Picture a corporate or small business office with a Secretary or Administrative Assistant who sits outside the boss’s office providing him or her administrative support with day-to-day tasks and special projects. Now, picture that same Administrative Assistant in a different location, but still providing the same support. Communication is accomplished through email and the phone instead of face to face.
The tremendous advances in technology have dramatically changed the way we operate business today. What once had to be done in a traditional office can now effectively be handled remotely, through e-mail, telephone, fax, overnight mail and on-line communications. All this, virtually eliminates the traditional overhead associated with conventional office support.
A Virtual Assistant (VA) is a business owner, not an employee, who supplies administrative/secretarial support to other business owners remotely or virtually; an independent contractor, a “solopreneur”, who is an administrative expert. Business owners and entrepreneurs who want to increase their productivity and grow their business can partner with a Virtual Assistant by remotely delegating their administrative tasks.
Whether you don’t want or don’t need a full-time employee, your Administrative Assistant is sick or on vacation or maybe there’s a special project that needs to be accomplished and you can use the extra help. A Virtual Assistant is a valuable resource for your business.
Most VA’s have years of administrative expertise, but are still constantly learning and developing new skill sets in order to compete in today’s ever evolving market. It is necessary to match their skills to the needs of their clients, working hand in hand to help their client obtain business success.
A small business owner, home-based entrepreneur, and independent professional, partnering with a VA can enjoy several cost-effective solutions. Several of the benefits of working virtually with an assistant are:
- A Virtual Assistant provides their own office space, equipment & supplies.
- A small business owner doesn’t have to incur the costs associated with hiring a salaried employee.
- There are no employer related taxes to be paid
- No benefit packages to buy
- No downtime or personal leave.
- Is available on an “as needed basis”
A small business owner has the choice to use a Virtual Assistant only as necessary for their business. A VA is under contract with the business owner, only for the time that is worked on a particular task or project. Partnering with a Virtual Assistant is the ideal solution to the overwhelming administrative tasks and projects that accompany the day-to-day routine of any small business.
