How to delegate like a pro

When looking at your working week, can you identify a task or group of tasks you would love to delegate? Learning how to delegate like a pro is an essential skill for anyone in business. One of the easiest ways to do this is to work with a Virtual Assistant. Here are my top tips for making sure you enjoy the many benefits of delegation.

Provide a clear brief

When passing a task or project to someone else, you must be clear about what the work entails. Explain the expected outcome and attach deadlines. Your Virtual Assistant will then use his or her experience to achieve your goals in the most efficient way.

Ensure you are both on the same page

Before handing over the reins, you need to ensure that you and your VA have the same understanding of the scope of the work. Once you have worked with the same Virtual Assistant for a while, you can expect a certain level of autonomy. Starting with clarity at the beginning of the working relationship will ensure the process is successful.

Trust your VA

While trust is something usually earned over time it is important that, in order for this delegation to save you time and effort, you give your VA the authority and space to get on with the task at hand.

Scheduled check-ins

Booking in deadlines is a given, but it is also important to schedule time for your VA to report back on the work already completed and to review remaining work/tasks as needed. Starting your relationship in this way will pay off and you will find that your regular catch ups soon become an important part of your week. As your VA’s involvement in your business grows, you may find that these sessions also act as a useful sounding board for ideas and problem solving.

Take stock

If you have done your due diligence and chosen the right VA to meet your needs, you are highly likely to be satisfied with the work completed. It is then important to take stock of what you have achieved by delegating. This could be progress on other projects, increased productivity, lower stress levels or perhaps a better work/life balance. By evaluating the results of the delegation in this way you will be more likely to appreciate the benefits in the future.

In summary

The benefits of delegation are many and varied. I spend my days supporting law firms and small businesses through delegated work, however this doesn’t mean that I always practice what I preach, or I haven’t until recently. As the queen of organisation, I did not need a VA in the early days, but for me delegating has become an essential part of business growth. I now have two Consultant VAs working alongside me. It wasn’t easy to let others in, so I have an even greater appreciation of the hesitation business owners might have when it comes to trusting others with their tasks.

Now that I have opened that door, I am converted. Delegating work to others has enabled me to increase my productivity further, serve more clients and spend more time on business development. Basically don’t knock it until you’ve tried it!

If you would like to know more about how you can benefit from delegating to a VA, please contact me at jen@businessowl.co.uk or on 07970 955535. You may be surprised by the range of services on offer and the impact they can have for you, your business and your family.