Collaboration is the process of two or more people or organisations working together to realise shared goals.
Our wonderful VA Industry is generally very collaborative by nature, however, we don't always hear its individual operators talking about this aspect of their business.
Yes, you'll hear a lot about sub-contracting various tasks out - but this is NOT what I mean.
I'm talking about when two or more VA providers (who each specialise in complementary skills) band together to bring a holistic service approach to their client. It's not sub-contracting... but, rather, what this means is that there is an opportunity to approach job leads as a ‘team’.
Finding complementary service providers in the VA industry is not really that hard. Simply by being active in a good VA network, and taking time getting to know those individuals within the network, I guarantee that you will come across people who provide a whole different skill set to you, and who you feel you can work with.
I stress here that these co-creators in your business need to have a similar mindset and outlook in relation to the way business is conducted in order for this to succeed.
As an example, I have a client who initially came to me asking for EA support PLUS Social Media management. The EA support is what I do, and what I love to do, so that part was not a problem. Not so with the Social Media management because it’s just not my area of expertise. However, I really, REALLY wanted this gig because the client was someone I definitely wanted to work with. Through the fabulous networks I am part of, I had built up some great relationships with several amazing Social Media specialists, and all it took was a few calls to discuss the role, come up with a plan to collaborate to put forward a proposal that would meet the client’s brief.
At the end of the day, both the VA team AND the client were winners: Not only were we able to provide a service that well and truly met the brief, but we agreed to also provide back-up for each other if and when the need arose. This was the perfect solution for the client, and she just loved it!
To create a sustainable and renowned industry, I believe that we need to work together collaboratively in order to create an industry that demands excellence; excellence in service and skill, excellence in quality, excellence in its individual operators, and most of all, excellence in outcome for its clients.
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