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

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

If you want to forecast your full business potential by relieving yourself of these necessary but growth blocking projects, set up a few interviews with some potential Online Business Managers. Let them suggest what might be blocking you from your success and how they can help. This will give you an excellent idea of what your business could be like, should you choose to partner with an OBM.

In addition to being your project and team manager, a good OBM will implement business strategies and resources to save you time and money.

If you would like to learn more about how partnering with an Online Business Manager to grow your online business to new heights be sure to download my new free eBook, “Grow Your Online Business To New Heights With An Online Business Manager” on this web page.

V9CNFWA6887U

The role of the Online Business Manager (OBM) is to ensure that all business systems, procedures and tools are in place and functioning smoothly.  This will bring peace of mind to the business owner knowing that everything is under control and the business can handle taking on more projects and clients to grow their business.

A great first project for your new OBM is the creation of a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) manual.  Many small business owners can see the benefit of having one, but just can never find time or inclination to create one.  Usually it is quite a relief to the business owner having someone take on the project of creating one.  Tina Forsyth mentions in her book; “Becoming An Online Business Manager” that a business is really not grown up until it has a SOP.

A good SOP solves many problems such as:

• What happens if there is an emergency and you cannot pay as much attention to the business as you normally would.
• An SOP saves you time and money, because all procedures are documented and systems are automated.
  • Less time (time is money) for training new team members.
  • Less time searching for important information related to repetitive tasks and projects.
  • You will typically pay less for an automated system than for a person to do the same task.
  • The busy business owner can actually take a vacation and not worry about what is happening at the office.

As you can see from the few examples listed above having an Online Business Manager adds value to your business by getting your operations under control and creating a strong foundation so that you can grow your online business to new heights.

Watch for the release of my new eBook next week, “Growing Your Online Business to New Heights with an Online Business Manager”.  As an additional gift and resource to you for downloading the eBook, you will receive my 7-Day eCourse, “Are You Ready for an Online Business Manager”.  Each day of the course walks you through important questions to help you determine whether your business is ready to hire an Online Business Manager.

Scheduled to be released next week!

If you identify with any of the above questions, you will want to download my new eBook, “Grow Your Online Business to New Heights With An Online Business Manager”.  Scheduled to be released next week!

Do you find that there is little time to spend on your core services?

Are you making good money, but just can’t grow your business further?

Would you love to have someone who is committed to growing your business, so that you can focus on what you so best?

COMING SOON!

Watch for my new eBook, “Grow Your Online Business to New Heights With An Online Business Manager” to learn more about partnering with an Online Business Manager.