An OBM is an Online Business Manager that is there to help with all aspects of your business – operations, projects, people, and metrics. They handle everything from product launches, procedure creation, developing metrics, overseeing the day-to-day operations of running your business. They are here to get stuff done!
What does an OBM do?
OBM makes sure that things are done right! Some OBMs concentrate their focus on the following 4 areas:
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Project management – managing a launch, setting up an online program or membership portal, establishing a website from start to finish.
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Operations management – making sure there are systems in place for billing, client onboarding, client relations, workflow, communication, etc.
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Metric management – tracking stats so that you what is working in your business and what isn’t and recommending the next steps.
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People management – outsourcing, managing, and tracking the completion of the daily tasks of your team.
But there are some that work on all the above aspects.
Is an OBM and a VA the same thing?
Let’s start by clearing up the misconception that a VA and an OBM are the same.
A virtual assistant provides administrative support to a business. Their job is to execute the tasks that are given to them
An online business manager is there to work with the business owners and create a strategy for their business. Their role is more about the planning and managing of tasks to endure the business is running efficiently and decisions are being made to support the business goals.
So, an OBM is a Project Manager?
An OBM cares for all aspects of the business, while a PM is only working on a specific project. An OBM deals with all areas of the business while the OM is only focused on one specific area.
When should I hire an OBM?
When businesses grow to the point where the leaders of the business become the bottleneck, it is time to investigate removing some items from their plates. It’s nearly impossible for you to do everything you need to as a CEO when you are spending your days putting out fires.
Below are some common signs that you need to look into hiring an OBM:
- You are stuck at a certain point in your business, and you are not making any headway to meeting your goals
- You are running your business with plenty of hard work and hustle but you are not being very strategic in your purpose
- You have multiple lines of revenue and too many moving parts
- You want to invest in your business
- You are ready to give up control
- You want someone to help you make decisions and you’re tired of doing everything!
What to expect when you hire an OBM?
Hiring an OBM is about establishing a long-term relationship and it takes time to see a difference. You need to be patient. Big changes can take 6 months or more to see an effect.
It will take your OBM time to learn your business and understand the workflows and processes. Your OBM is there to help build a strong foundation for your business.
At TMK Virtual Services, we start off with a Strategy Call, where we learn about your business, your team, your processes, and your business model. We want to learn everything we can to better determine a course of action that will help you with your decisions, day-to-day operations and possibly creating systems or processes that will help.