Secrets to Hiring eCommerce Virtual Assistants in the Philippines (Part 2)

Note: The previous installment covered three secrets to hiring eCommerce virtual assistants in the Philippines: being realistic, setting the expectations early, and understanding the Filipino culture. In this second installment, I will list and discuss the last four secrets to successfully hiring Filipino eCommerce virtual assistants. Enjoy! And strive to make the most out of this.

4. Invest in Your VA

Many tasks will rely on web development, communication, organization and marketing skills. After a few weeks with your VA, you should have a solid understanding of their strengths…and their weaknesses. If you are happy with the work ethic and compatibility with your project, invest in their development with online courses, books or offline courses.. just like you would invest in an employee. Consider them part of the team.

Investing in ongoing training will not only improve their skills, which will have a direct impact on your business, but will strengthen the bond that the VA will have with their work and you.

5. Keep your VA connected

Make sure that your VA has access to all members of the team through Skype or email. In your absence, your VA will be able to communicate and complete tasks by having direct access to everyone. You do not want to be the bottleneck in their work process.

In addition, the idea of working from home or from coffee shops is great for your Filipino VA, as is the case for remote workers all over the world, but the novelty wears off. The reality of it is very different. It can be lonely and isolating - create a sense of community for your VA by including them in Skype and emails conversations. Their connectedness and satisfaction with work will increase.

6. Be Appreciative

Don’t underestimate the power of a simple ”Thank you”. Appreciation goes a long way. Alternatively, you can reward your VA with unexpected cash bonuses or with gift certificates that can be used easily on cell phone load, movie tickets or food. Free time is also a very welcomed form of bonus. Be consistent with this type of rewarding.

The downside is that it may become an expectation, but if your VA has the right attitude, and you are fair, this shouldn’t happen. Skilled Filipino VA’s will always have opportunities to work elsewhere, but they will most likely prefer steady work with a trusted employer, who pays on time and offers perks. Being appreciative is a win-win.

7. Assume it’s Your Fault

Something will undoubtedly go wrong. Work instructions are misinterpreted, tardiness due to weather, emergencies, connectivity issues…you name it. Don’t get upset or lay down law by being shrewed or withholding pay. As business owners, we get carried away by looking for someone to blame when shit happens.

Take a deep breath, find the root issue and correct quickly. Assume it’s your fault - everything is connected to your hiring decisions. If there are obvious problems with work ethic or honesty, correct the problem or replace your VA if you have to. Then track down where you went wrong in the hiring process and learn from it.

Above all, your eCommerce business can thrive with the added help of talented FIlipino virtual assistants. But there is a learning curve. Don’t be oversold on the dream that outsourcing is easy, it’s not. Be diligent and approach it the same way you would if you were hiring a long term employee. Your end goal should be to increase profits and free up your time so you can focus on higher level strategy of your ecommerce shop.

Do you have experience with outsourcing to the Philippines?

Share your experiences or comments.

outsourcing virtual assistants