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Why
Choose a Virtual Assistant Versus a Temp?
by
Janice D. Byer, MVA
So
much to do… So little time. This
is an all to familiar phrase to so many people, especially
small business owners. There just never seems to be enough
hours in the day to get all the revenue generating tasks
done, not to mention the abundance of administrative tasks
that seem to always be piling up.
For
most, the only known alternative to doing the work yourself
is to hire a temporary employee. This has always been how
most have received help with their administrative overflow.
Well,
not anymore. Now you can get help with office tasks from
professional, self-employed Virtual Assistants (VAs).
But,
why would you choose a VA over a temp? Well, there are many
differences between the two… differences that we will
cover here and that will point out the benefits and advantages
of utilizing the services of a VA over the help of a temp.
1.Temporary
employees (temps) are just that, temporary. They're
here today and may be gone tomorrow. A VA, on the other
hand, is available on an ongoing basis or can be called
upon, at short notice, when an extra pair of administrative
hands is required.
2.VAs
take a vested interest in the success of their clients and
their businesses. VAs believe that the absolute
best job possible will not only help their own reputation
but will also help to build the client 's business. The
more successful the client is, the higher possibility of
more work needing to be done by the VA or more referrals.
A temp, however, may look at the assignment as just a means
of padding their resume or getting a pay check.
3.Training
and experience is also an issue when comparing VAs to temps.
VAs are generally those that have had many, many years of
experience out in the workforce. This knowledge, along with
any additional training and schooling, allows them to provide
a wide gambit of services, all of which they have had many
years to perfect. VAs also tend to be more apt to upgrade
their skills in order to provide their clients with the
most up to date and professional services that they can
possibly provide.
Temps,
on the other hand, may be those that are right out of school
with little or no 'on the job' experience, or those who
are simply looking for something to fill their time. Not
to mention, when a temp is hired, they have to be trained.
Now, if that temp is not available when the next assignment
crops up, another temp will have to be brought in and thus
more time is needed to train that employee. And so on.
4.Now,
let's look at the rate differences. Actually, the
two may seem similar in cost but not in other aspects. The
rate paid to the temp is actually split between the temp
and the agency that contracts them out. Then it must be
taken into consideration the time the client needs to spend
training the temp, the space used by him/her, and the equipment
that is needed and requires maintenance.
A VA
's rates, comparatively, help to upgrade equipment, software
and skills. This, in turn, allows for more and better services
to be available for the client. It also means that the client
doesn't need to worry about providing space and maintaining
equipment that a temp would need, which can get quite costly
when in the hands of an inexperienced employee.
5.The
next difference is to look at the types of clients that
temps and VAs are most likely to be contracted by medium
to large companies generally would call in a temp when they
have enough work to keep them busy for an extended period
of time or when the work involves specific duties that need
to be handled in-house (i.e. reception). However, these
companies may also have a need for the services of a VA
when they have an occasional project that requires immediate,
experienced attention or when they do not have the training
time or equipment available for a temp.
Small
business owners and SOHOs (Sole Owner Home Office) are most
likely to need and utilize the services of a VA as opposed
to bringing in a temp. The projects are usually varied and
may be far between or not enough to keep an employee busy
in-house. The completion of the project may also be hampered
by the lack of space and equipment that would be necessary
if a temp is brought in. It is unlikely they will ever use
the services of a temp and they are more receptive to the
idea of contracting a secretarial service.
6.VAs
charge for the actual work they do, hour for hour, whereas
a temp is paid for time worked and any time they sit idle,
waiting for more work or another project to do.
7.And,
unlike a temp who has loyalty to the agency they are contracted
through, a VA is usually an entrepreneur and works
with and for the client. As a fellow small business
owner, a VA has a vested interest in the success of their
client 's business.
Although
temporary agencies are more visible to the public, due to
their increased size and marketing budgets, they are not
the only answer to help alleviate the administrative overflow
for both small and large businesses.
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
|
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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
here for details.
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