Entries Tagged 'What is Virtual Assistance?' ↓

I read an interesting article on Salary.com about time-wasting employees. It was written several years ago but I assume the information is still current. The article says that America Online and Salary.com conducted a survey wherein the average worker admits to frittering away 2.09 hours per 8 hour workday.  A table of statistics shows the greatest percentage of time was wasted surfing the Internet for personal use and socializing with co-workers. 

What a great lead-in for marketing  the Virtual Assistant profession.  Visit the websites of VA’s and you’ll find they are an ideal solution for getting the maximum value for your dollars.  Sure, we drift off into cyberland once in awhile but we don’t charge our clients for that time. Visit http://www.salary.com/personal/layoutscripts/psnl_articles.asp?tab=psn&cat=cat011&ser=ser033&part=par1083 for more information!

A little shameless promotion as we head into a snowy weekend…..I’ve been profiled in a new book recently released by the Women’s Enterprise Centre titled “New Pioneers” Stories of 100 BC Entrepreneurs!!!

I’m very honoured to be included in the book  (although I won’t comment on the Pioneer reference but I’m really not that old) and congratulations to all  the other fabulous female entrepreneurs of BC also profiled in this book.

The stories in this book showcase the successes and challenges which BC women entrepreneurs have faced. The book also highlights the support these women have received from friends, family members, women’s business networks and business service providers. Check it out! 

We also had 15 seconds of fame in the Globe & Mail in an article about how great Virtual Assistants are.

Have a great weekend!

To subscribe to our “Virtually Working” newsletter issued January, April and September, email tana@virtualofficeservices.ca  or click on the newsletter icon at www.virtualofficeservices.ca

Expanding a bit on the topic of my last blog regarding the role of a Virtual Assistant, and what  the difference is between a Virtual Assistant and someone who provides ”virtual assistance”.  There seems to be very strong opinions around this question.  A Virtual Assistant is generally defined as an “online administrative/executive assistant” who is an entrepreneur and who “partners” with their clients to ensure the client’s business is successful. As an entrepreneur, a Virtual Assistant is able to offer helpful suggestions from their own experience to help ensure the client’s success. And, with years of administrative background, a VA can handle a variety of tasks as would an on-site executive assistant, but with cost-saving benefits to the client. 

“Virtual assistance” can be interpreted as being provided either by a Virtual Assistant….or by someone who has chosen to provide a more specialized service such as internet marketing, web design, or bookkeeping, but delivers their services online. It should be noted as well that although Virtual Assistants are usually generalists, there are some more experienced at specific tasks such as shopping carts or writing press releases and it’s this situation where a client may choose to work with several different VA’s for their expertise.

Those providing administrative assistance “virtually” can choose to be personal assistants available all day (or the hours they choose). Or, they can choose to work specifically with projects, i.e. newsletters, large Word projects, PowerPoint presentations, etc. so their working hours can be scheduled at irregular hours that fit deadlines and lifestyle. Or, the business model that we here at Tana Woodward & Associates - Virtual Office Services have adopted, which is to enjoy the best of both worlds.

In closing, I would re-iterate that whether calling oneself a Virtual Assistant, or someone who provides “virtual assistance”, the key is to provide services that meet the clients’ needs and ensures the happiness and success  of the service provider as well.

Great Virtual Tip for today: www.sendthisfile.com - Send large files free via the Internet

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Had an interesting in-person discussion with a fellow Virtual Assistant today whose latest client uses 3 other VA’s, each with specific capabilities and specialities.

Coincidentally on another blog saw an entry about using multiple VA’s and commented on it, which prompted a comment from another VA on the definition of a true VA, i.e. she felt a Virtual Assistant is a generalist and anyone providing only one service is not a Virtual Assistant.

I’ve seen this discussion on list groups before and to be honest I can’t remember the outcome or the general consensus but to my way of thinking, no one person can be good at everything. Therefore, a client truly gets their money’s worth by working with several different VA’s as they can rest easy with the knowledge that their tasks are being completed by a knowledgeable person who isn’t wasting the client’s or their own time trying to figure out how to do something.

It really doesn’t matter what one’s title is, efficient services that make the client happy and more productive in their own businesses is what’s important.

Great Virtual Tip for today: When you receive those forwarded emails with all the funny little marks - Go to Edit/Replace, type ^p (=return) and type ^t (=tab) in “replace”. This will convert every return to a tab.

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Thank you for stopping by to read my first blog post.  I’ve been a Virtual Assistant, a Canadian Virtual Assistant, I might add, for almost six years. During that time I’ve learned so much about conducting business, providing services and communicating with clients online (virtually). I’m sure most of you have heard of Virtual Assistants by now, a truly amazing service for any business to utilize on an “as-needed” basis.  And….we don’t take up any space at all! 

So back to all this knowledge I’ve gathered through the years. I think it would be a good idea to share with others some of what I’ve learned in hopes of shortening the learning curve for some of you and add a little efficiency to your life.

Blogging is a new experience for me and in the process of learning, within this blog I hope to share some tips, shortcuts, techy thoughts and to point you towards some great software available on the Internet that will make your virtual life easier.

I’m often asked for advice by new Virtual Assistants just starting out and I’m happy to help out. But this blog is written not only for other Virtual Assistants, but also for any e-business owner out there who runs their business using a computer, email and the Internet.

There is a wealth of information on the Internet that could take hours to research so I hope this little blog will become your resource for a quick tip or two to make your life easier.

Stay tuned for the first tip. Have a great day!

*To receive this blog in your inbox, please email tana@virtualofficeservices.ca