In 2017, after a tragic loss, Nicole discovered her passion and purpose, giving people the time to focus on the things that matter to them. It was then that Nicole founded Virtual A-Team, a virtual services agency that focuses on working with solopreneurs in the business-to-consumer space. Today Nicole works with overwhelmed coaches and consultants who define wealth by the joy in their lives and not the size of their bank account. Nicole is also the host of the Coach’s Copilot: Your Online Business Manager Podcast, a successful podcast where Nicole shares her ideas on why hiring someone who can do more than cross things off your to-do list will push your business further, giving you the time to focus on moving the revenue needle. 

The road Nicole took to get to this point wasn’t linear. Nicole started as a productivity specialist who was asked by clients to keep taking on projects. Then the lightbulb went off. Nicole realized that delegating tasks is a learned skill that not many solopreneurs have. This was holding them back from growing their business. That is when Nicole decided she wanted to help solopreneurs and small business owners understand the importance of delegation so they can focus on the things they were great at, like moving their business forward.

The beauty of hiring an online business manager (OBM) is that you relay the information and project demands to one person, who then has to start the outsourcing process. They are the ones who coordinate all the virtual specialists to ensure that the processes are in place and the projects run smoothly. This is not something that a new business owner should be dealing with. They need to focus on growing their business. The processes and coordination of the company's internal workings should be left to an online business manager.

To hire the right OBM, you need to look for someone who pays attention to detail, takes the initiative, and can work independently. You are looking for someone you have a connection with because they will be your right-hand man. Make sure there are no language barriers or timezone barriers. An OBM should be the one to hold you, the boss, accountable. Nicole recommends that your OBM take the 5 Love Languages Test, so you know how to show them appreciation. If they like words of affirmation, make sure you tell them what a great job they’re doing. The best work relationships are based on trust, respect, appreciation, and likeability. These are attributes you want your relationship with your OBM to be built upon. 

Outsourcing is supposed to benefit your business and allow you to focus on moving the revenue needle forward. Sometimes you don’t realize you’re stuck because you’re doing everything alone. You may need to hire an online business manager to help you manage your operation. Try this One Big Tip, and let us know how it goes!

In this episode:

[2:55] Nicole shares her story of how she started the Virtual A-Team

• The road to success is never linear
• You need to follow your passion if you want to love what you do

[7:00] Hand off a lot of the client relationship to the online business manager

• As a solopreneur, you need to focus on getting clients
• Hand off the day-to-day dealing with clients to someone else

[10:01] Standard operating procedures and processes are how you run a successful business

• If you’re too busy to create them, you need to hire someone who can
• Explain what your end goal is and what you’d like to achieve, then hand off the reigns

[14:07] Hire for skills and strengths

• It’s important to have a connection with people you work with
• Show your managers appreciation

[17:01] Success is when you can give someone the time to do what they’re best at

• Streamlining the process and creating a turn