An Online Business Manager is not just another variation of a virtual assistant performing administrative style tasks.
An Online Business Manager (or OBM) is a professional Business Manager who manages the day-to-day activities of a business to allow the owner free time and energy to concentrate on the strategic development of the business.
Basically, an OBM shares the workload, manages the company from an off-site location, while the owner develops new ways to attract more audiences and earn more profit.
The Online Business Manager gives the owner the freedom to be a “visionary” and serve their clients, plan the growth and future of the company, and exploit their gifts to their full potential.
“A virtually based support professional who manages online-based businesses, including the day-to-day management of projects, operations, team members, and metrics.”
This is the definition of an Online Business Manager, as stated by Tina Forsyth, the author of “Becoming an Online Business Manager”.
What are the duties of an Online Business Manager?
The basic job of an Online Business Manager is to ensure that the company runs smoothly and efficiently, allowing the actual owner to be more hands off the day-to-day operations.
In general, Online Business Managers offer the following perks to their employers:
Project Management
They are skilled in the art of running a launch, getting a new service or program ready for distribution or setting up a website from start to finish.
Operations Management
OBMs also ensure that all the activities and operations of the company are running at their optimal capacity. They make sure that the relevant and necessary operations and systems for billing, client relationships, PR, marketing, workflow, and communications are in place and working as desired.
Metrics Management
Online Business Managers are also experts in the art of tracking stats, metrics, and useful data.
This data helps the client understand exactly what’s working for the betterment of their respective business and what isn’t. Moreover, these OBMs also recommend the next steps for the business.
People Management
OBMs are also usually in charge of outsourcing, handling, and tracking the success and completion of the day-to-day tasks of the business. They handle the contractors and teams and keep them working towards the common goal.
An Online Business Manager specialises in working for and with business owners and acts as a professional “liaison” between the business owner and the rest of the team while the owner is away, or busy with strategic development.
While traditional VAs offer day-to-day services, OBMs offer long term services for owners, and businesses, who want to take a step back, rethink their strategies, and take the company to a new direction and level.
