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

1. Your business is growing while your own free-time is shrinking.

I’m betting you started your business to create more freedom in your life yes? Freedom of time, money and choice. Let me ask you – as your business grows are you actually working more or less time?

If you are on the ‘working more time’ side of things you certainly aren’t alone… I can’t count how many times I’ve talked to business owners who have shared how they are actually working more hours in their own business than they ever did in their ‘old job’. However it doesn’t have to be this way… as a business owner you have the ‘freedom of choice’ to be able to make changes in your business, including hiring the right help to get stuff off your plate.

This is exactly what an Online Business Manager does – their main focus is to free up the business owner so that they can focus their time and energy on the things that only THEY can do in their business.

2. You are having to turn away opportunities because you are so busy!

This is a sad by-product of the first point. Are you so busy that you can’t take advantage of the opportunities that are coming your way? Do you ever find yourself saying “I would love to do X and know it would be a great new revenue stream… but I simply don’t have the time for it right now… “

Not only can an Online Business Manager help free up your own time to be able to explore these opportunities, they can also work on bringing some of these opportunities to life for you! An Online Business Manager is very focused on implementation, and can help manage the process of creating new revenue streams in your business from concept to launch.

3. You are still doing things the same things you were doing when you started your business.

Remember when you first started your business and had to wear many hats? You were the cook, hostess, waitress and busboy (so to speak, hehe.) Now that your business is growing, are you still doing the same things as you were in the beginning? Are you still updating your own website? Are you still managing your shopping cart? Are you still answering all your customer service emails?

As your business grows your role will (and should!) change. An Online Business Manager can lovingly ’slap your wrist’ when it comes to you doing some of these things… helping you let go of some of the ‘old’ stuff taking up your time that gets in the way of you growing your business.

4. You have a great team, but find yourself frustrated by them always ‘bugging’ you.

This is actually a very common complaint from business owners – they have a great team of VAs, webmasters and such. And yet they are constantly frustrated by how much their team needs from them. They feel like someone is always tapping them on the shoulder with a question or request.

The thing is, your team does need someone to manage them. They need someone who they can turn to with questions, to get what they need to complete their projects quickly and on time. And if there is not an Online Business Manager on the team who do they turn to? You – the business owner.

As a colleague of mine so eloquently shared:

“My VAs were doing a fine job – it was ME who was unhappy managing them.”

Most business owners really don’t enjoying being managers, and i’m guessing this may be the same for you. An Online Business Manager becomes the key point of contact for your team – all questions, requests and such go to the OBM instead of you.

5. You are stuck at $X revenue and can’t seem to get past that point!

When you find yourself stuck at a certain point in revenue there is usually one thing getting in the way – you! My business partner Andrea Lee calls this the quarter million dollar speedbump (can be more or less than that of course) and a big part of the solution usually requires you removing yourself from the day-to-day of your business.

Start to ask yourself as you go about your day – do I need to be the person to do X? (with X being the many things you spend your time on each day.)

Chances are many things on your to-do list could be passed along to someone else on your team. And an Online Business Manager can help with that process by delegating and managing those tasks on your behalf.

Tina Forsyth is the author of Becoming an Online Business Manager: Playing a Bigger Game with Your Clients and Yourself. She writes and consults in advanced online marketing and business systems for business owners and their support teams. www.OnlineBusinessManager.com

My heart skipped a beat when I read these words from John C. Maxwell, the Maxwell Leadership Bible during my morning devotion time.  Thoughts sprang to mind of how I sometimes struggle with momentum and most important how my clients struggle with momentum.

During this last couple of years, it has become very clear to me, as an entrepreneur and a service provider, that a primary pain that I have witnessed in my consults and clients is one of momentum.  The pain of trying to build and grow a business while struggling to create and keep momentum.  Many people start a business with a passion, a passion to serve the world sharing their gifts and talents, but they didn’t bargain on having to actually build a business at the same time.  Every day they are faced with the challenges of time, money, work-life balance, strained relationships, insufficient skills, and need support and don’t know what they need or where to get it.  All of these things can cause us to stop in our tracks and not move forward – loss of momentum.

