I’ve literally had this conversation with 3 different people this past week… it went something like this:

(Friday afternoon) My client just sent me a whole bunch of work that needs to be done for Monday, i’m going to be working all weekend!

My response:

Why didn’t you say no?

Now here is what I really love about this scenario, and it rings true for *most* of the online based professionals that I work with (VAs, OBMs, and otherwise).

We WANT to support our clients in the best way possible. We want to see them succeed, and when there is work to be done we are willing to bend over backwards to make sure it happens. In fact, with all three of these conversations after I asked why they didn’t say no the response was:

But the work needs to be done, I don’t want to leave my client high and dry here… that wouldn’t be fair.

A very heartfelt and responsible sentiment yes? You can see that they truly have the client’s best interest at heart.

But what this scenario also says to me is that this person has not set any boundaries with their clients. Or if they have set boundaries they aren’t willing to enforce them. And over time this can become a serious issue - to the point where it can actually ruin what is otherwise a good working relationship.

Taking a look at boundaries for a moment - boundaries are setting the guideline for how we want to be treated. What is acceptable, what is not acceptable, etc.

As it applies to our businesses and the work we do with our clients, boundaries become very important when it comes to turnaround times, getting notice on tasks/projects and your working hours. You want to be very clear with your clients up front as to how much advance notice you need for a task/project, how long it will take (which can of course vary depending on the task/project) and when you actually are available for work.

If you don’t set these boundaries with your clients AND enforce them as needed… you run this risk of basically working yourself to the bone and not having any dedicated time for yourself. And this is when people become burnt-out, resentful and in some cases so tired of their business that they are thinking of shutting it down. I’ve seen it happen many a time, and quite honestly it makes me sad.

I like to use a Dr. Phil-ism when I think of setting boundaries with our clients (I’m not a big Dr. Phil fan these days, but this certainly fits.)

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Company: OBM Elite Website: www.OBMElite.com Phone #: (970) 259-0731 Location: Durango, Colorado Time Zone: Mountain

My Experience, I am a: Certified Online Business Manager

My Client Intake status is: Open - I am looking to work with new clients

I’ve been working online since: I started my VA business, The VA Pro, in 2008, following a thirty-year career in Corporate America. I immediately embarked on obtaining the specialized training I knew I would need in order to succeed in the virtual business world. I became certified in internet marketing, social media marketing and ecommerce. Subsequently, I was compelled to complete the Online Business Manager (OBM) certification program, as my background is in management. Since successfully completing the program in August, 2009, I am thrilled to be providing business management services virtually under my current business, OBM Elite.

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Company: VASPPRO (Virtual Admin Service Provider) Website: www.vasppro.com Phone #: 704-478-6636 Location: Gastonia, NC / USA Time Zone: Eastern

My Experience, I am an: OBM in Training - currently in Certification program

My Client Intake status is: Open - I am looking to work with new clients

I’ve been working online since: I had been managing administrative projects for several years on a volunteer basis through various organizations in my local town. I began working on line a bit over a year ago, as a Virtual Assistant. However, it did not take long before my clients began to see a different type of mentality toward their business than the previous VA’s they had worked with.

After chatting with Tina Forsyth, I began to understand my strengths are not necessarily in the implementation though my business is quite successful in the VA realm alone. But I seemed to be more energized with the prospect of becoming totally invested in my clients business on a management level. I have extensive leadership training and my natural skills and learned skills lend very well to my ability to serve my clients on a partnership level.

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The questions keep rolling in since announcing the Online Business Manager Certification, here is another one that i’m asked quite often:

“I’d like to become an Online Business Manager, how do I know if i’m ready?”

I really love this question for the simple fact that it is a reflection of those who are asking it - someone who wants to make sure that the role of OBM is a good fit for them vs. just jumping into it willy-nilly (which is NOT a good idea!)

So how do you know if you are ready?

Or, perhaps you are a business owner who has a virtual assistant or someone else on your team who you suspect may be a great OBM for you… how do you know if they are ready?

If this is a question you are considering, I invite you to take the Online Business Manager Readiness quiz - download a copy of the quiz here.

Those of you who have read the book Becoming an Online Business Manager will remember this quiz from page 31 - if you haven’t taken it already set aside a few moments to do so now.

I invite you to consider this - the most important aspect of being ready is so much more about the ‘inner game’ than it is about skills and experience.

Does this sound like you?

“I stay calm in the middle of confusion and chaos, and will naturally take charge to fix a situation when conflict arises.”

Or

“I thrive on the challenge of being thrown into new (and sometimes uncertain) situations.”

If you can say a resounding yes to these (and the many other) statements in the quiz, then you have a pretty strong foundation to build on.

Here is that link again to the quiz

Remember that the skills of the OBM can be taught (which we will be doing via the Certification Training that starts in 2 weeks) and experience will come over time.

But your inner conviction, excitement and dedication to the role is what *really* counts.

