First, you may have noticed that I moved to a new domain last month.  My website VBS Virtual Assist.com has transitioned over to VBS Online Business Management.com.  VBS Virtual Assist will continue to stay online for another month while I make all updates to all profiles, etc.  and then it will be redirected.

My Story:

My professional administrative and business experience expands nearly 30 years, including 2.7 years ago after leaving corporate and building my own company, VBS Virtual Assist, LLC, which was a Virtual Assistant Practice.

Within a year of creating VBS Virtual Assist and successfully performing as a Virtual Assistant, I was searching for new opportunities to play a bigger role with my clients and helping them to grow their businesses.  It was then that I read Tina Forsyth’s still popular book, “Becoming An Online Business Manager, Playing A Bigger Game With Your Clients”   I knew immediately that becoming an Online Business Manager (OBM) was the path for me.   Providing online business management services to my clients was more in align with my many years of business training, experience, skills and most important, passion.  I immediately signed up for Tina’s Online Business Manager (OBM) Certification program which consisted of 40 hours and 5 months of time directly invested into the certification process.  Certification week was grueling and I consider being one of my major accomplishments in my business career.   I was Tina Forsyth and Andrea Lee’s first student in the first ever OBM certification program and one of the first ever certified Online Business Managers!   I just celebrated my first year anniversary as a certified OBM on October 6^th.  I was able to roll all of my online business training and virtual assistant training up to that point into the management piece.

My target market is established Coaches, Speakers and Authors wanting to take their online business to new levels of manageability and profitability.  I love this market – they have such a heart for people and wanting to help them create successful personal and business lives.  This year I will be adding Christian Speakers, Coaches, Authors and others in the Public Eye to my marketing energies.

Many business owners know that becoming a solid entrepreneur means finding your way – developing a business that reflects your most authentic self.  That space gives you the most power to grow as a business owner in order to build independent wealth and freedom while giving back to the world in powerful ways that only you can – your unique self.

The unique me that I bring to the world is that I very clear on my center and to whom I belong.  I love and serve God, my husband and family, friends, and I serve the world by helping people to grow in big and small ways – giving back what was given to me by God.

What Is An Online Business Manager?

Not sure what the difference is between a Virtual Assistant and an Online Business Manager?   I invite to you spend some time on my website VBSOnlineBusinessManagement.com, download my eBook, “Growing Your Online Business to New Heights with An Online Business Manager”, and/or even contact me to learn more.

In a nutshell:

• An OBM is someone who you hire to step into your business when you simply can’t do it alone anymore. OBM’s manage the tasks.  Virtual Assistants and other online professional perform the tasks.
• You have achieved success in your business which is great, but with growth comes increased responsibilities that you do not have time for.

• You are currently hiring people to help you do certain tasks in your business, but you are tired and stressed by having to recruit and manage them.
• You would love to take advantage of new opportunities, such as what seems to be that perfect Joint Venture, but simply do not have time to close the deal
• You have lost track of revenue, what you need to shore up or turn loose of in your products and services
• You would like an experienced and knowledgeable person on your team who will be your champion – someone you could bounce ideas.  There are so many bright and shiny objects out there which make it difficult to decide what are the best strategies for your business.
• There are projects that you would like to implement in order to grow your business– but guess what, no time or energy
• You would love to develop some products that would generate residual income so that you have more time and financial security, but which ones and how?
• You would love to have someone that you can trust in relationship, as well as, take the managing of the business off your plate so that you can focus on what you do best in your business such as visioning, speaking, coaching, and training
• The value that an OBM’s brings to your business is centered on the management of your business rather than performing tasks.

Thanks for reading my blog post today.  I look forward to hearing from you.

I am an Online Business Manager and always telling business owners “you can not go it alone”.  If you want to be successful in achieving your goals for your life and business you need to have the guidance and support of those who KNOW how to get you there.  Kathy KNOWS how to get you there.  Kathy’s many years of experience and countless success with clients is the proof in the pudding.

Also, Kathy is not called the @happinesschick for nothing.  Not only will you move forward in your business – you will have a great time doing it.

