subject: Four Suggestions for Employing Virtual Executive Assistants [print this page] Four Suggestions for Employing Virtual Executive Assistants
Are you preparing to hire a virtual executive assistant? The following three tips will make the task both easy and fruitful. A great asset for many businesses is the addition of a virtual executive assistant who suits the organization's requirements. Normally, this person will manage meetings, manage emails, make appointments, create and disseminate internal reports, organize workshops, and so on.Hence, the first issue that you need to look for when outsourcing is his / her proficiency in your language. It's really crucial that the virtual assistant be able to engage in efficient communication with you and your clients via email and telephone.Secondly, this individual will have to be good at using Microsoft Office. Your company may need you to provide a presentation, or to put information gotten from different advertising studies together into a database or a newsletter. Virtual executive assistants should be able to utilize Microsoft Office and equivalent programs in order to successfully do what's requested of them.The third crucial factor is accessibility. You must be in a position to access required services whenever you need, that person being your virtual assistant. It is crucial that the estimated time of daily availability is agreed upon. Fortunately, technology these days can facilitate 24 x 7 accessibility if need be. You need to come up with an ideal means to remain in touch with each other, in addition to determining an ideal time to do s.The fourth crucial element of selecting a virtual executive assistant is setting up the fees and billing. Don't forget that the purpose for outsourcing is to save cash, work, and time. Outsource only those services that do one or more of the above. Carry out a search on the Internet and determine the going rate for a quality virtual executive assistant. Provide a fraction less than the going rate for a trial period, to allow each of you to determine if it will be suitable for both of your needs. Once you have the right candidate, settle on a fee that will inspire him or her to stay with you.Do not forget that whenever you hire new virtual executive assistants, you will need to commit time away from your work to provide the assistant with training. Frequently this will necessitate an investment in time, energy, and money. Consequently, it will work better to keep the (chosen) candidate you decide to hire both contented and eager to do the job.Determine up front how the person wants to be given his or her pay - through check, Paypal, bank transfer or any other means. Also, you need to finalize the billing frequency beforehand so that neither you or the virtual executive assistant wind up with any complaints. When outsourcing it's a sound practice to have your virtual assistant invoice you so that you can keep accurate records.With time, you will be able to nurture a mutually gratifying professional relationship with your virtual executive assistant, and with his or her help you will be able to drive your business towards success.
