Growing your business can be tough, but understanding what leverage is and how to implement it can make the growing process easier.
Leverage can be described as a stick under a boulder: You want to use the least amount of pressure to make it move. In your case, the boulder is your business, and the best way to get it to move is to add people or systems to what you’re doing.
Here are four things to consider to get some movement.
Planning
A REALTOR®’s job is multidimensional, and it can be difficult to figure out which areas you need someone to help you with. It can also seem overwhelming to hand over parts of your business to an assistant.
But there are two simple exercises that can help you with the process:
1. Look at your calendar and highlight things that could be done by another person. Recognizing that you do not need to do everything will help you to feel more at ease.
2. Evaluate what parts of your business you’re not good at. By doing so you will be able to find someone who has strengths that counteract yours.
Understanding Your Options
After you recognize which parts of your business you need help with, you can begin looking for an assistant. And remember, you are in control here. If you are worried about the cost, you can hire someone for 10 hours a week. A part time assistant won't break the bank, and even having a helper a few hours a week will prove to be invaluable.
There are two kinds of assistants to consider: a part time assistant and a virtual assistant.
1. A part time assistant will know exactly what is going on, but will be a little more expensive.
2. A virtual assistant is cheaper and can help you with one off tasks, like making marketing materials, but you cannot build a rapport with them.
Both are great options; it just depends on what kind of assistance you need.
Hiring the Right Person
If you decide to hire a part time assistant, make sure you hire the right person for the job. Don’t just hire people you like, because often times they aren’t the perfect candidate. Hire someone who has strengths that are opposite from yours so that they can help you in the areas you struggle with. And always do a reference check to find out how they performed in previous positions.
Training a New Hire
Once you have an assistant, line out what his or her jobs are well in advance. Having clear expectations will make sure that nothing slips through the cracks. It's also a good idea to create a manual as you go, so that you won't have to start from scratch with your next hire.
Leverage can free you up to say yes to things that you want to do. It can also be the catalyst that puts your business into overdrive. The first step can be scary, but leveraging your business allows you to focus on your passions, make more money, and create the lifestyle you want.
For more tips on how to grow your real estate business, be sure and watch our What the heck is Leverage webinar.