Building a virtual team is one of the best ways to reduce operational costs, improve efficiency, and add skilled team members to your workforce. The benefits of choosing virtual assistants are many, but the key to success is managing them properly.
What do property managers need to know about managing remote teams? Here are seven of our best tips for better virtual team management.
Tip 1: Identify The Help You Need
Start by taking the time to specify the type of assistance your property management company needs — specifically what you need to give to other resources to balance workloads. Understanding your needs ensures that you are matched with the right candidate, saving time and building your team with individuals best suited for the tasks at hand.
This might include marketing, maintenance coordination, leasing, transactions, bookkeeping, and more.
Begin by analyzing the current gaps in your team or the areas where additional support could enhance productivity.
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Are there specific tasks consuming too much of your time that can be delegated?
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Do you need specialized skills that are missing in your existing team?
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Is there a temporary need for extra hands during a busy period?
Next, consider the level of integration this virtual assistant will have with your existing team. Will they work closely with other team members or function more independently? Understanding this dynamic can help in defining the kind of interpersonal and communication skills needed.
Also, reflect on the long-term goals of your company and how a property management virtual assistant can align with and contribute to those objectives. Think of this as a strategic hire rather than a mere operational decision.
Lastly, don't overlook the cultural fit. Even though virtual assistants might not be in the office physically, they should still resonate with your company's values, work ethic, and overall culture. It ensures a smoother collaboration and a greater sense of belonging, leading to higher job satisfaction and better results.
Tip 2: Find the Right Virtual Workforce Outsourcing Solution
Finding the right virtual workforce outsourcing solution is a strategic move that can make or break the success of your virtual team in the property management sector. Not every platform offers the expertise needed for the industry's specific demands.
The property management industry requires a unique set of skills and knowledge. Whether it's handling tenant queries, managing property maintenance, or coordinating leasing agreements, the tasks are specialized and diverse.
Therefore, an outsourcing solution that understands these requirements will provide virtual assistants who are not just skilled but also industry-savvy.
VPM Solutions, for example, offers a comprehensive workforce outsourcing solution tailored to the property management industry. With thousands of virtual assistants possessing relevant industry experience, we provide access to the talent and skills essential for your business to thrive.
Additionally, partnering with the right outsourcing solution ensures quality assurance. It guarantees that virtual assistants are skilled and compatible with your business needs. They undergo rigorous selection processes, testing, and training to ensure they are a fit for your unique requirements.
The right outsourcing solution will provide the flexibility to scale your virtual team as your business grows or as your needs change. This adaptability is crucial in managing workloads during peak periods or adjusting to new business strategies.
Tip 3: Learn to Delegate
Delegation is a fundamental aspect of virtual team management, but learning to delegate is not simply about handing off tasks. It's about empowering, trusting, and guiding your virtual assistants to successfully own their responsibilities. Here's a deeper look into this essential practice:
When properly implemented, delegation fosters a culture of accountability and allows virtual assistants to grow and excel in their roles.
The first step in learning to delegate is identifying the right tasks to assign. Analyze your workflow and pinpoint tasks that do not require your direct involvement or those where virtual assistants can bring specialized skills. These might include routine administrative duties, data entry, customer service, or even more complex tasks like marketing and research within the property management sector.
Then, understanding each team member's strengths and weaknesses ensures that tasks are matched to the right individuals, fostering success and job satisfaction.
Effective delegation also requires clear communication of expectations, deadlines, and desired outcomes. Providing concise instructions and guidelines eliminates ambiguity and sets virtual assistants up for success. Regular check-ins and feedback are part of this process, ensuring alignment and ongoing support.
Allowing virtual assistants to own their tasks means giving them the autonomy to make decisions and find solutions. It encourages initiative and confidence, creating a proactive and self-reliant virtual team. Of course, this trust is balanced with oversight to ensure quality and consistency.
Tip 4: Provide Tools for Communication and Workflow
Tools for communication and workflow are essential components that can shape the effectiveness and productivity of your virtual team.
The virtual landscape demands seamless interaction and collaboration. When managing properties, timely communication, and coordinated efforts are key. Providing virtual assistants with the right tools ensures that these essential aspects are met efficiently and effectively.
