5 reasons why you should hire a Virtual Assistant

First things first – what is a Virtual Assistant (VA)?

In a nutshell, a VA is someone who provides a range of business services to companies or entrepreneurs. They work remotely, usually on a freelance basis and can help boost productivity by taking on time-consuming tasks and offering expert support in areas that require skills which are not available in-house. Hiring a VA offers a win-win solution for small or risk-averse companies that are struggling to recruit or unsure about hiring someone on a permanent basis.

I read somewhere that the average worker is only really productive for 3 out of their 8 hour average work day. There is no doubt that productivity in offices can be questionable and anyone who has worked in one will agree that this number is very close to reality.

In my previous role, I was the first one to encourage a return to the office post-Covid. I felt it was important for momentum, team building etc… but the truth is, as nice as it can be to have a chinwag with your colleagues, when it comes to getting things done, you can accomplish a lot more at home without the stress of a commute, distractions from colleagues and of course the never-ending meetings that achieve very little.

For many people, myself included, job satisfaction now rhymes with freedom and flexibility – and from experience, those that have taken that step are happier but also consistently more self-motivated and productive. This little insight into my own decision to become a VA also explains why I believe this is a perfect, mutually beneficial solution in today’s workplace.

But now, back to our subject – here’s why you should consider hiring a VA:

1. It’s cost effective and requires no long-term commitment: VAs work on an hourly, daily or monthly rate depending on your requirements. You may have a monthly retainer in place with the option of giving each other a month notice to terminate the contract. There is no complicated recruitment or employment admin involved as they are freelance. Also, as they work remotely, there are no overheads such as desk space (how expensive is a single desk in London??), equipment or other company benefits.
   

2. No need for micromanagement or ongoing training. VAs are usually skilled, experienced and organised. Every entrepreneur starts out aiming to be successful in business but that does not mean that the responsibility of managing people necessarily appeals. Your VA might be able to help there too by the way.
   

3. You can outsource time-consuming tasks This will allow you to focus on what matters to you, whatever that may be! You might want to spend more time on strategy, but you might also want to start a new hobby, enjoy your friends and family, travel and all that priceless stuff.
   

4. Your VA can support your growth By bringing additional expertise you may not have such as marketing, sales, social media, events etc... Your VA can also help you stay ahead of your competitors by conducting research, collecting and managing data. I personally aim to keep upskilling; it is in my interest as a service provider to keep stacking skills and make myself invaluable to the businesses I work with.
   

5. They'll help keep your customers happy No matter how passionate you are about your business, this may or may not be your forte. It may be as simple as having your VA keep your inbox under control, something we all know can be easier said than done during busy times. Your customers need professional support, reasonable response time and consistency. If you do not make time for that, your business will fail in the long run. I’m sure anyone would agree that there is nothing worse as a client than being ignored, intentionally or not.

That’s it, I’ve made my case.

Whether you’re already sold a need a little more convincing, give me a call or drop me a message, I’d love to have a chat to discuss how I can help!