How Great Writers Fit in Today’s Virtual Business Model
I don’t know about you, but I’m sure discovering how virtual the business world is becoming. Just a few short years ago, I had one single client that ran a totally virtual business, and it was the only one I had even heard of. Now I have several virtual clients, I’ve heard of many more, and I think it’s a trend that will end up being the norm.
It’s a model that wouldn’t work without high-speed internet, certainly. You have a CEO in San Francisco, a VP marketing in Jersey City, a Sales Manager in Albuquerque, a Finance Manager in Seattle, and other employees scattered hither and yon around the country. In other cases, I’ve even seen them scattered around the world. They meet weekly or more often by video conference and, other than not occupying a common space, run just like any other company.
One disadvantage of the virtual business model is not having eyes on employees, as you would in an office. Unwatched, they can get away with not putting in the hours they’re supposed to. Virtual businesses have methods of dealing with this problem, such as time tracking apps that show when an employee is actually working, and when they’re not—but even these can be fooled if someone is clever enough.
I believe the best way to measure an employee’s productivity in a virtual environment—and, really, in any environment—is by their finished products. They’re given an assignment or set of assignments for the week, and they either finish them or they don’t. Generally, a business has requirements for a particular job description per day or per week, and these are either done or they’re not.
As an example from my particular field, many business writers charge by the hour. I refuse to do this, as it’s unfair to the client. If I take longer with a project, I get paid more. I specialize in turning in a great finished product in roughly half the time of many writers, so I charge by the project, not the hour. For this reason, I also refuse to have a time tracking app on my computer, as one prospective client was insisting I have. If you hire me, you’ll get your finished work on time or ahead of time. I believe this should be the measure of any job.
That is actually where someone like me fits perfectly into the virtual business world. Because I don’t have to be physically located where you are, you can take advantage of my skills, no matter where you are. And because I actually like keeping clients, I’ll turn in great work on time or ahead of schedule, every time.
And, if you need my help, I can always be reached through my LinkedIn Profile Page or my website.