Virtual Heroes: The Growth of the Virtual Assistant

Building and expanding a business is a difficult task, when the management of the business in its existing form takes up much of the time. The administrative, office-based and creative tasks behind running a business, although time-consuming and often repetitive, are vital to the continued operations of the business. With the explosion of opportunities on the Internet, and moves towards a global economy, an extensive range of businesses is finding that they can greatly benefit from the help of a Virtual Assistant.

Definition of a Virtual Assistant

Virtual Assistants (VAs) are independent, trained professionals who provide support in terms of administrative, office, creative, technical, managerial and personal. Their skills and talents can be focused on carrying out various important daily and weekly tasks for clients, working on projects or campaigns, or even as far as becoming vital partners in the running and operations of companies. VAs work on a contract basis and from their own premises, using the very latest in electronic and advanced methods of communication, allowing them to cross geographical boundaries without issue.

The Skills and Services of the VA

VAs' are professionals who have been trained and gained experience in areas, roles and companies that are directly related to, or expressed in the services that they offer. Their skills cover a large range of office-based activities, including secretarial, administrative, creative, marketing, research, organisational, book-keeping and accounting, and specialist secretarial services for legal and medical firms. Tasks that a VA will carry out include word processing, audio typing, proof-reading, article and newsletter writing, spreadsheet & database management, diary management, events organising, travel arrangements, Internet research, web design and marketing campaigns.

Conveniences to the Client

The need for, and convenience of VAs is growing rapidly, with small and medium sized businesses looking to outsource more and more of their tasks, for various reasons. They are ideal for clients who are not in a position to afford a new staff member, or looking to engage in one-off projects over fixed time scales where a new and permanent member of staff would be expensive and impractical. The client also benefits from not having to worry about employee benefits, holiday and sick pay, pensions, space, equipment and other items related to permanent members of staff.

Geographical Coverage of the VA

VAs enjoy and offer the benefit of being relatively unrestricted geographically. Clients have been known to utilise services of VAs located several miles from them, even in different countries. Electronic mail, fax, telephone and the Internet allows for assignments and projects to be completed between the client and the VA, without suffering issues that can occur with being unable to meet, differences in time zones and excessive amounts of paperwork.

Growth of Virtual Business Opportunities

The world of the Virtual business is growing and expanding into other areas of business. At one time, the virtual world was used as a support tool for the other business operations that took place in the physical world, but recently there has been a sharp increase in companies who are choosing to operate the majority of their business online. Examples of business types that are maintaining a solely online presence are Law Firms, Managers, PAs, Market Researchers, Auditors, Florists, Journalists and Real Estate firms. This list is by no means exhaustive, and is rapidly growing.

Summary

'Virtual Assistant' is still a relatively new term in the business world, but the profession is taking shape rapidly. More and more businesses are realising the benefits of using a VA, and appreciate the advantages of being able to delegate tasks out to an individual who is already trained and experienced, flexible, and will only charge for the work done and time taken. With so many skilled and varied Virtual Assistant services out there, finding one to match your business should be a piece of cake!

Michelle Payne-Gale, owner of Essence Business & Admin Support Services, specialises in Virtual administration, Marketing, & creative support for start-ups and growing businesses. Additional articles are available at: http://www.essence-services.co.uk. View the Essence blog at http://essence05.blogspot.com. She is also an active partner in the creation of a new Caribbean tourism website, http://www.stay-in-antigua.com.

---

How to Think Like a Headhunter to Find Your Dream Job!

In this ever changing world, we need to think out of the box to get ahead. This true for anything you do in life. If you want... Read More

Taking Charge During An Interview!

Perhaps you've found yourself in the position of seeking a new position due to a layoff, cutback or downsizing and are now facing the interviewing process. As... Read More

How to Deal With Workplace Inflexibility

You've been a model employee: responsible, industrious, creative and productive. You've gone the extra mile time and again, with a smile.Now you have a family.Quite reasonably, you... Read More

Fact or Opinion?

