Business owners and entrepreneurs hate not having control of their business, and like to know what is happening at all times. This is understandable as it is their creation. 

This presents a problem for us Virtual Assistants - how to work with clients who want to be in control all the time!


Here is what works for me:


I don't leave clients clueless or wondering.  I  keep them updated as to how I am getting on, what point I have got to with the task and roughly how long I have left. 


I like to keep my clients updated on how the task is going. A basic example of this would be the following:


Task: Compile a list of bakeries that make Pain au Chocolat in Toronto


Update Process: 

  1. Initial acceptance and acknowledgement of the task 
  2. I have compiled a list of all the bakeries in Toronto and I am now going to start contacting them 
  3. I have phoned half of the bakeries, the rest shouldn't take me any longer than 20 minutes 
  4. I have got all my results I am now going to compile them into an easy to read table for you
  5. I have attached the table  of bakeries in Toronto which make Pain au Chocolat. If there is anything else I can do for you do not hesitate to let me know.

How does this benefit me?


By updating and letting them know how the delegated work is going it builds trust between me and my client. This, in turn, makes it easier for my clients to send me regular ongoing work - because they can count on me. 



Penni Pike, formerly assistant to Sir Richard Branson