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What is an Online Business Manager (OBM)?

The official definition of an Online Business Manager (OBM) is:

A virtually based support professional who manages online based businesses, including the day-to-day management of projects, operations, team members and metrics.

However I like to look at the role from a bit of a different angle — what is the purpose of an Online Business Manager beyond ‘what they do’?

The role of the OBM boils down to one simple thing:

To free up the business owner so that they can focus their time and energy on the things that only THEY can do in their business.

Most business owners look to hire an Online Business Manager (OBM) when they simply cannot grow their business anymore being the only one in charge. In order for them to take their business to the next level they need to pull themselves out of the day-to-day management activities and focus on growth.

This includes areas such as product development, strategic alliances and big picture business planning, all of which are essential to the growth of a business. Everything else becomes the responsibility of the OBM.

What are The Key Competencies of the OBM?

Hard Skills What an OBM Does

The skills, knowledge and experience that the OBM has about business tools, systems and strategies to be able to manage the day-to-day activities of the business.

Soft Skills How an OBM Acts

An OBM has the communication skills that allow them to excel in working with high-end clients, their team and customers.

Inner Game Who an OBM Is

Why the OBM does what they do– how they get structure their work environment so as to get the most satisfaction and fulfillment from being an OBM

What makes someone a great Online Business Manager?

The ‘soft’ skills are more important than the ‘hard’ skills (this can truly make or break the Client / OMB relationship!)

An OMB needs to know how to work with their clients!

What is the difference between an Online Business Manager (OBM) and a Virtual Assistant (VA)?

This is the one question I’m asked most often, from both business owners (who do they hire?)  Although similar in nature, there are some key differences between the two roles:

FOCUS The challenge for the OBM is to shift from doing to managing

OBM - The focus of the Online Business Manager is on ‘management’ — you are hired to keep an eye on the big picture and manage all the pieces (projects, team members, operations, expenses) to ensure that all projects are getting completed in a timely and efficient manner.

VA — The focus of the Virtual Assistant is on ‘doing’ — you are hired to perform specific tasks (i.e.: customer service, shopping cart maintenance, etc) or complete specific projects (i.e.: setup a new member area or blog) and are the ones actually doing the work.

MEASURES OF SUCCESS — The OBM has to manage ALL tasks and projects, not just their own.

OBM –Everyone’s tasks and projects are being completed and delivered in a timely fashion. The team is happy and motivated. Systems are running smoothly and efficiently.

VA –Your own tasks and projects are being completed and delivered in a timely fashion.

LEVEL OF RESPONSIBILITY — It is a much higher level of responsibility — and the OBM needs to be up for it.

OBM –You are responsible for the success and smooth functioning of the entire business (as outlined above) — not just your own individual work.

VA –You are responsible for your own individual work.

NUMBER OF CLIENTS - The OBM gets to ‘go deep’ with a select few clients, vs. juggling the expectations of multiple clients.

OBM –Because of the level of responsibility that you have with each client, an Online Business Manager can only effectively work with 2 or 3 clients at a time in this capacity.

VA — Virtual Assistants will generally work with 5–10 clients, give or take a few either way depending on the workload with each client.

COMPENSATION — OBMs are motivated by incentive based pay.

OBM — Base + incentive structure. I start out working on an hourly or retainer basis, for about the first 90 days — then I will discuss the various opportunities for incentive based compensation.

VA — Hourly or project based. Most VAs charge for their work on an hourly basis, which can be billed in advance as a retainer or monthly for hours worked. Some will charge a flat rate by project for certain services.

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An Experienced OBM can help you automate your business, leverage your expertise and get your business found online!

• Are you completely overwhelmed with all the Internet marketing information that’s available online and have no idea where to begin to market your service business online?
• Are you seeking one-stop shopping for strategic Internet marketing solutions?
• If you could wave a magic wand and have all of the day-to-day Internet marketing details of your coaching/consulting/speaking business expertly handled, enabling you to get more clients online, what difference would that make for you?

Just imagine how this kind of change in your business operations would cause an amazing shift in how you run your business day-to-day.

Here’s how to spend much less time working IN your business and much more time working ON your business, with the net result of earning more profit with less of your time.…

How can you do that?

By choosing to work with an OBM!

Over the years, I have found that most of my clients don’t have the energy, desire, or know-how to personally handle the technical (back-end) mechanics of making their site sell.  As your OBM, I will set up and manage your online systems so that you don’t waste your valuable time trying to figure it all out by yourself.

As you peruse the online marketplace, you’ll no doubt see that there are many, many virtual assistants out there but not a lot of highly skilled OBMs.  I quickly discovered that I loved the Business Management end of what I do for clients, and my clients have found me to be an invaluable business strategy idea generator, as I manage to stay on top of what’s new and happening in the Internet marketing and business technology world and can instinctively determine the best way to apply new strategies to your business.

I treat your business as if it were my own.

Over the years I naturally gravitated to Online Business and Online Project Management, and now, I focus almost exclusively on Internet OBM strategies for my clients.  I’m like the Chief Management Officer for your business, helping you create and implement your online marketing, planning, and strategy.

Here’s a quick overview of how I work with my clients:

• I get a big-picture overview of how the business is running.
• I assess what’s currently working well and what needs to work better.
• I spot where there are holes in systems, business opportunities that might not seen, marketing strategies that are untapped, and provide a lot of ideas for future business direction and growth.
• I establish structures to make their business run much more smoothly and automatically.  Creating SOP’s and other process documentation.

How much more profit might your business earn with a collaborative OBM like me by your side?

Take this quick assessment and see if you need an online business manager:

DO YOU …

• Have a great idea for an email newsletter for your target market but just can’t quite get around to writing it and have no idea how to send it out?
• Miss out on sales of your coaching programs or teleclasses because your shopping cart scares you?
• Want to jump into social networking but have no idea how and where to begin or what to do when you get there?
• Have dozens of e-books sitting on your hard drive that could make you some money if you’d just get them out there?
• Have a website that looks like a pretty brochure but doesn’t attract clients or make sales for you?
• Know that you need to generate leads for your business but don’t know how?
• Have lots of articles you’ve written that are gathering dust in your hard drive instead of being used as a client-generation tool?

If you’ve answered “yes” to at least 4 of these questions, you need an Online Business Manager!

Begin your exploration of the realm of possibilities for your business. Let my strengths as an Online Business and Project Management expert help you grow your business.  Get the help you need create a fabulous partnership that works!

Warmly,
Phillis Benson
Don’t forget to schedule your free consultation and appointments
Schedule Your Appointment Here!