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How to be an effective Personal Assistant
October 7, 2010Here are some tips on how to be effective when you plan to concentrate on giving personal assistance as your main service in your VA business.
1. Understand what your boss likes – take note of his objectives and goals as your core objective is to help him achieve those. Ask him as to why he makes this and that decision and his/her reason for doing something in a particular way. This will help you understand what your boss truly needs and likes.
2. Prevent unnecessary meetings – if you must know, most bosses would like to get some free time for themselves and their family. When you take messages regarding his schedule, calendar and itinerary, make sure you ask the right W’s (who, what, where, when and why). Probe on what the call is about. Proper questions will lead to proper answers and might prevent unnecessary meetings for your boss.
3. Understand your boss’ business. Take note of the company’s goals and objectives, its customers and its competitors. Knowing these will lead to a better judgment for your boss.
4. Make your boss your mentor. This will encourage teamwork and will help make your boss understand where you are coming from. This will help him see what problems and challenges you are faced with. Let the boss explain why he made certain decisions, which will then give you an idea on his priorities and how he thinks.
5. Be proactive in suggesting solutions especially when you present to him a problem. Be sure that you have researched and thought about it so you can present it with pros and cons, do’s and don’ts.
6. Be your boss’ personal diary. Remember dates and important things for him. Know personal stuff like name of wife, children and even his important customers. It would be helpful that you also know their birthdays and special occasions like anniversaries. Understand and know the issues within your boss’ team so you can remind him on things and advise him while filling in gaps in his/her memory.
7. Don’t be too complacent. Always make room for improvement even if you think you are the best person your boss would like as his assistant. Continuous self development is always better and appreciated over time.
I hope these tips will help you be a better personal assistant today and in the future!
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