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.)

Continue reading…

Company: VASPPRO (Virtual Admin Service Provider) Website: www.vasppro.com Location: Gastonia, NC / USA Time Zone: Eastern

My Experience, I am a: 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

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.

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: Open - I am looking to work with new clients

I’ve been working online since: November 2001, when I started my Virtual Assistant practice. In that time I’ve seen technology change, new marketing strategies come into play, and the online business world explode!

I originally started my business as a Virtual Assistant practice, but quickly realized that I did so much more for my clients … in fact I operated as their Online Business Manager (but didn’t know this at the time). I’d been working at a high level as an Office Manager for many years so was highly experienced in business management. Today I have fully embraced the Online Business Manager role and support clients who have very successful high five-figure and six-figure businesses.

I gave up my very secure local government job in the UK at the end of 2001 because I felt a strong desire that there must be ’something better’ that I could do that would be flexible enough to enable me to put my young family first, and be around for them during the school holidays or if one of them needed me at any other time. I stumbled across the virtual assistant profession quite by accident one day whilst at work, and decided that I could do that … and so I did! Within a month of discovering the virtual assistant profession I’d handed in my notice at my local government job and ventured into the world of self-employment … and haven’t looked back since!

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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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Date: March 19th, 2009
Q&A Call on this topic March 26, 2009

As you transition into the role of OBM with new or current clients, you will want to ensure that you setup a compensation package that reflects your new level of responsibility (and the results that you will help your clients create).

During this call we discussed:

• The different compensation options available to the OBM, and how to know which is best for you.
• Why we recommend incentive based compensation instead of the traditional “time for money” model.
• Understanding your client’s perspective in the negotiations, what is important to them?
• How to approach ‘that conversation’ with your client, with a highlight on the value you bring as their OBM

Audio Recording (85 mins) | Click Here for MP3

Q&A Call Audio Recording (68 mins) | Click Here for MP3

It is by far the question I am asked most often, and for good reason.

Although similar in nature, there are some very key differences between the role of Online Business Manager and Virtual Assistant.

If you are a VA or aspiring OBM it’s really important for you to understand these differences, so that you can a) decide which role is the best fit for you and then b) be able to clearly articulate the difference to your clients.

If you are a business owner it is really important for you to get clear on a) what your business actually needs and then b) look at whether you need to hire a VA or OBM to fill that need.

There is alot of ‘grey area’ right now when it comes to understanding the difference in these roles, and so i’ve put together a comparision chart to help illustrate each role and how they work together. (And to also clarify when a business owner is ready to hire either a VA or OBM).

>> Click here to download the Comparison Chart

Feel free to share this report with your clients and colleagues, you have my blessing to do so as long as you don’t make changes to the PDF.