Connect Mortgages

Tell me about yourself.

I'm the owner of Connect Mortgages. I've been working for myself for 6 years now, been in the industry for 10. So, that's me.

What role were you looking to hire for?

When I made that initial call and said that I was looking for somebody, I really did want someone who had industry experience. The response I got was really quick and prompt, and I was given a couple of options. We discussed those potential candidates; both had industry experience, and from there, we organized a Zoom call with one of the VAs.

How did you find the recruitment process?

Yeah, the process was really thorough. There was an extensive list of questions asked, and my goals and the way my business was run were also well-covered topics. Every broker's journey is quite personal, and for me, there were some things that, you know, the way I run my business might not be the same as somebody else. So, definitely, what I was looking for in terms of support was really well covered.

How has your remote team member helped your business?

Yeah, so Van's just coming up to 9 months with the business, and it's flying along. From the moment Van stepped in, I was lucky she’d worked for a broker that used the same CRM, so she was able to get set up quickly. From the moment she started, we were allocating tasks to her.In the first week, she was lodging applications. The difference to my business was immediate—it gave me some time to myself on the weekends, and I was able to take a holiday. The difference and the support were amazing. Van and I have a personal relationship; we spend the day on Teams, and whenever I'm in the office, Van’s there by my side. It’s like working together. We might be working independently, but I might say, “Hey, Van, can you call ANZ?” or “Can you do this or that?” and she's ready to jump on and do anything that’s needed. So, it’s a really personal relationship. We definitely work together, even though she's on the other side of the world.

How does VAP support your team member?

I'm really happy with VA Platinum and the way they support their VAs. I know there are a lot of cheaper options in the market, and while I don’t think VA Platinum is expensive, it’s certainly much cheaper than employing someone in Australia. The support that Van gets—around health insurance for her family, a good wage, regular pay raises—has made a big difference in her life. You can see the benefits, like being able to afford things she might not have been able to before.

How useful is the onboarding process?

When the onboarding process started, there were a lot of scheduled appointments around how I'm feeling, how the VA is feeling, and how we work together. Van and I had a lot of conversations, and I told her how happy I was. She said the same, that she really enjoys working for me.

How has VAP helped improve your business processes?

Since Van stepped into the business, I’ve been doing much less of the admin tasks. We’ve been able to lodge and settle more applications. Initially, I was hesitant about having a VA because I wanted to employ locally, and when that didn’t work out, VA Platinum was a great alternative. They provided a socially responsible solution by sourcing a VA for me. I highly recommend VA Platinum. I’ve been so pleased with the outcome that I’ve spoken to numerous brokers about them, and I will continue to do so. I couldn’t be happier with the results.

‍