Virtual
Assistance = Higher Productivity
by
Janice D. Byer, MVA
Running
any office can be challenging, even in the best of circumstances.
Whether the company is a small business or a large corporation,
as it grows so does the amount administrative tasks that
need to be carried out on a daily basis.
For
some companies, all that is required to alleviate the overload
is to empty the in-boxes, file the paperwork and clean off
the desks. For others, prioritizing assignments can help
to get most of the work performed in an organized fashion.
However, some of the projects may still remain unattended
to.
Bringing
in part-time or temporary employees is one way to get these
assignments done, but only feasible if there is a steady
flow of work, enough to accommodate an extra staff member
and the additional wage. Not to mention, you would have
to supply space, equipment and training time for this additional
person. You could also try doing the administrative chores
yourself but this would interfere with spending more time
on your revenue generating activities.
The
best solution to help ease your office overflow, without
breaking your budget or having to provide space and equipment,
is to hire a virtual assistant (VA).
These
highly trained professionals work from their own offices.
Most have had many years of administrative experience and
can usually take on any assignment with little or no training
from you. VA's specialize in various fields, from word processing
and resume preparation to database management and website
development.
But,
generally, an off-site assistant can help with almost any
office task that requires completion.
Hiring
a VA provides you with numerous benefits, not just the fact
that they are already trained and that they have their own
equipment to work with, but also that they are available
whenever you need some help. This allows you to save money
by not having an office member that is being paid to sit
and wait for work to do. You pay the VA on a 'time on task
' basis.
They
also take care of their own expenses, which again saves
you the money that you would normally have to spend on benefits,
source deductions and lost time wages.
Most
VAs are self-employed entrepreneurs, and unlike a staff
member, they have a vested interest in the success of your
business. They work with you to help you keep up and to
grow. To most, it isn't simply a 9 to 5 job, but a career
choice that they take great pride in.
Most
VAs have local client lists, but are also able to assist
'from afar '. By using any of the communication devices
available today (ie. phone, fax, email, etc), projects can
be accomplished without ever having to meet face to face.
And, with the growing ease of the Internet, finding a VA
almost anywhere in the world is quite simple to accomplish
as well. By simply typing 'virtual assistant ' into any
search engine, you can locate the one person who can take
some of the load off of your shoulders.
Whether
you are a home-based business who needs a website developed,
a small business that is looking for a way out from under
the paperwork or are part of a large corporation that has
an extra assignment that no one seems to have time to do,
a Virtual Assistant can be the answer to your problems.
They can be your sounding board and offer feedback and advice
when a fresh perspective is needed.
Janice
Byer is a certified Master Virtual Assistant and owner of
Docu-Type Administrative & Web Design Services (http://www.docutype.net).
Visit her website to read more of her articles, sign up
for her award-winning newsletter, and browse her various
services, testimonials and resources.
| How
to Become a Virtual Assistant
|
 |
Virtual
Assistance is a rapidly growing industry.
A
Virtual Assistant provides administrative support
to local and long-distance clients via the Internet,
telephone, fax, and email.
This book will give you a roadmap to start your Virtual
Assistant Practice.
Click
here for details.
|
|
How
to Start a Secretarial Business |
 |
If
you have typing skills and want to type from home,
check out the Secretarial Business-In-A-Box, a start
up kit that makes it easy to start a secretarial business.
Click here for details.Click
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