Giving feedback is essential when working with Online Filipino Specialists.
Feedback given correctly helps build a healthy working relationship. It also helps your OFS grow and improve by overcoming mistakes. They also work better because honest feedback helps them understand what you expect of them.
Let’s have a closer look at the essential components of helpful feedback.
What it is and What it Isn’t
There are many schools of thought about feedback.
The one we use and often recommend is the Sandwich Method. Constructive feedback is given between two positive remarks.
We found this is the style that works best when communicating with an OFS. Being too direct with an OFS can backfire. People from the Philippines are easily embarrassed. Being aggressive with negative feedback can give your OFS the impression that you’re upset, and you want to fire them.
Once they start feeling this way, their work could suffer, and some might even disappear.
How To Deliver to Effective Feedback
Anyone can throw out a casual “Way to go” or a terse “I didn’t like that.” But for your comments to lead to the other person accomplishing a goal, your feedback must go much deeper. Here are some suggestions:
- Be specific. Avoid vague criticisms or compliments. Make sure your feedback relates directly to the task or a measurable goal. Tell the person exactly what they did right and what they did wrong.
- Make it timely. There are few things worse than rehashing old issues long after they occurred. You don’t want your OFS to find out about your concern months after the fact. Give feedback as soon as possible.
- Be professional. Let go of your emotions when you give feedback. When you’re angry or frustrated, the feedback can sound harsh. Clear your head before you send out that email.
- Make useful. Your feedback should help your OFS do the best work possible. Point them in the right direction. Say exactly how to get the job done. Or give examples of the results you want to see.
- Be tact. Don’t patronize your OFS with made-up, insincere praise. At the same time, don’t exaggerate negative feedback.
Giving Feedback After Poor Work
What do you do when you gave your OFS a job and it just came out wrong?
The best way to handle this scenario is to start with a positive comment. Try something like, “Thanks for all your hard work on this assignment. I can tell you put a lot of effort into it.” Then you can gently point out some things you would have done differently.
Sometimes, the poor work might not even be your OFS’s fault.
It’s exceedingly rare for a Filipino worker to be lazy and rush through something without caring. Often their poor work is due to:
- insufficient training or,
- unclear instructions.
Finding out the likely cause and fixing it can go a long way.
Feedback Comes in Many Forms
Just because you’ve never spoken to your OFS face to face or rarely speak to them on the phone doesn’t mean you can’t give effective feedback.
You can also give feedback through email. The best way that works for us is Jing. I use it to take screenshots and screengrabs of the stuff I want to be changed or improved.
The results are in
With effective feedback, you will help turn your OFS into the rockstar your business needs. Likewise, it helps your OFS move forward with confidence and do their jobs with more efficiency. When that happens, that helps your business grow.
About John Jonas
John helps business owners learn to outsourcing to the Philippines and replace themselves with virtual assistants.
He founded and owns OnlineJobs.ph.
He currently employs 14 amazing Filipino workers full-time and loves every one of them. He lives in Utah, has a wonderful wife, 4 amazing kids, and golfs 4-5 times/week.
Find John at JohnJonas.com and Facebook.
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– About: Improving Communication With Your Workers
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