with a baby. When
working from home with a newborn or young child, you’ll have to either do one or the
other.

Working and parenting at the same time only leads to perpetual discouragement and
frustration. And as pressing as your business demands may seem, your kids need you
even more than your business does.

Instead, you’ll do better by staying up later than your child or rising earlier. Your child’s
naptime can also be a good opportunity to sneak in a little work. Finding someone to
occasionally watch your children can be quite helpful too.

How to Work from Home with Kids: Set Up an Office

Setting up a home office will help you make the line between work and family more
distinct. Having your own space for work will allow you to focus on your daily tasks
better too. Then, when you step away from your work area, you won’t feel so much
pressure to put on your entrepreneur hat when it’s time to parent.

This also helps your child to understand the work boundaries you need to be successful.
It’s natural that your kids will want to talk with you, ask for a snack or settle sibling
disputes. Having a home office helps everyone in the family better understand the
delicate balance of work and home life.

Get Out of the House with Your Family

You already know it can be challenging to turn off work mode when it should be family
time. There will always be more work, after all.

But what’s sometimes hard to see is you only have so many child-rearing years. You
want to make those years happy and healthy for you and your child while there’s still
time.

One way to focus more on your child is to intentionally get out of the house for a while.
Maybe you go for a hike or swim together. Or perhaps you go for a drive and get ice
cream. It’s most important to be intentional about getting out when your stress levels
are unusually high as an entrepreneur.

Regardless of what you do outside the home, just getting away for a few hours is a great
way to put work aside for a while. It makes working from home with children more fun
and manageable too.

Choose to Delegate for a Better Work-Family Balance

You can’t do it all. And if you try, you, your family and business will all lose. You only
have so much energy and time each day to give to work and your family.

If you’ve been consistently working hard but can’t seem to make nearly the progress you
need, it’s likely been time to start delegating tasks for a while now.

The importance of delegation is crucial since it can give you more time to take care of
your family and your health. It can also increase the value you bring to clients and
customers while growing your profits.

How to Delegate Effectively: Could You Use Some Help?

Effective delegation is a skill you can continually improve at regardless of how long
you’ve been an entrepreneur. And the more your business develops, the more useful
delegation in business becomes.

If you’d like to discover the benefits of delegation on a deeper level, feel free to get in
touch with Smart to Finish. Perhaps you’re just learning to delegate, or you’ve been at it
for a while now but need to learn how to delegate tasks better. Either way, we can assist
you.

By scheduling a 30-minute free consultation with us, we can develop a customized plan
for your business. Your journey of how to delegate better may involve hiring an online
business manager, virtual assistant or virtual team. Best of all, you’ll grow your business
stronger and faster while maintaining a healthy work-family balance.

Are You an Online Business Manager? Why You Should Use White Label Services

Are You an Online Business Manager? Why You Should Use White Label Services

As an online business manager, could you use some new ways to succeed? If so, adding white-label services to your business’s growth strategy could be part of the answer. Although plenty of businesses do benefit from the help of a white-label virtual assistant, many more overlook this valuable possibility. They focus more on ‘traditional’ growth strategies instead and miss out as a result.

In his Medium article entitled How to Grow Your Agency’s Bottom Line with White Label Services, Hans Holen shares the following:

“White-label services are often an efficient way for agencies to increase profitability by improving margin and growing top-line revenue at the same time.”

One constant in today’s tech-driven business atmosphere is change. For companies to be successful requires perpetual adaptation. With a white-label partnership, an online manager can ‘borrow’ a VA from a virtual assistant company while presenting the professional as their on-staff, home-grown expert. Their hiring interests could include white label marketing services, web development and much more.

How might this practice strengthen and advance your goals as an online business manager? Here are a few of the many ways.

Growth Without So Much Risk

If you’ve thought of adding an additional service to your business but have put it off for a while, that’s normal. Adding a new service can require a lot of planning, effort and expertise. And as an in-person business manager or manager online, you face regular pressure to grow your company while minimizing the chance for any ‘big’ setbacks.

The last thing you want is a less-than-satisfactory delivery of that new service when your existing ones have a reputation for excellence. There’s often significant risk involved with creating new services which can lead to the feeling of apprehension, cold feet and procrastination before finally taking the leap.

Yes, it’s possible that you need more time to think about adding an additional service. You obviously don’t want to make flippant or overly hasty business decisions. At the same time, if you’ve noticed the reoccurring theme of wanting to add new services to the business you oversee, now could be a great time to go for it.

By adding a white-label virtual assistant, you can experiment with offering new services before taking the ‘big leap’. For instance, you may have one client who needs help with web design and that’s a service you’ve wanted to add. You can hire a white-label virtual assistant skilled in that service to help with your project before going more mainstream with that offering.

Since you’ll be dealing with an expert right away, you won’t have to worry about a disappointing experience for your client. Then, you’ll be able to establish an ever-increasing framework for successfully delivering that service in the future.

You Can Hire on an As-Needed Basis (More Cost-Effective)

When you begin offering a new service, it’s possible the volume of demand for it may not be as strong as with your existing services. With a white-label virtual assistant, that’s no problem.

Simply hire your white-label VA for the services you need when you need them. It’s like having a full-time niche-specific expert available and only needing to pay for their services when your clients or customers could benefit from them.

Impressive Company Presentation

For better or worse, appearances matter in the business world. Offering a wide range of services shows potential clients and customers that you’re established and successful.

In the end, offering quality solutions while building strong relationships is what running a successful business is all about. The money earned is just a bi-product of that greater achievement. Having said that, without an initial impressive appearance, you may not get the chance to impress your client or customer as you hoped.

With a white-label VA, you’ll be able to bolster that impressive company appearance until you get the chance to show the high value of your services.

More Services Can Mean More Sales

Of course, you don’t want to offer so many services that you can’t provide high-quality outcomes. At the same time, the more ‘hooks’ you keep in the water, the more ‘fish’ you’ll catch.

Having a white-label virtual assistant enables you to scale your business’s growth more quickly. It also allows you to not only save money but to earn more. Those increased sales will allow you to continually improve your current services while developing new ones to offer.

Are You an Online Business Manager Who’s Considering White-Label Services?

At Smart to Finish, we love empowering your business and getting aspects of it moving that have been stuck in the mud. You may not have to put off offering that new service. It could be as simple as getting in touch with us.

Whether you need a VA, virtual team, virtual manager, or white label VA, Smart to Finish can help you to delegate like a pro. Would you like to discuss how we can strengthen and grow your business? If so, feel free to reach out to us for a free 30-minute consultation. We are looking forward to meeting you!