Finally we reach Number One of my Top Ten countdown. This one is Keep on Learning!

I’m a firm believer in continuing professional development for Virtual Assistants. Whether you study a formal qualification, or take a few short courses, or listen to a webinar, attend a virtual or live VA conference (like AVAC) or undertake online learning from other VA’s or coaches – keep on learning about the VA industry and related industries. For example, I am studying Communications at university level as I find it invaluable for learning complementary skills for my Virtual Assistant practice. Things change so quickly in our industry given it is technology based, and I believe that we should never stop this process of learning and acquiring knowledge. This will benefit not only your clients but also you and your business.

There are a number of fantastic Virtual Assistant training providers which I can refer you to. Please drop me a line at info@netsecretary.com.au or leave me a comment.

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We are almost at the end of the Top 10 countdown of the most useful things I have learned being a VA. Number two on my list is Clients are Gold.

This one should be fairly self explanatory. After all, clients are a VA’s bread and butter. They pay our bills and keep our businesses running and therefore our livelihoods. But it is amazing how many VA’s I have come across who still don’t get this. Subcontracting to another VA is a prime example.

These are my tips for happy clients = happy VA practice!

• Always make time for your clients and give them personalised attention.
• Try to always add value to what you are providing to clients.
• The client is always right and even when they are wrong, they can still be made to feel they are ‘right’.
• Respect your clients time.
• Find reliable subcontractors who look after your clients to the same standards that you expect, or be prepared to check their work so the quality is consistent
• Remember your clients at Christmas, anniversaries and thank them in a meaningful way if they refer other clients to you.

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Setting goals for the New Year is something I always do at Net Secretary whenever January 1 rolls around. Thanks to Chris Brogan I have learned about a new technique for goal setting and developed three words for 2010 to guide me on how I should approach their implementation. The three words I have chosen are: Balance, Authenticity and Value.

1. Balance - Our goals should achieve balance in every aspect – balanced with the clients needs, balanced with our mission, a balance between quality, price and service – as well as the all important work/life balance and a reminder to strive for it at every opportunity.

2. Authenticity - Our goals should be authentic in line with Net Secretary’s vision and be true to its mission, as well as authentic in their delivery and their value (see next goal word).

3. Value - Do our goals add value for clients? Do we need to explore additional technologies, new media/social media and other emerging technologies? In what other ways can we achieve and demonstrate more value to our clients?

I’m planning to use this technique every year, thinking of new words to keep motivation high and inject fresh energy and creativity into our day to day tasks.

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