While it is tempting to wait for the next new superstar hire or bright and shiny program to magically create the momentum we need in our business, it is not always the wisest strategy.  We are the leaders of our own business destiny.

It does not matter what kind of business you run, or what kind of organization you lead, the number one key that will determine your level of your success will be momentum.

One definition of momentum is the “force or speed of movement”.  It will decide how high your business will go and how quickly you will get there.

Momentum, by its nature, requires a lot of upfront push to get the ball rolling.  Here are a few things that I have learned that can help you create positive and life giving momentum to you and your business.

1. Get clear –

• What is important to you?  What are you passionate about? How do you want to serve others in powerful ways? What do you want to achieve? How do you want to distinguish yourself from your competitors?

2. Write down your goals, mission -

• After getting clear on what you want, create a mission statement for you and your business.   Next, write down your goals to help solidify that which you have gotten clear on.  Create the steps needed to push forward, give yourself a target date, and don’t forget to write how you will know that you achieved it.

3. Put away the notion of perfection –

• Growing up in a home with impossible expectations, I lived most of my life chasing after illusive perfection.  Every now and then it can still rear its ugly head, but I have learned to strive for excellence, not perfection. When you are waiting around for things to be perfect before you move forward, you don’t move– that’s the other side of momentum.

4. Take control of fear -

• Fear is a major killer of momentum.  Afraid to fail, afraid to succeed -we simply don’t move, we become paralyzed.  We were not designed to walk in fear, but to walk in freedom.  Freedom is where energy, creativity and focus live.  Make no mistake, I know very well that this is a difficult emotion to acknowledge, accept and embrace.  Fortunately, when we acknowledge the fear and its hold on our lives that keep us from where we want to go and meant to be – fear miraculously begins to loosen it hold on us and freedom begins to show up almost saying, “I can’t wait to show you all the great things that are in store for you”.

5. Put one foot in front of the other -

• As Nike’s campaign commanded us “Just do it”!  Take that first step, complete that first task, even when you don’t feel like it.  Make the commitment to move forward.  Each step that you take and complete will propel you to the next step.  It is extremely energizing to our spirits to” just do it”. I am reminded of the little ditty from Rudolf the Red Nose Reindeer that runs on television during the holidays, “put one foot in front of the other and soon you will be walking across the floor, put one foot in front of the other and soon you will be walking out the door”.

6. Stay positive, seek inspiration

• Read books, listen to audio programs and watch videos that will uplift and inspire you – not only related to your industry, but related to life and managing life with more freedom.  Inspirational books of faith and courage, and biographies of others who have gone before and succeeded.  Too many times we fall into false thinking that we are the only ones that are being challenged in certain areas.  Great news – not so!!

7. Create a circle of trust -

• Create a small group of select people that you trust to share your journey as an entrepreneur with.   Confidants that you can bounce ideas and challenges off of without the fear of being judged and betrayed.  Personally, I found early on in my business that I needed to create a circle of trust with fellow women business owners.  Typically people who are not entrepreneurial in nature do not really get us and the challenges we face every day as business owners and service providers.   When I need a strong kick in the pants I know that my circle of trust will tell me the truth – in love of course.  When I leave those conversations I feel stronger for myself and for my clients.    I also feel strong and powerful enough to return the favor when my circle of trust peeps are in need of a kick in the pants – in love of course.

8. Get a support team for your business, you don’t have to do it all, you shouldn’t do it all -

• Hire a business coach, maybe even a personal coach to help you clarify and set goals and business plan for success.  In your business, spend time on only those activities where you must to deliver personally to your clients, such as coaching or speaking, and leave the rest to other professionals such as online business managers, virtual assistants, copywriters, web designers – you get the picture.    You can’t do it all yourself without losing momentum.

9. Embrace momentum –

• In John C. Maxwell’s book “The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership”, he says that, “Momentum is really a leader’s best friend. Sometimes it’s the only difference between winning and losing.”  I can’t really add more to that – kinda says it all!

I hope that you have enjoyed this article and pray that it has been an inspiration to you – maybe even a kick in the pants.  Please feel free to share with me your comments, thoughts and struggles around momentum or any other struggle you are having in your business in the box below.   It will be my pleasure to share back.