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Should I Fire This VA?

by pancakeprincess
6 replies
Hey there WF. I'm new here so I apologize if this is not in the right topic. I'd like advice from people who are experienced in outsourcing/hiring VA's, but maybe also from people working as VA's.

The thing is, I've been working with a few assistnts in the last year, mostly I gave them simple tasks like web research or data entry. I was employing filipino workers at around $3-4. (I know, I'm cheap, but I really couldn't afford much more until now) I use oDesk to find workers, Fiverr didn't work out for me. I train workers with written detailed SOP's of tasks they must perform and let them ask any questions while I'm on Skype.

Last week, I decided to take the plunge and shell out for a more expensive VA to do social media and email outreach for me. I had foolishly expected that with higher price (I found someone with a $10/hour rate from Phillipines) also comes more self-reliance and creativity. This person did not show any of those so far. Also the task that takes me 3 hours (maximum) took them 10 hours (!) and they're not done yet. I also noticed that they've been replying to their own email while on the clock.

Should I fire their ass? Or is it likely that they'll improve so much with training that it'll be worth the extra $$?
#hiring #outsourcing #virtual assistant
  • Profile picture of the author barracuda150965
    I think the first thing to do here is accept that they will take longer than you to do the job and it will never be exactly as you would have done it. That comes with outsourcing.

    It may be that this VA is learning how to do the job and next time round it will be quicker. Without knowing the task it is difficult to say more than that.

    As for firing, maybe you need to find out if this person is experiencing any particular problems that are slowing the job down. You should also say that it appeared as if personal emails were being answered but if guidance was needed he/she can ask you.

    See what the reaction is and whether they improve.
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    • Profile picture of the author pancakeprincess
      Originally Posted by barracuda150965 View Post

      I think the first thing to do here is accept that they will take longer than you to do the job and it will never be exactly as you would have done it. That comes with outsourcing.

      It may be that this VA is learning how to do the job and next time round it will be quicker. Without knowing the task it is difficult to say more than that.

      As for firing, maybe you need to find out if this person is experiencing any particular problems that are slowing the job down. You should also say that it appeared as if personal emails were being answered but if guidance was needed he/she can ask you.

      See what the reaction is and whether they improve.
      Thanks for your input. This task particulary was promoting a piece of content by looking for influencers and emailing them.

      I would definitely expect that a beginner / untrained hire works more slowly, but 10+ hours versus 3 that it takes me is very far off. I'm worried that performance can't improve so dramatically.

      I asked if there is a problem and they didn't say there was. Also I did inquire about those personal emails and requested for this to stop. The hire said ok, and nothing else.
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  • Profile picture of the author Internet Trillionaire
    Only pay on performance. If you not happy with the job of if they don't meet certain deadlines you set per task then you simply don't pay.

    Also read the comments and testimonials of other clients who have previously used a similar service you require of him/her, and their clients are very happy with their work.
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    • Profile picture of the author pancakeprincess
      Originally Posted by Internet Trillionaire View Post

      Only pay on performance. If you not happy with the job of if they don't meet certain deadlines you set per task then you simply don't pay.

      Also read the comments and testimonials of other clients who have previously used a similar service you require of him/her, and their clients are very happy with their work.
      Thanks! The issue is, however, that this task (emailing influencers in a niche) is not something you can accurately estimate beforehand. I had tried paying on performance before but it was a lot of work to communicate the deliverables and quickly review work. Hourly billing is easier for me this way, but maybe you're right anyway.
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  • Profile picture of the author watdahek23
    hi pancakeprincess can you check your inbox i sent you a pm
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  • Profile picture of the author SMworkcafe
    Originally Posted by pancakeprincess View Post

    Hey there WF. I'm new here so I apologize if this is not in the right topic. I'd like advice from people who are experienced in outsourcing/hiring VA's, but maybe also from people working as VA's.

    The thing is, I've been working with a few assistnts in the last year, mostly I gave them simple tasks like web research or data entry. I was employing filipino workers at around $3-4. (I know, I'm cheap, but I really couldn't afford much more until now) I use oDesk to find workers, Fiverr didn't work out for me. I train workers with written detailed SOP's of tasks they must perform and let them ask any questions while I'm on Skype.

    Last week, I decided to take the plunge and shell out for a more expensive VA to do social media and email outreach for me. I had foolishly expected that with higher price (I found someone with a $10/hour rate from Phillipines) also comes more self-reliance and creativity. This person did not show any of those so far. Also the task that takes me 3 hours (maximum) took them 10 hours (!) and they're not done yet. I also noticed that they've been replying to their own email while on the clock.

    Should I fire their ass? Or is it likely that they'll improve so much with training that it'll be worth the extra $$?
    I use oDesk as well for getting projects (I offer my VA services there) and I also outsource work for my own website. The best way to analyze a VA's performance is by giving them a task and see how well they grasped the logic behind it plus how fast they were able to get started on it.

    During this process you should be able to access that whether or not this VA:

    -- Asked you some smart follow-up questions;
    -- Provided you with a timeframe;
    -- Had some ideas how they can over deliver and share them with you;
    -- Work on your given tasks + work on your personal errands

    In short, they should make your life easier.

    By analyzing all this, you will get a better understanding whether they are grandiloquent enough for you.
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    Cheers!

    - Sana.

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