Yes, after we spoke, I think I was able to get him to understand Virtual Assistance in a different light and he said, with that view, he’s still open to using Virtual Assistants.

I very much agree with you… much of this has to do with the issue of professionalism. I think it also relates to Virtual Assistants not really operating like business owners, but more like employees, and often don’t have their business policies, systems and protocols worked out, at least not to a professional level.

They might think it’s not necessary, but if you don’t have a system to lead the delegation process, for example, and help clients identify what can be turned over, that’s a whole area of support and help to clients they are being deprived of.

So we kind of have a few things going on:

1) People who aren’t qualified and don’t have professional level skills.

2) People who are not truthful about their skills.

3) Virtual Assistants who don’t give equal focus to developing their business systems, standards, policies and operations.

4) Virtual Assistants are not leading their own business and guiding the delegation process. This is their role and it’s part of offering a professional service as the administrative expert in the relationship.

Mary, what are your thoughts about solving some of these issues? Or are there any solutions? Is it just good to be aware of? Do we just keep away at consistently educating the marketplace? Do you agree that simply talking about this stuff helps raise our consciousness of the things that give our industry a black eye?

Hope he gives VAs another shot!