I'm delighted to advise that long-time colleague and VA associate Anita Kilkenny has been engaged as the new Manager for VA Directory, as from today, 1st October 2020. Anita and I have actively worked together on a few committees and also co-founded both the Australian VA Conference and Australian VA Association together over 10 years ago. We have, very much, been aligned in our work in the VA industry both here in Australia and overseas. So it's very fitting that she should join me in … [Read more...]
Benefits of multiple clients
Despite the Virtual Assistant Industry being a good 20+ years of age, there are still people entering our industry with the wrong idea. Probably because there is so much misinformation out there. Which is a real shame, as it puts newbie VAs on the wrong foot to start with, and many potential clients also, when it comes to engaging support. I don't know how many times I've said it, but Virtual Assistants are self-employed owner/operators - running their own businesses. That is always how it … [Read more...]
Wondering how our VAs can help you?
I recently ran a poll on our VA Facebook Group and this is the result of the poll responses. This chart may change, over time, as more VAs join our group and respond to it, but I thought it might help you to see the types of things that can be done for you. It might even make you realise there is more that can be done for you than you thought. You may be wondering about the cost as well and that will vary considerably, depending on the type of work being done. Some will charge hourly, … [Read more...]
Virtual Assistants and COVID-19
I had the privilege of being asked to participate in a panel discussion with 4 other industry leaders, Ingrid Bayer, Liz Parker, Rosie Shilo and Susan Wilkin, here in Australia, being run by AAVIP. It was a great discussion, with all sorts of ideas on what VAs can do to help their existing clients, and potential clients during this global time of crisis, as well as keeping their own businesses operating and looking after themselves mentally and physically. I thought I would share my own … [Read more...]
With all this craziness – we’re still here!
The economy has gone crazy with what's happening around the world in relation to the coronavirus but I wanted to let our client base know that we're still here. No-one knows how this is going to play out but there are still businesses running, there is still work being done, and there are many of our Virtual Assistant team members ready and waiting to help you. Perhaps you need to get the word out to your own client base on what is happening, or what's not, but not sure how to go about it? … [Read more...]
Just because I provide admin support…
doesn't automatically make me an employee. So many clients out there assume that because Virtual Assistants provide administrative and other office based support, that makes them an employee. It doesn't. Even some accountants are advising this is the case. At least here in Australia. So important for you, whether you're a VA or a client, to understand what being a Virtual Assistant means, in Australia, the US, UK, New Zealand and other western countries. VAs are independent contractors … [Read more...]
Facts about the VA Industry
I recently read an article about the 5 challenges of a business hiring a VA. What it assumed was that when people are seeking offshore VAs, they want full time VAs from the Philippines. Not so, I'm in Australia, but if I'm working for a client in the UK, USA or another country, then I would be considered an offshore VA. And what was outlined in that article seems to really only relate to VAs in a particular region. VAs in the Philippines, and often other Asian countries, are mostly employed … [Read more...]
New things happening!
I've been going through a lot of new things of late. And have discarded old things. After 15 years with BNI, I left late last year. I was in need of something new. I felt like I'd learnt all I could and was looking for more, although I wasn't sure what. A few months earlier I'd joined a local Rotary Club and am their Secretary. I joined at the right time. Their former secretary had taken ill and couldn't continue with the role so I came along just when they had a real need. Since then I've been … [Read more...]
Never work for free
Just recently, on a couple of different VA forums, I've come across Virtual Assistants who have worked without charging the client. They had good intentions, wanting the client to become familiar with their work abilities and with the promise of ongoing work, but for different reasons (or perhaps it was really the same reason), the work was not ongoing and the VAs were down hours and no pay. This is my advice to all of you. NEVER work for free. The industry belongs to all of us and you'll … [Read more...]