As you already know from my earlier post this month, I was so fortunate to participate in the R4H Boot camp, held in Dallas, Texas in September – when it rolls around again, DON’T MISS IT!

My name is Brenda Violette and I approve this message.  Have a great day!

This week:

• Manage the production and completion of revenue streams including:

o   Books & workbooks

o   Multimedia products

o   Membership programs

o   Virtual Events

o   Live Events

o   Coaching Programs

• Manage the setup of any applicable tools or software for different revenue streams (i.e.: setting up a membership site using WordPress & WishList Member)
• Manage the deliverability of revenue streams (i.e.: setting up a download page for an ebook)
• Ensure customer service is in place to support each revenue stream
• Ensure that systems are in place so that new clients get immediate access to their purchases
• Setup of fulfillment for any tangible/shippable items
• Manage the ongoing maintenance of revenue streams
• Review revenue streams on a regular basis to look for outdated information or opportunities to refresh/relaunch

Brenda Violette
Online Business Manager
VBS Online Business Management

Copyright 2010 | International Association of Online Business Managers
Used with Permissions

This week:

• Keeping track of key statistics for the business on a weekly & monthly basis
• Setting up a reporting system that includes what to track
• Analyzing metrics and discussing trends/patterns with business owner

Brenda Violette

Online Business Manager

VBS Online Business Management

aka: VBS Virtual Assist, LLC

VBSOnlineBusinessManagement.com

Copyright 2010 | International Association of Online Business Managers
Used with Permissions

This week:

Managing Your Operations

• Review of the key systems needed to run a business, including customer service, billing, communication, back-ups, marketing, follow-up and delivery
• Creation of processes, tools and players for key systems within the business
• Implementation of automated business tools & software to manage various systems
• Creation and maintenance of your Standard Operating & Procedures (SOP) Guide
• Management of all client payments and collections process
• Management of systems access and login information
• Ensuring there is an effective backup system in place for all information (including the business owner’s computer!)
• Establish decision making guidelines for team members

Copyright 2010 | International Association of Online Business Managers
Used with Permissions

Last time I shared with you how an Online Business Manager (OBM) shows up for you in your online business my managing your projects.

Managing Your Virtual Team

• Identify team needs based on current business goals and projects
• Create measures of success for the role
• Determine what type of specialist would be the best fit
• Craft job posting/details
• Blast opportunity out there via various networks
• Filter initial responses and review portfolios
• Setup interviews
• Narrow choices after initial interviews and request proposal
• Setup second interview (if necessary)
• Check references from other clients
• Review proposals from preferred candidates
• Making the offer to selected candidate
• Ensure there is a signed contract in place for all hires
• Create communication plan with new team members
• Get them proper information and/or training for their role
• Regular reporting on measures of success for their role
• 90 Day Review (for long term) or End of Project Review (for project only)
• Keeping the team motivated in their work
• Handling team challenges as they arise
• Managing the team budget and expenses

If you have any questions about working with an online business manager, please feel free to schedule a free 30 minute consult with me.

copyright 2010 | International Association of Online Business Managers | Used with permissions

As a follow up to that book, I want to share with you a new series called, “What Can An Online Business Manager Do For Me?”

I know that your time if valuable so each week I will share with you in small bites (this post will be the longest) all the ways that you can partner with an OBM to grow your businesses to new heights of manageability and profitability.

The official definition of an Online Business Manager (OBM) is:

A virtually based support professional who manages online based businesses, including the day-to-day management of projects, operations, team members and metrics.

However I like to look at the role from a bit of a different angle – what is the purpose of an Online Business Manager beyond ‘what they do’?

The role of the OBM boils down to one simple thing:

To free up the business owner so that you can focus your time and energy on the things that only YOU can do in your business.

This includes all business building activities like marketing, sales, working with clients, product development, strategic alliances and big picture business planning – all of which are essential to the growth of a business.

You need to be spending your time here – everything else can be managed by an Online Business Manager.

Most business owners look to hire an OBM when they simply cannot grow their business anymore being the only one in charge. You’ve reached the point where you have a solid business plan, revenue is flowing in and you are tired of being the one who has to “take care of everything.”

