Category Archives: Education
01/05/2013 Using a Virtual Assistant
Whether you are a small business owner, an internet business operator, an entrepreneur or simply a very busy individual, a virtual assistant can help you perform a number of daily admin support services that need to be performed and are fundamental to ensure your business and personal life runs smoothly and effectively.
When a virtual assistant performs the countless admin support tasks that are beneficial in our modern life; they offer the small business owner the opportunity of time to concentrate on their own business and life style. In many instances the VA is able to undertake the task asked off them at a cheaper rate than a full-time in-house employee or a temp service.
Admin Services, such as invoicing, collections, and credit control are available from virtual assistants. A secretarial service does not generally provide these types of services. However, a virtual assistant performs these and the services of a secretarial service, such as audio typing and data entry. Additionally, office services such as electronic filing may also be performed.
Other office admin services that must be performed in-house are not ruled out either. While most VAs work remotely, they are often willing to work on-site for a short period of time to complete admin services such as filing or other office services. It is always advantageous to speak to your VA and see if they are happy to provide admin support in your office.
Tags: Admin, Admin Support, business admin support, business planning, myPA, Small Business, VA, VA Training, Virtial Assistant, virtual assistant
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- Posted under Admin Services, Admin Support, Commumication, Communication, Education, Lifestyle, Virtual Assistant
08/04/2013 Manage Clients Expectations
A Virtual Assistant could work for a number of business clients at any one time, in a variety of diverse business fields. All Virtual assistants understand that their client’s time is not finite, nor is the time of a VA. Booking time for each client is one of the most important time management tools a VA utilises.
It is true to say, that small business can experience ‘feast or famine’ when it comes to the type of admin support they require from their VA. Consequently VAs will take work from additional clients to fill their time. This is when it is vitally important that you, the business owner communicates with your virtual assistant and let them know about the work load you have coming in, the amount of admin support you will be looking for in the next few weeks/months and how much of their time you will require. Be honest with your Virtual assistant and yourself; you don’t want to place yourself, or your business, in a detrimental position of having to work 15+ hours a day and put a strain on your virtual assistant. Being realistic about your expectations for your business and that of the services you require from your virtual assistant will ensure that you receive the best admin support you deserve and expect.
If you believe that a particular job will take your virtual assistant 3 weeks to complete inform them at the beginning of the task. Get their conformation about the time scales and delivery criteria.
Ensure that your virtual assistant is receptive to your time frame and be totally transparent about the work load. Don’t over promise and under deliver. At the start of the project ascertain the dead line and the importance of the project. Once you understand the importance of the project you are able to inform your virtual assistant that you will be looking for admin support for 3 weeks and book their time appropriately. Remember, if you book their time, they will be turning down other work, so you will have to pay them for the time you have booked.
If you have not sent your virtual assistant the appropriate documentation or information to start or continue with the project, be proactive and let your virtual assistant know, they could help you get the information together. Once you have the documentation ready and have sent it to your virtual assistant check with them to ensure they understand the task at hand and confirm the delivery and the time scales agreed upon.
To summarise, VAs would like to help every client as quickly as possible, but by the same token there comes a time when the VA has to say NO to clients with unrealistic expectations, don’t be one of them.
Tags: Admin, Admin Support, business admin support, business planning, clients, communications, myPA, Secretary, Small Business, VA, VA work, Virtial Assistant, virtual assistant
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- Posted under Admin Support, Commumication, Communication, Education, Lifestyle, Virtual Assistant
23/01/2013 It’s still snowing
I don’t get it, I love the snow. It makes me smile and want to run for my camera and become a prolific photographer. Watching me chase snowflakes is a sight to be seen. Being the first person to walk on new snow with only my footprints makes me smile. I wonder at the magic of it all.
So why, oh why, after two days does this love turn to hate? The beautiful snow turns to treacherous ice. I become paranoid about fall over and breaking an arm or a leg. I broke my writs a few years ago when I lived in a small village that had 1 bus a day. I felt so isolated and lonely, I expect that’s why I hate the ice.
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- Posted under Commumication, Communication, Education, Lifestyle, Virtual Assistant
