Key Outcomes
Table of Contents
Key Outcomes
This is the story of Surface Shop’s bold transition from traditional local staffing to harnessing the power of international virtual assistance. With Valatam as their trusted partner, they discover a new level of operational efficiency, significantly cutting costs while maintaining the human touch.
About Surface Shop
Surface Shop serves the North American market through a growing network of distributors, dealers, and direct sales sourcing and curating high-end stone walling and paving products from around the world to become an international leader in natural stone.
Navigating the Challenges
What Lies Ahead
The challenge was clear: Surface Shop needed a cost-effective solution to handle detailed, repetitive tasks that couldn’t be automated and required a human touch. Hiring in-house staff was becoming expensive, draining time and resources, and they lacked standardized workflows, which created inconsistencies in operations and training.
Valatam stepped in to address these pain points by providing skilled remote staff who could deliver efficiency without compromising quality and that much-needed human touch. The opportunity to build a more agile and cost-efficient team became a reality, setting the stage for growth and scalability.
“The best tasks to delegate are those that require a human touch but are repeatable and can be trained.”.
Kevin McGowan, Partner at Surface Shop
The Path Forward
- Prioritize creating Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to ensure consistent workflows.
- Delegate non-automatable, repetitive tasks to skilled Valatam talent.
- Strengthen team dynamics by integrating remote talent into Surface Shop’s core operations.
- Regularly review and optimize workflows for cost and efficiency improvements.
How We Did It
Surface Shop’s reliance on expensive in-house hires and ad hoc processes left them seeking a solution that could deliver both cost savings and operational stability. Valatam offered a strategic partnership, sourcing three exceptional VAs to handle logistics and sales tasks at 40–60% lower costs than local hires.
During the onboarding process, we worked closely with Surface Shop to create detailed SOPs that not only guided training but also standardized operations across the team. These SOPs became vital tools for ensuring smooth handoffs, enabling Surface Shop’s VAs to quickly adapt and even assist in training new hires. With Valatam’s robust hiring and account management support, Surface Shop was able to achieve the right mix of talent, reliability, and cultural fit to elevate its team’s performance.
Mapping the Journey
- Identified cost savings and the need for task delegation.
Sourced and onboarded three remote assistants for logistics and sales at significantly reduced costs. - Collaborated on SOP development to streamline training and ensure consistency.
- Integrated resourceful, adaptable remote team into Surface Shop, driving cohesion and productivity.
Results
What We Achieved Together
- Reduced hiring costs by 40–60%, saving over $40,000 annually compared to local hires.
- Streamlined operations with detailed SOPs, improving efficiency and training processes.
- Increased team productivity by delegating repetitive tasks to skilled VAs.
- Strengthened team cohesion with resourceful and adaptable remote professionals.
Driving Results
Surface Shop’s partnership with Valatam has transformed how they manage their operations. By replacing costly local hires with talented VAs, they achieved significant cost savings without sacrificing quality.
Valatam’s hiring process not only allowed them to save costs in monthly salaries but also time on finding the right talent. The introduction of well-documented SOPs not only standardized processes but also empowered their team to onboard new hires.
The Valatam VAs quickly became integral members of their team, showcasing their adaptability and resourcefulness, even in challenging situations. This strategic shift allowed Surface Shop to focus on high-value tasks while maintaining a high standard for detail-oriented work, ultimately boosting operational efficiency and team morale.
“Valatam’s account managers act almost like headhunters, saving us a lot of time and effort.”.
Kevin McGowan, Partner at Surface Shop
Conclusion
By embracing Valatam’s tailored solutions, Surface Shop turned a logistical and financial challenge into an opportunity for growth. With a team of talented remote professionals and streamlined workflows, they’re now better positioned to scale efficiently while maintaining their commitment to quality and teamwork.
“The good vibes and cohesion as a team are so important, and Valatam’s Team contributes to that.”.
Kevin McGowan, Partner at Surface Shop
Ready to elevate your business to new heights? Discover how Valatam’s Virtual Assistants solutions can benefit your company today.
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