As an emerging industry, virtual assistance is quickly becoming a valuable asset to individual business owners and a must-have in small business community at large. Handing off administrative tasks to someone with tools and know-how to complete them quickly and efficiently is saving many businesses untold amounts of time and money. A virtual assistant is undoubtedly a worthwhile investment.

BONUS: 4 Tips for Working with a Virtual Assistant:

* Start small. Don't be afraid to "test waters" by giving your new virtual assistant a small project without a huge budget. It may take time to find a virtual assistant with whom you work well.

* Be specific. Virtual assistants like to know exactly what's expected of them. Provide as much detail about your project and your needs as possible.

* Forge a relationship. Establishing a strong, lasting connection with a virtual assistant will benefit you enormously in long run. You will be surprised how much you come to rely on his/her knowledge and expertise.

* Remember, your virtual assistant is not your employee; they are small business owners themselves, partnering with you to achieve success. This is a win-win situation because when you succeed, they succeed.

• Other relevant human resource policies and procedures.

The Induction Process

The induction process can be conducted in such a manner as to maximize each persons time. A suggested method we use with our clients includes

• Introducing employee to other colleagues

• Sitting employee in an office by themselves

• The employee reads your policies and procedures

• The employee reads other necessary documentation

During this time you can be about your normal work. The employee normally would take an hour to read material.

Once employee is finished bring them into your office and go through induction form point by point asking employee if they understood process and ticking off each section as you go.

Sign-off

At end of your Induction get your employee to sign Induction Form and include a statement such as ‘I confirm that these policy and procedures have been discussed with me and I understand and agree to comply with my obligations under these policies and procedures. I acknowledge that I have been inducted into my position'.

Final Comment

In our experience failing to induct an employee by taking an hour or so out of your day is like hitting your head with a hammer when trouble comes – a real headache!

The onus is on you to prove you provided an induction process. You can protect your business.

This process goes a long way towards minimising misunderstanding and if your employee becomes forgetful show them induction sign-off.

For more information and our free monthly ezine visit www.biz-momentum.com

Philip Lye is Director of Biz Momentum Pty Ltd and provides professional management services for business

• Strategic Human Resource Management • Employee Relations Advice • Workplace Health & Safety Compliance Strategies • Management Skills Training

Philip holds qualifications in Accounting, Leadership, Human Resource Management, Industrial Relations and is a qualified accountant. Vistit http://www.biz-momentum.com