Ok, so perhaps misadventures in lifestyle design would be a more apt description when it comes to trialing my first VA!
“They found a new position for George W… as my VA. Can you spell INCOMPETENT?”
How hard could it have been?
I am using Elance to search for my VA so I can ‘outsource my life’ and join the New Rich. At this rate, it may take a while.
The process of signing up and posting my proposed job was quite painless. Here is what I posted:
VA/Research for Global Traveler and Entrepreneur
“I require a Virtual Assistant who has a high attention to detail and has a backup team of at least 3 other team members in case they are unavailable. I will typically require a 48 hour turn around time for minor projects. I will require predominately email communication however I will expect my VA have excellent English skills as phone calls to gather information and make bookings will be required at times.”
“I need someone to help me with travel planning and help me find exciting things to do in different locations.”
“I need someone to help me do online research for blogs & articles, specifically on the topics of Sales, Negotiation and Perpetual Traveling.”
“Here are four examples [i have only included one] of current tasks I would like performed. I would like a quotes and anticipated time frames on each of these tasks before agreeing to trial your service.”
Task 1 – Travel Planning
“I am currently in Perth, Australia. I would like to travel by bus to Brisbane, Australia. I would like to experience unique and spectacular locations along the way (especially Ayres Rock). I would like to travel with a fun group of fellow travellers aged between 25-35. I would like to know the cheapest options available. I would like my VA to be able to make the booking if I approve one of the options. I would like to leave around the 8th of Feb and I would like the trip to take no more than 2 weeks.”
I won’t get you to read through the other tasks however I included an online research task and an activity based task for once I was in Brisbane.
Within hours I had 5 responses, many of whom looked like a great prospects. I chose a Kenyan fella. Great English, friendly and he was excited to help me plan some cool adventures. Sweet!
Unfortunately, after 3 days with no contact with my new VA (I specifically told him I wanted email updates every 12 hours) I got a poorly edited text document that talked about the benefits of me hiring a camper van and driving it myself across the Nullarbor. No mention of a Bus, let alone options. No mention of fellow travelers. No mention of idyllic locations. Incredibly, my second task [that I did not include here in the interest of brevity] I told him I wanted to know where to go to renew my old drivers-license once I was in Brisbane (it expired while I was in the UK). He obviously didn’t connect the dots. I decided he was not going to cut the mustard.
The good thing about Elance is that the negotiated fee for all 4 tasks (great value at US100) is held in escrow until the successful completion of the tasks. Elance has a streamlined process for refusing payment due to complete incompetence, and I will keep you posted if there are any complications, which I will be honest, I am expecting.
Back to the drawing board!
Rock on.
Twitter Updates
I like this topic! Keep us posted.
I recon you may just collect a few funny stories along the way Glen…this is a good start!!
ouch, remind me never to apply to work for you Glen
Hey, Glen, if the quality challenge persists, suggest you consider checking with one of the professional associations to source your VA – and why not just go for one of the board members, who have stepped up to stand for their field? http://www.ivaa.org/board/index.aspx. You might also check with one of the training organizations, e.g. http://www.virtualassistanceu.com/grads.htm . xox/JP
nice post