According to Ken Keis, President of Consulting Resource Group's Global Resource Center, it doesn't.
In his recently published ezine, Leading the Way, he asks the following question, "Can Virtual Workforce and Business Models Really Work?" His answer is a resounding, "NO!"
He goes on and on about how it didn't work for him with this person and that person, but he never reveals how these people were integrated into his business model, the communication style, frequency or lack thereof, and etc. You get the picture by now that his article was merely a ranting over his numerous, but poor experiences with virtual professionals.
I don't know about you, but his main products are all about personality indicators, entrepreneurship indicators, etc.; wouldn't it have made a lot of sense for all of his staff (virtual or in person) to go through his assessments to find the best matches for his business? As I continued to read, it seemed more and more obvious that he wasn't taking his own advice. In my humble opinion, you have to walk the talk.
Here are some of his assessments:
Personal Style Indicator
Self-Worth Inventory
Stress Indicator & Health Planner
Values Preference Indicator
and there's more...
The point is not really whether virtual professionals are here to stay or in Ken's case, gone like yesterday's lunch, but about being professional. Putting your best foot forward and treat your business as if your life depended on it (sometimes, it does!) The other point could be made that assessments can tell others what they need to know about us and our work style, but we can also use them to tell ourselves about our own work style. This can help you determine if you are a morning person, an afternoon person, an idea person, a detail person, and on and on. When we know our 'best' work style or know more about ourselves, we can be the professional business person we set out to be. It's part knowing and part attitude.
I wake up some mornings and think that it's going to be a fantastic day, while others, I barely creep out of bed with all the aches and pains my body never knew about until waking. There have even been times when I am in a bad mood and decide to change it. When I make the conscious decision to change my outlook on the day, myself, the work I am doing and all the things buzzing around in my head, it makes a world of difference. I feel more energetic, ready to get on with my work, more professional and happy!
Wow! Happy! I have so much to be grateful for and when you approach your business with the same outlook, it shows. People want to be with other people who are happy, have a thriving business, and a great life. If you're not there yet, remember the saying, "Fake it until you make it!" You can always hang out in places (in person or online) that will help you get where you want to go, but you can't let things come to you. You have to put yourself out there before anyone will volunteer to help.
I am a proud Virtual Assistant and I know the business model of Virtual Assistance works. I am proof and there are lots of us out there to prove people like Ken wrong.
With Gratitude,
Michelle Ulrich, Chief Villager & President
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1 comment:
Now in defense of my comments additional context which was omitted in Michelle's posting needs to be mentioned.
What I did say was - Did a virtual workforce work - SOLELY on its own! Our experience after five years and several providers is still no. However, what Michelle also failed to point out is that we still use several virtual providers but in specific and strategic ways.
I agree that more detail on the communicate dynamics and details between head office and our VP's would have been helpful but in a short ezine this detail was not appropriate.
We did use our learning solutions with all of our virtual staff but not all our virtual contractors.
But regardless of working style etc. our experience is that when you operate in the virtual environment - connection to the dynamics of the team and company are severely hindered. It is as much about the structure not the individuals.
In one example, we had a staff member who was commuting 90 minutes each way to our office. She simply was not willing to continue the commute. So being loyal to her regardless of her working style, we switched her to being a virtual tele-commuter. As a result of this shift she was no longer able provide the quality of service required by our company.
In another example: We have a very sophisticated online learning center and two years ago we determined that a newer version needed to be developed. The internal team who had built our current system had moved on to other projects, so we hired a virtual development team. The challenge for us is that our system is simply too complex for a virtual model to work, no matter how frequent or dynamic the communications. We had to shift an in-house development team because virtual simply would not work for us.
Now we are a business that has a critical mass and size. But I also pointed out in my ezine that we still use several virtual providers but we limit them to operational and tactical work not strategic or project management. Our editor has been offline for 15 years as well as our graphics design firm who has been able to serve us even though they are in Chicago.
If you are a micro or small business then a virtual assistant more than likely is your best choice. But for a larger business like CRG having an internal core team - has been far more effective for us.
Regards,
Ken Keis, MBA
President
Consulting Resource Group
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