jack - @chappy | 12Js | $2.4M thought it'd be b...
@chappy | 12J | $2.4M thought it'd be better to bring the conversation to general. I've had an interesting experience. I was in DA and then DS and now am almost entirely in DE. DA is usually 0 work, but pays like crap around 55/hr max (unless FAANG). DS can be super chill or a PITA for slightly better pay. DE on the other hand is pretty good pay, 75/hr+, I'm averaging like 80-85/hr, but most teams work on AGILE which makes OE-ing w/o VAs difficult.
Also DS/DA/DE is almost impossible to VA since its such an in-depth thing. Unless you're just getting tickets handed to you, all of it requires such an extensive domain knowledge of the job, usually requires meeting with stakeholders regularly, and most Paki/Indian VAs just don't have the necessary skills to take on any more than "here's this scoping doc, finish this" etc.
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Okay - You want my insight on changing industry? How to get the most out of VAs/filtering out the shit VAs? Best path to take for you regarding the roles you have worked? What in specific? Or did you just want to tell your experience?
How to sort out bad VA's is what I want to know
Effective VA Management for DA/DS/DE Roles
1. Define Clear Job Requirements
- Detailed Job Descriptions: Outline the specific skills, tools, and tasks you need. This should include technical proficiencies (e.g., Python, SQL, specific data tools) and soft skills (e.g., communication, problem-solving).
- Scoping Documents: Provide comprehensive scoping documents that detail the tasks, expected outcomes, and deadlines.
2. Vetting and Interview Process
- Technical Assessments: Include a technical assessment or a small paid project as part of the hiring process to evaluate their skills in real-world scenarios.
- Structured Interviews: Conduct structured interviews focusing on problem-solving skills, past experience, and their approach to typical tasks they will handle.
- Portfolio Review: Review their previous work, case studies, or portfolios to assess the quality and relevance of their experience.
3. Continuous Monitoring and Feedback
- Regular Check-Ins: Schedule regular meetings to review progress, address challenges, and provide feedback. This helps in keeping the VA aligned with your expectations.
- Performance Metrics: Use key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure their effectiveness, such as task completion rates, accuracy, and adherence to deadlines.
4. Utilize Effective Tools
- Project Management Software: Use tools like Trello, Asana, or Jira to assign tasks, set deadlines, and monitor progress. These platforms facilitate better tracking and accountability.
- Time-Tracking Tools: Implement time-tracking tools like Toggl or Harvest to ensure the VAs are dedicating appropriate time to tasks.
5. Develop a Training Program
- Onboarding Process: Develop a comprehensive onboarding process that familiarizes VAs with your workflows, tools, and expectations.
- Documentation and Resources: Provide detailed documentation, tutorials, and access to relevant resources to help VAs understand your projects better.
6. Start Small and Scale Up
- Trial Period: Begin with a trial period where the VA handles smaller, less critical tasks. Evaluate their performance before assigning more complex responsibilities.
- Gradual Scaling: Gradually increase their workload as they prove their capability and reliability.
7. Communication is Key
- Clear Instructions: Provide clear, concise instructions for each task. Miscommunication can lead to errors and inefficiencies.
- Open Channels: Maintain open communication channels through tools like Slack or Microsoft Teams to facilitate quick resolution of any issues.
Example of an Effective VA Management Plan
1. Job Description:
- "Seeking a VA with expertise in Python and SQL for data cleaning and preprocessing tasks. Familiarity with tools like Pandas, NumPy, and data visualization libraries such as Matplotlib or Seaborn is essential."
2. Technical Assessment:
- "Complete a data cleaning task using a provided dataset. Ensure all missing values are handled, and generate a summary report."
3. Regular Check-Ins:
- "Weekly 30-minute meetings every Monday to review progress and set goals for the week."
4. Project Management:
- "Tasks will be assigned and tracked through Trello, with deadlines clearly specified."
Thank you!
@chappy | 12J do you offer to uplevel your VA’s through training?