The Key to Selecting a Personal Assistant

What's the key to finding the right assistant? Just like hiring an attorney or accountant, The Urbane Concierge shares these principles to guide your selection:

• Don't compromise experience: Look for someone who has proven experience handling everything your business and life will throw at them, someone who is proficient in areas like finance, travel arrangements, communications and project management. During the interview process, ask the candidate how they would handle specific scenarios, and ask their references to validate their qualifications.
• Structure your relationship for maximum flexibility: Why pay for a full-time or part-time employee to sit around when things are slow or when you're on vacation? Look for retainer-type arrangements with professionals that accommodate the ebb and flow of your business and personal life, while guaranteeing you dedicated personal service for a set bank of monthly hours.
• Risk management: The Urbane Concierge prides itself on doing business with the utmost integrity and confidentiality. We are fully insured and bonded. All clients are provided with a service agreement that outlines in detail, the terms of our agreement, limitations of liability and general provisions.
• No management burden: Rather than hiring separate managers for travel, accounting and managing your office, look for someone who has direct experience in both. Look closely at firms that have established relationships with travel management and other services that will come in handy down the road.