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Should you haven’t got a virtual or executive assistant, you most likely are one.
Because the boss, specializing in high-impact initiatives that drive greater value is crucial. You probably use a set of productivity tools to assist complete administrative tasks. And with well-optimized tools, you’ll be able to get loads done.
But here’s the irony: Your day-to-day productivity habits can keep you from attending to the things which might be the best and best use of your time. You might feel productive without completing what counts.
When quickly moving from task to task, what matters most goes out of focus without noticing. Being busy doesn’t equate to being productive. I see entrepreneurs make this error on a regular basis.
Many signs inform you you are veering into danger, and listed here are a number of the most typical I’ve seen. Should you nod yes to any of the next, you may need an executive or virtual assistant.
Related: I Found an Executive Assistant Who Modified My Life — Here’s How To Find Yours(*6*)
1. Your inbox is overflowing
You fire off emails all day but never see the underside of your inbox. Consequently, your to-do list gets longer, not shorter, every single day, too. Even with organizational tools flagging those you must reply to, essential emails often slip through the cracks. And should you’re being honest, many motion items in your to-do list are ignored or ignored.
2. You struggle with scheduling
Are you double-booking yourself? Is figure spilling into your personal time? Those are a number of the biggest red flags your calendar needs attention. And should you travel, you spend time booking flights, hotels, transfers, meetings and itineraries. You may not consider these tasks a giant deal, but look closely, and you may see how if one thing changes — something at all times changes — you are stuck coping with a cascade effect of more booking adjustments.
3. Your key partners or business relationships aren’t feeling the love
You aren’t maintaining skilled relationships should you’re bogged down with day-to-day tasks. And in case your colleagues aren’t top of mind for you, it’s unlikely you are top of mind for them. What is that this dynamic costing you? When people hear of labor your organization could be an excellent fit for, they do not think to inform you, so the chance goes elsewhere.
4. You’re a de facto project manager
So, the brand new project was your good idea. You’re 100% invested in it. But while you sign on to administer it, you are outside of your zone of genius many hours of the week. And if the project is months long, the compound effect of misplaced focus may be hard to beat.
Related: 4 Steps to Prepare to Grow Your Business With Virtual Assistants(*6*)
5. You’re becoming a marketing assistant
As the first face and voice of the corporate, you care about your messaging. Creating slide decks and social media posts and maintaining a running list of website updates is not a giant deal. Why trouble delegating public-facing work when the stakes are high and communicating what to speak is nuanced and tricky? Since you turn into the first marketing assistant many hours per week to maintain up with the demand.
6. Your expense management is a drain
Try the state of your accounts receivables and payables. Are late invoices and missed bill payments becoming a repetitive problem? That is a stressful situation turned standard operating procedure. The strain will show in all features of your corporation. I also see many executives habitually delay expense tracking. Many individuals never submit expense reports, which blows me away!
Executive or virtual assistants perform way more diverse functions than most individuals realize. Many do way over just liberate time for the CEO. Expert assistants can significantly increase your capability and permit anyone with a high volume of repeatable or administrative work to speculate their time higher.
Besides staying on top of email, calendar, travel and expense reports, assistants often manage social media calendars, source job candidates, create onboarding materials, generate financial reports, and handle invoicing, accounts receivable and bookkeeping. Their diverse functions improve not only executive output but additionally that of the marketing, HR and finance teams.
Now, a word of caution: Hiring an executive assistant with years of experience, the competencies you wish and a piece style that matches yours takes time and discipline. Once you discover someone, you’ll have to onboard them properly, even in the event that they are perfect.
Related: 17 Inquiries to Ask When Interviewing a Potential Virtual Assistant(*6*)
Should you wait until you are eager to bring one on, it is easy to shortcut the eye onboarding requires since you’re simply “too busy” to do it right. Although the appropriate assistant could dynamically change the way in which you’re employed (for the nice!), if there is no way you’ll be able to make time or in case your work is very technical, a virtual or executive assistant may very well be an expense you needn’t accrue.
Still, if any of the six warning signs are familiar, consider leaping and hiring. And unless you’ll be able to solve the capability problem cheaply by reducing your workload or working longer hours — it isn’t a sustainable solution for most individuals — I suggest you do not let money be a reason not to rent. As one in all my clients says, “I even have an executive assistant to make sure I’m invested in those things which might be the best, best use of my time.”
Should you’re all in because the boss, do yourself a favor. Ensure what you do every day is near and dear to your heart. Spend money on an executive assistant, and you may discover that the more effectively you’re employed, the more you’ll be able to consider the features of your corporation — and life! — that count.