If you’re running a business, particularly if you’re a soloist, you’ll inevitably need help at some point or another. When you get to the stage where you’re looking to pass off some of the non-core jobs you have, try to find someone who can help fill skill gaps in your business. For example:
If you’re a big picture person, find someone detail oriented
A big-picture view is great. There’s no arguing that you need to have a good idea of the big picture to get your business to where you want it. However, without someone watching the details it’s really easy to get derailed. Or at least to have to struggle to make your ‘big picture’ dreams a reality. Having someone who can focus on the smaller details can make sure that things get done on time and done properly the first time. Otherwise you’ll likely be doing a lot in a last minute panic when things often get missed and need to be done over because there were errors the first time.
If you’re a technophobe, find a technophile
I’ve got a client who just isn’t interested in technology and when I start pushing the wonderful things he could be using technology for he invariably responds “That’s what you’re here for”. And that’s fine (although occasionally frustrating), because these days you can’t get by without technology. Whether it’s paying bills online, invoicing and taking payments, using social media to market your business and connect with your customers, having a website and email accounts or just printing out correspondence, there’s a certain amount of technological use needed. If it’s not your thing at all, or even if you’d like to make more use of technology but don’t have the time or desire to learn about it, then finding a technophile Virtual Assistant is in your businesses best interests.
If spelling and grammar aren’t a priority for you, find a word nerd
A lot of people really couldn’t be bothered with spelling, grammar and the whole look of documents they’re sending. After all, as long as the content is good, what’s the problem? Of course, the problem is that the mish-mash document you’re sending out might be the only thing a potential client has to judge you by and NOBODY wants to hire someone who doesn’t take their work seriously. The image you want your business to portray is important, and everything that you send out from ads to quotes to enquiry responses to job specs to invoices all help build your business image. Make sure it’s a good one.
If maths isn’t your thing, find a number whiz
While spelling and grammar are important and can mean the difference between a successful business and an unsuccessful business, a mathematical error can cost you a lot of money. Whether you’re errors make you overprice or under-price work, you will lose either way. Too expensive and people will go elsewhere and too cheap and you’ll risk losing money on each job. Maths is certainly not my thing and I know from (unfortunate) experience that I can make a huge mathematical error and certainly not notice it, and usually not be able to figure out how it occurred if it is pointed out to me. Another one of the reasons I love Excel! If you’re the same, finding someone with an affinity for numbers who can proofread your numbers will be invaluable.
So what are the areas you’re not great at, or not interested in and could use some help to fill skill gaps? Or are you perfect? I’d love to hear your thoughts on the subject…
