Virtual Assistants, What They Are and What They Do. BY MOMAC 18/01/2018

 

As I am starting out as a virtual assistant, I have been doing a lot of research and some of things I have found are quite astonishing!

A lot of people have never heard of a Virtual Assistant, people that have heard of them do not really understand what a Virtual Assistant does.

A Virtual Assistant is a self-employed person who can carry out tasks such as administration, bookkeeping, marketing, website creating, plus a whole lot more (so it really is worth checking out Virtual Assistants as there will be something they can help you with) usually from their own home, as they are self-employed, they can save businesses time and money.

 

Some people think Virtual Assistants are stay at home mums, not that there is anything wrong with being a stay-at-home mum, I was for the first two years with my son, I wish I could have afforded to stay at home longer so hats off to all Virtual Assistants who are stay at home parents. Yes, I did say parents as that was something else, I found that a lot of people think Virtual Assistants are women.

 

Virtual Assistants come from all walks of life, offer a wide variety of services and have vast knowledge and experience.

 

A lot of local advertising companies do not have a section for Virtual Assistants which means that to get your advert on the company listing you have to pick the option closest to a Virtual Assistant unfortunately sometimes the option is not always what people would look under for a virtual assistant.

 

From my experience with the Virtual Assistants that I have connected with they are friendly, kind and helpful even though they knew I was setting up a business in their industry.

 

Hiring a virtual assistant can lead to significant long-term benefits that positively impact both your business and personal life. Here’s how:

 

1. Sustainable Growth

With a virtual assistant managing routine tasks, you have more time to strategize and focus on long-term business goals. This allows for steady and sustainable growth over time.

2. Stronger Business Foundations                                         VA's can help establish efficient systems and processes, such as organizing workflows or setting up automated tools. These foundations improve your business's operational efficiency for years to come.

 

3. Consistent Brand Development

By outsourcing specialized tasks like social media management or content creation, you can maintain a consistent and professional brand presence. This builds trust and recognition over time.

 

4. Improved Decision-Making

With a VA taking care of time-consuming responsibilities, you can dedicate more attention to analysing data, exploring market trends, and making informed decisions that shape the future of your business.

 

5. Long-Term Cost Efficiency

Hiring a VA often costs less than hiring full-time employees. Over time, this cost-saving strategy can free up resources to invest in other areas, such as technology upgrades or business expansion.

 

6. Retention of High-Quality Talent

Building a lasting relationship with a skilled VA means you can rely on their expertise and knowledge of your business. This continuity reduces the time and resources spent on recruiting and training new team members.

 

7. Personal Growth

Delegating tasks doesn’t just enhance your business—it can also free up time for personal growth. You could use this time to expand your skills, network, or simply focus on improving work-life balance.

 

8. Resilience During Change

With the flexible nature of VAs, they can adapt to changes in your business needs, helping you weather unexpected challenges while maintaining productivity.

 

 

 

 

Working with virtual assistants (VAs) offers many benefits, but like any professional arrangement, it can come with challenges. Here are some common hurdles and ways to overcome them:

1. Communication Gaps

Since most VAs work remotely, there can be misunderstandings due to unclear instructions or infrequent updates. Establishing clear communication channels (like email or project management tools) and regular check-ins can resolve this.

 

2. Time Zone Differences

If your VA is in a different time zone, coordinating schedules might be tricky. Setting clear expectations around availability and response times can ensure smooth collaboration.

 

3. Trust and Delegation

Some clients find it hard to delegate tasks, worrying about quality or control. Building trust over time and starting with smaller tasks can help you feel more comfortable.

 

4. Onboarding and Training

While VAs are skilled, they still need to learn your business's specific processes and preferences. Investing time in proper onboarding and sharing clear, detailed guidelines will make their work more aligned with your expectations.

 

5. Technology Barriers

Different tools or software might not always be familiar to your VA. Ensuring they have access to the necessary tools and providing brief tutorials can help overcome this.

6. Measuring Productivity

Tracking the progress and productivity of remote workers can sometimes be challenging. Using task management tools like Trello or Asana helps you keep track of deliverables without micromanaging.

 

7. Alignment with Business Goals

If a VA isn’t aligned with your vision or priorities, their work might not meet your expectations. Regular discussions about goals and feedback can keep everyone on the same page.

 

8. Cultural or Language Differences

Working with an international VA may lead to challenges in understanding cultural norms or language nuances. Patience, open communication, and mutual respect are key to navigating these differences.

 

Tips to Overcome Challenges

•Draft a detailed task list and set clear deadlines.

•Use collaborative tools like Slack, Zoom, or Google Drive to streamline communication.

•Provide consistent feedback to help your VA improve and align with your preferences.

Addressing these challenges proactively can lead to a smoother working relationship and unlock the full potential of your VA. Would you like to dive deeper into any of these points or include solutions in your blog?