I was recently in a discovery call with a potential client who asked me how I could assure her that her personal and customer information would be protected. This is such a great question. How do you know?
When you have a virtual assistant, you are putting your livelihood into our hands.
Here are some tips:
- Only give as much freedom to your virtual assistant that is needed to do the job. If it feels like too much, get more information.
- There should always be a secure way to transfer information. Don’t just email a password or account information.
- Maintain control of log-in information. You set the limits of information to be released.
- Stay connected with your virtual assistant to keep a clear understanding of their needs, control and activities.
- Review your contract for non-disclosure and confidentiality details.
Many virtual assistants are also members of virtual assistant associations. I am a member of the International Virtual Assistant Association (www.ivaa.org) and part of the membership is an agreement to abide by the ethical standards of the association. It is very important to us that we are maintaining a good name for virtual assistants around the world.
Hiring a virtual assistant can be a stretch of your comfort zone, but hiring an employee is a similar stretch that costs more in expenses. If you don’t feel like the virtual assistant is someone you can trust, you have the option of choosing another. A good virtual assistant will be able to answer your questions honestly and prove that you have made a good choice.
Don’t forget! I’m here for you! Virtu-Ally On your side. Getting things done.