Today, I will explain why your business may be ready for a Fractional Executive Assistant.
Executive Business Partner
Virtual Assistants have been around for years. When I started my business in the 90s, we had to explain to business owners what a virtual assistant (VA) does.
Kathie Thomas was (and still is) the VA Queen. For years, she mentored, explained, and is the industry cheerleader. Kathie was very instrumental in my business start-up back in the 90s.
Kathie defined a VA as
Someone pretty much like a corporate, personal assistant but with a broader skillset, working from home with a variety of clients.
Kathie Thomas
Virtual Assistants can range from website designers, social media managers, transcription experts, executive assistants, and online business managers to executive business partners.
Here are three thoughts to provoke you, two ideas to inspire you, and one item to act on!
Three Thoughts to Provoke
Number One. Manage Pivots.
An agile business is crucial this year. Can your business pivot?
2020 has been a year of change. We are doing a lot more business remotely. Many are no longer traveling to faraway places, speaking at conferences on the other side of the country, or networking at events to raise funds for their non-profits.
Instead, your calendar is full of phone calls, Zoom Meetings, and notes to connect with someone.
An Executive Business Partner (EBP) brings expertise in networking and organizing to your business. They add that extra special touch to your connections with clients or customers.
Zoom Meetings are considered routine. We touch base with attendees, ensure they have the Zoom info, confirm attendance and ask for any agenda items. An agenda is developed and distributed prior to the meeting. This helps to make meetings shorter and more productive.
Manage Client Pivot case from Olinda Services
Number Two. Manage Relationships
EBPs can assist you in nurturing business relationships. Whether you are a small business or a non-profit, relationships are more challenging to maintain with distance.
An EBP can help you by keeping in touch with clients, calendaring birthdays and special events. Your executive business partner will know how your client’s business operates. They will know the key stakeholders. Efficiency in scheduling will be top of mind.
Recently a client needed to do something special for book contributors. We organized the process. We contacted the contributor or their assistant, asked for a preferred mailing address, and mailed a copy of the book to them. The books were attractively wrapped and a personal, handwritten note included in the mail pouch.
Relationship Management Case by Olinda Services
Number Three. Manage Minutiae.
In March, life shifted. In some ways, we are no longer able to get away from the daily minutiae (details) that plague us. The emails have multiplied since we have fewer face-to-face meetings. Phone calls are a constant headache. Texting has become the norm.
Your EBP can handle a lot of the minutiae for you. Encourage people to touch base with your EBP to address the meeting and phone schedules. At the minimum, have them be cc’d. Stop responding personally to everything. If someone texts you for information or confirmation, encourage them to reach out to your EBP.
Olinda Services maintains a project management system for each client. Every meeting that needs to be scheduled is put into the system, and follow-ups noted. If, after 3 requests, the person has not responded, a tag is placed on the task to review on the next open items call. This call is usually once a week for 30 minutes. Decisions are made then on further action.
Manage Minutiae (The Details) case by Olinda Services
Two Things to Inspire
Number One. Let It Go
Please, stop feeling like you need to manage everything! Your trusted Executive Business Partner will handle the details. They will bring the class, personal touch, and excellence to manage your pivots, relationship, and minutiae.
Herman Hesse says,
“Some of us think holding on makes us strong, but sometimes it is letting go.”
– Herman Hesse
Number Two. Trust
I know it can be challenging to trust someone else to manage your business. Start small, set expectations, and develop trust.
Robert C. Solomon notes,
“Building trust begins with an appreciation and understanding of trust, but it also requires practice and practices.”
– Robert C. Solomon
Your Action Item
When I interview potential clients, I follow up with an email. I always let them know that I may not be their ideal candidate. My desire is for them to find the executive business partner that is right for them.
Your action item for today?
If you do not have your ideal Executive Business Partner, let’s connect. Contact us at support@olindaservices.com. A team member will schedule a time for you to discuss your needs with Chief Chaos Whisperer, Lisa Olinda.
What chaos needs to be busted in your business?
Feel free to ask a question or comment here.
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