So, you’ve decided to expand your team, and you want to start with a personal assistant. Or, perhaps you already work with a personal assistant and want to make sure you’re working together as efficiently as possible.
“To be a responsible broker and care about your client, you need someone to help you with the follow up. Of course, you need help! It’s not possible to do everything yourself and provide good service, which is ultimately what matters. You can make a lot of money, but the quality of your service matters most. Get an assistant who cares about your business as much as you do.” – Chezi Rafaeli, Coldwell Banker Residential
Unlicensed vs. Licensed
It’s important to understand the difference between a licensed and an unlicensed assistant, because this greatly affects what duties they can participate in and how they are compensated.
A licensed personal assistant is considered an independent contractor, and their compensation comes from the sponsoring broker. An unlicensed personal assistant is considered an employee, so their compensation cannot be transaction-based, and their activities are limited.
Are You Ready for a Personal Assistant?
The best way to determine if you need to hire a personal assistant is to look at how you’re spending your time. Are most tasks something you can outsource? Where would a personal assistant free up more time in your day to help you grow your business? How could their compensation factor into your business revenue? Make sure this plan follows license law!
Answering these questions will help you decide if you’re looking for a licensed or unlicensed assistant, or if you’re simply looking to hire another broker.
“This business is a very difficult one to hire for. It’s hard to explain how you’re doing everything. You need someone incredibly organized who is also flexible about not always knowing your day ahead of time. For working together, the biggest thing is go back to the golden rule— treat people how you want to be treated.” – Joanne Nemerovski, Compass Real Estate
Finetune Your Teamwork
If you already have a personal assistant and you’re looking to improve your behind-the-scenes business efficiency, take a hard look at the way you communicate big picture and small picture. Is your assistant’s role clearly defined? Are you consistently delegating responsibilities to them and trusting them to save you time?
Review your schedules and to-do lists with the “how can I help” mindset. How can you help each other? Both of you play a crucial role in creating a trustworthy, reliable business image. Lay solid groundwork with clear, standardized processes so when a lead comes in, you both know what to do and who is responsible for what.
Remember, as much as you’re trying to accomplish your own professional goals, your personal assistant is as well. If your goals complement each other, you’ll have a long-term, successful relationship with your personal assistant— everything else will follow.