As the Virtual Assistant industry gains increasing interest and more and more clients come on board, many VAs have taken to sub-contracting work to other VAs in order to cope with sudden workload increases. This is a good sign that things are picking up, but there are some things that all VAs should take note of. If you use a contract for clients, then you should do the same with the sub-contracting VA. Set boundaries or ground rules - be clear about your expectations and don't leave it to … [Read more...]
The Importance of Networking… or putting your eggs all in one basket?
As I meet more and more business owner/operators the thing that tends to separate the successful from the not so successful, it seems to me, are those who understand the value of networking. Many talk about it but not all walk their talk. Being in business means having to do more than just supply services or products to clients, but rather it is important to make connections, get to know people, and let others know about what you have to offer. After all, we are the best salespeople for our … [Read more...]
Real Virtual Work
I live in Australia and manage a team of Virtual Assistants (VAs) that are in 16 countries altogether, so quite a widespread team. I've recently been doing a survey of my team with respect to the job requests that come into our team via my office, or via one of the team members. One thing that is noticed with many of the job requests that are placed - so many of our prospective clients still perceive the need for a VA to be located close by so they can physically meet them - and often the type … [Read more...]
More on ‘cheap VA labour’
Google Alert brings some interesting snippets in from time to time. Today there was an advert placed at Craig's list for a Virtual Assistant (Php9k-Php15k) so I went to investigate. Have a look at what this American businessman wants - someone who will work his hours, 8-10 hours a day, six days a week. That's 192-240 hours a month. And for that he claims he will pay "good wages to highly qualified, hard-working individuals, including bonuses on any new business we develop together". I did the … [Read more...]
Challenges and Hindrances
Regular readers know I belong to LinkedIn, which is a very large international professional business network. I have met so many people there and have been able to secure new clients for my team as well. It's been a great group. A new connection asked me some questions and I thought they were so good, I would add them here. I told him I was curious to know why he asked but I answered all the same. He's a professor of Finance and Economics so it's most likely professional curiosity and/or … [Read more...]
Spring is in the air and that means…
... clearing out the clutter!  In the southern hemisphere we are in the middle of springtime, the flowers are beginning to bloom, birds are waking us earlier in the morning and I'm growing aware of the clutter around me. Perhaps in winter we feel it necessary to have 'stuff' around us, to close us in, keep us warm, but when Spring arrives I want to shed off the extra weight (so I'm watching my diet more and trying to exercise regularly), shed off the hot clothing and get rid of the clutter … [Read more...]
$5 an hour VA
Recently I became aware of a promotion for a chapter of a business networking group, promoting the 4 hour work week and using $5 an hour VAs. Whilst I know this book has held the interest of a lot of people who want to work less hours and still make the same or more amount of money, I really do get disturbed about the promotion of $5 an hour VAs. The reality is that a lot of the people doing these promotions know little if anything of the VA industry and they've picked up on something that … [Read more...]
Do you have a product or service for the VA Industry? Then read on…
Over the past few months I've had a number of approaches from people who have developed a product or service that they want to promote to the Virtual Assistant industry. Sometimes it's clear to me that they don't understand the VA industry at all and after discussing their product or service and our industry, they go away again - back to the drawing board. Other times they come at it with a focus from their country only - they forget our industry is global not nationally focused. If you're … [Read more...]
Brenner Research on VA Industry
Many of you will know that Brenner's have done industry reports on the VA industry. Their most recent one has left out vital information relating to a good portion of the VA industry - those located in Australia, New Zealand and other countries. If you've not previously participated in the survey this year then I encourage you to please take a few minutes and fill out this survey - there are a total of 10 questions, some with multiple choice answers. Click Here to take survey … [Read more...]
