What is a virtual assistant
WHAT IS A VIRTUAL OFFICE ASSISTANT
Virtual Assistants are highly skilled, independent professionals, working outside of
traditional corporate roles and utilizing the internet and other emerging technology
to customize their own work environments. As the role of the internet and its effect
on the business community evolves, what once had to be done in a traditional
corporate office can now be done in one’s home, in satellite offices or while travelling.
Likewise, the role of the traditional administrative assistant is changing. What once
had to be done by a corporate secretary can now be easily accomplished by a
seasoned “virtual” professional, working out of their home or home office. Work
assignments and communications are handled through e-mail, telephone, fax,
overnight mail and on-line communications, eliminating the traditional overhead
associated with conventional office support. Because the virtual assistant is often an
independent entrepreneur, they better understand the needs of the small business
professional. They recognize that many small businesses are either unable or
unwilling to pay the full-time costs associated with traditional administrative support.
And they recognize that time is valuable and offer the assistance needed to boost the
client’s own productivity by handling many of the more routine administrative tasks
of the business. Virtual Assistants also can provide a wider variety of services than
the traditional administrative assistants, often incorporating desktop publishing, web
page design, internet research, writing or other specialty skills into their available
services. Because of this broad array of services, the virtual assistant is particularly
valuable to small business owners, or those desiring personal assistants to help with
less traditional tasks. It also allows the virtual assistant to specialize in the areas they
find most interesting.