Virtual assistant or VA is commonly an executive assistant who performs from a home office. They are independent contractor that provides a wide range of tasks from their own place, these tasks are administrative, technical or other businesses services to clients through networks. Due to growing technology, virtual assistants are in demand now. VA works in a contractual basis, because of that you don’t have to pay them the same benefits as with the full-time employee.
The virtual assistants typically had five years of experience with administrative tasks in an office environment or work as an office managers, office supervisors or even executive assistants. Virtual assistants in business has increased because of different reasons. Mainly due to technology growth where in most businesses are using computers with high Internet speed and document sharing. Another reason is that the skills of VA is more competent and they have different knowledge in administrative duties. Other tasks that VA can do are Industry Research, Product Research, Calendar Management, Event Planning, Backlink Building and other various tasks.
The benefits in hiring a virtual assistants are no need for office space, furniture, materials or even training for virtual assistant because they usually knows the nature of your business and they have the knowledge and skills for the job. Aside from that, you only pay them for time on task and you don’t have to worry about benefits to pay like in dental, medical and vision care. As stated earlier, virtual assistants are independent entrepreneurs so you don’t have to think all the taxes, insurance and besides no sick, vacation and holiday time to pay. With VA, payments depends on the workload you only pay the work accomplished at the alloted time if there is no finish work there is no need to pay them. Unlike with the full-time employee where you have to pay them with or without completed work, in VA you only pay them with finished task.
You have freedom to continue or stop the services of a virtual assistant when the project has done, there is no restrictions to abide if you choose to hire a VA. Once the project had completed, you can end their services and when the time you need them again you can hire them once more. One of the essential benefits from hiring a virtual assistant is that your files or other important information about your company are secure and no instances of stealing valuable documents of your company because your virtual assistant and you are not working on the same site that is why you can keep them from doing such things.
Another benefit of having a VA is that you will be able to save a lot of money because you don’t have to worry about its health insurance, taxes, and other benefits like in full-time employee. Aside from that because virtual assistants have a broad experiences in their craft and they are professionals when it comes to your businesses, they can support and help your company with the services that you deserved.
REFERENCES:
http://www.freelancemom.com/Freelancing_SD3.htm
http://www.kinsites.com/va-benefits.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virtual_assistant
http://homebusiness.about.com/od/homebusinessglossar1/g/virtual-assistant-def.htm
http://www.investopedia.com/terms/v/virtual-assistant.asp#axzz1qCjEF5l9
http://www.virtual-assistant-answers.com/virtual-assistant-definition.html
http://smallbizpro.hubpages.com/hub/The-Benefits-of-a-Virtual-Assistant