The Hour - Back Office and Virtual Assistant Services

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the Manager - Personal Lines

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

Growing Insurance Brokerage in Canada

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire The Hour - Back Office and Virtual Assistant Services to accomplish?

• Background Administration projects

SOLUTION

How did you find The Hour - Back Office and Virtual Assistant Services?

Unsure

Why did you select The Hour - Back Office and Virtual Assistant Services over others?

Unknown

How many teammates from The Hour - Back Office and Virtual Assistant Services were assigned to this project?

6-10 Employees

Describe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.

We work with The hour daily on various projects throughout our growing, dinamic company.  I work almost exclusively with Don, regarding digital downloads for policy cancellations and endorsements.  Don is fantastic. His work is accurate and he keeps me updated with any issue he encounters or reaches out with questions as need be, to ensure he maintains the level of quality I have come to expect. It is an absolute pleasure dealing with Don. Thank you Don :)

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

Company wide - Unknown to me.

But daily policy management for digital downloads in my area - great work. Time saving for brokers.

Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?

Don is always amazing.

What was your primary form of communication with The Hour - Back Office and Virtual Assistant Services?

• Virtual Meeting
• Email or Messaging App

What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?

As I said, I work almost exclusively with Don and he is fantastic!! They are fast, accurate, and reliable. Extremely personable as well :)

Are there any areas for improvement or something The Hour - Back Office and Virtual Assistant Services could have done differently?

N/A

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

 I am the Co-founder of a pharmaceuticals company 

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

Life Science Recruitment company

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire The Hour - Back Office and Virtual Assistant Services to accomplish?

• Database build - candidiates
• Database build - clients
• Research
• Market mapping
• Technical Support where necessary

SOLUTION

How did you find The Hour - Back Office and Virtual Assistant Services?

They approached us

Why did you select The Hour - Back Office and Virtual Assistant Services over others?

• Pricing fit our budget
• Great culture fit
• Good value for cost
• Company values aligned

How many teammates from The Hour - Back Office and Virtual Assistant Services were assigned to this project?

1 Employee

Describe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.

Deliver services to support a startup talent business. Mianly services related to outreach on both sides of client and candidate.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

Agreed weekly targets and plans but measured and reported daily

Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?

Everything has been delievered on time and budget to date.

What was your primary form of communication with The Hour - Back Office and Virtual Assistant Services?

• Virtual Meeting
• Email or Messaging App

What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?

Very sinple - Great people. From day one, Garesh has understood our business, the model we work to and how he can support us. His communications skills are excellent, from written to verbal. We like the sign in/sign out process every day and although we might not feedback on it daily, we do read it and find it very useful. Garesh is proactive and nothing is ever too much trouble, he wants to help at all times, he is also comfortable challenging our requests to ensure he has 100% understood any brief, which we like. He seems to have a very strong work ethic and has been creating some great results of late for us as we build our client and candidate portfolio. Garesh is a real asset to us right now and hopefully even more so as we grow our team and our team with you. Best wishes.

Are there any areas for improvement or something The Hour - Back Office and Virtual Assistant Services could have done differently?

Not yet

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the Director of Carrier Relations of an insurance company.

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

In simple words we make buying insurance super easy under one roof using mordern technology which saves a lot of time.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire The Hour - Back Office and Virtual Assistant Services to accomplish?

• Quoting
• Certificate of Insurance
• Policy Checking

SOLUTION

How did you find The Hour - Back Office and Virtual Assistant Services?

Online Search

Why did you select The Hour - Back Office and Virtual Assistant Services over others?

• Pricing fit our budget
• Good value for cost

How many teammates from The Hour - Back Office and Virtual Assistant Services were assigned to this project?

2-5 Employees

Describe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.

We incorporated with Thehour couple of years back and since than the team is super helpfull in day to day insurnce back office operations like Quoting, issuing certificate of Insurance, policy servicing work and lot more.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

When we signed up it was the first time our company was exposed to a VA services so we were not sure on how things will change our operations but the way our all 3 VA handeled the workflow is tremendous, after a month or so they were doing so much on their own like sending COI to the clients, replying to the emails for policy changes that success rate made us focus on other marketing things to get more business.

Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?

1. COI turnaroud tie is excellent
2. Policy service tasks are also great
3. Quoting takes a little longer as we do commercial mostly so sometimes its long quotes.

What was your primary form of communication with The Hour - Back Office and Virtual Assistant Services?

Virtual Meeting

What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?

The way the management involes, takes feedback work on the improvement we asked is great, we do not feel all 3 VA are not in our office their reporting and updates shows that they are sitting in our office and this is the best part I feel to share.

Are there any areas for improvement or something The Hour - Back Office and Virtual Assistant Services could have done differently?

Nope, waiting for them to launch their AI program for COI. In terms of satisfation, we are planning to  increasing the team size from 3 to 5 or 6 may be. We are super happy.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

 I am the Vice President of Operations of a human resources company 

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

The company is a digital platform that connects pharmacies with pre-screened relief pharmacists, making it easier to fill shifts quickly and efficiently.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire The Hour - Back Office and Virtual Assistant Services to accomplish?

• Enhancing Operational Efficiency
• Improving Customer Support

SOLUTION

How did you find The Hour - Back Office and Virtual Assistant Services?

• Online Search
• Clutch Site

Why did you select The Hour - Back Office and Virtual Assistant Services over others?

• High ratings
• Referred to me

How many teammates from The Hour - Back Office and Virtual Assistant Services were assigned to this project?

6-10 Employees

Describe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.

1. Pharmacist & Employer Support: Managing inquiries, assisting with account setups, and resolving issues.
2. Shift Coordination: Overseeing job postings, matching pharmacists to shifts, and ensuring timely placements.
3. Credential Verification: Reviewing and organizing pharmacist documents to maintain compliance.
4. Billing & Reconciliation: Assisting in invoicing, payment tracking, and financial record-keeping.
5. Database Management: Keeping pharmacist and pharmacy records updated for seamless operations.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

The Hour supports by managing pharmacist and employer inquiries, shift coordination, credential verification, and financial tasks like billing and invoicing. They also handle database management, ensuring records stay updated. Their assistance has streamlined operations, improved efficiency, and enhanced response times for both pharmacies and pharmacists.

Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?

They stays on top of tasks with efficiency and flexibility. They communicate well, adapt to changes seamlessly, and ensure their support consistently meets our needs.

What was your primary form of communication with The Hour - Back Office and Virtual Assistant Services?

• Virtual Meeting
• Email or Messaging App

What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?

What sets The Hour apart is how effortlessly they fit into our workflow, making collaboration smooth and efficient. Their ability to anticipate our needs and provide tailored support has made a real difference in streamlining our operations.

Are there any areas for improvement or something The Hour - Back Office and Virtual Assistant Services could have done differently?

While The Hour provided exceptional service, incorporating advanced technological tools, such as AI-driven analytics, could further enhance their offerings and provide deeper insights into operational performance.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the Director of Underwriting of an insurance company 

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

The company is an independent insurance agency based in New Jersey, providing personalized coverage solutions for both personal and commercial clients.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire The Hour - Back Office and Virtual Assistant Services to accomplish?

• Commercial Quoting Assistance

SOLUTION

How did you find The Hour - Back Office and Virtual Assistant Services?

• Online Search
• Other

Why did you select The Hour - Back Office and Virtual Assistant Services over others?

• High ratings
• Pricing fit our budget
• Good value for cost

How many teammates from The Hour - Back Office and Virtual Assistant Services were assigned to this project?

2-5 Employees

Describe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.

The Hour supports us with commercial and personal lines quoting, ensuring accurate and competitive quotes from multiple carriers. They handle data entry, quote comparisons, and follow-ups, making the process seamless and efficient. Their commercial quoting VA ensures timely submissions, verifies coverage details, and assists with carrier communications, allowing us to provide clients with well-researched and precise quotes without delays.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

• Faster Turnaround Times: Quote requests are processed more efficiently, reducing response times for both personal and commercial lines.
• Improved Accuracy: Fewer errors in quoting and coverage details, leading to better client satisfaction.
• Higher Quote Volume: Increased capacity to handle more quote requests without overloading our in-house team.
• Better Follow-Ups: Timely carrier follow-ups ensure we secure the best rates and close more deals.

Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?

Their project management is smooth and well-structured. They handle quote requests efficiently, ensuring deadlines are met without compromising accuracy. Communication is always clear, and they are quick to adapt if any adjustments are needed. Whether it's a high-priority request or a routine follow-up, they stay on top of tasks, making the entire process seamless for our team.

What was your primary form of communication with The Hour - Back Office and Virtual Assistant Services?

• Virtual Meeting
• Email or Messaging App

What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?

Their speed and accuracy in handling quotes stand out the most. They understand the urgency of getting quotes out quickly while ensuring all details are correct. Plus, their ability to adapt to different carrier systems and guidelines makes working with them effortless. Additionally, their efficient handling of renewals has been a significant advantage, relieving our in-house team of a substantial workload and ensuring a smooth, timely process.

Are there any areas for improvement or something The Hour - Back Office and Virtual Assistant Services could have done differently?

There’s always room for growth, but The Hour has consistently met our expectations. Their ability to adapt and improve is one of the reasons we’ve been working with them for nearly four years. As our needs evolve, we’d love to see even more proactive insights and process optimizations to enhance efficiency further.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

 I am the Chief Development Officer of a real estate company 

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

We deal in real estate investments

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire The Hour - Back Office and Virtual Assistant Services to accomplish?

• CRM Management
• Graphic Designing

SOLUTION

How did you find The Hour - Back Office and Virtual Assistant Services?

Referral

Why did you select The Hour - Back Office and Virtual Assistant Services over others?

• High ratings
• Pricing fit our budget
• Good value for cost

How many teammates from The Hour - Back Office and Virtual Assistant Services were assigned to this project?

2-5 Employees

Describe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.

The project involves end-to-end CRM management to keep client interactions and deals status organized, designing custom floor plans and aerial maps for better property visualization, and creating compelling PowerPoint presentations to showcase investment opportunities. Their work ensured that our data was structured, visually appealing, easy and professional to present.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

1. A well-structured CRM system improved client follow-ups and tracking.
2. High-quality aerial maps and floor plans helped in better property visualization.
3. PowerPoint presentations made investor pitches more engaging and effective.

Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?

Their project management was well-organized and reliable. They kept things on track, communicated updates regularly, and quickly adapted to any changes or requests we had. 

What was your primary form of communication with The Hour - Back Office and Virtual Assistant Services?

• Virtual Meeting
• Email or Messaging App

What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?

Their attention to detail in CRM management ensured nothing slipped through the cracks. Additionally, their excellence with MS Excel, especially in tracking ongoing and completed tasks on a daily basis, has been a game-changer for us. Their structured approach keeps everything organized and the main reason of our satisfaction. 

Are there any areas for improvement or something The Hour - Back Office and Virtual Assistant Services could have done differently?

No major or minor concerns. In all seriousness, they adapted well to feedback and we are happy with their work.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the CSM of an insurance company.

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

Digital platform that makes it simple and easy for agents to sell products online and meet their clients' life insurance needs.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire The Hour - Back Office and Virtual Assistant Services to accomplish?

• Ticketing
• Agents Management

SOLUTION

How did you find The Hour - Back Office and Virtual Assistant Services?

• Online Search
• Clutch Site

Why did you select The Hour - Back Office and Virtual Assistant Services over others?

• Pricing fit our budget
• Good value for cost

How many teammates from The Hour - Back Office and Virtual Assistant Services were assigned to this project?

2-5 Employees

Describe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.

Comprehensive back-office support, focusing on scheduling, data management, and independent agents coordination. They handled service requests, ensured accurate data entry. Key deliverables included efficient appointment scheduling, organized data updates, and improved ticketing management.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

Enhanced Accuracy
Better Organization

Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?

