Quick answer
A good first week has four parts: prepare access before day one, explain how you like things done, start with two or three small tasks, and review together on day five. It takes about three hours of your time across the week.
Most problems with a new assistant come from a rushed start. A little structure in week one saves a lot of correcting later. This is the checklist I recommend to every new client.
Before day one
- List the tasks you want to hand over, in order of priority.
- Set up access: separate logins or delegate access where possible, and a password manager for the rest.
- Agree on working hours, how you’ll message each other, and how quickly each of you replies.
- Sign a simple confidentiality agreement if you handle client data.
Day 1: The walkthrough
- A 30-minute call to explain your business, your clients and what matters most.
- Show how you do the first task, live or in a short screen recording.
- Ask your assistant to write the steps down as they learn them.
Days 2 and 3: First tasks
- Give two or three small, low-risk tasks.
- Review each one the same day and say what you’d change.
- Answer questions quickly. Slow answers in week one teach an assistant to stop asking.
Day 4: Add the routine
- Introduce one recurring task, such as a daily inbox sort.
- Agree on what “done” looks like for it.
- Check that the written steps are clear enough for someone else to follow.
Day 5: Review together
- What went well, and what was unclear?
- How many hours were used, and on what?
- What gets added next week?
Tip
Keep the written steps in one shared place from the start. If your client records and follow-ups already live in a system such as Tekmatix, store the notes alongside them so your assistant works from one source.
Common mistakes in week one
- Handing over everything at once. Start small and build.
- Explaining only by voice. If it isn’t written down, you’ll explain it again.
- Waiting to give feedback. Small corrections early are kinder than big ones later.
The bottom line
Week one is about building a way of working, not about getting through a pile of tasks. Get the access, the instructions and the feedback habit right, and the workload can grow quickly from week two.
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Disclosure: the Tekmatix link in this post is my referral link. If you sign up through it, I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.