| p>No matter where we turn, we're hearing news of | | | | downturn? |
| an imminent recession. It's casting doubt and worry in | | | | Well, when a business outsources their work to a |
| the collective psyche. Some people are wondering | | | | Virtual Assistant, they actually save themselves |
| whether it might be a good idea to establish home | | | | money. They only pay the VA by the hour when work |
| businesses and work for themselves, because the | | | | needs to be done. |
| days of job security are over. | | | | They don't have to pay for any sick pay, holiday pay |
| However, what kind of home business would sustain a | | | | or retirement benefits. They don't have to budget for |
| downturn? What kind of business would actually thrive | | | | extra office space, software or equipment. They don't |
| in the current economic climate? | | | | have to pay a full-time wage for someone to sit there |
| Enter the Virtual Assistant (VA). A Virtual Assistant | | | | waiting for work if times are quiet. A traditional |
| works from their own office - usually at home - with a | | | | 'in-house' employee ends up costing the employer |
| range of different businesses, performing any kind of | | | | much more than a Virtual Assistant. |
| task that can be done remotely. Depending on the | | | | Even during a recession, businesses still need help with |
| individual skillset of the Virtual Assistant, these tasks | | | | their secretarial, admin, technical and creative tasks. |
| may include: | | | | Things don't come to a halt because of a recession. |
| - typing | | | | Therefore many businesses are simply changing their |
| - transcription (e.g. medical, legal) | | | | business models and outsourcing this type of work |
| - general admin | | | | rather than keeping on costly employees. Businesses |
| - designing brochures, flyers | | | | can't afford NOT to outsource in these times. |
| - Powerpoint presentations | | | | It is because of this that Virtual Assistants are |
| - Excel spreadsheets | | | | reporting a dramatic increase in business since the |
| - internet marketing | | | | media reports about the recession began. |
| - web design | | | | Becoming a Virtual Assistant actually makes more |
| - web maintenance | | | | sense than being an employee. As an employee, |
| The list goes on. Some VA's specialize in certain areas | | | | you're dependent on one stream of income, which |
| such as transcription, while others offer a broader | | | | could dry up at any moment. As a VA, you have |
| range of services. It's up to the VA what they want to | | | | multiple streams of income because you have a |
| offer. For each service, there is a market. | | | | number of clients. You're not depending on one single |
| Today's technology allows us to work at home as | | | | 'entity' for your livelihood. |
| VAs, with businesses of all shapes and sizes, all over | | | | So if you're thinking of working at home to create your |
| the world. | | | | own form of job security, consider becoming a Virtual |
| But how would this type of business thrive during a | | | | Assistant. |