The Hour maintained a well-organized approach, keeping everything on track and ensuring deadlines were met. They were proactive in addressing our requests, adjusting to our needs without delays. Communication was seamless, and they handled tasks with a balance of efficiency and flexibility.

What was your primary form of communication with The Hour - Back Office and Virtual Assistant Services?

Virtual Meeting

What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?

Their communication, task execution, and documentation of the procedures are outstanding.

Are there any areas for improvement or something The Hour - Back Office and Virtual Assistant Services could have done differently?

Not at this moment

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the Founder/Owner of RPM Agency

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

Provide insurance for home, auto, commercial and life.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire The Hour - Back Office and Virtual Assistant Services to accomplish?

• Get backend support/help
• Get the support affordably
• Hope the staff would be trainable

SOLUTION

How did you find The Hour - Back Office and Virtual Assistant Services?

Online Search

Why did you select The Hour - Back Office and Virtual Assistant Services over others?

• Great culture fit
• Good value for cost
• Company values aligned

How many teammates from The Hour - Back Office and Virtual Assistant Services were assigned to this project?

2-5 Employees

Describe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.

Quoting insurance; resolving account issues with client's mortgage company, or the insurance carrier; using email templates to proactively reach out to current and potential customers; meeting with our company daily; follow existing and new processes and procedures, for Commercial Lines and Personal Lines of insurance. 

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

Our company is more effecient and productive with The Hour at pay rates we can afford.  The bonus is we LOVE our team...we feel they are an extension of our company

Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?

Our team is managed by Vish, who in fact was our first VA from The Hour.  We are so confident with everything we have with our VA's because of Vish!  We've referred other insurance agencies to The Hour and Vish several times.  Whenever a concern comes up, it is rapidly resolved.  Even when a VA needed a lot of additional training, that person become extra attentive to all the details.....

What was your primary form of communication with The Hour - Back Office and Virtual Assistant Services?

Virtual Meeting

What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?

Everyone's attitude.  You can train a skill, but you can't train someone to kind or nice.  The people quality is wonderful.

Are there any areas for improvement or something The Hour - Back Office and Virtual Assistant Services could have done differently?

None I can think of because anything that comes up is quickly addressed and resolved with Vish.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the CEO of Grit Matters, a technical recruitment firm specializing in all technical roles.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with The Hour - Back Office and Virtual Assistant Services?

We needed assistance on the recruiting and sourcing front.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

I’ve used The Hour - Back Office and Virtual Assistant Services as a technical recruiter to fully scale the product and engineering teams that we worked with. They’ve helped us build out and iterate on recruiting processes and forge partnerships with candidates while delivering the best-in-class experience. 

They’ve provided pre-screening support and full-cycle reporting in a very fast-paced environment and actively sourced and engaged various candidates. They’ve helped us source and screen designers, Cloud engineers, solutions architects, front- and backend engineers, and web developers.

What is the team composition?

I’ve worked with one individual from The Hour - Back Office and Virtual Assistant Services.

How did you come to work with The Hour - Back Office and Virtual Assistant Services?

We found The Hour - Back Office and Virtual Assistant Services through a referral.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent somewhere between $50,000–$60,000 so far.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in December 2013, and we still work with them on an as-needed basis.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?

On a repeated basis, they’ve presented qualified candidates who were then hired, onboarded, and had a long tenure with the company.

How did The Hour - Back Office and Virtual Assistant Services perform from a project management standpoint?

The Hour - Back Office and Virtual Assistant Services has been outstanding in terms of project management. They’re incredibly organized and have excellent communication skills. They use project management tools such as Trello to keep everything on time and organized. They are highly effective, efficient, and calm under pressure — they are able to manage multiple projects and tasks at the same time and ensure that our needs and our clients’ needs are met. They’re dedicated to completing a job well done.

We typically communicate through email, Zoom, Google Meet, Slack, and Skype.

What did you find most impressive about them?

The Hour - Back Office and Virtual Assistant Services’ understanding of our business, needs, and goals is exceptional. We appreciate their team mentality and customer-focused approach. They’re always willing to accommodate our requests and any changes and adjustments in the scope.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, I have no complaints.