MI:
Tell us a bit about your background and how you
ended up becoming a VA...
JE:
I started my administrative career as a secretary,
working myself up from secretary in an
insurance/real estate agency to Senior Account
Manager - Commercial Lines at an insurance
brokerage. In 1998, I had a baby and decided I
could not leave her in daycare...one year later I
realized I needed her to grow up where her mother
was also contributing to the income and leading a
productive life as in having a CAREER. I wanted
her to see all the options available to her.
hence, I formed Allison Lane Business Solutions
(named appropriately after my daughter, Allison
Lane Eastwick).
MI:
What do you love most about being a VA?
JE:
I absolutely love that I get to make money doing
what I'm crazy about - working on computers! I get
to constantly learn new software and skills and I
get to make money after doing it.
MI:
What kinds of professionals do you typically
serve?
JE:
Historically, my clients are from so many
different fields: life and career coach;
advertising consultant; USDA Grad School
instructor; commercial real estate broker; author;
doctoral students; engineering firm; attorney; CPA
and quite a range of other fields.
MI:
What do you feel is your most unique and/or
valuable talent you can offer to residential real
estate professionals?
JE:
I'd have to say my most unique trait (or so I'm
told) is that I'm a quick thinker and great
problem-solver, intuitively being able to see the
"shortest line between two points. I'm
skilled in most administrative areas as well as
software so that I am able to do nearly anything
an agent would require.
MI:
You mentioned your writing ability during a recent
phone call. How could you help them with those
kinds of skills?
JE:
Writing is something I'm beginning to be asked to
do. I have some articles at
http://www.adminprof.com where you can see
samples of my technique. Text for flyers, articles
for newsletters, if the agent will provide me with
the focus of the articles, I will be able to write
interesting copy based on either interviews or an
outline.
MI:
So, it sounds like you could help REALTORS with
custom targeted print and/or e-mail newsletters
—is this correct?
JE:
Yes, I can help Realtors with any written copy
necessary, and can also help them with researching
content for newsletters, etc.
MI:
How would you describe the ideal REALTOR / VA
relationship?
JE:
The REALTOR valuing me as a member of his or her
team and allow me to help them. They would share
my business philosophy which is that we are on an
equal footing and not an employer/employee
relationship. This will keep the lines of
communication open between us. The REALTOR will
allow me to help them figure out the best way to
go about the task and allow me to do my job -
which in the end is to ultimately help them make
more money by, allowing them to focus strictly on
selling.
MI:
That opens a convenient segue to my next question:
What minimum requisites / qualities do you look
for in a potential REALTOR before you agree to
work with them?
JE:
I am a very good judge of people. I need to hear
in their voice respect and sincerity.
MI:
Do you manage your clients or do they need to
manage you —and which do you prefer?
JE:
I avoid the term "manage." I prefer the term
"administrative partnering." If my clients have
clear instructions on how I am to do something, I
will do it, but if I think there's a better way, I
want to feel comfortable in knowing I can discuss
it with them. I want us both to be able to
communicate and both be able to contribute to the
whole process.
MI:
Jackie, why would a REALTOR benefit more from a VA
like you verses having an on-site assistant?
JE:
The REALTOR doesn't have to worry about keeping an
employee busy; doesn't have to worry if the
employee is goofing off or going to eventually
steal their business; doesn't have to worry about
paying employee payroll taxes and paying for all
the required benefits. I already have my
business. I'm not going to turn around and take
what I learned from the REALTOR and set up a
competitive agency.
MI:
What are the most important qualities a REALTOR
should look for when looking for a VA?
JE:
That the VA is a legitimate, legal business entity
and has a complete office with voice mail, fax,
broadband modem and backup dialup. That the VA
possesses the necessary tools and skills
(software/hardware/intelligence/personality) that
is required for the job. Also, you want
someone who is motivated and available when you
need them, and who treats the REALTOR's business
as if its his or her own. That's another one of my
"philosophies." My clients' businesses are
somewhat mine in that I can share in their
successes.
MI:
Last question: What words of advice do you have
for REALTORS who are considering using a VA?
JE:
Number one is making sure your VA is excited about
working with you and really makes you feel
"wanted." Make sure she or he is motivated
and that they are a legitimate, bonafide business
and not someone who merely thinks they are a VA.
MI:
Jackie, you were awesome —thanks for sharing your
thoughts about the power of using VA's with my
readers!
JE:
Thank you!
