So I’m getting ready to rush off to the Dominican Republic with a bunch of my siblings and spouses for my big 40th birthday bash. And as I scramble to get ready, I cannot express enough gratitude for my assistant Linda. She makes every day of my work better than it would be alone, and is an enormous help. Luckily for me she is willing to do anything I ask – even work as my personal assistant when needed – like this week.
I know you have heard it before – once you take the time to train someone to do the things you don’t like to do – or the things that keep you from doing the things that you love – you are suddenly a lot more free to spend time with clients and the money making ventures of your business. This allows you to make more money which will more than cover the expense of your asssistant. But as all things go – you will only hire an assistant when you are desperate to do so.Even though you KNOW it will help your business, you put it off til you are desperate… and then say “why didn’t I do this earlier???” So consider this a little “push” to get you in the place you need to be to make that step now!
Here are some of the things I rely on Linda for:
- responding to frequently asked questions by email
- entering expenses and purchases into quickbooks
- writing press releases
- submitting press releases on line and to print publications
- shipping items
- receiving items
- preparing my “client kit” for all client visits
- keeping my schedule
- running out for lunch
- bringing in lunch
- bringing in chocolate, treats, and special things
- contacting clients for follow-up
- running any and all errands
- and the list goes on and on and on….
Now is it time for YOU to hire an assistant? For the next couple of days write down everything that you do in your day – then review your list – what could an assistant do for you? Design work – your assistant could pull fabric swatches, paint swatches, and even draft a room plan based on your suggestions. Client follow-up – your assistant could manage follow-up calls, client gifts and thank yous, and getting all things ready for your appointments. Admin – opening mail, logging calls, replying to emails….. What can a assistant do for you???
If you already have an assistant, I would love for you to share what tasks YOU delegate by commenting below.
Have a great week!
-Mary Larsen
5 Responses
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Mary, how did you go about finding this wonderful assistant?
My assistant Allison does everything you posted and then some. Prior to hiring Allison, I was the design team. As a graduate of Appalachian State University’s Design Program she brought CAD experience, a new persepective, and a fresh slant.
Collaboration is both energizing and takes the end results to new heights. I am thrilled to have her on my “team”.
I can’t wait for the day when I can have an assistant. When I went through the Design program it would have been so beneficial to have worked with a designer as an assistant for some real life experience. My goal is to reach back and help a design student gain some knowledge and lend me a hand at the same time. Great article!
I AM an Assistant!
I do a lot of the tasks mentioned above along with offering advice, suggestions, and ideas. I research information for articles, the latest trends in social media, creating databases, newsletters, & other documents, PowerPoint presentations and more.
It’s exciting to work with different people, in different industries, and everyday I learn something new.
Viki Garrison
You’ve heard a few good men. Well I have a few good assistants! They don’t work everday, but when the do, boy do we get a lot accomplished. I have one assistant for staging and see can pretty much do anything. Then I have more of a personal assistant to help around the house, with inventory and on staging days if we need back up. It is night and day! I can not tell you how I was putting clients on the back burner, because of my workload, but that is changing now that I am changing and aksing for help!