Comments on: Professional Virtual Assistants? http://vadirectory.net/blog/professional-virtual-assistants/ About the Virtual Assistant industry for VAs and for clients Wed, 28 Jul 2010 20:35:41 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 By: Di Chapman http://vadirectory.net/blog/professional-virtual-assistants/comment-page-1/#comment-83291 Di Chapman Fri, 11 Jan 2008 09:53:26 +0000 http://vadirectory.net/blog/?p=259#comment-83291 Great article Kathy and so true. I would like to take up on Helen Burne's comments regarding the UK Virtual Assistant Industry. There have been professional organisations in the UK since 2000. I co-own the Alliance of UK Virtual Assistants http://www.aukva.com which is a free resource site for experienced VA's and clients (opened 2000) and also own http://www.iceni-it.co.uk which is for new and aspiring VA's - again totally free and has just under 2000 members. We are just two of many organisations. I can think of 4 more off the top of my head. I also won awards when I lived in the UK for the promotion of the VA Industry - nothing as prestigious as Kathie's which is a real boost to our industry. The problem in the UK which I will own up to is that the organisations do not work together the way they seem to do in the rest of the world and I am trying to change that. I am afraid that is the UK mentality - we had our complete membership directory site stolen and put up by another VA as their organisation... That is not professional. If you don't want to join a UK VA organisation or can't find one, do what I have also done, join a US or Kathie's organisation. It gives you a great view on the whole industry and being virtual you can work for anyone anywhere. Sorry, I did not mean to hi-jack the thread but wanted to ensure you all that we are professionals in the UK and have been so since before 2000 we just did not know we had a name :). Great article Kathy and so true.

I would like to take up on Helen Burne’s comments regarding the UK Virtual Assistant Industry. There have been professional organisations in the UK since 2000. I co-own the Alliance of UK Virtual Assistants http://www.aukva.com which is a free resource site for experienced VA’s and clients (opened 2000) and also own http://www.iceni-it.co.uk which is for new and aspiring VA’s – again totally free and has just under 2000 members.

We are just two of many organisations. I can think of 4 more off the top of my head. I also won awards when I lived in the UK for the promotion of the VA Industry – nothing as prestigious as Kathie’s which is a real boost to our industry.

The problem in the UK which I will own up to is that the organisations do not work together the way they seem to do in the rest of the world and I am trying to change that. I am afraid that is the UK mentality – we had our complete membership directory site stolen and put up by another VA as their organisation… That is not professional.

If you don’t want to join a UK VA organisation or can’t find one, do what I have also done, join a US or Kathie’s organisation. It gives you a great view on the whole industry and being virtual you can work for anyone anywhere.

Sorry, I did not mean to hi-jack the thread but wanted to ensure you all that we are professionals in the UK and have been so since before 2000 we just did not know we had a name :) .

]]> By: Beth http://vadirectory.net/blog/professional-virtual-assistants/comment-page-1/#comment-83228 Beth Thu, 10 Jan 2008 20:51:18 +0000 http://vadirectory.net/blog/?p=259#comment-83228 I think this is a really great article. I was intrigued to hear that there are views by certain individuals who feel that VA's aren't professional. I have worked very hard on my business and I being professional is something I take pride in. I realize with websites such as Elance and other freelancing sites, it is very easy for the average joe to go bid on projects with no real expereince and that bothers me a bit. I will definatly continue to teach others about what being a VA is - a professional with integrity and a big heart! Thanks. I think this is a really great article. I was intrigued to hear that there are views by certain individuals who feel that VA’s aren’t professional. I have worked very hard on my business and I being professional is something I take pride in. I realize with websites such as Elance and other freelancing sites, it is very easy for the average joe to go bid on projects with no real expereince and that bothers me a bit. I will definatly continue to teach others about what being a VA is – a professional with integrity and a big heart! Thanks.

]]> By: Tara Fort http://vadirectory.net/blog/professional-virtual-assistants/comment-page-1/#comment-83129 Tara Fort Thu, 10 Jan 2008 00:23:19 +0000 http://vadirectory.net/blog/?p=259#comment-83129 I have been eager to start my VA business for the past 10 years, while working a full time job. I have finally structured my time differently and feel I can make an easy transition when I finally decide to leave my employer in the next 1-3 years. I am officially launching this month and have already landed a few new jobs. I LOVED your article, as I had been on-and-off discouraged with those who tout themselves as a VA because they have a computer and internet, as you mention. I have always considered myself a professional in my field, but I liked the global spin you put on the contributions we can make to the industry as a whole. My head is held high and I look forward to some great success for all. PS, I am going to check out the site Helen Byrne mentions in her comment -- I love it! I have been eager to start my VA business for the past 10 years, while working a full time job. I have finally structured my time differently and feel I can make an easy transition when I finally decide to leave my employer in the next 1-3 years. I am officially launching this month and have already landed a few new jobs. I LOVED your article, as I had been on-and-off discouraged with those who tout themselves as a VA because they have a computer and internet, as you mention. I have always considered myself a professional in my field, but I liked the global spin you put on the contributions we can make to the industry as a whole. My head is held high and I look forward to some great success for all. PS, I am going to check out the site Helen Byrne mentions in her comment — I love it!

]]> By: Helen Byrne http://vadirectory.net/blog/professional-virtual-assistants/comment-page-1/#comment-83078 Helen Byrne Wed, 09 Jan 2008 14:27:34 +0000 http://vadirectory.net/blog/?p=259#comment-83078 What a good read and I agree with your point SO MUCH - I have to shout about it. I just set myself up 3 months ago after 25 years of administrative and PA background in Manchester University working for an international research project management team. I wanted to be a VA for years but never had the backing. A Voluntary Severance Scheme and the University sorted that one out for me! I'm networking both online and face to face, and the biggest problem I find here in the UK is that so many business people are still blissfully unaware of the existence of Virtual Assistants. I was so frustrated I set up my own information page "for dummies" at http://www.PA-as-you-go.com. I hope this will generate some interest in the industry here in the UK before too long. What a good read and I agree with your point SO MUCH – I have to shout about it. I just set myself up 3 months ago after 25 years of administrative and PA background in Manchester University working for an international research project management team. I wanted to be a VA for years but never had the backing. A Voluntary Severance Scheme and the University sorted that one out for me! I’m networking both online and face to face, and the biggest problem I find here in the UK is that so many business people are still blissfully unaware of the existence of Virtual Assistants. I was so frustrated I set up my own information page “for dummies” at http://www.PA-as-you-go.com. I hope this will generate some interest in the industry here in the UK before too long.

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