learn ::
This page will always be evolving as I find new bits of information to add to it. It's purpose is to provide my clients, potential clients, + lurkers with general information about the profession of an Administrator (virtual or otherwise). I hope you find the contents of this page interesting, + if you have comments or suggestions on anything you read here, please let me know!
general information on virtual assistance ::
What is a VA? What's the difference between a VA + an employee? These are important questions for you to understand the answer to.
The Virtual Assistance Chamber of Commerce has this to say about what a VA is:
- A Virtual Assistant (or VA) is a service provider who specializes in providing administrative support services and works with clients in an ongoing, collaborative, professional relationship.
- Virtual Assistants are business owners who work from their own offices and utilize today's technology to deliver their services and communicate with clients.
- A Virtual Assistant's support is foundationally administrative, secretarial, and clerical in nature. However, many Virtual Assistants offer additional specialties that fall under creative and technical services.
- Virtual Assistants come from a variety of business backgrounds, but the single-most important qualification to become a Virtual Assistant is at least five (5) years administrative experience earned in the real (non-virtual) business world working in upper level capacities such as administrative assistant, executive assistant, secretary, legal assistant, paralegal, legal secretary, real estate assistant, office manager, etc.
- From this level of experience, a VA is expected to possess the skill sets, training, and business knowledge which are the hallmark of a truly qualified Virtual Assistant.
What is the Difference?
A Virtual Assistant is an independent professional who is in the business of providing ongoing administrative support to business owners. As administrative experts, they can also help you streamline your business and instill systems and processes to improve your workflows and cost-effective operations. While Virtual Assistants do a lot of work that is similar to what an employee would do, it’s important to keep in mind that since they are not employees, there are going to be differences in how you work together.
You want to think of Virtual Assistants as administrative consultants. When you hire a Virtual Assistant, you are hiring an independent professional who runs her own business. That means, unlike an employee who is paid a salary to be solely dedicated to you and your business, a Virtual Assistant has other clients besides you to take care of. Virtual Assistants are also not paid a wage; they set their own professional fees, and have their own business policies, procedures and systems for working with clients.
The very best way to create a successful, mutually respectful relationship with a Virtual Assistant (and avoid costly liability due to worker misclassification) is to understand that you are a client to your Virtual Assistant, not an employer. That means you understand that:
You want to think of Virtual Assistants as administrative consultants. When you hire a Virtual Assistant, you are hiring an independent professional who runs her own business. That means, unlike an employee who is paid a salary to be solely dedicated to you and your business, a Virtual Assistant has other clients besides you to take care of. Virtual Assistants are also not paid a wage; they set their own professional fees, and have their own business policies, procedures and systems for working with clients.
The very best way to create a successful, mutually respectful relationship with a Virtual Assistant (and avoid costly liability due to worker misclassification) is to understand that you are a client to your Virtual Assistant, not an employer. That means you understand that:
- Your Virtual Assistant runs her own business and sets her own rates, hours, policies and procedures;
- You won't be managing or supervising her or him, or the work, in any way;
- Your Virtual Assistant doesn't "report" to you in the way that an employee would (e.g., reporting for duty, submitting time sheets, etc.); and
- You as the client have the right to control or direct only the result of the work performed by your Virtual Assistant, and not the means and methods of accomplishing that result.
