Last Updated on July 2, 2024
Many small to medium-sized businesses in the United States struggle to keep their administrative tasks under control. Accounting is one of the most pressing tasks, which can take up nearly a quarter of all the admin-related work a company needs to complete. In addition to accounting tasks, recruitment and HR are relatively high on the list, followed by functions such as social media management, data entry, and email management. The problem with these administrative burdens is not just that they consume a lot of your staff’s time; costs are involved. If your skilled worker is spending their time on such tasks, they have less time to focus on the more critical and money-driving work, which can increase your profit margins. More so, you will have more missed deadlines and frustrated clients, which can hinder your business’ growth.
Hiring a virtual assistant skilled in administration can be your solution. They can onboard the admin tasks, freeing your valuable time and resources. You can then focus on your core work while also helping to reduce overall operating costs. However, before hiring any virtual assistant, you should be aware of the administration skills these VAs should have for the relationship to benefit you.
The Core Administrative Skills for Your Perfect Admin VA
Critical administrative skills are organization, time management, communication, and technical skills. Other skills that can also be important, depending on the nature of the tasks, would-be customer service skills and social media management skills.
Organization and Time Management
A perfect admin virtual assistant will be skilled at organization and time management. In essence, the virtual assistant will know how to prioritize tasks well and ensure that the most critical work is completed first. This means that the virtual assistant will adhere to strict deadlines. However, it also means having the skill to multitask. To do this effectively, a virtual assistant will know how to utilize project management software and time-blocking techniques to help them remain on track and focused. Ultimately, the benefit for you is that your business will run smoothly, mainly if the virtual assistant is located in a different time zone and you need everything to work independently.
Communication
Communication skills are critical in most businesses. An admin virtual assistant must be professional and transparent in their communication. This means, in practical terms, that a virtual assistant would create clear and professional emails, for instance. It could also include all the other communication channels, such as social media or phone.
However, effective communication isn’t just about sending messages. Active listening is critical. A skilled VA will be trained in your unique needs and ensure the work is completed according to your vision, as you have communicated with them.
Technical Skills
A good virtual assistant will be comfortable working with project management tools such as Trello. How will they also be used to working with other essential software programs such as Microsoft Office or Google Workspace? A virtual assistant will also know how scheduling software tools like Calendly work. Moreover, a virtual assistant must adapt quickly and learn new programs to ensure they interact with your team and keep up with your core team.
Additionally Advanced Skills
An excellent admin VA will also have additional skill sets, such as excelling in customer service and social media savvy. A virtual assistant skilled in customer service is a massive asset for a business. They will be friendly and professional to your customers and other stakeholders, such as your suppliers.
More so, in terms of social media, a person able to manage social media platforms with success is more than a winner; they can be a game-changer for your business mainly since new leads are typically generated at the high level of a marketing funnel, such as on social media channels. In the long term, you will have a consistent flow of quality leads for your business.
Free Up Your Time with These Common Admin Tasks
An admin virtual assistant can be a lifesaver for your SMB by managing a wide range of administrative tasks, including:
- Calendar Management: Scheduling appointments, managing your inbox, and keeping track of deadlines.
- Email Management: Sorting and prioritizing emails, responding to inquiries, and handling basic customer service requests.
- Document Management: Document management involves creating presentations, reports, and other documents and organizing and filing digital and physical files.
- Travel Arrangements: Booking flights, hotels, and ground transportation for business trips.
- Social Media Management (if applicable): Posting updates, responding to comments, and running social media campaigns.
- Data Entry: Inputting data into spreadsheets and databases.
- Research and Analysis: Gathering information and compiling industry trends or competitor analysis reports.
- Project Management: Assisting with project planning, tracking progress, and ensuring tasks stay on schedule.
This is just a glimpse into how a skilled admin virtual assistant can streamline your operations and free up valuable time to focus on what matters most – growing your business.
The Bottom Line: Administrative Skills That Are Non-negotiable for an Admin VA
When you hire a skilled administrative virtual assistant who has all the administrative skills you need, you will not just save money. Still, it can be a strategic investment for your small or medium-sized business. You would also be freeing yourself from the administrative burden so you can focus on boosting the company’s productivity and growing your business faster.
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What are administrative skills?
Admin skills include a range of essential abilities for effective office management. These include organization, communication, time management, problem-solving, attention to detail, multitasking, and proficiency in office software. Strong admin skills are vital for ensuring smooth operations and facilitating productivity within any workplace.
How to develop administrative assistant skills?
An admin VA can develop administrative skills by honing in organizational, communication, time management, and problem-solving tasks. By doing this, they can practice their skills. Also, they can seek mentorship, take relevant courses, stay updated on industry trends, and actively seek feedback to refine their abilities.
What are the top 3 skills of an administrative assistant?
The top three skills of an administrative virtual assistant are organization, communication, and attention to detail. These skills are essential for managing tasks efficiently, facilitating effective communication within the team, and ensuring accuracy in administrative duties.