What is a VA?
A highly skilled professional working as an independent contractor, a Virtual Assistant (VA) uses leading edge technology to skillfully complete work assignments via the internet, email, regular mail and fax. A virtual Personal Assistant is a person who provides business and administration services from their own remote office. A Virtual PA is a person with extensive skill sets that range from diary management, data entry to document/audio typing and book keeping.
How does it work?
All work is undertaken from the Virtual Assistants own fully equipped office. Work can be received by meetings for local clients, though generally by fax, post, email, disc, or courier. Email in particular offers the convenience of unlimited data transfer and allows the client to be based internationally. When the work is completed it can be returned via email, post or posted directly to the addressee. Web-based tools such as instant messaging and net meeting, plus online calendars, are often used as a means of keeping in touch with your Virtual Assistant.
We have a wide-range of clients from all sectors of business - entrepreneurs, business consultants, solicitors, sales professionals, busy people and many more. Practically anyone who wants to focus more on planning the developing of the business rather than spending time on minor issues that usually require a lot of time.
Why would I use a VA rather than a professional secretary?
There are many reasons; here are some of the main ones:
- What happens when your secretary is ill or goes on holiday? Does the work just pile up until he / she gets back or do you take on a temp?
- No secretary could mean that your clients are left to simply wonder why they haven't heard from you
- If you call in a temp, how much does it cost? How long does it take you to train them up?
- Does your business have peaks and troughs? Perhaps you could really use some extra help when the peaks get too much for your in-house secretary to complete alone
- Do you ever have sensitive or confidential work that you feel uneasy about disclosing to anyone in the office? Send it to us and confidentiality is guaranteed
- If your business is growing successfully, you may be considering recruiting new staff. You can use us until there is enough work to merit this commitment.
- You use us only when you need us, and you pay only for the amount of time necessary to complete the work that is done.
How do we calculate the cost of using the service?
Most of our work is charged on an hourly basis; usually £15/hour. Remember! You only pay for the time it physically takes the VA to complete the task. E.g. a 1 hour transcription tape of good quality usually takes around 4 hours to complete. So this would be priced at 4 x £15 = £60. The best thing to do is contact us to discuss your exact requirements.
We need help with an urgent project, can you help?
Work will not be accepted unless we are sure the specified deadline can be met. If need be work can be done during the evening or at weekends to meet your deadline. However, that will affect the final cost of our service.
We need a PA to assist at meetings is this possible?
For companies based in Oxfordshire a service is offered whereby a PA will attend meetings to take notes or minutes which she will then copy up into your preferred format and distribute to those present at the meeting.
Completely. We will not at any time directly or indirectly divulge, disclose or communicate any information that you give to us. We will protect such information and treat it as strictly confidential.
What is the best way to get work to you?
Whatever way is most convenient, whether it be by post, fax, e-mail or courier. If confidential or important information we suggest that the work be sent recorded delivery. At your request work within a 10 mile radius of the Stanford in the Vale office can be collected.
If you have any further questions not answered here, please contact us.
