The "virtual" part means that the VA doesn't
have to be present on-site in order to effectively and efficiently
oversee projects. A client can be located in San Francisco or
New York, but the VA may work from anywhere. For example, MotionTemps'
Carolyn Moncel works mainly from Paris but services local clients
as well as clients in Chicago (her hometown) and even the UK.
Why Work with a Virtual Assistant?
Clients who hire VAs only pay for the time actually spent working
on a project rather than an employee salary. Because Virtual
Assistants are entrepreneurs themselves, they also make an attractive
staffing choice for consultants or office departments because
there is no need to:
-
Support hourly wages or salaries (clients only pay for
hours worked)
-
Provide office space
-
Provide office equipment or supplies
-
Supply computer equipment or software
-
Offer health care, dental/eye-care, life or disability
insurance coverage
-
Pay employment taxes
-
Supply retirement packages, pensions or 401Ks " No overtime,
vacation or sick-day pay
-
Pay for on-going educational enrichment or training
When to Use Virtual Assistants
-
Your business or office department experiences explosive
growth and more support is needed to handle the influx.
-
You don't need assistance on a daily basis
-
You need part-time support but your current office or office
department is too small to accommodate even one more desk.
- Your projects are too small for the graphic or creative
department to handle but too time-consuming or complex for
administrative support.
-
Your business is not growing at the rate anticipated; but
you must change direction to attract growth opportunities,
and new materials must be developed or refined.
-
Your business requires frequent domestic and global traveling,
and you need someone who can develop presentations or materials
"on the fly."
Finding the "Right" Virtual Assistant for Your
Business
- Carefully review the VA's background, resume and references.
- Look for compatibility and synergy between you and your
VA.
- Determine if the VA has a genuine interest in your business
(i.e., Are questions being asked about your overall business
operations and the goals you have set for your business?)
- Look for a VA who offer ideas or solutions for running your
business more effectively.
- Schedule several phone calls, if necessary, to ensure that
the VA is right for you and your business.
- Start your VA on small projects first in order to better
monitor progress.
