I’m So Busy, But I Don’t Know How to Delegate

I was at a networking event recently and I met a great local businessman. We chatted for a while and he complained about how he was doing everything in his business – from running the office to booking the appointments to then providing the services he is in business to provide.

I responded “well, I hate to get ‘salesy’ on you, but that is what I do for a living – I’m a Virtual Assistant. I help small businesses with their admin so they can concentrate on their areas of expertise.” His response was: “I don’t know what I would give you to do”.

I was puzzled by this. I had just listened while he had complained about how many plates he was spinning, but he genuinely couldn’t see what he could delegate or how someone like me could help him grow his business.

If you’re in a similar position - you know you are ready to get some help but don’t know where to start - here are some questions to ask yourself:

1. What areas of your business would you like to see specific improvements in?

2. What do you hate to do?

3. What takes up too much of your time and detracts from other aspects of your business?

4. Keep a notepad handy for a few days. Write down tasks you do outside your area of expertise and ask yourself: “did I personally need to do this?

You should start to get some ideas of tasks you can look to delegate and get the most value from a Virtual Assistant’s services. Thanks for reading!

Tags: Virtual Assistant, Virtual Assistant Raleigh, admin, business support, delegate

1 member likes this

Comment by Angel Lebak ~ Virtual Assistant on October 28, 2011 at 9:12am: Nice post Gaynor. That is one of the hardest parts for a business owner is recognizing WHAT to delegate. You gave some great tips here. Also, if the biz owner starts off with one project, task, then as the relationship grows, the work flow often does as well! Nice job! :o)

Comment by Janice, Productivity Strategist on October 28, 2011 at 10:19am: Great questions! I also have clients who can't see ways to delegate their tasks. One of the skills I teach is what, how & to whom to delegate. Utilizing virtual assistant services is one awesome way to gain more order in a person's schedule.

Comment by Gaynor Fries, 919 Director on October 28, 2011 at 10:36am: Thanks Angel and Janice for commenting.

Angel, I totally agree that trust and a solid relationship are key to growing a successful VA business.

Comment by Michelle Gower-WordPress Mentor on October 28, 2011 at 5:05pm: Love it!!! One of the key reasons I will use virtual assistants has to do with labor laws. Not to skirt them, but because I don't have time to learn the ins and out of laws that apply for part time employees. Easier to outsource to a fellow professional than to outsource to an employee and then spend the same amount of time I just delegated keeping up with the laws and taxes and bookkeeping.

Comment by Gaynor Fries, 919 Director on October 29, 2011 at 9:53am: Michelle - thanks for commenting. Not having to deal with payroll and HR issues is one of the major benefits of a VA vs employee.

Bev - I totally understand the issue of letting go and I can identify with it myself in my own business. As Angel notes below, generally as the relationship grows, so does the trust to hand over tasks you've always done yourself. And I agree on finding the right match - when you 'click' with a client, it becomes a win-win for both parties :-)

Comment by Stacey Shanahan ~ Community Mgr. on April 24, 2012 at 4:39pm: Great Post, Excellent Feedback!

One of the main reasons I decided to become a VA aside from my skills/experience is all the different hats I wear running my web video marketing business; especially when you're a one man band. Talk about overwhelmed and stressed out!

Running your own business is certainly rewarding, but it doesn't mean entrepreneurs have to do it all along. The main reason most of us go into business for ourselves is because we LOVE what we do. What most people don't realize is all the work that goes on behind the scenes until they are knee deep in it. Every business owner knows their To-Do-List is NEVER ENDING!

However, business owners can find comfort knowing there are many talented, creative, experienced, knowledgeable, and professional VAs right here locally that are ready and available to HELP them relieve their workload. But more importantly, who truly care about the success of their business. "Letting go" can be invigorating, it was for me with my business.

Bev., couldn't have said it any better. Once a business owner finds a VA that is the perfect fit... It's a gift from God!!! They'll wish they got the HELP a long time ago! :)

Thanks, Gaynor for sharing and letting business owners know they don't have to do it all ALONE!