Frequently, you may need a virtual assistant. You may also need someone local, for tasks that do not require any type of specialized knowledge. Most tasks are simple things that they are too busy to fit in their day to day.
Routine requests include scheduling appointments for various service providers including physicians, dentists, housekeepers, and landscapers. At times, tasks can include first identifying service providers that meet the client’s needs, vetting them to ensure they have good ratings, and then following up to schedule to appointment once the client has decided which provider is best suited to their needs. Another common request is making restaurant reservations. Frequently, these calls are very quick, but at times can be involved if the client needs a reservation at a restaurant that books very quickly.
Finally a task that everyone would like to outsource! What about negotiating a better price than you are currently paying for a service. For instance, many people would like to lower their cable or phone bills. Sometimes the prospect of staying on hold for 30 minutes dissuades people from even trying. It can be helpful to have an assistant find out the options available as hold times are frequently long and service providers will continue to try to up-sell even though the stated intent of the call is to reduce a monthly bill.
Local Tasks
Some of the easiest repetitive non-knowledge based tasks to outsource are local in nature. Pretty much anything around the house can be outsourced. Mowing the lawn is a task that many people outsource. It needs to be done on a regular basis and unless you are mowing baseball fields, it can be done by most people. House cleaning is another task that almost anyone can do. We have two great maids that clean for us once a month and one of them doesn’t even speak English.
Socially Conscious outsourcing
If you are socially conscious, repetitive non-knowledge based tasks are excellent to outsource to people with disabilities. For instance, if you have ever eaten a Milky Way, Snickers or Three Musketeer’s bar, take a look at the top before you eat them next time. There is a pattern of chocolate that is distinctive to each type. Since they are made on the same assembly line, this pattern is checked after the fact by blind individuals to make sure there that candies don’t get packaged incorrectly.
In Florida there is a car wash that is staffed entirely by autistic individuals. They enjoy the repeatable satisfaction of creating perfection in their washing and detailing. And they do a great job.
