What happens after you send a request

From request to your first week

Here is how the arrangement typically moves from a form to real work.

1. You send the quote form describing your tasks, hours and tools.
2. The service partner contacts you, asks questions and sends a scope and quote.
3. After you agree terms, you share written procedures and set up access.
4. In the first week the assistant works a short task list while you check each piece of work.

Things to have in place

Gaps here are the usual cause of a slow start.

• Priorities, written down
• A task list grouped by daily, weekly and monthly work
• Procedures for anything with more than a couple of steps
• The software list, including any browser extensions or plug-ins
• An access plan using delegation or individual accounts
• Two-factor authentication arranged so the assistant can sign in without your phone
• Approval rules for money, contracts and unusual requests
• A contact for questions and a backup if that person is away

Access, permissions and offboarding

Start with delegation. Email and calendar delegation in Google Workspace or Microsoft 365 lets an assistant work in your inbox without knowing your password. In a CRM, help desk or accounting system, add them as a user with a limited role.

For tools that only allow one login, use a password manager to share it, and keep two-factor authentication switched on. Least privilege is the guiding idea: read-only where reading is enough, and no admin rights unless a task truly needs them.

Keep a simple list of every account the assistant can reach. When the arrangement ends, work through it, remove each user, rotate any shared passwords and confirm nothing is left open.

Running the arrangement week to week

• Summaries. Ask for a daily or weekly note listing finished tasks, open items and questions.
• Check-ins. A short meeting every week or two to go over corrections and new work.
• Adjusting hours. As tasks settle, you may need more hours or fewer. Raise it with the partner.
• Updating procedures. When you correct something, add it to the written instructions so it stays fixed.
• Ending. Follow the notice terms in your agreement and remove access as soon as work stops.