When I tell people what I do for a living, I get the usual “Oh, what does a Virtual Assistant do?”. So I start to explain all the things that I can do to help someone with their business. It can sometimes be a long list of small tasks that people often think are easy to do. Things that a business owner can do themselves. So why hire a VA then? I’ve been thinking, how do I answer this question so they understand the value a VA can provide? Here is what I came up with.
You are a small business owner and your business is doing well. Up until now, you have been pretty good at keeping up with the administrative tasks. Now you are getting busier and you find yourself working late at night to catch up on the things you don’t have time for during the day. You want to be able to spend your time attending to your clientele. But as your business grows, your work/life balance is becoming unbalanced. You want a solution that will not only give you back your time but also give you the confidence to focus on the things you want to focus on. You want a solution that will not break the bank at the same time?
Option 1 – Hire a part time employee:
Advertise the position, interview candidates, get background checks, onboard and train, provide them with the proper tools and space to do the job, software licensing, payroll and possibly benefits. A lot of work goes into hiring an employee and with it comes extra expense.
Option 2 – Partner with a Virtual Assistant
Yes, it’s true you will still have to advertise or put out an RFP (request for proposal), interview, get references, onboard and train. However, a Virtual Assistant comes with many advantages and cost savings. Most VA’s will have a specific skillset or a list of services they offer. You can advertise your need with a list of what you want to hand off and there is a VA who can provide exactly what you need and more. Your VA will have their own tools and their own office. You now have a partner who is working towards the same goal as you; to make your business run efficiently and cost effectively, freeing up your time to focus on your clients and growing your business. The only expense is a monthly invoice.
Virtual assistants come with some crazy skills.
In the corporate world, I was an Executive Assistant. As an EA, I developed organizational and project management skills, customer service expertise, and have become very tech savvy (my favourite). As a VA, I can partner with most anyone and put the professional spin on a project that a small business owner may not have the time or skill to do themselves. It’s like having a multi-tool in your back pocket always ready when you need.
Even better, at BKM our clients get two for the price of one. Karen and I work on all projects together so that we are always there to back the other person up. You are never without your virtual assistant because one of us will always respond to your needs.
In the current climate, we need people who can help virtually. VA’s are that resource. There are always reasons to hire inhouse. For those who want to reduce costs and work with a skilled partner, a VA just might be the solution. Have you worked with a Virtual Assistant? What areas of your business would benefit if you partnered with a Virtual Assistant? Check out this article on 47 things a VA can do for you.