VIRTUAL ASSISTANT

WHAT IS A VIRTUAL ASSISTANT?
Like the majority of their clients, virtual assistants are entrepreneurs - highly skilled in their profession and able to have a powerful impact on the productivity of those they work with. Traditionally, they have been known by many names: "secretaries," "administrative assistants," "executive assistants" or "bookkeepers." But in an age where technology has made the world a much smaller place, and where more professionals are working from their homes or in satellite offices, the former "assistant" has become "virtual" -- and thanks to the Internet, global.

The concept is still somewhat new, but it works so well that it has been embraced by the online community. A virtual assistant (or "VA") can ensure that the entrepreneur who is working in a remodeled bedroom or attic in their home has access to all of the support benefits enjoyed by a business person in the corner office of a major corporation - without having to hire any employees!

Work assignments are communicated through e-mail, phone, fax, mail, diskette transfer, and real-time online messaging. The services offered by VAs vary from one individual to the next, based on their area of expertise. In addition to administrative support, many VAs offer other, more-specialized skills.

WHY SHOULD YOU HIRE A VIRTUAL ASSISTANT?

Compare using a virtual assistant to hiring another employee:

OBLIGATION / BENEFIT	EMPLOYEE	V.A.
You pay only for "Time on Task" or by project.
Is a sounding board, if you need one.
Helps you stay on track and on schedule.
Handles your seasonal or periodic projects.
No need to buy additional computer equipment or fax machine.
No computer training needed.
Convenient when your current staff gets overloaded.
No time wasted on breaks or personal issues.
Works only when you need services.
No extra office space is required. No extra rent and/or loss of privacy.
No need to buy an extra desk, chair, phone or supplies.
You must pay employer social security taxes.
You must collect and pay FICA taxes.
You must pay worker’s compensation insurance.
You must pay federal and state unemployment taxes.
You must comply with OSHA.
You must comply with the Federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) including - minimum wage and overtime payment.
You must comply with Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA)
You may possibly have to pay medical benefits, dental benefits, vision care benefits.
You may possibly have to pay vacation time, sick time and holiday time.
You may possibly have to pay for other employee benefits such as 401K, retirement plans, etc.
You pay someone to administrate the above.
You have legal responsibilities that include employee policies on working hours, sexual harassment, vacation time, sick time, leave of absence, holidays, benefits, performance reviews, grievances, terminations, substance abuse and training.
If you hire someone and lay them off, your unemployment rate may increase for years to come.
If you have the unpleasant experience of needing to fire an employee, make sure you have legal grounds or you may face a lawsuit.