So what is a Virtual Assistant?
A Virtual Assistant (VA) provides administrative support and specialized services to businesses, entrepreneurs, executives, managers and other busy people. They are highly skilled independent contractors who make use of the advances in modern technology to complete assignments via the Internet, email, floppy disk or CD. Traditional methods such as regular mail and overnight courier are also used.
Virtual Assistants are available whenever you need them, but, unlike a temporary employee, guarantee you the same great service, from the same dedicated people every time without the problems associated with employing staff.
The majority of Virtual Assistants have many years’ experience as senior secretaries or personal assistants and who choose, for a variety of reasons, to operate as a Virtual Assistant, Virtual PA or Virtual Secretary.
New Resource:
Until now, most resources for Virtual Assistants and their clients have been very US based. The industry is well established there with many forums, training courses and start up guides available for new start Virtual Assistants. However things like taxation, starting up in business, phone companies, postal services, and computer programs are all completely different in the UK.
Clients usually prefer to use a local Virtual Assistant who will understand their business and be in the same time zone.
So to help new and established Virtual Assistants in the UK a new organization, Society of Virtual Assistants (SVA) has been formed. Starting as a Scottish based organization, www.scottishvirtualassistants.co.uk , we have now expanded to include all UK assistants as www.SocietyOfVirtualAssistants.co.uk
Key Virtual Assistant Facts:
* Future Trends For E-Business states “Working practices will change significantly over the next 5 years and there will be more virtual collaboration and more virtual companies.”
* In Scotland small enterprises, employing under 50 people, comprised 98% of all enterprises and over 20% of businesses in Scotland employ less than 5 people
* All of this means the Virtual Assistance industry is one of the fastest growing industries in the UK – an estimated 20,000 and growing!
For clients:
The SVA offers:
* A database searchable by skill-set
* Full contact details of all Virtual Assistants
* All Virtual Assistants listed in the directory adhere to a strict code of conduct so you can be assured that your Virtual Assistant will perform to the highest standards.
For Virtual Assistants:
The SVA offers:
* Member resources
* Free website listing
* Help with starting a Virtual Assistant business
* Online networking forum
* Advice, tips and help for new & established Virtual Assistants
By: Caroline Melville
About the Author:
For further information please visit http://www.societyofvirtualassistants.co.uk or email: info@scottishvirtualassistants.co.uk Written by http://www.virtual-writer.co.uk
Leave a Reply