The Good Employer Podcast

Introduction:

Welcome to another episode of The Good Employer Podcast, the show that explores what it means to be a great employer in today’s business landscape.

About the Host: 

Emma is a co-founder of a values-driven consultancy and proud member of the Good Business Charter. With first-hand experience scaling a business and building a trusted team, she’s passionate about helping businesses create workplaces where people flourish.

About the Guest:

Todays guest is Joanne Manville, founder of The Indispensary, a multi award-winning virtual assistant consultancy supporting charities and business leaders.  Joanne discovered her true passion lay in providing high-level admin support. She launched her own VA business in 2015, which rebranded as The Indispensary in June 2024. Joanne is also active in the VA community, mentoring peers and championing best practices.

What’s Inside This Episode:

• Joanne’s Professional Journey: From mortgage consultancy to PA to founding The Indispensary, Joanne shares the pivotal moments and motivation behind launching her business.
• Business Growth and Values: The challenges of scaling, rebranding, and shifting from a solo identity to a collaborative team model while keeping strong values at the core.
• What is a Virtual Assistant?: Joanne debunks common misconceptions about VAs, stressing the importance of relationship-based support, trust, and the breadth of services they provide.
• Impact and Recognition: The significance of industry awards and peer-recognition, including her notable win for "Contribution to the VA Community", and how collaborative, supportive networks uplift everyone in the sector.
• Measuring Success: Both Emma and Joanne discuss how engaging a VA positively impacted their revenue and allowed them to focus on growth and value-added activities.
• Tech, Tools & Collaboration: The evolving role of technology in running efficient businesses, favourites like Capsule CRM and Canva.
• Interns & Gen Z Talent: Joanne’s approach to hiring and nurturing university interns, what she’s learned from younger team members, and how they’ve enriched her business with fresh skills.
• Building a Thriving Team: Recruitment through trusted VA networks, the power of having a simple "Join Our Team" page, frequent feedback surveys (for both clients and freelancers), and fostering loyalty and professional development.
• Leadership & Letting Go: Joanne shares her philosophy of being “firm but fair” and why it’s sometimes necessary to part ways with clients if values don’t align—for the wellbeing of both sides.
• The Human Side of Remote Work: The importance of in-person connection amidst a remote-first era, building trust, and tackling the nuances of virtual client relationships.
• Advice for New Entrepreneurs: Joanne recommends engaging a business coach sooner but also values the self-led learning journey.

Useful Links & Resources Mentioned:

• The Indispensary
• Capsule CRM
• The ONE Thing by Gary Keller
• Good Business Charter
• Canva

Connect with Joanne:

• LinkedIn: Joanne Manville
• Join The Indispensary Team

Connect with Emma:

• Effective HRM