In this Bonus Next Step, BELAY client Bruce Ackerman talks about the most important things you can do to create a lasting partnership with your new Virtual Assistant right from the start.
Bruce emphasizes that building an effective partnership with a Virtual Assistant takes time — approximately four months to develop a smooth working rhythm.
Expect a learning curve as you transition from doing tasks yourself to delegating effectively. Patience and consistent communication are crucial during this adaptation period. The process requires a mindset shift from personal task completion to strategic collaboration.
Leaders must be willing to invest mental energy in teaching and refining workflows, understanding that initial inefficiencies will ultimately yield long-term productivity gains.
Creating comprehensive documentation is more than a one-time task; it's an ongoing strategic effort to capture institutional knowledge and personal preferences.
This includes developing systematic approaches to password management, travel booking, system access, and team-specific workflows. The goal is to create a living document that evolves with your business needs, enabling your Virtual Assistant to become increasingly autonomous and valuable.
By meticulously capturing nuanced preferences and operational details, you transform a simple support role into a strategic partnership.
Bruce recommends blocking two uninterrupted hours to lay the groundwork for a successful Virtual Assistant relationship.
This deliberate planning session goes beyond simple task listing — it's a deep dive into understanding your work patterns, inefficiencies, and potential areas of support.
By eliminating distractions and focusing intently on documentation, leaders can create a comprehensive blueprint for delegation. This upfront investment pays exponential dividends, enabling faster onboarding, clearer communication, and more efficient task management.
Successful Virtual Assistant partnerships require intentional, upfront investment in clear communication and systematic documentation.
This approach transforms a transactional relationship into a collaborative partnership to amplify personal and professional productivity. To learn how BELAY can help you turn up your productivity, schedule a call today!