"You ain't going nowhere, son. You ought to go back to drivin' a truck." What if Elvis believed this Grand Ole Opry manager's critique after his l954... Read More

Networking is the Key to Star Performance in Everything You Do.

Many people's idea of networking relates to the 'size of their Christmas Card List, rather than the quality of their relationship with each person on that list.... Read More

Ask For That Raise!

For nine years Jeff worked for company G as an engineer. Flying airplanes was his first love. His job came in a close second place. That changed... Read More

The Pros and Cons of Telecommuting - As Seen Through The Eyes of a Seasoned Telecommuter

Janelle Delacorte has been happily answering calls for the Home Shopping Network and various infomercials since November 2004.Several nights out of the week she tucks the kids... Read More

Ode to a Spoon

"Happiness is not having what you want, but wanting what you have." --Rabbi Hyman Judah Schachtel (1907-1990)I have to admit it, I love spoons. I love their... Read More

Applying for a Job in Another Country? International Resumes

Is an International Resume still a Resume? This is a very common question among those looking for work overseas for the first time. When you contact companies... Read More

How To Create A Winning Impression In Your New Job

Congratulations! You've just been appointed to your new job. Now the real work begins.It is important from the beginning to convince your new employers that, in selecting... Read More

The Interview - A Few Tips for Making a Great First Impression

Searching for employment is one of the most nerve-racking activities to engage in. As if the direct need for income is not stressful enough, the process of... Read More

Stop Whining and Ask For What You Want!

When you want something, the best way to get it is to make your request in a straightforward and positive way. You should not expect your boss... Read More

Change Your Career, Change Your Life

Change Your Career,Change your Life!Lots of times I see and talk to people who are tired, bored and burnt out of their current jobs. I'm not sure... Read More

Are Your References Ready?

One of the most common forms of background check performed by companies hiring new employees is the reference check. They typically request that candidates provide them with... Read More

Your First Job

"Your first job is an extension of your education"Fresh out of college. Loads of dreams. A whole new world waiting to be explored. And you are just... Read More

Get A New Job - Career Choices

Career change is tough but rewardingThere are a number of reasons why people might be due for a career change:? They don't like their current career. Maybe... Read More

Chicken Soup for Job Seekers

Do you want to change your job but don't know the right way to go about it? Are you vacillating between waiting for your dream job or... Read More

Get In Career Shape

Research suggests that as many as 8 out of 10 employed adults are in the wrong job or career! They are in poor career-shape or have little... Read More

Your Interview Questions Are a Serious Matter

Of course interviews are mainly about you answering the questions they put to you, but at the end of your allotted interview time, the questions that really... Read More

Corporate World: Jungle Or Paradise?

The road to the top is not easy, it is bumpy and dirty. Along the way, we meet interesting creatures. There are seasons in life when we... Read More

3 Secrets to Landing a Home-Based Position

Landing a telecommute position isn't easy. Finding them in the first place is like looking for a needle in a haystack. Then, when you finally do find... Read More

5 Tips for Customizing your Resume

Gone are the days of the bland, generic one-page resume. Employers these days are more impressed by a resume that is customized and they tend to give... Read More

The Case For Internships

America may be the Land of Opportunity, but this is also the land of the Big Trade-Off. Sure, you can have that nice house, but you're going... Read More

Where Do I Go From Here?

Making Your Future Work Better For YouIt's the commonest concern people have about their careers. Where am I heading? Is this the right direction for me? How... Read More

Five Fabulous Resume Tips for College Grads (or Anybody)

Fluffy clouds. Chirping birds. Green trees. Colorful flowers. It's springtime! All of these things bring thoughts of joy and serenity to most people, but to you, dear... Read More

Getting the Job thats Right for You

I'm the type of person that considers a healthy, enjoyable job alot more valuable than a high paying one. This may be as foreign a concept to... Read More