As your business grows, so do the responsibilities, more clients, more moving parts, and more pressure to keep everything running smoothly behind the scenes.
Eventually, there comes a point where doing it all yourself is no longer sustainable. You need someone who can step in, take the operational reins, and help you build something structured and scalable. That’s where an Online Business Manager (OBM) comes in. But what does that actually look like in practice?
Let’s break it down.
What Is an OBM?
An OBM (Online Business Manager) supports your business at an operational and strategic level. They aren’t there to tick off tasks — they’re there to lead projects, oversee delivery, and build systems that allow your business to function without you in the centre of everything.
In other words, they work on your business so you can stay focused on what you do best.
What Can an OBM Help With?
No two OBM roles are exactly the same. At Jigsaw Virtual Assistance, we match each OBM to the unique needs of the business they’re supporting — but here are some common areas where we step in:
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System streamlining: Identifying clunky processes and implementing smarter, more efficient ways of working
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Team coordination: Delegating and overseeing the work of VAs, associates, and other freelancers
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Operational oversight: Keeping the back-end of the business running — from CRM management to workflow reviews
- Project management: Supporting launches, internal initiatives or ongoing client delivery
- SOP development: Documenting your processes so your business can run smoothly without constant direction
- Strategic support: Helping you prioritise, plan, and make confident decisions about where your business is heading
What It’s Like to Work with an OBM
Working with an OBM isn’t just about getting support, it’s about entering a partnership. They’re invested in your business outcomes and success, and they’re here to take ownership of their role.
At JVA, our OBMs start by listening and observing. We want to understand:
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How your business works today
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Where the friction points are
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What your future goals look like
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What you’ve tried before (and what hasn’t worked)
From there, we’ll make recommendations, suggest tools or changes, and gradually take more responsibility for keeping operations flowing.
Expect regular communication, clarity around who is doing what, and someone who can keep the plates spinning, without needing you to hold the stick.
You might be ready for an OBM if:
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You’ve grown beyond the stage where admin support alone is enough
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You’re managing a team or planning to scale
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You’re juggling too many responsibilities and dropping balls
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You want to step out of the day-to-day and think more strategically
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You need someone who can lead — not just follow instructions
Building the Right Support Structure
For many of our clients, working with an OBM is a natural next step. You may still have a VA handling inboxes, scheduling or admin — but your OBM becomes the operational backbone of your business.
And if you’re not quite there yet, we’ll help you build up to it. Our services are always matched to the stage you’re at, not just the service you think you “should” have.
Ready to Work Smarter, Not Harder?
If your business is growing but your systems and operations haven’t caught up, OBM support might be exactly what you need.
At Jigsaw Virtual Assistance, we specialise in providing flexible, personalised support to consultants and service-based business owners. Whether you’re ready for an OBM or still navigating what kind of help you need, we’re here to guide the process.
Take the quiz:
What stage of business are you in — and who should be supporting you?
Or book a free 30-minute consultation to explore how OBM support could transform the way your business runs.