Because you did your job too well!
Let me tell you a story. It’s a success story.
Five years ago I was referred to a client who was, like many business owners, overwhelmed, inefficient and stressed. My job was to streamline the business admin so he could focus on what he loved and generating new work, while his partner handled day-to-day delivery.
I told him what I tell all my clients: things won’t change overnight but if we implement the suggestions I make, we will get there.
He trusted me. Even though he was nervous – and had been burned before – he was prepared to give it a go. He didn’t want to employ staff so a contract relationship was attractive.
I suggested efficiencies, new processes, and tools and apps to support the business admin. He was willing to try them all.
Two years on…
Two years later, after implementing the processes, procedures, tools, and templates I suggested, he said to me: “In 20 years in business I have never been in this position: where 98% of our clients’ returns are in and it’s only October. I have no idea what I’m going to do for the next few months.”
I told him to play golf, or perhaps we could talk about a marketing strategy. So we focused on that. We started a regular newsletter, streamlined his database, updated his website, and worked on workshops he could deliver to key clients.
Three years later…
Three years on from that, clients are able to respond quickly to requests, and return lodgement is now at 100% … in July. His business has grown threefold.
He’s now stepping back from operations to focus on marketing and consulting, handing the reins to his business partner. That included a restructure of the team she has around her.
What does that mean for me? Well, naturally, that means my work is done. He asked me to help, I did and five years down the track he is effectively pulling back. Another VA has stepped into the role I once held.
So why is this a success story? Because despite the loss of a client to another VA, I take this as a win. As a contractor you have zero control over the decisions your clients make. Changes happen – you roll with them.
That is success!
I tell my clients that my success comes from their success.
This is what success looks like. A thriving business. A happy client. A seamless handover. And the knowledge that the systems we built will keep delivering results — long after I’ve stepped away.
If you’re feeling buried in admin, inefficient processes, or just overwhelmed — get in touch: maybe it’s time to start your own success story.
