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In The News… Back to Archive
How A Creative Virtual Assistant Can Become a Real Business Asset by Justine Curtis
Don't get dragged down by doom and gloom, we all know that although the economy is in recovery, the recovery is slow, redundancies are being made left and right, and uncertainty is everywhere. That may be the case, and perhaps that's precisely why right now is the best time to become a creative problem solving Virtual Assistant.
Many small businesses, Virtual Assistants included, think they're in the business of selling their products or supplying their services. Successful businesses; those that thrive in more trying times, are those that realise they exist to solve their clients’ problems. Are your clients having a rough time and contemplating how to drive up profits or save money by reducing costs? In difficult times these problems don't go away - they increase. So for a keen problem-solving business (like yours!) there's plenty to be getting on with.
Treat creativity as an asset
To really add value to our clients we must understand and unlock our creativity. In affluent times, creativity and innovation are often seen as soft skills, nice to have, but not really taken very seriously. In more troubled and changing times, your creativity can become your biggest asset.
Have a Brainstorming Session
Next time you are having an update with your clients, ask what they consider to be their greatest problem right now. Then both of you get a piece of paper, turn that problem into a question and write it at the top, e.g. 'How can I increase sales?' or 'How can I improve cash flow?' and so on. Then, between you, brainstorm and write down at least 10 answers to that question. Write down everything you can think of and don’t stop until you have at least 10 each. Include everything that comes up, no matter how whacky, you never know where these sideways ideas might lead when you discuss them in more depth.
Investigate the good and the bad
When you have at least 20 ideas, go through the list with your client and discuss each one. Talk about how realistic they are and which merit further investigation. Then pick the top 3 favourite ideas to explore, and get to work. Now you’ve not only generated more work for your business, you’ve become an indispensable problem solver for your client and a real business asset.
About the Author
Justine Curtis is the director of her own successful virtual assistant business My Virtual Assistant http://www.my-va.com and founder of The UK Association of Virtual Assistants (UKAVA) which offers free resources and information to its subscribers – sign up at http://www.ukava.co.uk. Justine is the author of Setting Yourself Up As A Virtual Assistant and is delighted to be able to pass on the benefits of her vast experience of the VA role to aspiring and progressive virtual PAs as a co-founder of the VA Success Group. If you are thinking about starting a virtual assistant business, visit http://vasuccessgroup.co.uk
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