Two of the biggest concerns of small and medium enterprises are cost and time. Entrepreneurs deal with menial daily functions that keep them from focusing on the work that matters. They know they need help to alleviate the workload. Unfortunately, they lack the resources to hire a full-time employee.
Feeling stuck? Your way out is a virtual assistant—your most economical solution to manage admin distractions and earn more time for core tasks.
Using VAs as a business strategy is killing two birds with one stone.
A virtual assistant is a professional who provides business-related services to clients from a remote location. This range of expertise includes administrative work, customer support, content creation and accounting.
We have worked with virtual assistants everywhere, and we can firmly say that they are real game changers. Why?
For one thing, VAs can reduce costs significantly, saving you up to 78% of operational expenses in a year. With them, you don’t have to pay for rent, office equipment, utilities and compensation benefits, limiting outlays to pay-for-the-service-you-use.
Now, let’s directly compare the costs of remote workers to traditional office employees.
When recruiting onsite full-time workers, you have to consider the costs of bringing them in. Recruiting employees involves a series of steps and protocols that are all time-consuming. In business, you know too well that time is money.
Additionally, full-time staff require a central workspace and hardware to operate. Apart from their monthly fixed salaries, you pay for benefits like health insurance and paid holidays.
There are also the expenditures on training to get them acquainted with the company policies and their specific roles. All of these add up fast to the costs of employees.
If you’re a startup or a small business owner, you might not have enough resources to hire one. This leaves you juggling tasks all day.
A virtual assistant hired through a reputable VA agency like VAV allows you to bypass the lengthy and expensive recruitment process. You can get immediate help without the classical burdens of traditional hiring.
Remote professionals provide their own equipment and tools to deliver their services on time. They are proficient in remote management software to streamline tedious business processes.
VAs operate in a pay-per-service pricing model. They offer flexible contracts where you’re not obligated to pay for benefits. You can also negotiate regarding the tasks to be carried out and their availability.
When it comes to training, most VAs don’t require one. They already have the skills necessary to complete your tasks, which is why you’re hiring them in the first place. They won’t just eliminate the costs for training but also save you time. This means starting right away and doing more productive work.
Here are 8 of the most crucial administrative tasks that you can easily delegate to your VA in North America:
Whether you’re running an online store, planning events or coaching, setting appointments is part of your day, and it’s tedious. The good news is that you can outsource this task to a remote assistant so you can focus on your actual job and stream more revenue.
Your online assistant can integrate your calendar with modern applications to automate the process. This way, you can update your schedule and get instant notifications, reducing costly no-shows.
One of the most basic yet important admin tasks is answering the phone. You don’t want your customers getting mad when they can’t reach you, right? Someone has to answer their emergency calls, but you don’t have to be that someone.
Outsource to a virtual assistant and let them take questions and handle complaints round-the-clock. With them on the line, you can free up your time and have peace of mind that someone capable is catering to your clients.
Organizing a pile of receipts and invoices into the balance sheet requires brain power. So, if you’re constantly getting pulled into 10 other tasks, you’re vulnerable to costly mistakes.
In all honesty, many small business owners can’t afford to hire an in-house accountant. But by outsourcing to a bookkeeping VA, you can effectively handle your meticulous financial records. These remote professionals can help you track expenses, monitor accounts receivable, send invoices and pay contractors.
Are you conducting market research? Medical research? Whatever type of research you’re working on, they’re all time-draining, yet all too important for your success.
So, how can you best alleviate research activities?
Entrust your research to a virtual assistant. They can help you with competitor analysis, trend research and regulatory requirements. By gaining valuable insights, you make informed decisions and come up with a big sales pitch!
Your online store generates data every day. Now, our question is, who takes care of them when you’re busy with clients and product development? Data feels more like your enemy.
Delegating to a remote professional can be your ultimate solution to maintain accurate data. From marketing to sales, your VA ensures you have the right information you need when you need it to make the best decision.
