Outsourcing - A Positive Approach For Small Businesses

Outsourcing is the strategic use of outside resourcestranscription... the list is endless! Not all VAs offer all of
to perform activities traditionally handled by internalthese services. However, by being part of VA
staff and resources. Small business owners canNetworks, your VA can guarantee client satisfaction
outsource non-core functions to specialized andby a qualified VA. If your VA cannot complete your
efficient service providers. It is required of businessestask, he/she will find another VA who can.
to hire special contractors for particular types of workWhy to outsource the work to a VA?
or to meet the demands put forth by sudden spurts in
the workload. Recently, the trend of partnering with1. The primary benefit of outsourcing is economizing
firms whose capabilities complement their own givingsince the VA can do it cheaper. VAs only charge for
them an access to resources that were beyond theiractual time worked.
individual reach has come up. The difference between2. By outsourcing to a VA rather than hiring an in-office
simply subcontracting and outsourcing is thatassistant, you will never need to pay employment
outsourcing involves the wholesale restructuring of theinsurance, vacation pay, sick pay, or contribute to
corporation around core competencies and outsideretirement plans and worker's compensation.
relationships.3. A VA has his/her own hardware, software, training,
As a consequence, has emerged a new class ofetc. thereby reducing your capital investment. So there
skilled entrepreneurs - the Virtual Assistants.is no wear and tear on your office equipment or a
What is a Virtual Assistant?need for special equipment.
A Virtual Assistant (VA) is an independent4. Engaging a VA gives you time allowing you to do
entrepreneur providing administrative, creative and/orwhat you do best. You can focus on delivering the
technical services. Utilizing advanced technologicalhigher value and service to your customers.
modes of communication and data delivery, a5. As skilled VAs are chosen to perform particular
professional VA assists clients in his/her area oftasks, they can do it better as they do it all the time. It
expertise from his/her own office. A VA completesis their business.
your projects using his or her own equipment, and6. Like you, VAs are entrepreneurs and understand
carries out the work through email, fax, telephone andthe needs of businesses today, ensuring the success
postal service. Therefore, the location of your VA isof their clients. VAs value each and every client; it is
not important. This gives you a liberty to look forbecause of these clients that VAs can ensure the
professionals best suited to your needs locatedsuccess of their own businesses.
anywhere on the globe. Since they're paid only for7. The resources of the VA can give your business
time-on-task, businesses can hire several VAs inaccess to technical advances you would not normally
dispersed locations and have 24-hour support -- payinghave access to.
far less than an employee or temporary would costWith modern day communication, projects can be
for such comprehensive assistance.accomplished without ever having to meet the client
The services offered by each VA differ according toface to face. With the growing ease of the Internet,
his/her skills. The list of services includes generalfinding a VA almost anywhere in the world is quite
administration services, database and websitesimple to accomplish. More so in the developed nations
development, graphic design, internet research, saleslike USA, Canada, Australia, UK and many other
support, presentation preparation, telephone answering,European countries the VA industry is highly organized.
bill payments, travel arrangements, bookkeeping,The potential of developing countries like India can too
desktop publishing, computer training, medical/legalbe exploited to provide skilled VA services.