A "Cyber" Staffing Solution for Small Businesses

>articles to online directories and databases. In
Consultants, entrepreneurs, and other independentother words, she uses her advanced Internet
professionals often find themselves performing askills to create and sustain a powerful Web
juggling act: providing their products and servicespresence for Davis Virtual Assistance ( ) clients
while also carrying out tasks related to marketing,who desire it.
customer service, and day-to-day operations. AsVAs with limited time or creative abilities often
important as these activities are to businesspartner with other companies (such as mine,
survival, they don't directly contribute to theAffinity Business Communications, ) that specialize
bottom line and, more importantly, they divertin writing, graphic design, or other services outside
attention away from those that do.their own area of expertise. These affiliations
While that can be said for a company of any size,offer the convenience of "one-stop shopping" and
small office/home office businesses (SOHOs)strengthen the value that both firms provide to
typically have fewer options than larger firms fortheir clients.
addressing these concerns. A SOHO's needs areVAs typically charge between $30 and $75 per
likely to be varied and ongoing, but traditionalhour. While this may seem costly at first,
temps and contractors are usually best-suited forremember that - as independent contractors -
assignments of limited scope and duration.they do not generate expenses related to payroll,
Additionally, workload fluctuations might prohibitbenefits, equipment and supplies, downtime, and,
the hiring of a permanent employee, even on ain most cases, training. Rather, VAs are
part-time basis, and many SOHOs don't have thehighly-skilled business professionals who (a) have
space or equipment to accommodate on-sitefully-equipped home offices, (b) are ready to "hit
workers.the ground running," (c) only get paid for time
Fortunately, advancements in technology haveworked, and (d) enable you to focus your
spawned a new industry, called "Virtualenergies on the income-generating activities that
Assistance," that provides SOHOs with the reliefyou enjoy.
that they need.Delegating administrative details is only one of the
Virtual Assistants (VAs) are experienced officemany rewards of aligning yourself with a VA. VAs
professionals who provide administrative andstrives for long-term, collaborative, and
other support services remotely. Because thesegoal-oriented partnerships with their clients and
activities can be handled effectively via telephone,work closely with them to grow and manage their
fax, email, and the Internet, physical location isbusinesses. As entrepreneurs themselves, they
irrelevant. A skilled VA can benefit your businessunderstand the unique needs and challenges of
whether he or she lives across the street orSOHOs.
across the globe.Bottom line: A talented and enterprising VA
Typical VA tasks include word processing,recognizes that he or she has a vested interest in
database management, customer contact andyour success. Working within the context of that
follow-up, bookkeeping, and event and travelstrategic relationship, he or she is always mindful
planning.of the "big picture" and committed to outstanding
While most VAs are generalists, some provideresults!
niche services as well. Bonnie Jo Davis, forCopyright 2002 Christina Morfeld and Affinity
example, also designs and manages websites,Business Communications, LLC.
handles search engine submissions, and contributesAll rights reserved.