What is an Online Business Manager? (OBM)

If you’re struggling to manage multiple virtual assistants or freelancers while building or expanding your online business, hiring an online business manager could be a perfect solution. There are daily tasks to manage, team members to oversee, and strategies to plan. That’s where an online business manager (OBM) comes in.

An online business manager is a virtual support professional that helps organizations manage daily projects, processes, and team members. They can help you maintain the operations of your company by tracking key performance indicators (KPIs), establishing goals, measuring progress, and helping you build your own business.

What is an Online Business Manager?

An Online Business Manager (OBM) is a virtual-based support professional who specializes in managing the daily operations of online businesses. The role of an OBM is to run the day-to-day activities of the business, which includes overseeing the management of projects, operations, and team members.

An OBM acts as a liaison between you, the business owner, and your team members, ensuring effective communication and providing guidance to the team.

Good online business managers have a variety of skills, including people management, leadership, and effective communication. They also have experience in digital marketing and social media, as well as knowledge of software and systems that can help streamline processes and track metrics.

To become a certified OBM, many online business managers choose to complete the education and certification programs offered by the International Association of Online Business Managers (IAOBM).

One of the key responsibilities of an OBM is to strategize and plan for YOUR business goals. This involves overseeing the daily tasks and workflows of your business to ensure that everything runs smoothly and that the business is on track to meet your goals.

Overall, the role of an OBM is to provide valuable administrative support to business owners, helping them to achieve their goals and manage the daily operations of their online business.

How is an online business manager different than a virtual assistant?

While an Online Business Manager (OBM) and a Virtual Assistant (VA) both provide virtual support to businesses, there are several key differences between an OBM and a virtual assistant.

The main difference is that an OBM is responsible for managing the overall operations of a business, while a VA provides administrative support to the business owner. An OBM has a more strategic role in the business, whereas a VA handles day-to-day tasks such as data entry, email management, and appointment scheduling.

Another difference is that an OBM typically works with a team of people, while a VA may work independently. An OBM may be responsible for hiring and managing team members, delegating tasks, and ensuring that everyone is working together efficiently. A VA may work directly with the business owner and may not have any management responsibilities.

An OBM also requires a higher level of expertise and experience than a VA. They must have a deep understanding of online business management and your industry, as well as strong leadership and communication skills.

Why Hire an Online Business Manager?

If you’re running an online business, you know how challenging it can be to keep everything running smoothly. Between creating content, managing social media, managing projects, overseeing team members, and strategizing for growth, it’s easy to get overwhelmed.

That’s where an online business manager (OBM) comes in. Hiring an OBM can provide you with the support and guidance you need to take your business to the next level by getting you out of the day to day management of projects and people so you can focus on strategy, content, and staying in your zone of genius.

Online business managers work as the key interface between you: the founder / visionary and your team.

How do I know if my business is at the right stage to hire an OBM?

As soon as you start building an online business, you are at the right stage for an online business manager! Embedded in this question is one of the biggest mindset blocks most people have. They think they have to wait to hire help “until they are ready” or “until they have enough revenue” etc.

That sounds logical until you understand that there is far more to do to build an online business than any one person can do by themselves, even if they had all the skills required, which no on does!

By not hiring help right away, you almost guarantee that you won’t launch, at least not any time soon, and therefore not bring in any revenue.

Instead, if you hire an OBM (or even better, a fractional team that includes an OBM) right away, you have MUCH higher odds of success because you will be able to get 10x more done every day than you could alone, allowing you to launch sooner and generate revenue.

Instead of spending thousands on courses and masterminds to try to DIY, instead you can invest in an OBM and team that already knows how to build and run online businesses and simply inject your expertise and content…

Benefits of Hiring an Online Business Manager

One of the primary benefits of hiring an online business manager is that they can help you manage your daily tasks and operations. OBMs are experienced in overseeing workflows, creating standard operating procedures, and tracking key performance indicators (KPIs).

They can also help you develop and implement effective marketing campaigns, manage social media accounts, and liaise with web designers and other contractors.

Another benefit of hiring an OBM is that they can provide you with the leadership and people management skills you need to run a successful business. OBMs are skilled in overseeing teams and can help you hire, train, and manage your employees. They can also provide guidance and support to help you navigate the challenges of running an online business.

