I’m the type of person who asks a LOT of questions.
I do it with my hiring steps (check out OneVAAway.com).
I do it when I give instructions to my OFS team.
Asking questions solves problems.
When someone tells me they’re having problems with their OFS, my solution is almost always to ask the OFS a question.
This is especially important when you feel like the OFS isn’t understanding your instructions.
As an American, I still misunderstand things when talking to other Americans. Imagine how much worse it is for a Filipino who uses English as their second or third language.
Or…they learned American English but they get hired by a UK company. Can you imagine? Or someone from Boston? That’s barely even English!
That’s one of the reasons why, when I give instructions, I use video and ask a lot of questions. The other reason is because screen recording video is so much easier than typing or doing a live meeting.
It’s sometimes frustrating when they don’t understand, but I try to be patient because I know they’ll eventually get it. Also, do you know what happens when you show frustration to your OFS? When you get angry and express that anger at them?
They stop asking questions.
When they stop asking questions, they stop communicating.
When they stop communicating, they make more mistakes, and you get more frustrated. Before you know it, they’re already on the way out.
So, my advice is never to assume that your OFS understands everything the first time.
Ask if they understood your instructions. Ask them to summarize or explain your instructions in their own words. Ask “what do you think?” or “What did I leave out?”
Will they still make mistakes? Sure. Especially if they’re just starting out.
But more questions (and more communication) ALWAYS leads to fewer mistakes and better results down the line.
Want more tips for how I work with my OFS?
www.OutsourcingLever.com
John