We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Rasheed Hamid a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Rasheed, thanks for sitting with us today to chat about topics that are relevant to so many. One of those topics is communication skills, because we live in an age where our ability to communicate effectively can be like a superpower. Can you share how you developed your ability to communicate well?
Well, let’s see… communication is the key to success in any business venture but also in life in general right? . As a 44 year old entrepreneur, I’ve learned a thing or two about effective communication. It’s all about being able to connect with people on a personal level, and that takes practice.
You see, communication isn’t just about speaking, it’s also about listening. You have to be able to understand the needs and concerns of your clients, customers, and colleagues. And that means taking the time to really listen and empathize with them.
One of the ways I developed my communication skills is by surrounding myself with people who are great communicators. I’ve learned a lot by watching how they interact with others and listening to their advice.
Another key factor is being confident in yourself and your abilities. If you believe in what you’re saying, others are more likely to believe in it too. That means speaking clearly, confidently, and passionately about your ideas and goals.
Lastly, it’s important to always be learning and growing. I make it a point to read books, attend seminars, and seek out new experiences that challenge me and help me to improve my communication skills.
So, to sum it up, effective communication to me, is all about listening, connecting, being confident, and always learning. And hey, if all else fails, just remember to smile and be charming – that never hurts!
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
At Extra Hands Virtual Assistants, we provide virtual assistant services to small businesses, entrepreneurs, and professionals. Our goal is to help them manage their administrative, operational, and even some specialized tasks, allowing them to focus more on their core business and strategic functions.
What’s most exciting about our work is the ability to make a real difference in the lives of our clients. When we take on the administrative burden, our clients can often significantly grow their businesses, achieve better work-life balance, or both. I believe the personal relationships we build with our clients, understanding their specific needs and challenges, and providing tailored solutions make us special.
Our brand is all about service, reliability, and professionalism. We want our clients to feel confident that their business is in good hands, hence our name, Extra Hands. We value integrity, accountability, and continuous learning, and these principles guide our everyday operations.
I’m thrilled to announce that after five years of successfully operating as a remote technological and administrative support agency, I’ll be returning to my roots with the launch and inclusion of Extra Hands Hospitality. We have recently taken our business global by securing a multimillion dollar client located in Marrakech, Morocco. Extra Hands was hired for IN-PERSON consultation on the opening operational execution for a wellness and restoration retreat center, spanning 2.5 acres and including 11 villas, a gym, spa, boutique and free standing restaurant. The merger of my hospitality and tourism career with the productivity and effectiveness of the Extra Hands model, gave way to a new branch of our company, Extra Hands Hospitality.
Over the span of my 25 year career in food/beverage and hotel management, I’ve had the pleasure and esteemed privilege to work with Michelin star chefs, world renowned sommeliers, nationally recognized cocktail enthusiasts and notable restaurant managers. I’m ecstatic to announce that I have been able to secure working partnerships with industry professionals that not only include front of house and client facing roles but also fractional CFO’s, human resource specialists, hospitality technology professionals and on the ground task force ambassadors that can open, train or retrain your existing or incoming staff.
It is a huge project, but one that is a very easy, and natural progression having spent decades in this space, prior to the pre-Covid launch of Extra Hands Virtual Assistants. Over the coming months, my team and I will be launching targeted campaigns to fellow hospitality industry professionals.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Entrepreneurial Mindset: I think one of the most significant qualities I possess is an entrepreneurial mindset. I was always eager to take calculated risks, identify opportunities, and continually innovate to stay ahead of the curve. For those at the start of their journey, I’d suggest staying open to new ideas and never being afraid to take calculated risks. It’s also essential to have a resilient attitude since not all ventures will be successful.
Excellent Communication Skills: Running a virtual assistant firm requires excellent communication skills to effectively coordinate with clients and manage teams remotely. My advice for developing these skills would be to always be clear and precise with your communication. Remember, active listening is a significant part of communication, so always pay attention to the needs and feedback of your clients and team.
Tech-Savvy: In today’s digital world, being tech-savvy has been instrumental in my journey. I’ve been able to leverage various tools and technologies to manage tasks efficiently and provide the best service to our clients. So, for those starting, I recommend getting comfortable with technology. Familiarize yourself with different platforms, software, and digital tools. Continuous learning in this domain is crucial to stay relevant
How can folks who want to work with you connect?
Absolutely! At Extra Hands Virtual Assistants, we are always open to collaboration and partnerships. Specifically, we’re interested in working with:
Business Coaches or Consultants: We believe that virtual assistants can add a lot of value to businesses by helping to manage their day-to-day tasks. We’d like to connect with business coaches or consultants who can refer their clients to us and vice versa.
Tech Companies: As we are constantly on the lookout for innovative tools and software to improve our services, we would love to collaborate with tech companies. This could be through pilot programs, product reviews, or simply integrating their tools into our workflow.
Virtual Assistant Freelancers or Firms: We also welcome partnerships with other virtual assistants or firms. We believe in the power of collaboration and the pooling of resources to better serve our clients.
If you fit into any of these categories, or if you think there could be a potential partnership, I would be delighted to hear from you. Please reach out to me through our website at www.extrahandsva.com or email me directly at rasheed@extrahandsva.com. We can set up a time to discuss potential collaborations further
Contact Info:
- Website: www.extrahandsvas.com
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/extra-hands-virtual-assistants/
