VA vs OBM: Which Service Does Your Business Actually Need?

Laura Cloherty
Oct 13
4 min read

Updated: Nov 17

You're a UK service business owner juggling client work, endless coordination, and an inbox that never stops. You know you need help, but what kind?

Virtual Assistant support? Online Business Manager support? Both?

They're not the same thing, and understanding the difference helps you choose the right operational support at the right time for your business.

The Film Analogy

If your business were a film, you'd be the director with ideas, vision, and creative energy.

A Virtual Assistant is your crew: skilled, reliable, task-driven. They follow your script and make the scenes happen.

An Online Business Manager is the producer. They make sure the film actually gets made, on time, on budget, without the drama.

The VA follows the plan.

The OBM builds and manages it.

Both are essential. Just at different stages and for different needs.

What Does a Virtual Assistant Do?

A Virtual Assistant (VA) is task-driven and focused on execution. They’re the backbone of smooth operations for many UK service businesses.

Typical VA tasks include:

Managing your calendar and inbox
Booking meetings and travel
Social media scheduling
Data entry and CRM updates
Customer service responses
Research and admin tasks
Invoice processing
Following established workflows

How Virtual Assistants work:

You tell them what to do, they do it well
Task-based assignments
Usually working with multiple clients
Hourly rates
Working for you on specific deliverables

When VA support is perfect:

You're drowning in admin but delivery is strong
Your systems work and you need help implementing them
You're clear on what needs doing
You want reliable task execution
You want 10–20 hours back each week
Admin is stopping you doing what you do best

Example: VA Support in Action

You're a solo coach running corporate workshops. The delivery side is strong but admin eats up 10 hours a week.

Your VA manages your inbox, schedules workshops, sends follow-ups, updates your CRM, and handles bookings. You focus on delivering great coaching instead of all that admin.

What Does an Online Business Manager Do?

An Online Business Manager (OBM) is a strategic partner who helps UK service businesses and consultancies grow by managing operations, systems, and people.

While a VA handles tasks, an OBM ensures the right tasks are happening in the right way.

Typical OBM responsibilities include:

Operations management
Project management (launches, events, programmes)
Team coordination (freelancers, associates, contractors)
Systems creation (workflows and SOPs)
Strategic implementation
Early problem-spotting
Managing the people who do the tasks

How OBMs work:

Strategic partnership, not just task execution
You bring the vision, they bring operational leadership
Usually fewer clients, deeper partnership
Monthly retainers
Working with you as a thinking partner

When OBM support is essential:

You've grown beyond solopreneur mode
You’re coordinating multiple people or projects
Operational chaos is blocking growth
You can’t see what’s happening across the business
You need someone to build systems
Things are slipping through cracks
Complexity, not workload, is the bottleneck

Example: OBM Support in Action

You run an HR consultancy with multiple associates. Delivery is inconsistent, visibility is low, processes are unclear.

Your OBM builds visibility systems, workflows, delivery standards, and operational structure. You focus on growth, client relationships, and strategic work while the business runs smoothly.

The Key Differences

Virtual Assistant	Online Business Manager
Executes tasks	Manages operations
Follows the plan	Builds the plan
Works for you	Works with you
Handles admin and implementation	Handles coordination and systems
Task-focused	Strategy-focused
Multiple clients	Fewer, deeper partnerships
Perfect for execution	Perfect for complexity

Neither is better, they solve different problems.

Real Scenarios: What Support Do You Need?

Scenario 1: The Overwhelmed Solo Coach

You need: VA support

Why: Your systems work; execution is the problem.

Result: 15 hours back. Inbox calm. Smooth scheduling. Better delivery.

Scenario 2: The Scaling Consultant

You need: OBM support (project-led)

Why: You need workflows, onboarding systems, and logistics mapped.

Result: Repeatable processes that let you scale without chaos.

Scenario 3: The Agency with Associate Chaos

You need: Ongoing OBM partnership

Why: You need operational leadership, not task help.

Result: Clear standards, smooth delivery, visibility, consistency.

Scenario 4: The Business That Needs Both

You need: OBM + VA

Why: Strategy plus execution.

Result: An operational system run properly, every day.

How Support Needs Evolve

Most UK service businesses follow this progression:

Solo + drowning in admin → VA
Growing complexity → VA + early systems
Coordinating people/projects → OBM
Established operations → OBM + VA

What worked at £30K breaks at £70K.

Growth changes your operational needs.

How to Know Which You Need Right Now

You need a VA when:

Admin is overwhelming you
Your systems work
You know what needs doing
You want time back
Capacity is the issue

You need an OBM when:

You’re managing people/freelancers
Projects are complex
Operational chaos is the bottleneck
You can’t see across the business
Things are slipping
You need strategy, not tasks
Success has created complexity

You need both when:

Your business is established
You have multiple service streams
You need strategy and daily execution

How The Ops House Helps

I support UK service businesses with both Virtual Assistant (VA) support and Online Business Manager (OBM) support, because your operational needs evolve.

What Makes The Ops House Different

We meet you where you are. VA for execution. OBM for strategy. Both when needed.
Strategic partnership. I spot problems early and help prevent fires.
Systems-first approach. Your business should run on process, not you.
AI-enhanced delivery. I use tools like Claude behind the scenes for speed and accuracy.
Small roster of clients. Maximum of 6–8 for proper attention and high-quality delivery.

The Bottom Line

Virtual Assistants are essential for execution. Online Business Managers are essential for coordination and growth. Most successful UK service businesses eventually need both.

The VA keeps the lights on, the OBM makes sure the show can go on.

Either way, they let you stay the director.