Terri Romine, Founder of Innovative Office
Solutions is no ordinary Virtual Assistant. In
addition to running her own very successful VA
business, she also happens to be the current
president of the International Virtual Assistants
Association (IVAA), the leading organization of
independent virtual assistants worldwide. Read on
to see how her future vision of the VA industry
will likely impact the way you do business
MI: How would you best
describe the International Virtual Assistants
Association and what it means for it members and
those businesses that use them?...
TR: The International
Virtual Assistants Association (IVAA) is a
non-profit organization dedicated to the
professional education and development of
members of the Virtual Assistance profession,
and to educating the public on the role and
function of the Virtual Assistant.
The members receive a very
strong resource and support system. Business
professionals also are educated on what it is a
VA can do for them and have a place to find
fully qualified professional VAs.
MI: The IVAA has
experienced rapid growth over the past couple of
years with you at the helm as President. What
compelled you to participate and contribute at
such an important level?
TR: Well... I've
always been one to get in and roll up my sleeves
so to speak. I found the concept one I firmly
believed in when starting my own VA practice
three years ago. I was very excited at the
prospect of this industry.
MI: And worked
hard you have! What sort of background
experience did you have to prepare you for your
career as a VA?
TR: I have a strong
legal secretary/assistant background, having
always worked with sole practitioners. I ran the
show from A to Z basically. I was fortunate
enough toward the end of that career to be able
to work out of my own home office, basically
running a successful law practice for one
attorney who wanted to work at home.
MI: Where do you see the VA industry
heading over the next 3 - 5 years?
TR: I see the VA
industry a strong one clearly here to stay. It's
very exciting to fully realize that the industry
is not just a trend, this is a strong industry
that is here to stay. The VAs that are
professionally providing services will be here
to stay. The VAs that dipping their feet in and
not prepared will most likely go the wayside.
MI: It seems to
fit the strong current demographic trend of
talented people wanting to spend more time at
home yet still be able to express and get paid
for their talents. How large do you see the
industry getting over that period?
TR: It's hard to
say, but I've seen the industry grow over 200%
the last year. I expect it will slow down a bit
and should grow by at least 100% each year. How
large? It's hard to say, simply because as it
grows, it also dwindles with the VAs who are
giving this a go but not able to make it.
MI: Where does a
person go to learn how to become a professional
Virtual Assistant?
TR: There are a few
avenues for them to take. IVAA, of course, is
always an excellent starting point. There is one
training course worth mentioning, AssistU, that
works for some, but necessarily the right track
for others. There are some VA Coaches out there
as well, which I happen to be one of the ones
guiding persons interested in starting a solid
VA practice.
MI: As the VA
industry grows do you see the IVAA supporting
specialized certifications / designations for
various industries, much as the real estate
industry has?
TR: Yes I do. There
are clearly specific industries that are
becoming more familiar with Virtual Assistance.
Of course there will have to be an advocate for
VAs such as yourself to become as popular as it
has been among the real estate industry. The
IVAA Education Department is already thinking
along the lines of specialized certifications
for the future.
MI: Awesome
--couldn't come at a better time! I know that
ethics and standards are high on the list for
IVAA membership. What is the best way for a
Realtor to verify the capabilities, experience,
and integrity of the VA they are considering to
hire?
TR: My first
suggestion to anyone, including realtors, is to
thoroughly check references. Always! Secondly,
IVAA members having the RESS designation have
taken an exam specifically geared towards
working with realtors. That along with any other
certifications or hands on work experience says
a lot to me.
MI: How would
you describe the ideal client / VA relationship?
TR: As in any
working relationship, virtual or not, trust is
usually the key to an ideal and successful
working relationship. The VA needs to truly love
the services they are providing, and the Client
needs to enjoy working with the VA.
MI: What minimum
requisites / qualities should a Realtor have
before even considering to use a VA in their
business?
TR: A Realtor needs
to be open minded, and willing to let go of some
things. Of course, once they completely trust
their VA that will happen naturally. I have
found working with a VA works best when the
client is somewhat technically savvy themselves.
Otherwise they may become frustrated.
MI: Last
question: What words of advice do you have for
REALTORS who are considering using a VA?
TR: Again, I come
back to checking references. That is something I
have to remind everyone to be sure to do time
and time again --to take your time to find a
fully qualified VA who they click with. It's not
a process to rush through. Take your time to get
to know the VA you will ultimately be working
with for a long time to come.
MI: Terri, thank
you so much for taking time from your very busy
schedule to share with my readers your vision of
the VA industry and how it may have such a
positive influence in the business!
TR: Thank you,
Michael!
