A strong relationship between a business, a virtual assistant, or remote team members who support it needs to be established on a solid foundation and nurtured through ongoing effort. A virtual assistant plays a vital role in supporting the client’s day-to-day operations, and the quality of their working relationship directly impacts the productivity and overall satisfaction the client derives from the services offered. 

Virtual collaboration has become a part of today’s business world. In this fast-changing business environment (thanks to technology and AI), client retention has become a top priority for every business owner. While loyalty seems like a constant battle, a commitment to transparent communication, rewards and risk-sharing can help you build relationships that will last for decades.  

In this article, we’ve compiled insights gathered from four Facebook groups dedicated to virtual assistants, boasting a collective membership of 100,000 individuals. These findings highlight the key factors in cultivating a robust client-VA relationship. 

Transparent Communication and Expectation 

Effective communication and clear project expectations are essential for successful relationships, particularly in a professional context. This involves establishing preferred communication channels, providing detailed job descriptions, and discussing modes of interaction. It’s also necessary to define the scope of work, deadlines, and deliverables. Clients should articulate their requirements, while virtual assistants should seek clarification. Aligning expectations from  the start helps both parties work towards common goals and prevents unnecessary conflicts or disappointments.

Establishing Trust and Rapport

When your virtual assistant feels safe and supported they are motivated to give their best work. It works the same way with clients. When they are satisfied with the services of their virtual assistants, it’s more likely they’ll choose to continue working with them and potentially invest in additional projects. Regular check-ins and updates should be provided by both the virtual assistant and the client. This practice plays a vital role in nurturing trust and fostering a collaborative environment. And leads to both parties feeling valued and heard in the VA-client dynamic.

Setting Goals And Objectives

During the onboarding process, it’s important to share the complete story of your business with your virtual assistant. This includes articulating your business goals regardless of the specific support they’ll be providing. It’s important to highlight past successes and outline your anticipated objectives. Additionally, educate your virtual assistant thoroughly about your vision, mission, values, and company culture and confirm if they are aligned with it. 

Regular Feedback And Performance Evaluation 

Setting clear goals establishes a shared understanding of what needs to be achieved. Regularly revisiting and reassessing these goals allows for necessary adjustments and improvements. This ensures that the VA-client relationship remains focused and productive.

The feedback a client provides should be constructive and specific, full of actionable insights that can help the virtual assistant enhance their skills.

Because communication involves two parties, the client ought to also be open to receiving feedback from their virtual assistant. This feedback can provide in-depth information into the client’s management style, communication methods, or areas where they can improve their support to the virtual assistant.

Offering Support and Professional Development Opportunities 

Supporting the growth and professional development of your virtual assistant is a win-win situation for both parties. Clients should encourage their virtual assistants to pursue relevant training, certifications, or workshops that can enhance their skills.

As they can benefit from the virtual assistant’s improved skills, expertise and efficiency in completing tasks. 

Similarly, the client can also provide support by offering opportunities for the virtual assistant to expand their responsibilities or take on new challenges. This not only keeps the work interesting and engaging for the virtual assistant but also demonstrates trust and confidence in their abilities. Nurturing the virtual assistant’s growth, ensures a long-lasting and mutually beneficial relationship.

Nurturing the relationship for long-term success

Building a strong VA-client relationship requires continuous effort and nurturing. Both parties should be committed to maintaining a positive and collaborative working environment. Regularly expressing appreciation and acknowledging the virtual assistant’s contributions can go a long way in fostering a sense of value and satisfaction.

Additionally, it is important to periodically reassess the relationship and make adjustments as necessary. As the client’s business evolves, their needs may change, and the VA-client relationship should adapt accordingly. Regularly checking in and discussing any changes or challenges can help ensure that the relationship remains strong and resilient over time.

Finding Talent – the Beginning of Your VA-Client Relationship 

When you begin searching for candidates, having understood how vital communication is, use video technology to evaluate candidates’ communication style. More so, to find top talent and avoid disappointment arising from exaggerated resumes, you can assign test projects ( paid or unpaid) to assess skill levels. Finally and importantly something you must consider is the virtual assistant character trait. According to  Global Made Possible, characteristics of employees who thrive in a remote work environment include:

•Results-driven

• Self-starter

• Both punctual and responsive

• A natural problem solver

• Efficient communicator

• Able to demonstrate attention to detail

A strong VA-client relationship requires time, effort, and commitment from both parties. 

Build Your Virtual Global Team with VirtualKarette VA Services

Want to build a remote global team? Hire VirtualKarette VA Services to support your business with the effective management of the day-to-day operational activities involved in running your business so that you can focus your skills and expertise on growing.

Contact us to find out how we can support you with the growth of your business.