Virtual assistants, otherwise known as VAs, are trending right now, and likely will be for the foreseeable future. They provide a multitude of services to businesses in varying industries, without having to be hired as a permanent employee. The business of freelancing is growing popular, as it allows people to essentially, be their own boss, and gain experience and work exposure in whichever field or line of work they so choose. This is a major win for the business as well. They don’t have to onboard a new employee, provide extended benefits or healthcare coverage, consider overtime pay or employment insurance (EI) and they aren’t responsible for training.
Each VA differs in what services they offer and specialize in, what types of businesses they work for or their client base, and whether they have only themselves to complete the work, or if they have a team of people to help them. Now that the word is out about VAs, more people are transitioning from their trade or career, to work from home, or wherever, and earn a sustainable income at the same time. It’s a great option for people who want to earn a bit of money on the side of their day job as well.
So why exactly are businesses hiring VAs? Let’s get into it!
There are experts everywhere
Since most companies are still based out of a brick and mortar storefront, it can be hard to find the best of the best, when your search is isolated to one area. It immediately begins cutting your options in half and makes it difficult for businesses to interview and make exceptions based on who’s available.
As a VA, you don’t have to live in the same city, town, state or even country, as the business you are providing work for. You only have to have a solid internet connection and the means to provide the service for which they are hiring you. This is a new method of business, and has had some pain points when it comes to businesses that have always done things the “old fashioned” way, but it is just as, if not more, effective.
When you outsource your work to a VA, you’re able to interview hundreds of applicants from all over the world. This gives way for people with more experience, more training and who might fit your company better.
You don’t have to worry about hiring someone based on their personality and how well you think they would fit in with the company, since they work on their own to complete tasks and aren’t working from a shared office. You can rely on them solely based on their experience and education.
Cost reduction
What business isn’t trying to reduce costs? Earnings are generated through purchases and investments in the company, but you also have to consider necessary expenses and taxes, which takes out a giant portion of the earnings. When you also factor in things like overtime pay or time and a half, employment insurance, worker’s compensation, extended benefits and healthcare, it can get pricey to hire just one employee, let alone an entire office.
Having someone that can work from home, is responsible for their own training, and is able to work based on a contract, as opposed to being hired as an employee of the company, is definitely one way to save big time.
Businesses are often weary of outsourcing because trying to find someone trustworthy can be a bit challenging. Plus, as we mentioned, it’s more of a new way of business, and can take some time to get used to. However, it is something that is weaving its way into the business world and growing in popularity each day.
Bye bye micromanaging
Micromanaging is the worst! It takes away from your productivity as a boss, and it honestly just takes a lot of energy out of you. VAs are wired to be independent and do their own thing. You, as the business owner, have to trust that they will come to you with any questions or concerns, but that they will get the job done on their own, with little to no assistance.
Considering that most employees require a large amount of attention when they first begin training, and sometimes even afterwards, this can be a big change. However, when you already have about 400 other things that you have to get done, putting the energy you’re no longer using to micromanage people, can be a huge improvement.
Of course, you’ll still have to provide instructions and be there if the VA has any questions or needs to check in with you. But as a business owner or client, you are able to spend more of your time focused on other tasks and propel your business forward towards its goals.
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