This Executive Level Virtual Assistant funnels life and corporate experiences into a high-powered, high-caliber business of her own, where she calls the shots! 

If cream rises to the top in any field of endeavor, Lisa Morgan holds that elevated distinction, clearly demonstrating to clients and VA colleagues alike, how she achieves a formidable presence at the apex her career.

MR: In looking back at your past corporate jobs, please share some of your experiences with us. What positions did you hold and what tasks did you perform?

LM: Before starting my own business, I’d been providing executive level support for over 20 years; 16 of which were in the mortgage servicing industry. I’d worked my way up from Administrative Assistance to serving as an HR Liaison for a division of 300, a Business Reporting Analyst, then as a Business Analyst/Project Manager in our division. The skills I’d acquired on a corporate level in these roles have allowed me to provide a valuable service to my clients that weren’t typically available to small business owners.

MR: What contributed to your decision to start your own business as a VA?

LM: After several corporate restructures had occurred in a short amount of time, another was being proposed which would have changed my position to one that wasn’t in line with my career goals. It was then that I began considering starting my own business. In a large corporation, your efforts can become lost in a myriad of red tape, and what I really needed for my own sense of accomplishment, is to make a real impact in the growth and success of the company. As a VA, I knew that my knowledge and skill set would bring about a positive and immediate impact in my clients’ life and in their businesses. I’d been telecommuting several days a week for a few years, so I knew I was well disciplined in being able to operate my business in a home office environment.

MR: What is your particular specialty? How do you keep your skills honed and fresh for each client?

LM: I am an Executive Level Virtual Assistant. Because of my extensive business background, I’m able to take a high-level view of my client’s business, assess current business processes, help them define the direction they wish their business to take, develop and manage a plan to achieve them, and assist in developing best practices and documented processes. This oftentimes includes identifying, interviewing, and managing other virtual professionals whose expertise is needed to achieve these goals, ensuring the business is running smoothly.

Keeping my skills honed is an ongoing, every-day process. Technology changes every day, so I am constantly taking courses, speaking to product vendors, and review approximately 300 feeds related to technology, the real estate industry, small businesses, web development/SEO, and marketing in my Feed Reader each night to help me stay on top of what’s new. Additionally, I’m a member of SHRM (Society of Human Resources Management) and the AMA (American Management Association) to help keep me up-to-date on businesses best practices.

MR: How is an Executive Level Assistant different from a VA who sub-contracts work to other VAs, or whose company is comprised of a team of VAs?

LM: Many VAs do this, and it’s a smart business decision for them to focus on their core competency in the services they provide to their client, and to sub-contract work to others on their team who are proven specialists in their chosen niche. It really benefits the client to have a team of experts available to them, that’s what it’s all about!

There is, however, a real difference between those whose business model is structured in that way and an Executive Level Assistant. An Executive Level Assistant is one whose past career experience is one where they’ve held positions or have had formal education relating to strategic planning, business analysis, project management or in HR. The experience and knowledge gained in these roles is necessary to be able to provide the level of service involved in evaluating, planning for and implementing the growth of a client’s business, and is far more involved than managing a virtual team.

MR: Should a real estate agent hire an Executive Virtual Assistant first or after they already have several VAs working with them?

LM: It’s completely up to the agent and what they feel comfortable with! Some choose to bring in an Executive Level Assistant at the start so they can evaluate what’s needed, and bring in qualified team support, while others prefer to wait until the management of their team becomes full-blown and sometimes, overwhelming. The VA’s priority, from a time management perspective, is to free up the client’s time so they can focus on their own core competency (in real estate, specifically), instead of tying up their time with tasks we can perform; such as monitoring the individual tasks of team members, coordinating processes and helping team members to collectively reach project goals.

MR: What is the best part about being a VA? How has your decision benefited you professionally and personally?

LM: I think the best part of being a VA is that there is a truly supportive, wide network of VAs available to assist you with anything you might need help with or information about. I’ve yet to see any issue arise where a VA isn’t able to get an answer or a solution from at least one (more often, many) VAs willing to share their knowledge with others. This is extremely beneficial to those clients who partner with VAs, as the client now has extended resources available across the globe. The support VAs provide to one another is amazing, and makes me so proud to be part of this industry.

Personally, it is tremendously rewarding to help my clients achieve their goals in having the business they want, being able to do what I love to do every single day, and to own and run my business the way I want. A far cry from my corporate days!

MR: In conclusion, please talk about the difference between being a VA and working as a temporary, independent contractor for hire.

LM: A Virtual Assistant is a professional who provides services to their clients in an ongoing, collaborative capacity, whereas a temporary, independent contractor (aka a Virtual Consultant) is one who is contracted to perform project-based work on a one-time or occasional basis for the service you might need to have done.

MR: Thank you, Lisa, for providing concrete information about what defines the Executive Level Virtual Assistant and how drawing on past corporate experience and skill builds the framework for one’s own successful business.

Lisa Morgan
NAR REPA, PREVA, CRESS™
Master/Chair – Executive Level Management Guild
Virtuoso Business Solutions
Taking care of details, so you can take care of business.™
Site: http://www.VirtuosoAdmin.com
Office: (937) 399-2832 | Fax: (866) 244-8484

Specializing in Executive Management and Strategic Marketing

EDITOR’S NOTE: Lisa is one of my three personal Executive Level VAs who literally runs one of my business divisions and frankly keeps me very much on track )

Always remember to do a thorough due-diligence before hiring any kind of assistant. This interview is part of an ongoing series of VA profiles designed to help you find the perfect VA or VA team to help you get organized, profitable, and in control of your business.

(NOTE: Mr. Internet, his company and staff receive no compensation whatsoever from any third party vendors or service providers. Also any virtual assistant or consultant mentioned in this publication is not to be construed as an endorsement of their services by Mr. Internet or his company. Always remember to do a thorough due-diligence before hiring any kind of assistant.)