With that, all things are possible in the wide-world of becoming an Online Business Manager.

My Experience, I am an: Experienced OBM - currently working in this capacity for 1 or more clients

My Client Intake status is: Open - I am looking to work with new clients

Ive been working online since: Long before I was an online manager I was a project manager. Most of my former career was spent as a project manager of information technology. I worked for Kentucky State Government for many years and was responsible for several major statewide systems. In 2002 I moved to Michigan and was able to rethink my career path and oddly enough ended up right where I wanted to be - project management. In 2004 I took my technology and project management skills online and opened a Virtual Assistance business.

My passion is re-thinking how business is done and developing and implementing new systems. I am very experienced in managing time, budget, and resources to make sure that systems run smoothly and effectively and most important - profitably!

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Company: Administrative Partners, LLC Website: www.administrativepartners.net Phone #: 301-249-1891 Location: Bowie, Maryland, USA Time Zone: EDT

My Experience, I am an: Aspiring OBM - just getting started

My Client Intake status is: Open - I am looking to work with new clients

I’ve been working online since: Tamika has assisted senior level Vice Presidents in a variety of industries over the last 13 years; managing their businesses while they traveled at least four days a week. She also serves as an administrative coordinator for multiple small businesses, continuously accessing productivity and efficiency in their processes and operations to increase productivity.

She has obtained a Bachelor Degree in Graphic Design and a MBA (Master of Business Administration).

Armed with the necessary skill set and experience, she launched administrative partners, llc, whose mission is to assist small business owners in growing their business.

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Company: VBS Virtual Assist, LLC Website: www.VBSVirtualAssist.com Phone #: (860) 632-0528 Location: Middletown, CT USA Time Zone: Eastern

My Experience, I am a: Certified OBM

My Client Intake status is: Open - I am looking to work with new clients

I’ve been working online since: I transitioned from nearly 30 years in the traditional office space to working online in February 2008. VBS Virtual Assist is a complete online business management firm offering a full range of support services for business of every size. As your online business manager, VBS Virtual Assist can help you seamlessly manage any or all aspects of your business including online marketing, project oversight, product development, and virtual staff coordination …with the ultimate goal of identifying and capitalizing on opportunities to proactively drive your business to the next level.

At VBS, we’ll help you more effectively manage the demands of your business while giving you the time you need to concentrate on your company’s vision, direction and growth - all essential components of a successful future for your business.

Additionally, VBS Virtual Assist provides professional virtual assistance to those business owners who are not yet ready for an online business manager, but hiring a virtual assistant will be a critical business decision to grow their business by freeing up their time to focus on business. Whether you need help with a one-time special project, ongoing monthly services or extra staff support during your busiest months, we offer affordable and flexible solutions for your business needs.

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Company: VBM Solutions Website: www.vbmsolutions.com Phone #: 610-223-7798 Location: Reading, Pennsylvania, U.S.A Time Zone: Eastern

My Experience, I am an: Experienced OBM - currently working in this capacity for 1 or more clients

My Client Intake status is: Open - I am looking to work with new clients

Ive been working online since: I have been working online since January, 2007. I researched the online business models since 2005. I started as a VA in January 2007 as a generalist VA Since then, I have created a niche of working with coaches, speakers, and business consultants and transitioning to a full time OBM.

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Company: Tracey Lawton Website: www.traceylawton.com Phone #: 419 830 0511 Location: Findlay, OH, USA Time Zone: Eastern

My Experience, I am an: Experienced OBM - currently working in this capacity for 1 or more clients

My Client Intake status is: Full - not taking new clients at this time

Ive been working online since: I am a certified Master Virtual Assistant, and have been running my practice since November 2001. I provide solo service professionals, with business support so that they can spend more time doing what they do best! I do this by taking a lot of the day-to-day administrative tasks off their hands - jobs such as calendar scheduling, article submission, internet research, ezine broadcast, shopping cart setup, creating autoresponders, and so much more!

Prior to starting my business I worked in various administrative and office management positions which included working for the UK public sector, a public sector Management Consultancy practice, various legal practices, a medical office, and a medical transcription company. I hold a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) degree in Business Studies, as well as various secretarial and IT-related diplomas.

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Company: Neville Park Business Solutions Website: www.npbizsolutions.com Phone #: 416-699-0770 Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada Time Zone: Eastern Standard

My Experience, I am a: Certified OBM

My Client Intake status is: Open - I am looking to work with new clients

Ive been working online since: 2005 after completing my training as a Virtual Assistant. Since that time, I have also upgraded my skills as a Professional Author’s Assistant.

I began my online journey after being “downsized” from a 20-year / Corporate tenure at a National Drug Retail chain.

During my Corporate career I worked in Operations, Operations Development, and Strategy. My skill sets include structuring operations plans, delivery/implementation of plans, and communications, and more. These are skills that I bring to the table as an OBM.

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