Small business owners often have to wear many hats and juggle so many responsibilities in order to keep their company running smoothly. While we know this can be rewarding, it can also be incredibly overwhelming, especially when trying to balance the day-to-day, time sucking operations with long-term growth, launches and sales strategies.

CUE THE ONLINE BUSINESS MANAGER

This is where an online business manager can come in. An online business manager, or OBM, is a professional who works remotely to help manage the daily operations of a small business. OBMs can take on a wide range of tasks, from project management and delegation to financial planning and marketing. They act as a bridge between the business owner and the team and contractors working on the business, ensuring that everyone is on the same page and working towards the same goals.

INTRODUCING MY ONLINE BUSINESS MANAGER - CAT DUNN

Cat Dunn is my online business manager and I actually found her in The Modern Marketing Collective! Cat has spent 14 years across admin, marketing, and communications before starting her own business in 2022. Cat originally began as a virtual assistant before quickly moving into online business management where she is passionate about working with female coaches to help scale their businesses, make more money and impact more lives.

Cat describes the difference between a VA and an OBM as the OBM is the architect and the VA is the builder. They work alongside each other and the rest of your team to ensure that everything runs smoothly and you have the space you need to create. 

DECIDING WHEN TO HIRE

So, how do you know if hiring an OBM is right for your small business? Here are a few signs to look out for:

1. You're feeling overwhelmed - If you're struggling to keep up with the demands of running your business, it may be time to bring on some additional support.
2. You're not making progress towards your goals - If you're feeling stuck or like your business isn't growing as quickly as you'd like, an OBM can help you create a roadmap and keep your team on track.
3. You're spending too much time on administrative tasks - As a business owner, your time is valuable. If you're spending too much of it on administrative tasks, an OBM can take those tasks off your plate and free you up to focus on more strategic activities.

IT ALL COMES DOWN TO THE RIGHT PERSON AND THE RIGHT FIT

Once you've determined that hiring an OBM is the right move for your business, Cat takes us through how to find the right person for the job. Here are a few tips:

1. Look for someone with experience - OBMs come from a variety of backgrounds, but ideally, you want to find someone with experience in your industry or a related field.
2. Check their references - Make sure to speak with past clients and colleagues to get a sense of the candidate's work style and reliability.
3. Set clear expectations - It's important to have a clear understanding of what you expect from your OBM and to communicate those expectations clearly from the outset.
4. Start small - Consider starting with a small project or trial period to make sure the OBM is a good fit before committing to a longer-term contract.

HOW TO BE A DREAM CLIENT

Cat shares her top tips on how to be a dream client for your OBM to ensure they can be effective and efficient in their role. You need to work together as a team, trust your OBM and provide the framework so you can build a truly rewarding relationship that allows you to focus and grow your business for years to come. Cat only works with clients where she feels she can care about their business as much as they do so I encourage you to find an OBM that truly cares and is passionate about what you do. 

Hiring an OBM can be a great way to take your small business to the next level. By delegating tasks and streamlining operations, you can free up more time to focus on growing your business and achieving your goals.

LINKS:

Where to find Cat Dunn: 

Website: https://msha.ke/itscatdunn.obm

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/itscatdunn.obm/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itscatdunn.obm/

Join The Modern Marketing Collective to get booked out with clients: emilyosmond.com/collective

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