Select tools that enable easy, real-time interactions. Whether it's video conferencing for face-to-face meetings, instant messaging for quick queries, or email for more formal communications, choose reliable platforms that suit your team's preferences. Tools like Zoom, Slack, and Microsoft Teams are popular options, each offering unique features tailored to different communication needs.
Then, implement seamless workflows for tasks. This involves task assignments, tracking progress, sharing documents, and collaborating on projects. Platforms like Asana, Trello, or customized property management software can centralize these functions, providing clarity and coherence in daily operations.
Tip 5: Make Sure Your Virtual Assistants are Part of the Team
Integrating property management virtual assistants as an integral part of your team is a nuanced and essential aspect of virtual team management.
Virtual assistants, by nature, function differently from in-house staff. They may be in different time zones, have varied schedules, or work on specific tasks. Recognizing and embracing these differences is the starting point in making them feel part of the team.
Then, build a sense of inclusion by creating a culture where they feel valued and connected. Regularly communicating, recognizing achievements, soliciting opinions, and providing feedback fosters a sense of involvement and respect.
Fostering social connections can also bridge the virtual gap. Encourage casual conversations, virtual coffee breaks, or online team-building activities. These informal interactions can create bonds and friendships, humanizing the virtual workspace.
Tip 6: Provide Training
From onboarding to continuous skill development, providing tailored training ensures that your virtual assistants are not only aligned with your company's unique processes but also empowered to grow and excel in their roles.
The training journey begins with a comprehensive onboarding process. This includes an introduction to your company's mission, structure, values, and specific property management processes. Initial training should cover essential tools, communication protocols, and job-specific responsibilities, creating a strong foundation for success.
Every property management company is unique, and so are its processes and expectations. Developing customized training modules that cover specific procedures, software, client interaction protocols, and other unique aspects ensures that virtual assistants are well-equipped to meet your specific needs.
The property management industry is constantly evolving, and so should your virtual assistants' skills. Offering continuous learning opportunities like workshops, webinars, or access to online courses keeps them up-to-date with industry trends, new tools, and evolving best practices.
Leverage Existing Resources like VPM Solutions
VPM Solutions offers valuable resources through our VPM Academy, including free courses and certifications specific to property management. Leveraging these existing resources can provide a solid baseline, supplemented by your tailored training for a well-rounded education.
Tip 7: Make Sure They Understand Their Roles
For better remote team management, clarity in roles and expectations is paramount. Without face-to-face interactions, misunderstandings can easily arise. This makes transparent communication and defined expectations crucial for a cohesive and focused virtual team, especially in the multifaceted world of property management.
Begin with crafting clear and detailed job descriptions for your virtual assistants. These should encompass not only the tasks and responsibilities but also the values, standards, and specific outcomes expected in their role within property management.
Transparency in expectations also sets the stage for success. Outline not just what is to be done but how it should be done, the quality standards, timelines, and how success will be measured. This clarity eliminates guesswork and aligns efforts with your company's objectives.
Implement Regular Check-Ins
Regular check-ins are vital in ensuring virtual assistants remain on the right track. These can be formal review meetings or casual touch-base sessions, focusing on progress, challenges, and support needed. These interactions foster alignment, provide encouragement, and nip potential issues in the bud.
Constructive feedback also helps virtual assistants understand what they're doing well and where improvements can be made. It's an ongoing conversation that reinforces understanding and promotes continuous growth.
Enhance Your Remote Team Management With the Right VAs
Better remote team management is within reach with these seven actionable tips. However, starting with the right virtual assistants in the right roles is crucial from a platform that understands the workforce needs of property management businesses.
From identifying needs to providing the right tools and training, property managers can create an effective virtual workforce!
Start building your team with VPM Solutions, the top workforce outsourcing solution in property management, and witness the transformative effects of a skilled virtual team.
Make sure you have a Free Company Profile to get started. You can also get our free resource, "The Ultimate Guide to Managing Property Management Virtual Assistants," for more insights into successfully managing your VAs.
