A virtual assistant is a professional who works remotely, providing administrative services to an executive; this kind of assistant is also known as a virtual executive assistant, though the two positions are not always the same. It is noteworthy that while the term “virtual” might create an impression of mere fiction, virtual assistants are real people working remotely. New technology such as voicemail, e-mail, and scheduling software have diminished the need for a dedicated executive assistant and created an attitude of ‘I don’t need help’ amongst executives.
Why You Should Consider a Virtual Assistant
A virtual assistant becomes relevant when the business strategies are hampered by the amount of time spent on administrative work. Business people and managers often attempt to cut costs by performing most activities themselves.
Signs You Need a Virtual Assistant:
- Sales begin to stagnate
- Customers complain about the quality of services delivered
- Failure to follow up on sales leads
- Employee turnover increases
- Lack of organization of sales, customer, and financial information
- Delays in invoicing
Roles & Responsibilities of a Virtual Assistant:
- Executive Administration
- Sales and Marketing Support
- Back-office Operations
- Personal Life Tasks
- Specialized Skills
The Cost of Hiring a Virtual Assistant:
- The kind of working relationship preferred
- The degree of quality assurance needed
- The level of training and management you are willing to offer.
Contract Virtual Assistant Agency Expenses
This means that you can hire a virtual assistant from an agency of your choice; they look for long-term contracts and the prices are based on monthly rates. While most U.S.-based agencies offer services at between $30 to over $100 per hour, offshore agencies may offer services as low as $20 per hour.
The process through which individuals recruit virtual assistants:
Outsourcing your virtual assistant is cost-effective and fits well with cost issues and a model of operation that is appropriate for your business. Each hiring method comes with its own set of risks and benefits:
- Direct Hiring
- Using a Contract Agency
Managing a Virtual Assistant
Virtual assistants fall into two main categories: Virtual assistants fall into two main categories:
- Unmanaged Assistants: They work under your supervision and headship of all their activities.
- Managed Services: The responsibility that the service provider has involves control and management of the same.
Kindly apply this guideline to identify the sort of work that you need to be delegated, the kind of interaction you desire to have with your assistant how much direct supervision is needed for the work to be directed and for how much money you are willing to pay.