With office overload and high overhead costs, companies are looking for ways to stay competitive in the business world.
But thanks to the rise of technology, many work alternatives that streamlined operation and productivity have developed, and proven to be quite revolutionary.
Over the years, outsourcing has been uncovering opportunities beyond geographical limits, even offering a solution for language barriers in international business.
Yes, we’re talking about virtual assistants; your highly economical but fully skilled remote workers. This outsourced help has been making waves and continues to grow in size, totaling a staggering market size of $2.48 billion in 2022.
In this article, we will weigh in on the virtual assistant versus personal assistant. And breakdown all the reasons why these virtual allies are essential business investments.
Adding to our long list of virtual match-ups that includes CHATGPT vs human virtual assistant; we take a closer look at the similarities and differences between a virtual assistant and a virtual personal assistant.
Let us start by saying that these two remote professionals couldn’t be more alike, and totally different from each other.
While that may sound a bit confusing, both a virtual personal assistant and a virtual assistant are trained to handle administrative work, though they’re not limited to such activities as answering phone calls or setting appointments. They are very much capable of doing a full range of work outside their usual comfort zone.
Yet despite the palpable likeness of these job titles, they stand at contrasting positions at certain factors such as working environment and employment type. And we’re going to help you sort out each important point, so you can decide which offshore worker is best for your business.
A virtual assistant is a trained contractual worker who offers support to an entrepreneur or a business. VAs work remotely, usually from home, which means their employers have never met them in person. The points of contact are done online through collaboration tools such as Google, Basecamp and Trello.
But though virtual assistants mostly handle administrative tasks, their responsibilities are highly dependent on the needs of their employers and what industry they work in.
Alas, what makes a virtual assistant such a perfect addition to your growing team, especially as a startup, comes down to cost reduction, productivity and flexibility.
Virtual assistants are the most efficient alternative to your costly in-house hire. And if you think, being highly economical downgrades their output, you’re wrong. These remote workers get paid for the time they work, which means every penny is spent on productive hours.
Basically, a virtual assistant supports the daily operation, so you can get back to doing high-value business tasks.
With the continued ascent of the virtual industry, it may seem like virtual services are omnipresent in the business ecosystem.
All virtual assistants bring a variety of skills and experiences to the business table. That said, the sky is the limit when it comes to what VAs can offer.
The following are some of the most in-demand virtual services, supporting businesses of all sizes.
Just like a virtual assistant, a virtual personal assistant is a trained professional who provides administrative support and other business-related activities on behalf of an individual or a company, remotely.
In recent years, the role of a virtual personal assistant has been making rounds in the digital sphere, as more and more entrepreneurs are becoming increasingly aware of the benefits of hiring a VPA, including cost-effectiveness and flexible working arrangement.
In the same manner, as a virtual assistant, personal virtual assistance services vary from the different business industries.
For instance, a personal assistant working in a publishing house may be tasked to proofread documents and publish data on a weekly basis. On the contrary, a PA in a legal industry wouldn’t be asked to do the same.
To get a better grasp on the role of a virtual personal assistant, below are the typical offerings of personal virtual assistant services.
A missed call is a missed opportunity.
A virtual personal assistant can answer calls and take messages. They will be the first point of contact between you and the stakeholders.
In this way, you get to concentrate on leading the business without ever missing a thing.
Inbox zero sounds nice but a busy boss such as yourself will have a hard time scrolling through your massive email, especially if you have multiple accounts.
Luckily, personal virtual assistance services can help you get through this very time-consuming task, sorting out your emails and flagging urgent messages that require immediate attention.
Though not as time-consuming as managing your inbox, setting appointments still needs time and your utmost attention.
Personal virtual assistance services can stir you away from overbooking your schedule, making sure no important event gets out of your attention.
Business research is an important process that allows a company to point out threats and opportunities. Through research, a company can tackle issues more appropriately, and come up with a better decision.
From industry trends to competition, your virtual personal assistant can gather data, helping you keep up with the major developments in your industry.
Not just conducting research, personal virtual assistance services tend to presentation preparation which includes creating the visuals and slides and even crafting informative demonstrations.
Oh, what is business without making connections?
In making sure your planned business trip goes smoothly, you can ask your virtual personal assistant to arrange every detail of your travel.
From booking the best flights to renting the cheapest transportation, a skilled VPA knows the ins and outs of the industry, laying only the best options that suit your preference and budget.
Are you perhaps looking for a new housemaid? Do you need to make a purchase at your favorite bookstore? Or do you need to book an Uber for a family gathering?
No worries, your virtual personal assistant can arrange it all for you. They can go through options, schedule interviews and even make the payroll.
Whatever you need outside the office, personal virtual assistance services deliver.
Perhaps, the biggest difference between a personal and virtual assistant is primarily concentrated on their respective responsibilities.
A virtual assistant’s primary focus is on the administrative tasks of the business operation while a personal assistant takes a step further by handling a variety of tasks, including the personal needs of the employer.
Yes, you heard that right.
As the name suggests, a personal assistant doesn’t only take care of the repetitive tasks in the office. They can also attend to your personal needs that require tending.
If you’re having a hard time choosing between a virtual personal assistant and a virtual assistant, just imagine all the perks of having either one of them.
Eliminating distractions. Better Productivity. More time for the important stuff. Being your own boss.
Let’s be honest, who would pass on these amazing benefits?
Either way, you can never go wrong, because both of these remote workers can get you ahead of the pack and a step closer to the realization of your business goals.
Virtual personal assistants and virtual assistants are necessary business investments that will make your working life easier and more fun, but most importantly highly effective.
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