So, you’ve just hired your first real estate assistant. That’s a big milestone for your real estate career! However, having extra help that you haven’t had before can lead to some uncertainty and discomfort in how you operate day-to-day. You’re now trusting someone to do what you once did all by yourself. This article is designed to help you best transition your new hire into a productive employee working with you as an effective team.
It’s very important to orient your real estate assistant properly. To do this, you must have a good onboarding process in place. Keep the communication lines open so that they feel a part of the company. This is especially important if they work remotely.
Below are five actionable tips to grow your business and optimize your real estate assistant.
Step 1: Consult Regularly with Your Real Estate Assistant
Many real estate assistants have had a lot of work experience and have developed certain skills. Ask them their opinion about how to improve the existing operational workflow in the company. You could also ask their advice on how to grow and improve your business.
Step 2: Clarify and Organize the Scope of Their Work and Responsibilities
To avoid any misunderstanding and reduce potential mistakes, always make sure the scope of work and responsibilities of your real estate assistant are clearly defined and updated. Keep the communication lines open so you can discuss changes in project details and scope of work.
Step 3: Encourage Collaboration With Other Members of the Team
If you have a virtual team, encourage them to work closely with one another, across different departments and functions. Close collaboration will also help bring the team together and establish conditions for a productive work environment.
Step 4: Set Realistic Goals and Objectives for Your Assistant
Goal setting is a great way to keep your team focused. Just make sure to set realistic and achievable goals to keep morale high. For example, as part of your social media marketing strategy, you may set your assistant a goal of increasing Twitter followers by 10% each month. This will help set expectations as well as give them something to work towards.
Step 5: Be Patient and Respect the Learning Curve
This applies even if your real estate assistant has 10 years of experience. Every industry is different and markets are constantly changing. Be patient and do your part in guiding your assistant as he or she learns new skills, adjusts to
any technology that's unfamiliar, and gets used to your unique workflow.
Having a plan and being patient are important to developing a successful working relationship between you and your new assistant. Let the process be the first step and a springboard in a long journey of hiring and growth for your business!
Are you currently trying to find the right real estate assistant for your company? Or maybe you’re not even sure you need an assistant yet. This article will help.
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Evan Tarver is a small business and investments writer for Fit Small Business, fiction author, and screenwriter with experience in finance and technology. When he isn't busy scheming his next business idea, you'll find Evan holed up in a coffee shop working on the next great American fiction story.