Virtual Assistants are Revolutionizing the Way Business Services are Delivered, Everywhere
Article by Frances Palaschuk
The Media’s Virtual Assistant Survey found at http://www.vanetworking.com/survey conducted by VAnetworking.com gives us a deeper insight into the virtual assistance industry, which has experienced tremendous growth in 2008. The mysteriousness behind the term virtual assistant has been replaced with intrigue and fascination. To professionals such as speakers, author’s, business coaches and online business owners – having a virtual assistant has become main-stream. Small scale businesses are able to achieve large scale growth and higher sales volumes simply by outsourcing to a virtual assistant. Business Services etc., http://bsetc.ca, a virtual assistant company in Canada was able to increase a clients’ subscribers list by 4,000 and generate ,000 in sales over the same 4 month time period.
With the shift in the global economy and the pressing environmental issues facing the world, the general consensus is on conserving both money and energy. Not only does the virtual assistance industry contribute to the conservation of both of these global factors but it also allows professionals to leverage people and strengthen systems and resources.
In a localized business environment there may be one person who is responsible for the daily operation of the administration and marketing. What happens when that person is not seeking or given the opportunities to network with peers and enhance their skill sets? It is vital for businesses to be able to assess their options and participate in marketing activities such as social media marketing.
It is customary for a virtual assistant to explore multiple social media and traditional marketing strategies and implement these into their business successfully and those of their clientele. This practice is both extremely cost effective and yields noteworthy results.
The general mindset of a virtual assistant is typically technical in nature. Because they work virtually their whole foundation is built around technology. Every major breakthrough online contributes more and more to their success. The affects of social media tools such as blogs, facebook, and twitter have been profound.
The 3 key areas that have experienced significant growth within the virtual assistance industry in 2008 are:
1. Collaboration/Leadership/Professional Development
Take for example the milestones achieved by the leadership of Tawnya Sutherland at VAnetworking.com, with over 10,000 members worldwide this association reached its fifth year anniversary and won 1st place in the Startup Nation’s Baby Boomers Back in Business award. Providing training, mentoring, and networking opportunities for both new and aspiring virtual assistants.
And as stated by Erin Blaskie of BSetc.ca, “2008 saw the emergence of more multi-VA Teams”. Virtual Assistants that offer clients a “one stop shop” are building solid teams and implementing comprehensive project management strategies that enable them to effectively service multiple clients. Michelle Jamison, founder of MJVA.ca a multi-VA company in Canada has been in business since 1998 and authored a book titled, “The Virtual Assistant’s Guide to the Multi-VA Business” which shares everything Michelle learned and everything one needs to know in order to create a successful and fulfilling multi-VA business.
Seasoned virtual assistants and others who specialize in Internet Marketing are developing niche specific training and coaching packages designed towards educating newcomers to the profession and coaching them to success. Like Mary-Lou Ashton of Virtual Strategies, vatp.ca, who has been a pioneer in the Virtual Assistant profession in Canada since 1997. She provides coaching services to virtual assistants through her coaching business Vision to Action. Also, the VA Coach, TheVACoach.com, Erin Blaskie offers a variety of solutions for new and seasoned virtual assistants in both group and self study training formats. And for those looking for industry specific training in Internet Marketing and Social Media the VAclassroom.com, founded by Craig Cannings offers an affordable and comprehensive certification program.
More and more industry specific Forums and Conferences are presenting hands on development opportunities for virtual assistants. Barbara Lang, of Virtually Anything-Administrative Services, virtuallyAnything.ca, started the Forum on Virtual Assistance(FoVA) in 2008, which presents virtual assistants with the opportunity to exchange ideas and information and gain valuable insight in facilitated discussion groups and workshop formats. This event was so well received that FoVA 2009 is a highly anticipated event within the industry.
2. Tools/Technology
Social Media Marketing and web based collaboration tools and software have totally transformed business. Having the ability to connect real time with such tools as twitter means that we are able to reach out to millions of people. Managing multiple projects with virtual work teams using web based project management systems such as Basecamp, Skype, and a variety of Google tools is a snap. Not to mention how productive and easy it has become to track time across multiple projects and give clients the ability to log in from virtually anywhere to view and pay their invoices seamlessly with tools such as Freshbooks.com. Armed with the knowledge, passion, and desire for success entrepreneurs such as Kathie M. Thomas, an Author, Blogger, Speaker and Virtual Assistant Coach & Trainer, who founded A Clayton’s Secretary, vadirectory.net, in 1994, are able to achieve successes such as gaining a spot on the Top 100 Australian Blogs list. Also, Danielle Gu
