Moving Into a Virtual World

As the owner and operator of a virtual assistant and concierge company, much of my day is spent connecting with busy professionals in need of administrative and/or personal support. Many people have various opinions about what an executive is, or is not.

By definition, a virtual assistant (VA) is a highly skilled, professional, independent contractor who provides administrative and creative services to businesses and individuals anywhere in the world on an as-needed basis, from an off-site location, using the high-technology tools of today. Assignments are typically communicated through email and regular mail and phone. Virtual assistants are only paid for the actual time worked, and clients eliminate the expense of providing office space, furniture, equipment, office supplies, and employee benefits.

There are a many websites which can help individuals navigate through the VA-seeking process, such as Elance, oDesk and Thumbtack. Although these sites oftern attach a fee for services, you can certainly find an exceptional virtual assistant or personal assistant on your own.

Here are few suggestions when looking for VA/PA support.

• Interview candidates as if you were hiring on-site support personnel
• Look for someone with office management, customer service, problem-solving and critical thinking skills
• A good VA/PA typically has extensive executive and administrative support
• Look for someone who has experience working remotely
• The virtual assistant should have exceptional communication and organizational skills.
• Interview candidates via Skype to test their video-conferencing skills
• Ask colleagues or friends for referrals
• Be clear about your expectations and turn-around times for tasks.
• Be sure to communicate your preferred method of communication - phone, email, Skype, etc.
• Communicate when you will need services -weekdays, weekends, number of hours per day/week, times and time time zone schedule
• ALWAYS check references - I suggest requesting 3-4 professional references
• Your budget should be aligned with what the market dictates and with the tasks you want them to perform.

Quite honestly, not all corporate executives will be able to adjust to the world virtual assistants, but I would urge execs to consider it. For those just getting started, I suggest hiring a VA/PA for smaller, one-time project for a flat, negotiated fee.

Over the years, I have developed a great working relationship with my clients. I treat my virtual clients as if I were interacting with them face-to-face. A good EA/PA will provide seamless support, which means no one should be able to tell your "right hand wo/man" is working remotely. The satisfaction I receive is knowing I have a wonderful, trusting relationship with my business partner who I assist with time management. For me, it's rewarding to know I can help manage certain tasks for my clients, which helps them focus on more important tasks.

Regina Dillard is the founder of WorkLife Solutions Virtual Assistants, a boutique VA, PA and concierge service. For more information about WorkLife Solutions, click here.