THE PROS AND CONS OF BEING A VIRTUAL ASSISTANT

There are a number of benefits associated with running your own business, among them:

Being your own ‘boss’.

• Determining how long and when you will work.
• Avoiding rush hour traffic and the daily commute.
• Devising the strategies to enable your own company to grow.
• Having the support of family and friends.
• You plan your working time to suit you.

There are a number of potential pitfalls, among them:

• Dealing with a solitary working environment and the need for self-reliance.
• Having family and friends understand that because you work from home doesn’t necessarily mean you are available.
• There is no longer someone to pay you if you are ill or taking a holiday.
• Establishing your business and finding your clients.
• Not having the support of family and friends.

Overall success is measured on an individual basis because the definition of success is very personal. Sometimes this can come down to the base element of earning sufficient money to pay the bills and, for others, it is the satisfaction derived from taking charge of your life and having the independence to move forward in your own way.

WHAT DOES A CLIENT THINK A VIRTUAL ASSISTANT IS?

The answer to that question is as individual as the client. The achievement of a positive working relationship with a client is based not only on your capability to deliver the client’s requirements, but also your willingness to supply the services required to meet the client’s needs.

There are many misconceptions about what a Virtual Assistant can offer the business community today, not least of which is that a Virtual Assistant is a glorified Temp that you can’t see! In reality, Virtual Assistants support sole traders, SMEs and corporate clients with specific projects on a short or long-term basis and that’s one of the things that make a Virtual Assistant very cost effective.

In particular, many small businesses are missing an opportunity to outsource work to a Virtual Assistant. A Virtual Assistant provides business people with the opportunity to remain focussed on their prime objective - generating revenue for their business.