Frequently Asked Questions
Who can use a Virtual Assistant?
We can be thought of as "off-site contractors". We are able to provide secretarial services to anyone virtually - no matter where you live. You may be a consultant in need of a fresh set of eyes to format and proof read your document, a sole business owner lost in the world of formatting and spreadsheets, basically anyone in need of Quality Virtual Assistance.
01
How will I communicate with my Virtual Assistant?
Work is exchanged via email, fax, phone, mail or courier. If you have an event you need arranged, simply email, fax or phone through the specifications and your VA will do the rest. Your email inbox and diary/calendar can be set up and accessed remotely so your VA can keep you up to date with urgent emails and appointments. Documents can be easily saved to Dropbox or other Cloud application to save on email attachments - only you and your VA have access to these. Maybe you have a tape that needs transcribing? Just send it via mail or courier and your VA will do the rest.
VAs can be available outside of normal office hours, for urgent and last-minute assignments, but communication should be tempered by consideration; phone calls at 3.00 am are unacceptable!
02
Why should I use a Virtual Assistant instead of a temporary employee?
When you hire a VA you only pay for time and services you require. When you hire a temp, not only do you have to pay the agency fee but you also have to pay for the temp regardless of whether or not they are fully occupied and every time you hire a temp you will almost certainly get a different person, costing you money and re-training time. Unlike temporary employees, VAs take the time to learn your business and form a working partnership. VAs have a vested interest in your company's success: when you succeed, so does your VA. Furthermore, when you hire a VA you don't need to worry about finding extra space, furniture, equipment, superannuation, coffee breaks, sick leave, holiday loading or insurance cover. It is a win-win situation.
03
What are the benefits of hiring a Virtual Assistant?
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No additional office space or equipment needed
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Save on advertising, interviewing, hiring, training and development of new staff
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Save on agency fees
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Access to a highly skilled experienced professional who can 'hit the ground running' on your projects.
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Zero employment requirements such as office space, holiday pay, sick pay, workers compensation, insurance, lunch and coffee breaks, overtime, uniforms, superannuation, training, benefits.
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Exploit time differences - i.e. if you are based in the U.S. an Australian-based VA can work on your projects while you sleep!
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VAs can be available outside of normal office hours, for urgent and last-minute assignments.
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Only pay for the time spent on your specific project. You don't have to pay for a full day of work if your project only requires four hours.
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You don't need to be in your office all the time, access your VA via email, phone or tablet.
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You don't need to learn new software or programs - leave that to your efficient VA!
04
How will I, the Client, be assured the hours have been worked via virtual means?
Each invoice is submitted detailing the time allocated and work completed for each component of your project.
05
Will a contract need to be signed?
Clients are issued with a simple Service Agreement at the beginning of an assignment which can be signed electronically by both parties so there is no waiting for work to be done. The Agreement sets out the conditions and agreed rate plus anything else discussed for the assignment and is standard in the industry to protect both the Client and the Virtual Assistant. The Agreement includes a confidentiality clause which remains in place even after the work or project is completed. There are no long term lock-in contracts.