If your business naturally has busier times of the year, it may seem that the only solution to keep up with demand is to take on temps. This can come with as many challenges as it does benefits, which is why hiring a virtual personal assistant has become a popular choice with businesses across multiple sectors in recent years. Below are a few reasons why taking on an outsourced virtual PA rather than temporary workers is a sound decision.
Cost-effectiveness
Virtual personal assistants are often more cost-effective than hiring temporary employees. With temps, you might need to cover additional costs such as recruitment fees, training expenses, workspace setup and benefits. VPAs typically work remotely, eliminating the need for physical office space, equipment and other overhead costs.
Flexibility
A virtual PA offers greater flexibility in terms of working hours and engagement duration, as you can hire a VPA for specific tasks or projects without committing to a long-term employment contract. This flexibility is particularly useful for businesses with fluctuating workloads or seasonal demands.
Specialised skills
Virtual PAs also possess specialised skills and expertise that can be tailored to your specific needs. You can hire a VPA with skills in areas such as diary and email management, minute taking, transcription, appointment booking, document creation, and more. This allows you to access high-quality talent without having to train or upskill temporary employees.
Remote working
VPAs work remotely, which means you can tap into their skill set and talent without being limited by geographical location. This also optimises their time spent carrying out tasks and you’ll only be charged for work delivered.
Scalability
As your needs change, you can easily scale up or down with a virtual personal assistant. If your workload increases, you can easily contact your VPA without the hassle of recruiting and onboarding. Likewise, if you have fewer tasks, you can reduce the number of work being allocated or even put their services on hold until things pick up again.
Reduced administrative burden
When you hire temps, you are responsible for administrative tasks such as payroll, benefits, taxes and compliance. With a VPA, these tasks are usually taken care of, simplifying your responsibilities.
Consistency
A virtual personal assistant can provide a higher level of consistency in terms of work quality and performance. Since they are often specialised in their areas of expertise, you can expect a certain level of proficiency in everything being delivered.
Communication efficiency
Virtual personal assistants are well-versed in remote communication tools and techniques, making collaboration and communication smoother, even when working across different time zones. From emails and video meetings to project management tools and appointment scheduling apps, a virtual PA has all of the resources required to hit the ground running.
Optimise your business with a virtual PA
To explore what a virtual personal assistant can do for your business, get in touch with Niki Bardsley at nicola.bardsley@smartpasupport.com or call 07707 830394.