The Virtual Assistant Solution: An Explanation Of What It Is and How It Can Help Your Business

• April 18, 2023

It’s no secret that successful business owners, executives, and even sales representatives focus their energy on truly high-value activities and get support doing everything else.

Hiring a virtual assistant (VA) will give you more time to focus on growing your business, developing new ideas (and acting on them), mentoring your staff, and strategizing. And the lightened workload improves your quality of life outside of work, too (yes, it is possible to have a life outside of work)!

So, are you ready to hire an assistant and unleash your business and your life?

Here’s what you need to know:

Signs You Need a Virtual Assistant

If administrative tasks are getting in the way of doing high-value work, the solution is simple: invest in a VA.

Do any of these challenges sound familiar to you?

Things falling through the cracks
Lack of time and energy
Your business is stuck
Your day is filled with time-consuming, monotonous tasks.
Lack of time to do high-impact activities such as strategy, product development, new marketing approaches, business development, etc.

If yes, then it’s time to hire a VA.

“The best investment in your own productivity, bar none, is a direct assistant who will handle your schedule and hundreds of other small but important details that clutter up your life and mind—and when added up cost you hours of your time.”

— Dan Sullivan, Founder of The Strategic Coach.

The Impact of a Virtual Assistant on Your Business

As our friend Jack Daly, acclaimed Business Coach, says, “If you don’t have an assistant, you are one.”

By using a full-time VA, you will quickly see increased productivity, improved customer service, and an upgraded employer brand. Handing off tasks to a VA will gain you more time to work on high-value activities that move the needle.

Managing Partner at Lotus Revenue & Brand Consultants Julie Cruitt Angilly said:

“Three months into the pandemic of 2020, I was still doing 70 or 80% of the client work. Whereas now, my WBN virtual assistant is actually able to do 60 to 70% of that client work. So, the end result is more strategic time with my clients and more business development for me as well.”

Every business owner knows then they’re overwhelmed, but they often struggle to identify where they should add resources. It may sound selfish, but start with you. You’re steering the ship, and you’re making the high-impact decisions that will move your business forward. Hiring an assistant to handle your administrative tasks will give you the time you need to think and act clearly and decisively about the future of your business.

Time is your most limited and most valuable resource—and hiring a VA can give you more time in your day.

What Can a VA Do For You?

A VA has capabilities far beyond a traditional assistant. They’re capable of handling tasks such as:

Calendar management
Travel arrangements
Email management
Project management
Customer service
Research
And more!

Hiring Directly vs. Hiring With a Firm

You can try to find talent on your own using talent-sourcing tools such as LinkedIn, Indeed, and Upwork, or you can take the burden off yourself and get help finding qualified, trustworthy workers by working with a company that specializes in professional virtual assistant services.

Many businesses are finding great success working with firms that connect U.S. businesses with overseas talent. There has never been a better time to consider opening up your business to the global talent marketplace. Hiring overseas talent eliminates many HR hurdles and widens the talent pool to provide you with more qualified and highly-skilled employees.

Not to mention that expanding your search overseas can be a huge cost-savings for your business. Due to cost-of-living differences, salaries are far lower. And working with a firm will simplify and shorten the hiring process—which is typically cumbersome and costly—and pre-vet the talent to ensure they’re a good fit.