When you hire an online business manager, you’ll also benefit from their expertise in operations management. OBMs are skilled in creating and managing budgets, tracking expenses, and ensuring that projects are completed on time and within budget. They can also help you develop and implement systems and processes to improve productivity and streamline your operations.

Finally, hiring an OBM can help you free up your time and focus on the things that matter most to you. By delegating administrative tasks and other responsibilities to your OBM, you’ll have more time to work on your business, spend time with your family, or pursue other interests.

Overall, hiring an Online business manager can be a game-changer for your online business. With the right OBM on your team, you can take your business to new heights and achieve your goals with confidence.

Responsibilities of an Online Business Manager

It’s important to understand what is an online business managers main responsibilities. Here are some of the key responsibilities that you can expect an OBM to take on:

Daily Tasks

One of the primary responsibilities of an online business manager is to manage all of the execution of daily tasks associated with running an online business. OBMs are also responsible for ensuring the systems and standard operating procedures are all in place such that all tasks are completed in a timely and efficient manner by the team. This might include responding to emails, managing social media accounts, and handling customer inquiries.

Project Management

Another key responsibility of an OBM is to manage projects from start to finish. This might include launching new products, managing website upgrades, and overseeing marketing campaigns. OBMs are responsible for ensuring that all projects are completed on time, within budget, and to the satisfaction of the client.

Operations Management

Online business managers are also responsible for managing the day-to-day operations of an online business. This might include managing inventory, processing orders, and handling customer complaints. OBMs must ensure that all operations run smoothly and efficiently to maximize profitability and customer satisfaction.

Team Management

Online business managers are often responsible for managing a team of virtual assistants and other support staff. This might include hiring and training new team members, assigning tasks, and the monitoring performance of each virtual assistant. OBMs must ensure that all team members are working together effectively to achieve the client’s goals.

Communication and Liaison

OBMs are responsible for maintaining communication with clients and other stakeholders. This might include providing regular updates on project management and progress, answering questions, and addressing concerns. OBMs must also liaise with external service providers and vendors to ensure that all projects are completed to the client’s satisfaction.

Strategy and Planning

Finally, OBMs are responsible for developing and implementing strategic plans to help their clients achieve their business goals. This might include developing marketing strategies, identifying new revenue streams, and optimizing business processes. OBMs must be able to think creatively and strategically to help their clients succeed.

As an OBM, you’ll be responsible for managing a wide range of tasks and projects on behalf of your clients. By mastering these key responsibilities, you can help your clients achieve their business goals and build a successful online business.

How to Hire an Online Business Manager

Now that you know what an online business manager is and what they can do for your business, you may be wondering how to hire one. Here are two ways to do it:

Hire an OBM Yourself

If you’re looking to hire an online business manager yourself, here are some steps you can take:

• Write a clear job description: Be specific about the skills and experience you’re looking for.
• Post the job on relevant job boards: You can post the job on job boards like Indeed, Upwork, and LinkedIn.
• Interview candidates: Once you receive applications, you can interview candidates to see if they’re a good fit for your business.
• Check references: Before making a final decision, make sure to check the candidate’s references to ensure they have a good track record.
• Provide clear expectations: Once you hire an online business manager, make sure to provide clear expectations and goals for them to work towards.
• Consider hiring a certified online business manager. Many online business managers choose to complete the education and certification programs offered by the International Association of Online Business Managers (IAOBM).

Hiring a Fractional Team with an OBM

If you’re not ready to hire a full-time online business manager, you can consider hiring a fractional team with an OBM. Here are some benefits of hiring a fractional team for online business management:

• Cost-effective: Hiring a fractional team can be more cost-effective than hiring a full-time employee.
• Access to a team of experts: When you hire a fractional team, you have access to a team of experts who can help you with different aspects of your business.
• Flexible: A fractional team can be more flexible than a full-time employee, as you can adjust the team based on your business needs.

When hiring a fractional team, make sure to do your research and find a team that has experience working with businesses like yours. You can also ask for references and case studies to see their track record.

Whether you choose to hire an online business manager yourself or hire a fractional team, make sure to clearly communicate your expectations and goals. This will help ensure that you get the most out of your investment and that your business continues to grow and thrive.

What is an online business manager? A great first hire!

I hope this has helped answer the question of what is an online business manager and that you strongly consider adding this role to your business. It has been a game changer for mine and our clients!

Frequently Asked Questions About Online Business Managers