As a business owner, one of your most difficult tasks is turning leads into buying customers. You’re in a dilemma here—you don’t want to neglect existing customers and chase after the new ones. However, if you don’t get new clients, you can’t grow your business.
Overcome this challenge with a lead generation virtual assistant. They’ll handle the lead generation activities so you can continuously connect with your potential leads and not lose focus.
Your inbox can be your greatest foe if you leave it for days in total disarray. Between replying to an important message and following up on clients, email traffic can be relentless in keeping you from mission projects.
With a virtual assistant in charge of your email inbox, you can reach inbox zero and respond promptly. These remote workers know your business tone and where your priorities lie. They can offer dedicated assistance that values your brand.
Part of being a boss is flying to places to meet clients and potential business partners. However, as a business owner, don’t bog yourself down with flight, hotel and transportation details. Your attention should be on closing the deal.
Outsource to an online assistant and travel in comfort without losing important business hours.
Partnering with a personal virtual assistant is like dating. You have to put in the time and effort to build a solid relationship with them.
And like relationships, effective communication is needed; you can’t expect your VA to be able to read your mind, correct? They don’t know what you like and how you work unless you tell them.
Establish a partnership with them that allows both of you to thrive, and here’s how you’re going to do that.
No rush; take your time and interview several VA candidates before committing to the one. Get a good grasp of their personality and values. The point is to find someone whom you can trust and who is a good fit for your needs.
Your virtual assistant is not just someone who carries out all your tasks. They’re not employees, but partners. Therefore, you should treat them as one. Talk to them openly and give them creative freedom.
By collaborating with them willingly, you’re instilling a sense of accountability in their work. With ownership, they’ll be more invested in the company’s goals and be more successful in their role.
We all slip up, even skilled virtual assistants. But instead of getting frustrated and coming down hard on them, breathe and offer constructive feedback. Make them feel your desire to find solutions and support them.
With patience and understanding, you can inspire your assistant to openly communicate and go the extra mile.
What was the reason you hired your VA? Oh, because they’re capable. In that case, trust them to do their job and avoid hovering like a fly on the wall.
Set clear expectations and give them time to work their magic and enjoy their creative freedom.
Micromanagement is a productivity killer on both sides. So, whenever the impulse to nitpick every little thing comes, remind yourself that you have a skilled assistant.
North America thrives with a verdant and dynamic business landscape, offering vast opportunities. Then again, success in this part of the world demands an understanding of cultural nuances and regulatory challenges.
Business regulations in North America vary from one state to another, including taxation and data privacy.
Employers must meet data security standards like HIPAA and ensure fortified security channels via security controls, data encryption and continuous training.
For remote working, take time to understand the provisions on remote work and make the necessary adjustments to your workflow to stay compliant.
Before hiring VAs, create clear and concise remote policies, providing clarity to your remote professionals.
Remote work in North America faces different tax rules. There are states like California that tax remote workers, regardless of whether they perform their duties outside the state. This might mean that employers may be required to withhold taxes.
The same thing applies to the workers in Canada and Mexico, which is why business owners should be mindful of cross-border regulations.
North America has a keen focus on diversity, inclusion, innovation and employee engagement. It drives entrepreneurs to build inclusive cultures and take advantage of a diverse talent pool to explore new ideas and spark innovations.
This makes sense since North America is a pretty diverse region where people don’t only speak English but also French. In fact, North America has more than 6 million native French speakers, making it the third most spoken language on the continent.
In business, trust has always been paramount. So, when you put in the effort to speak their tongue, trust is created. This strategic approach offers a competitive edge in a market that prioritizes diversity.
Outsourcing a virtual assistant in North America can be your most economical small business solution for cutting costs and enforcing effective time management.
By partnering with a remote professional, you reclaim lost time and concentrate on strategic activities. Ultimately, you get to flourish in a fulfilling work-life harmony.
Consider passing on your time-consuming administrative tasks to a skilled VA with our help. Our team offers remote administrative support that can adapt to your changing needs.
Connect with VAV today and explore our quality virtual assistant services!
