With a roadmap for coming out of lockdown, I have noticed that business owners are bouncing back with a fresh sense of drive and determination. With goals to achieve and a desire to try and make up for the last 12 months being so poor – there is lots to do.
One of the biggest challenges that business owners face is that they work every hour of the day, though as we know time is money. Whilst, simultaneously thinking about how they can increase capacity. Though, there are not enough hours left in the day to achieve everything! Generally, this also means that if they decide to take a holiday, they are still managing emails. Or even worse, they do not take a holiday at all.
In our experience, smart business owners recognise that an efficient Virtual Assistant can remove those admin tasks that take your time and cost you money.
Wendy Johnstone, Founder of Wendy Johnstone Ltd, was recently speaking with an Executive Coach about this very topic:
Wendy asked: “what’s your hourly rate?”
The coach replied: “£375.00 per hour.”
Wendy added: “why are you booking appointments in your diary, when a Virtual Assistant could be handling this for you – at £35.00 per hour?
“Have you considered that you could be using your time more productively? By enlisting the support of a Virtual Assistant, you would have extra time to work with more clients and earn more money. You could also take a break.
“Wouldn’t this make your life easier?”
To support this here is a recent quote from our client Lynne too:
“I am delighted thank you. I didn’t realise I was carrying a weight of work on my shoulders until it was taken away by Helen”
Lynne was in the process of transferring all her data into XERO when we first spoke to her. Helen assisted her with this transition in a fraction of the time.
It constantly surprises us that business owners do not think about this commercially, though to us its simple. We are all experts at what we do so why as a business owner would you try to do everything? Why would you not outsource and grow too? We do appreciate that sometimes business owners believe that it will cost them less which we understand, though they could be making more money.
Benefits of a VA
Everyone finds different benefits in hiring a virtual assistant depending on your business and personal goals. Here are the most common advantages they found:
1. Cheaper than a traditional employee
Hiring a freelancer is more cost-effective than hiring a full-time member of staff for several reasons. To start with, you will not be paying a full-time salary to a Virtual Assistant.
Hiring freelancers mean also save money on payroll additions including:
- Tax
- Employer National Insurance
- Pension Contributions
- Sick Pay
- Holiday Pay
2. Increase productivity
Do you know how productive or unproductive you are?
Hiring a VA helps to increase productivity in several different ways. Firstly, freelance workers usually work in a more efficient manner, getting more done in a shorter amount of time.
You’ll also be able to increase your productivity by outsourcing repetitive time-consuming admin tasks, freeing up time and energy to work on more meaningful tasks. Your VA can keep the important background work ticking over while you and your team get down to business.
3. Added flexibility
You can do away the usual 9-5 with a VA and work around a schedule that fits the work needing to be completed. You can develop a schedule to maximize output without overspending.
4. Improved work quality and efficiency
The thing all people worry about is the quality of results. Can a VA really do the job to your expected levels?
Well, depending on the work there might be a little training to be done and teething issues. With the right worker over time, you will see an improvement in work being delivered by everybody involved.
5. Less risk in scaling business
If business is busy but you’re not sure if things will continue to grow then hiring a freelance VA could be just for you.
Full-time employees are expensive and add an extra level of responsibility to your business. You’re responsible for more people’s livelihood plus you’ll have added tasks such as payroll.
If you’re in the process of scaling up your business but don’t want to risk more full-time staff then a VA helps to bridge the gap. Should things not go to plan then you are not committed to paying a staff member. If you continue to grow, then great more work for your freelancer or you can take on employees!
6. Specific skills to turbo-boost your company
One thing businesses absolutely love about VA’s is the ability to fill skill gaps in the company. In fact, the freelance ‘gig’ economy is a growing trend allowing businesses to benefit from highly skill-specific individuals.
Small businesses can now hire varying different flavours of VA from traditional to tech, to those who develop websites and manage social media.
7. Bring focus to your work
Focus is hard to come by these days. We move in a fast-paced world where people expect instant email replies, phones to be answered and bills to be paid in an instant.
8. More free time
I know multiple business owners who happily trade money for time. If you can afford the luxury of paying someone to take on some of your workload you could be spending more time enjoying your life. Instead of working on a Sunday morning to catch up on emails, you could be spending time with family and friends.
A Virtual Assistant is a no brainer
The Wendy Johnstone Ltd team fits into your business quickly and easily. We understand that you have probably worked alone for some time and that you’re super self-sufficient. By the same token, we appreciate that you may not be able to imagine what your business might look like with someone helping you.
For us at WJL, the support and benefits that a skilled Virtual Assistant can give you is a no brainer. Plus, we find many clients say to us: “why didn’t I do this sooner?”
We will:
- Guide you through the process.
- Listen to how you are feeling.
- Be patient and help you every step of the way.
Why wouldn’t you at least give it a try? It could be life changing for you and your business.
Do you need to win back some time? Take a break from your business or make more money?
Talk to us. A Virtual Assistant is a no brainer for most and you’ll benefit from the moment we start working together.