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	Virtual Asistants Transform The Office

	by Ginger Derrickson

A new breed of assistants is transforming the traditional view of the "office." They are called VIRTUAL ASSISTANTS. As corporate down sizing continues and many start small and home-based businesses, there is a need for office and administrative SUPPORT. However, the business owner ends up doing everything for him or herself. At some point, this becomes a hindrance, as it is impossible to do it all, and do it well. That is where Virtual Assistants come into play.

WHAT IS A VIRTUAL ASSISTANT?

Virtual Assistants are entrepreneurs -- highly skilled in their profession and able to have a powerful impact on the PRODUCTIVITY of their clients. Traditionally they have been known as secretaries, administrative assistants, executive assistants or even bookkeepers. In this age of technology the world is a much smaller place. More professionals are working from their HOMES or in satellite offices, so the former assistant has become virtual. A Virtual Assistant ensures that the small or home-based business owner working in an attic or a remodeled bedroom has access to all of the support benefits enjoyed by a business person in a corner office of the corporate world -- without having to hire any EMPLOYEES!

WHAT CAN A VA DO FOR YOU?

Author Leon Brinkley suggests that a business owner should focus at least 75% of their workday on what their business PAYS them directly for doing and 25% or less on those that impact their bottom line indirectly. Let's face it, not everyone can do everything, or do what needs to be done WELL and efficiently. A Virtual Assistant can:

arrange to have COPIES of materials printed and delivered

return phone CALLS and respond to e-mails after sifting through and forwarding only those that require your immediate attention

design and update your WEB pages or help you find someone skilled in that area

attend to the TRAVEL details for registration, lodging, side meetings with others attending, and materials needed for those training seminars only you can attend

proof, edit and format your rough DRAFT ideas, making sure they are sent to the publisher with all the right submission information, etc.

maintain a DATABASE of those to whom you fax regularly, and do so without you having to think twice

manage the subscribing and unsubscribing -- as well as the distribution list -- of your online NEWSLETTER...oversee the faxing or mailing of a printed newsletter

carry out the details of the LITTLE THINGS that are necessary but do not have to be done by you
...and much more!

SAVE MONEY

Using a Virtual Assistant for your administrative tasks will cost much less than HIRING a full-time, part-time, or a temporary employee. No need to make space in your office or purchase additional equipment. No worrying about taxes, benefits, vacations, or sick time. Stacy Brice, president of Assist U, the premier organization for training Virtual Assistants, says regarding pricing: "Generally speaking, you can expect to pay $30 - $70 plus, per hour. It depends on your needs, and the Virtual Assistant you work with." When you consider that you are delegating UNPROFITABLE time-consuming tasks to focus on what you are being paid to do, you can actually make money by working with a Virtual Assistant!

SAVE TIME

How many hours are you currently spending on administrative tasks, routine paperwork, etc.? Hiring a Virtual Assistant will FREE up more hours to pursue new clients, increase your billable hours, or just spend time doing what is important to you!

INCREASE EFFICIENCY

Your assistant can keep track of your schedule, do word processing, PowerPoint presentations, spreadsheets, phone calls, handle e-mail, and so much more. Imagine how SMOOTHLY your business could run while you concentrate on what you love to do!

HOW DOES IT WORK?

Work assignments are communicated through e-mail, phone, fax, mail, diskette transfer, and real-time messaging. GEOGRAPHICAL location is no hindrance with virtual assistance.

WILL VIRTUAL ASSISTANCE WILL WORK FOR ME?

Talk with your prospective Virtual Assistant about your CONCERNS and see what solutions and suggestions they propose. Also, visit www.homestead.com/assistingyouvirtually/workva.html and read the probing questions designed to help you know if you are ready to work with a Virtual Assistant.

TAKING STOCK

Are you doing what your business is paying YOU to do? Have you wished for a way to be more productive? Let the new Breed of Assistants help you reconfigure your bottom line!

Ginger Derrickson of Assisting You Virtually is a Certified Professional Virtual Assistant -- providing administrative solutions for small and home-based businesses. You may contact her at ginger@heroffice.com or 765-482-6418 -- or visit her website at assistingyouvirtually.homestead.com.

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