Even though I don't sit across the hall from you, I can still create, maintain and complete tasks in an effective, efficient and timely manner.Okay, let's think about this. In the business world there are alot of transactions with people that don't sit on our floor, in our building, on our street and for that matter in our city.
For example, an Executive has his picture taken for a bio to send to a potential client. The Executive is in Miami and the client is in Birmingham. The picture is sent to a vendor in Atlanta that edits the bio and inserts the picture. Now, the vendor was hired without ever seeing the Executive other than their photo. The potential client won't meet the Executive face to face because they are being hired to work in the client's Orlando office.
Hiring a Virtual Assistant is the same thing. We work for clients that more than likely we will never meet face to face. We have the necessary equipment, skills and potential to "assist" the client in forwarding their own businesses, managing their homes, coordinating events and keeping their profiles updated to the internet community.
When I was in the "Corporate" world, I would be told all the time that I couldn't "work from home" because I needed to be on-site. Now, this made me take a look at my day and the way I communicated professionally and personally with my fellow co-workers.
For instance, someone on another floor needs my assistance with something, they would email, call or IM me. I would email it back or make a copy and put it in Interoffice mail.
A co-worker in another office needs a file, they would email me the information. I would email back that I had it, how long it would take for me to pull it, and either scan it to email, copy it to fax or copy to send via mail or courier.
I never once saw these people I interacted with. It was all virtual. It was all done using equipment I have right here in my HOME office. I really began to consider the logic of "on-site" when I was told to scan ALL mailed correspondence onto the server to distribute via email because we were "Going Green". This declaration brought me to the conclusion that... "If that was the case, then all of these people that only move out of their cubicles to use the restroom, get coffee, eat lunch and go home wouldn't be here, they would be "at home" sitting in front of their computers handling the same tasks. They would be conserving energy, water, gas, air quality, and time....NOT JUST PAPER...AND TRULY GOING GREEN."
Now, I know you are wondering "what about phone calls". Well, I didn't get calls for people on a regular basis. People called the switchboard or directly to whomever they needed. I would call vendors if I needed to let them know I was sending an "email" concerning a change or a question. I rarely picked up the phone. Communication was virtual.
In today's world, we get everything virtually basically. I get all of my household bills via email. I pay them online. If, I have an issue with a vendor I go to the website and see if I can send an email. On the rare occasion that I do call, I get an automated system which gives me the option to hold for the next available operator or leave a message to be returned later. I am even given the option to leave the best time to be contacted. Most vendors will ask how you want to receive correspondence and more times than not it is via email. I don't know the person that creates my gas bill or my water bill. I receive these virtually and not by the U.S. Postal Service.
Think about it. Hiring a Virtual Assistant is just like choosing your gas company, you review the website, review and compare the rates, read customer responses and make an informed decision. Virtual Assistants have websites with rates and customer responses. AND you have the information to make a decision.
Think about it!!!!
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