Katherine: Forgive me if I’m out of order, but it sounds like you need to change your hiring procedures. Something is wonky if 4 people haven’t worked out. HUGE waste of your time.
What’s a “decision tree” ? Procedures?

Alyson, first and foremost, they have to ship orders for product. That requires pulling the product, picking the appropriate packaging and using our online based software to enter a shipping address. This person then needs to print the label and pack the order. I have tried making this task as straightforward as possible by developing a decision tree and organizing the products as best as possible. Any other suggestions? Of the 4 that didn’t work out, two couldn’t manage to come to work so I fired them, one quit the day after I hired her because she didn’t realize this was a ‘real job’, and the last of the four couldn’t understand the shipping process after three weeks of training so I terminated her as well. I’m interviewing someone else this week and want to be sure I don’t make the same mistakes hiring. (By the way, I have received well over 100 applicants total for the job — I’m interviewing what I think are the best ones….)

Katherine: I’m sorry this happened to you. What are the tasks you’re asking your assistants to do.

Hi, Laurel. I don’t know what anyone else would say to this, but for me it’s a feeling – the feeling that my business can’t grow without help.
Yes, it’s a leap of faith. But when I find myself doing too much administrative stuff, I know it’s time.
I need to be focused on the part of the business that makes money.
I’ve been working with virtual assistants for years and years. And it wasn’t easy to trust people. But when you hire the RIGHT person, it’s glorious.