Ah—Online Business Managers or OBMs, you’ve likely heard of them or at least the term thrown around in conversation but you may have caught yourself wondering:
Who are online business managers? And more importantly, what can they do for my business? AKA—why do I need one?
Building a killer business that thrives in the ever-changing landscape we live in, requires a lot. A rock-solid online presence, solid content, organization, and a hundred more little things. As a business owner, once you start scaling your business it’s easy to become inundated with all the little tasks that need to be done. Before you know it you find yourself burning the midnight oil, daily. Then up before the sun trying to ensure everything is running smoothly and all the many balls you are juggling are indeed, still in the air.
Cue, the Online Business Manager: your biz bestie & daily business management partner.
What is an OBM?
Think of an Online Business Manager like your right-hand, making sure that your business is running smoothly. OBMs act as an extension of your strategic plans through the daily oversight of your business tasks and projects. They help you incorporate actionable plans that will move your business forward. They are multi-talented ninjas who (if you find the right one) are like your second brain and your quickest way to scale your business.
OBM services that help you grow your business
There are many OBM services that you can take a look at to see what suits your needs but here are our top 4 OBM services that we believe make the biggest impact on your business growth and why you need them, like yesterday.
Project Organization
OBMs are your rockstar project managers. Making sure your projects are running smoothly is a vital part of an OBMs job. As your business begins to evolve and more projects are on the go at the same time an OBM ensures that no projects go unnoticed. They ensure the project is running on time, on budget and that all the members in the project know what they are to do and when they should be doing it. They are the main point of contact when working on projects with your team, allowing you to focus your attention on higher-level tasks that help to bring in more revenue and growth.
Some example projects that an OBM can work on
- Overseeing website development — start to finish
- Managing a launch
- Setting up a new course
- Managing a grant project
- & the list goes on and on
Creation & documentation of processes
An Online Business Manager will play a main role in creating processes that work for your business. This means that they work with you as a business owner to ensure that everything you do in your business follows a specific procedure. Meaning, they help it run more efficiently. They also ensure that while they set up this procedure they are also documenting it in a standard operating procedure for you.
A standard operating procedure (SOP) is a critical document in your business. In the initial building stages of a business this document tends to get shoved to the side, however, when created properly, a standard operating procedure can help save you and your team hours of time. A standard operating procedure acts as a guide for current, new employees or contractors. It shows them step-by-step actions needed to be done in order to complete a specific task. It must be maintained and updated as your business grows in order to be a useful and efficient tool.
Once you’ve seen your SOP in action — you’ll never look back!
Systems working in sync
It may seem to you that your business is running like a well-oiled machine. However, chances are, if you are managing all aspects of the business and taking on every role your processes could likely use a revamp. Having a business that operates not only smoothly but efficiently & effectively is important. An OBM works to make sure all your many systems function not only separately but as a cohesive unit as well. Plus, it can be overwhelming trying to run a business & decide how and what you need to be automating. Part of an OBMs service is to ensure that you are making the best use of all the available automation out there.
Essentially, they set your business up for success. They give your business the ability to function without you having to be directly involved in every aspect of the process #win!
Managing business day-to-day as part of an OBM services
Think of an Online Business Manager as an integrated part of your team. Part of an OBMs service offering is to be involved in your business daily. This means they work to manage & ensure that your day-to-day tasks & operations are running smoothly. They make sure that your team is on top of their tasks and knows what they are to be doing next, so there is no wasted time. This goes as deep as dealing with your HR and finances.
Online Business Managers play a key role in the success and growth of your business. Together, you work towards your goals for business growth and profits. It’s important while thinking about an OBM and what services you may need from them that you also think about what qualities are important in your next OBM? Remember when I mentioned they are your biz bestie? I meant it. Don’t rush to hire anyone and rest assured that when you find the right fit for your business you will know it.
At MBS we offer free consultations with our prospective clients to ensure we both feel the fit is the right one. Finally, remember that if you are reaching the point in your business that you are considering hiring an OBM it’s time for a little celebration and pat on the back. The only way to go from here is up!