HOW CAN A VIRTUAL ASSISTANT ENHANCE YOUR LIFE:

October 22, 2007 | By Stacy | No Comments »

The largest misconception most business or individuals may have about virtual assistants is “are the going to save me money”? 

When you compare the wages of a virtual assistant versus your hourly or salaried employees, you will find that the virtual assistant’s hourly wage is generally much higher.  However, you are saving money from not having to cover cost such as rent for office space, utilities, payroll taxes, worker’s compensation and benefits (insurance, vacation, sick days, etc.).  Sure you can find a virtual assistant for $10.00 per hour and under, they are sometimes from another country offering less than stellar communication, English grammar or insufficient skills, in other cases their general services are usually poorly executed.

 

Are virtual assistants better skilled because they have completed a Certified Virtual Assistant Training Program?

 

This is a huge misconception.  VA Training programs do not enhance a virtual assistant’s skills as far as working on your projects, you will know exactly how you would like your projects to be cared out, the VA is there to assist you in doing just that.  Most Training Programs are designed to teach the VA how to run a VA business through marketing, networking, setting up shop, time management, etc.  VA Programs does not train the virtual assistant in career skills, only business ownership skills.  Now, taking classes in MS Excel or being MS Office Certified those are good training courses to look for in a VA.

 

Does using a VA means more work for me, because I have to tell the VA what to do and how to do it all the time?

 

In the beginning, you will experience having to spend a little more time showing your VA how things are done, like with any new employee.  Your VA should be skilled in most of the services you are seeking.  Therefore, the tasks that your VA has to learn won’t be that time consuming and the VA should have those new things down by at the very least after the second time performing a certain task.  If not, you may need to reconsider your chosen VA.

 

 

Will I be able to trust a virtual assistant with my confidential information?

 

Definitely.  Many virtual assistants are bonded and can get bonded.  Ask your VA to contact other clients they currently or recently had where confidential handling was involved.  Nothing says reliability like a first hand account from a paying client.  Your virtual assistant should be willing to provide you with these references, and if not, then you might have cause to worry.

 

I have a difficult time delegating, should I not use a virtual assistant?

 

This is when you should definitely use a virtual assistant.  Using little steps at a time can turn you into the master of delegation.  You want to make sure that in the beginning your VA is extremely competent and experienced to begin learning how to delegate projects ad hoc.  Start out small, and keep adding when you feel your VA has mastered what you’ve already delegated.  Before you know it, your time will be so free and can now start your next business venture.

 

 

Will I need to purchase any software or hardware that my VA needs?

 

This too is big misconception.  Your virtual assistant should be supplying their own software or hardware, unless you have any custom proprietary software that you use for your business.  Your virtual assistant is also responsible for purchasing a fax line, phone line and broadband internet.  Be cautious of virtual assistants that get you to pay for those things.

 

Knowing as much as you can about your virtual assistants is a great way to make certain that your relationship with a virtual assistant is the most successful it can be.  After all, a virtual assistant can greatly enhance your business and productivity.

  

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