References Don’t Work

When people read different articles about Virtual Assistance, or how to chose a Virtual Assistant, they are often told to get references before agreeing to work with a VA. Some of these articles are just laughable. I’ve also noticed different discussions around the blogosphere about the pros and cons of giving references to potential clients when the ask.

I do not give references. Here are the main reasons I don’t give them and why, if you are a potential client looking for a VA, shouldn’t ask for them:

1. As I state on my website, my clients are busy individuals. If they weren’t they wouldn’t need me! It would be wrong for me to expect them to take time out of their schedules to talk to a potential client about me – although, I’m sure they would.

2. Along the same lines, I guarantee absolute confidentiality to my clients. I do not share information about my clients in any way, shape or form; especially without their knowledge and permission. This includes asking them to provide references.

3. References are biased. Let’s face it. If someone asked you to give them references about you, are you going to give them bad ones? Of course not! You are going to ask references only from those who will say glowing things about you. You aren’t going to ask for a reference from someone who is going to say your work is shoddy, or that you never follow through on your promises. Or would you?

4. References are not an accurate indicator of  a successful future relationship. Just because a particular VA/client relationship is a dream, doesn’t mean your relationship with that particular VA will be a dream. And vice versa, just because a VA/client relationship didn’t work, doesn’t mean your relationship with that VA won’t work.

The best way to find out if your relationship with that VA will work is to get to know that VA. Most Virtual Assistants have a consultation process in place for this purpose. Ask questions. See what professional organizations she belongs to. Follow them on Twitter or friend them on Facebook or LinkedIn. Read through her website. Subscribe to her blog and sign up for her newsletter.

5. Virtual Assistants are fellow business owners, not employees. I’ve said this before and will probably say it a million times more. You don’t ask for references from other service providers – testimonials or referrals, maybe but not references – so why would you need to get references from a Virtual Assistant?

Virtual Assistants are highly-skilled, highly-trained administrative experts. At least, most of them are. There are those who call themselves Virtual Assistants, who really aren’t. There are those who aren’t skilled, aren’t professional, or who aren’t administrative experts; but, believe me, a potential client can easily weed them out without the need for references.

6. References are sometimes asked for with an ulterior motive. One of my AssistU colleague, Petra, relayed a story on The Virtual Wire how a potential client asked for references and then proceeded to try and solicit customers during the reference calls! Thankfully, this has never happened to me, but I would be absolutely horrified if it did!

Finally, Petra also brings up a good point in her article about professional organizations. She says this: “I agree that if a service professional is not a member of an organization that has an established training requirement, and member requirements that focus around performance, integrity and honesty, then a prospect has no choice but to request client references. But if the professional has made sure that they are in good standing with a fantastic association, then I ask you, “Is the reference truly necessary?”

I also choose to remain a part of industry organizations, such as AssistU and the Virtual Assistant Chamber of Commerce Peer Group. Both groups have very high standards for admission and continued membership. And, at AssistU, each member is required to sign the organization’s code of ethics every year. I also belong to the Virtual Assistant Forum which has its own rules of excellence and conduct, as well.