What Does an Online Business Manager (OBM) Actually Do?

Introduction:

It is often said that working with an online business manager (OBM) can save you time and money, but a question I often get asked is, “what does an OBM actually do?”

Online business management is a relatively new profession that has gained popularity in the past few years.  So many small business owners, both online and brick and mortar businesses, are looking for support beyond small administrative tasks.

There are a lot of misconceptions that surround the profession of online business management.  One of the first things I usually have to do when someone inquires about working with me is to educate them on what an OBM does and does not do in a business.

Here’s a list of what Online Business Managers can do in a business:

Project Management: 

✔️Plan product launches, virtual summits, or conferences 

✔️Assign project tasks to team members, along with due dates 

✔️Update the project management tool (ex: Asana, Clickup, etc) so that tasks are done and deadlines are being met

✔️Ensure that the project is completed correctly and on time

Team management: 

✔️Determine the structure of the team, including what team members are needed on the team and their responsibilities

✔️Determine what the hiring process should look like so that the business can attract the best candidates

✔️Create job postings and conduct initial job interviews 

✔️Onboard new team members

✔️Ensure the team members have what they need to get the job done

✔️Conduct yearly evaluations of team members

✔️Conduct team meetings

Systems Management: 

✔️Figuring out business workflows and creating a process for everything

✔️Documenting processes using Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and updating as needed

✔️Determine what parts of the business can be automated 

✔️Ensure that the business is organized and members of the team have access to what they need

✔️Choose the best platforms that meet the needs of the business

✔️Setup and provide ongoing management of a platform

Misconceptions About Online Business Managers:

A big misconception that a lot of business owners have about OBMs is that they are really  overpriced virtual assistants (VA).  

While there can be some overlap in some of the day-to-day responsibilities, business owners should remember that OBMs are a strategic partner in the business.  They are hired to help the business owner make sound decisions and act as a sounding board.  

Some VAs are more proactive than others and their primary purpose is to complete tasks as assigned.  They typically don’t have a bird’s eye view of everything in the business and don’t act as the strategic partner to the business owner.

Additional Resources:

[BLOG] What is the difference between an OBM and a VA?

[BLOG] Is now the right time to hire an OBM for you business?

Conclusion:

Deciding to work with an Online Business Manager can be a huge decision for a business owner.  For a lot of  business owners, it’s the best choice if they are looking to take their business to the next level.  

If you have a question about working with an Online Business Manager, leave it in the comments below.  If you would like to discuss what working with an OBM could look like in your business, book a complimentary discovery call so I can learn more about your needs at this time.