How to maximize your assistant
Some entrepreneurs and business leaders are perfectionists, and it's understandable. But one has to know when it's enough and delegate tasks is when necessary. That is how you can really maximize your assistant so you can free up your time for the bigger, more important items.
If you haven't heard, it's scientifically proven that hiring an assistant actually pays for itself in lost time and productivity. So, while you may be thinking that you can't afford to hire an assistant, actually, you can't afford not to hire one. And, after you onboard your assistant, here's how to get the most out of them:
If you haven't heard, it's scientifically proven that hiring an assistant actually pays for itself in lost time and productivity. So, while you may be thinking that you can't afford to hire an assistant, actually, you can't afford not to hire one. And, after you onboard your assistant, here's how to get the most out of them:
Give your assistant as much background information as possible
Your assistant can't solve your problems if they don't know where the gaps are. You can't, of course, give them an "information dump" the first week and expect them work a miracle; but slowly trickle the data to your assistant in a flow that they can manage, and then they will come up with solutions.
Aim to have your assistant become independent
The whole point of having an assistant is to free up your time. Well, you can't do that if you don't trust the person you hire. In short, an executive shouldn't be micromanaging their assistant. The reason a business owner would micromanage their team is because they don't trust them. Actually, if you don't trust your assistant, then you shouldn't have hired them.
Have your assistant sit in on high-level meetings so they can understand the depth and breadth of the operation. As they are exposed to more of the inner workings of the operation, they can be more predictive and independent.
Have your assistant sit in on high-level meetings so they can understand the depth and breadth of the operation. As they are exposed to more of the inner workings of the operation, they can be more predictive and independent.
Set goals with your assistant
Would you get into a plane that had no destination? No, of course not. Businesses need goals too, and so do people. Set firm deadlines with your assistant, and yourself, so you have something to aim for. It goes without saying that sometimes plans change, but that's fine. You may need to make adjustments along the way, but trust me, assistants love having goals.
You and your assistant should be compatible
Too many entrepreneurs look for lightning in a bottle when it comes to hiring an assistant. In other words, they want to have some sort of epiphany in the interview, and they are secretly hoping that an assistant will walk into an office and work miracles by waving a magic wand. Face it now, it's unrealistic and impossible.
Both the assistant and the executive will have to make adjustments along the way. Know your strengths and weaknesses as a team and understand how to leverage each other.
Both the assistant and the executive will have to make adjustments along the way. Know your strengths and weaknesses as a team and understand how to leverage each other.
