A Virtual Assistant (VA) is an offsite administrative professional or personal assistant that can be contracted to assist you and your business. In most cases, a VA is a welcome addition to a small business team because of the flexibility that the role can offer.

Some of the qualities that a business owner or manager should look for in a VA include;

1. References – like any competent professional, a VA should come with quality references that can speak of the type of work they have completed and how satisfied the client was.
2. Examples of Work – while some work may be confidential, any competent VA should have examples of projects the they have completed or assisted with.
3. Education – if a VA does not have an official degree, the VA industry has many options available for certifications.
4. Rapport – be sure to conduct interviews and explore the communication style of the individual you will be working with.
5. Contract – a relationship with a VA is a professional contract and should be treated as such. A VA should draft a contract that outlines the scope of work, expectations, and payment terms for both parties.
6. Follow-up – as in any business relationship, a VA should have good communication skills and keep their clients informed of progress.

The concept of Virtual Assisting is new to some industries, but it is an idea that could be extremely beneficial to the business community.

Entrepreneurs are full of innovation and big picture thinking, but struggle with the day-to-day operations. Many small companies are owned and operated by a handful of individuals that specialize in the field that they operate. A Virtual Assistant can offer administrative support, handling some of the small or repetitive daily and weekly tasks, allowing the company to maximize its resources. A VA also allows a growing company to be agile and avoid expensive, time consuming employment expenses and HR hassles that are generally associated with hiring additional employees.