What is a virtual assistant?
…..A Virtual Assistant (VA) is a person that remotely
(by way of the internet and utilizing the latest technology) can
provide services that assist with personal or business
organizations.. A Virtual Assistant may be a self-employed home
working freelancer OR a small company made up of a group of Virtual
Assistants that either work from home or a centralized office. As
new and improved technology becomes available, Virtual Assistants
will adapt and take advantage of them to become faster and more
efficient and, therefore, provide a more economical and effective
service to their customers.
Although services are delivered in a virtual way,
Virtual Assistants, where required, also make themselves available
to meet with the clients that they work for, as personal contact is
important . The need for contact, at times, will allow business
relationships and trust to be developed.
Most people think VA's are individuals who provide
secretarial services, contact services, administration services -
BUT the list is endless, you name it, they can do it! They are
dedicated, skilled and professional people who are driven to succeed
to make a powerful and dynamic impact on your business.
Virtual Assistants are the future…..
…..The use of Virtual Assistants is inevitable as
more companies rationalize their workforces due to the technological
advances seen in the arenas of computing and communications. The
ability of an individual to complete the work of many is becoming a
reality in the workplace. The efficient use of computing power and
modern telecommunications will overtake the need for large
workforces to complete clerical, administrative functions from
monolithic office blocks.
As computers become cheaper to acquire, access to the
internet becomes free and telephone connections to the ISP's becomes
free, work will be more likely to be completed from home. This will
reduce the numbers of hours that need to be spent on work,. The cost
to the employer will reduce as office space and equipment is not
required. Virtual Assistants services allow business owners to get
the help they need with their administrative tasks while they
concentrate on generating revenue.
The benefits of utilizing the services of a VA are
tremendous. The specialties of VAs are varied and can include
everything from word processing to database creation to website
design and so much more.
Links:
Administration/Virtual Assistant Organizations:
http://www.cvac.ca
Canadian Virtual Assistant Connection
http://www.aaa.ca/
Association of Administrative Assistants
http://www.iaap-hq.org/ Int’l
Association of Administration Professionals
http://www.adminassist.ca Resources for
Administrative Professionals
http://www.va4u.com/assistant/ VA4U.Virtual
Assistant for You
http://www.vanetworking.com/ Virtual Assistant
Networking Association
Resources:
http://canadabusiness.gc.ca/gol/cbec/site.nsf Gov’t of Canada for Small Business
http://canadiansearch.ca/ Cdn. Search.ca for for Products, Services
http://strategis.ic.gc.ca/engdoc/main.html Gov’t
of Canada Strategis Site
http://www.cbsc.org/ibp/home_en.cfmation Gov’t of Canada Interactive Busi. Planner
http://www.canadabusiness.ca/gol/cbec/site.nsf/en/index.html
Gov’t of Canada Services for Business
http://www.canadapost.ca/business/default-e.asp Canada Post
http://1canada411.sympatico.ca/ Canada 411 for Business or People
http://www.mapquest.com/maps Mapquest Home
http://ezinearticles.com/?id=332768 Ezine Articles OnLine
http://sbinfocanada.about.com/gi/pages ABOUT: Small Business Canada Newsletter