In order for you to take your business to the next level you need to pull yourself out of the day-to-day management activities and focus on growth.

Note: The role of the Online Business Manager is to delegate and not do. Although they may not be the one actually “doing the work” they are the ones responsible for establishing and managing the team that does.

Over the next several weeks I will share with you all the ways that the professional services of an Online Business Manager can bring invaluable rewards in the management and growth of your online business in the following areas:

Managing Projects

Managing Your Team

Managing Your Operations

Tracking Your Metrics

Managing Your Revenue Streams

Managing Your Website

Managing Your Ezine Schedule

Managing Your Launches

Managing Your Affiliate Programs

Managing Your Joint Venture (JV)
Partnerships

Managing Your Speaking Engagements

Managing Your Marketing Implementation

Finally, Freeing up your time so that you
can focus on what you do best in your business and creating balance between
work and play.

• Creation of a project plan, including time line, process, people and other resources
• Setup and maintenance of an online project management tool
• Delegating details of the project to various team members
• Communication of project status and ongoing details to all players
• Following-up with players as necessary to ensure that “stuff gets done” on time
• Managing the budget for the project
• Handling challenges for the project as they arise, with a focus on finding a solution quickly

If you have any questions about working with an online business manager, please feel free to schedule a free 30 minute consult to answer any questions you may have.

Copyright 2010 | International Association of Online Business Managers, Used with Permissions

It’s not that these online business owners aren’t successful, quite the contrary.  Their hard work causes them to be very successful – but at what cost? If you are successful but unhappy then what is the point? Online business owners often take on all the tasks and projects involved in their business; administrative, marketing and technical to name just a few. This can leave little time for taking on new and exciting projects, growing the business and enjoying life outside of the business.

So how do online business owners create time for business growth and a personal life? They partner with another online business owner – more specifically – an Online Business Manager (OBM). Not to be mistaken with a Virtual Assistant, an OBM does not perform individual tasks but actually manages your business. This can be done in a variety of ways; for example, often an OBM will manage a team of online professionals who will complete the business tasks at hand.

Imagine having a team of virtual professionals dedicated to your business. Your OBM will manage and monitor all assigned projects and team members, ensuring that all tasks are being completed with excellence and on time so that your business continues to run smoothly. Imagine what you could do now with all that available time!

Partnering with an OBM is an absolute must for successful businesses that want to experience growth and whose owners want to avoid or eliminate business burnout. Some online business owners try outsourcing essential business tasks only to discover that it is even more time consuming to watch over the outsourced projects. To create the time needed for business growth and reduce burnout, there should be someone else in charge of project management – an Online Business Manager.

Online business owners who have successfully partnered with an OBM have more peace of mind and feel a better sense of control and accomplishment in their business.  For example, since your OBM has an active and comprehensive role, vacations can now be enjoyed rather than skipped or compromised by worry.  You can count on your OBM to provide continuous follow-up with their outsourced team, allowing you, the business owner to focus on creating new products or contacts which lead to increased revenue.

Therefore, it is important to choose the right OBM; someone you feel comfortable with and who you can trust. Your business is your baby, so choosing the right OBM may take some time. Be sure to have your business information, goals and needs organized along with specific interview questions. You may find that the first OBM you interview is “the one” or you may have to interview a few OBMs to get a good feel for what you’re really looking for.

Are you interested in finding out more about Online Business Managers? “Grow Your Online Business to New Heights with an Online Business Manager” is a free ebook that explains what an online business owner should know before hiring an OBM. It provides many resources such as interview questions and prep sheets to fully prepare the reader for the interviewing process.  Also, included is a 7-Day eCourse that walks you through critical questions to determine whether your business is ready for an OBM.  In summary, it is a fantastic resource for a successful business interested in growing bigger and better with the help of an OBM.

For more information please visit Brenda Violette, Your Online Business Manager at www.vbsvirtualassist.com

Copyright © 2010 COPYRIGHT BRENDA VIOLETTE, VBS VIRTUAL ASSIST, LLC. All rights reserved.