5 Ways to Leverage Your Virtual Assistant this Holiday Season
Written by: Haley Garrison
There’s no doubt that the holidays can be a stressful time as you set out to accomplish every new year’s resolution in the nick of time before gearing up for the new year. Santa knows he needs his elves in order to pull off every Christmas wish... but do you have a Virtual Assistant ensuring all of your French hens are in a row? Not sure how to incorporate your VA into your holiday planning? Here are five significant ways to leverage your Virtual Assistant this holiday season!
1. Client Appreciation
Have you thought about how you’ll be thanking your clients and customers for their business this year? This year more than ever, those who have supported you during trying times deserve a thank you. Perhaps you like to send out a holiday newsletter each year thanking your clients, offering a holiday promotion or simply reminding them of your services as they plan their budget and goals for the new year. Perhaps you’d like to send out a holiday card with a festive company or family photo. Better yet, maybe you’d hope to mail or drop off a personalized gift. Your Virtual Assistant can first and foremost, help you think through the best method of gratitude and more importantly, can ensure newsletters are drafted, gifts are ordered, cards are designed, envelopes are stamped, and bows are tied before the clock strikes twelve.
2. Event Planning
We know events look a little different this year, but all the more reason to make sure you have a detailed plan in place. How will you be celebrating your employees this year? While treating them to a nice dinner or throwing an extravagant holiday party may be out of the question, don’t let your employees go without thinking they aren’t valued and appreciated for their hard work and dedication. Your Virtual Assistant can take the reins here and plan a virtual holiday party celebration. Mail your employees a DIY holiday cocktail gift, throw an ugly sweater or caroling competition over a Zoom Happy Hour. Whatever you decide, these ideas all take time that you probably don’t have. Leverage your Virtual Assistant to make a plan, coordinate the details and execute the final product! After all, this is their specialty.
3. Personal Shopping
With only a few weeks left until the big day, chances are you’re already behind on your shopping (because who isn’t?). Do you know what you’re gifting your internal staff this year? Did you get something for your significant other? How about that investor you're hoping to win over? Your clients? Your kiddos? The list goes on! Good news – your Virtual Assistant can create a quick Excel spreadsheet and present you with a few options with varying price points and delivery times. Maybe you’d like to send your employees something company-branded to make work-from-home life a little bit more enjoyable. Rather than spending your time digging through your contact list to find the right vendor and gather the sizes of your staff members, simply pass this task over to your Virtual Assistant to take care of.
4. Holiday Coverage
What’s your Out of Office Plan look like for the holidays? Will your business be closed for two weeks? Are you planning to take a breather and enjoy quality time with your loved ones? Maybe you’ll be working on a hybrid schedule? Your Virtual Assistant will get your calendar up to date, cancel any recurring meetings you typically have, and block out working time vs personal time to ensure your holiday plans run smoothly. Your VA can also set up automatic responses and maintain your inbox while you’re out by flagging emails and escalating key action items to ensure nothing slips through the cracks, so you can truly detach.
5. End of Year Reconciliation & 2021 Budgeting
It’s easy to lose sight of outstanding invoices and unprocessed expenses when things are moving a million miles a minute. Make it your Virtual Assistant’s priority to ensure all things are accounted for and processed by end of year. Curious where you landed this year as far as budgeting goes? Have your VA track your planned vs actual spending so you can set a realistic (and informed) budget for 2021. It’s possible you have a client or two with an outstanding invoice. Ask your Virtual Assistant to reach out on your behalf to ensure all t’s are crossed and i's are dotted before the end of the year.
Jingle all the way to Maven Assist for more information on virtual support solutions and more importantly, have a holly jolly holiday season!