Why a virtual assistant can save you time and money
By Miki Petrusic
More
and more small business owners are becoming aware of the benefits of using a virtual assistant. Virtual assistants
(VA) are a growing group of mostly home-based business owners who provide a wide range of business services. A VA may specialise
in administrative, secretarial and bookkeeping services, or Web design, event planning, writing, graphic design or marketing.
There are very few limits on what business services can be offered.
Modern technology enables business owners to connect with virtual assistants cheaply and efficiently. Virtual assistants communicate and receive work via email, telephone, fax, instant messenger services, FTP, ordinary post and couriers, which gives you immediate access to as much help as you need, when you need it.
Virtual assistants are cost-effective
Cost-effectiveness is one of the major advantages of hiring
a VA. The real cost of hiring an employee can be up to two and a half times that employee’s salary, and many
small or start-up businesses simply do not have the resources to hire staff.
As VAs are independent contractors, not employees, you don’t pay them a regular salary or superannuation, workers compensation, overtime rates, holidays or sick leave. In addition, you only pay for the time a VA actually spends working on your project.
Continuity of service vs. temporary staff
When you hire a VA, you receive the services of an experienced,
skilled and committed professional. You also get the accountability and continuity of service that is not available
with temporary staff, and you do not pay any hefty temp agency fees or advertising costs.
Confidentiality or non-disclosure agreements
One question often raised by people who are considering
using a VA is confidentiality. They often wonder if their information and resources will be safe. This is an understandable
concern but often an unnecessary one.
VAs are in the business of helping you succeed and because their success ultimately depends on yours, it is in their best interests to hold their clients’ information in the utmost confidence. They want to build ongoing relationships with their clients and most are more than happy to sign a confidentiality or non-disclosure agreement.
What services can a VA provide?
There are thousands of VAs working in Australia and around the
world, and there are thousands of ways they can help you. Here is a brief list of tasks a VA can handle:
- Create, update and maintain websites
- Prepare PowerPoint presentations
- Set up and maintain databases
- Type correspondence and reports
- Transcribe from emailed digital audio files or phone dictation
- Create a corporate image for new businesses
- Design and implement office systems
- Design brochures
- Coordinate advertising
- Research a topic
- Update price lists and schedules
- Copy and distribute promotional CDs and DVDs to prospective clients
- Manage email accounts
- Set up and confirm appointments
- Invoice clients
- Organise files
- Answer telephones
- Organise travel arrangements, accommodation and car hire for business trips
- Proofread reports, letters and brochures
- Do bookkeeping and BAS Statements
- Create a monthly newsletter and distribute it to clients
- Buy and send gifts to special customers
A virtual assistant can run your office virtually, allowing you to concentrate on doing what you enjoy and on building your business. It really is a perfect win/win arrangement.
Miki Petrusic owns and runs Overload Solutions, a virtual office located in Sydney. Miki has more than 15 years of office management, customer service and secretarial experience and provides virtual assistance to a growing list of clients across Australia and internationally. Miki can be contacted at miki@overloadsolutions.com.au.