After I told you how to get your assistant to run your business for you and how to give your assistant feedback without sounding like a you-know-what, several of you said, “I don’t have an assistant yet. How do I know if I’m ready?”
In today’s video, I’ll tell you how to know if it’s time to hire an assistant for your business. It’s pretty straightforward and easier than many of you think.
You’ll also learn the best way to start looking for the perfect assistant for you.
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In the comments below, I want to hear from you. Tell me…
1. What’s insight you had from watching this video?
2. If you already have an assistant, how did you know when it was time to hire some help?
3. If you don’t have an assistant, are you ready to hire one now?
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Hi Jenny – great tips as always!
I love your first tip. I hired an assistant part-time right after finishing B-school last year, when my business was just getting started. I didn’t yet know what I had to do, let alone what to give my assistant! We got a lot done in those first months, but I decided to let her go when I found I needed to wait until my biz was bringing in more revenue.
Now, I’ve got systems in place and can easily send her odd jobs as they build up. It works for both of us, and I LOVE the sense of freedom, support and extra creativity I feel.
Hope you have a great week and thanks again,
Nicola x
I love hearing real-life examples–thanks for sharing, Nicola!
Often entrepreneurs hire someone right out the gate but don’t really know how to make the best use of them. Sounds like you’re in the perfect place now with systems in place and a slow build of odd jobs.
Thanks for being here!
Jenny,
once again you’re right on the money! I have been skittish about hiring an assistant because of a couple of challenging experiences… I tried having someone help me a couple of years ago with some simple tasks (cleaning up mailing lists, organizing files etc) and was frustrated.
But your comment about doing it when you already have systems in place has me thinking…
how about if you don’t have them completely set up yet, but have a very clear vision about what those systems need to be…
that’s where I am and I think (tell me where I’m wrong!) that the right assistant could possibly help me to set them up efficiently – and probably better than i would if i did it myself?
Great question, Kelly! I totally understand your systems challenges!
A few things to think about…
1. You could try to put the systems in place yourself using my free guide: https://s3.amazonaws.com/free_trainings/System+Flight+Kit.pdf
2. You can look for an assistant with a systems skill set. I will say that some can do this but not all can. Be really clear up front when you’re hiring that you need help in this arena. You will need an assistant who is not only skilled in this area but is also willing to take a leadership role with you–she will have to direct you, and not everyone is up for that challenge.
3. And of course you can always hire me to help 🙂
All three of those could work, but which one will work for you, I can’t say for sure.
Hope that helps. If this prompted more questions, feel free to post ’em here!
This is so useful. Systems in place. The one thing I’d give up, gladly, is the website. It goes beyond assistant (I think), but it just consumes so much of my time. Not quite ready, but eventually. This is useful info. Thanks.
Great video. Love all your tips Jenny. Do you have recommendations or a video with suggestions for hiring someone in person? I would love to have someone come and work with me in person on a regular basis.
Unfortunately I don’t have that info posted here, Katie. I have a personal assistant who does work for me in my home once a week (a mix of personal and biz). I found her on craigslist.
I wrote a job description describing the qualities I was looking for in someone plus sample tasks I would have her do. At the same time, I was also searching craigslist for someone posting that they are a personal assistant. That’s how I stumbled upon the person I hired, but I was happy I already had the description. I talked her through what I was looking for, held a phone interview, called three of her references, then did a few trial days at my house.
Good luck!
Thank you! Glad you found someone like this.
I definitely need more systems set in place 🙂 It’s interesting because I’m not “busy” with the day to day necessarily (I serve my few current clients quite well) BUT I do want to #1, get out and network more (which means less time behind a computer), #2, get more clients! and #3, have more time with my family. I’m thinking that hiring someone at the beginning of next year will allow me to “get out” more and have someone taking care of tasks for me BEFORE business picks up and I get overwhelmed with the day to day operations! Great info, thanks again!