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Virtual Assistants are Revolutionizing the Way Business Services are Delivered, Everywhere.

The Media’s Virtual Assistant Survey conducted by VAnetworking.com gives us a deeper insight into the virtual assistance industry, which has experienced tremendous growth in 2008. The mysteriousness behind the term virtual assistant has been replaced with intrigue and fascination. To professionals such as speakers, author’s, business coaches and online business owners – having a virtual assistant has become main-stream. Small scale businesses are able to achieve large scale growth and higher sales volumes simply by outsourcing to a virtual assistant. Business Services etc., a virtual assistant company in Canada was able to increase a clients’ subscribers list by 4,000 and generate $40,000 in sales over the same 4 month time period.

With the shift in the global economy and the pressing environmental issues facing the world, the general consensus is on conserving both money and energy. Not only does the virtual assistance industry contribute to the conservation of both of these global factors but it also allows professionals to leverage people and strengthen systems and resources.

In a localized business environment there may be one person who is responsible for the daily operation of the administration and marketing. What happens when that person is not seeking or given the opportunities to network with peers and enhance their skill sets? It is vital for businesses to be able to assess their options and participate in marketing activities such as social media marketing.

It is customary for a virtual assistant to explore multiple social media and traditional marketing strategies and implement these into their business successfully and those of their clientele. This practice is both extremely cost effective and yields noteworthy results.

The general mindset of a virtual assistant is typically technical in nature. Because they work virtually their whole foundation is built around technology. Every major breakthrough online contributes more and more to their success. The affects of social media tools such as blogs, facebook, and twitter have been profound.

The 3 key areas that have experienced significant growth within the virtual assistance industry in 2008 are:

1. Collaboration/Leadership/Professional Development

Take for example the milestones achieved by the leadership of Tawnya Sutherland at VAnetworking.com, with over 10,000 members worldwide this association reached its fifth year anniversary and won 1st place in the Startup Nation’s Baby Boomers Back in Business award. Providing training, mentoring, and networking opportunities for new, aspiring and seasoned virtual assistants alike.

And as stated by Erin Blaskie of BSetc.ca, “2008 saw the emergence of more multi-VA Teams”. Virtual Assistants that offer clients a “one stop shop” are building solid teams and implementing comprehensive project management strategies that enable them to effectively service multiple clients. Michelle Jamison, founder of MJVA.ca a multi-VA company in Canada has been in business since 1998 and authored a book titled, “The Virtual Assistant’s Guide to the Multi-VA Business” which shares everything Michelle learned and everything one needs to know in order to create a successful and fulfilling multi-VA business.

Seasoned virtual assistants and others who specialize in Internet Marketing are developing niche specific training and coaching packages designed towards educating newcomers to the profession and coaching them to success. Like Mary-Lou Ashton of Virtual Strategies, vatp.ca, who has been a pioneer in the Virtual Assistant profession in Canada since 1997. She provides coaching services to virtual assistants through her coaching business Vision to Action. Also, the VA Coach, Erin Blaskie offers a variety of solutions for new and seasoned virtual assistants in both group and self study training formats. And for those looking for industry specific training in Internet Marketing and Social Media the VAclassroom.com, founded by Craig Cannings offers an affordable and comprehensive certification program.

More and more industry specific Forums and Conferences are presenting hands on development opportunities for virtual assistants. Barbara Lang, of Virtually Anything-Administrative Services, started the Forum on Virtual Assistance (FoVA) in 2008, which presents virtual assistants with the opportunity to exchange ideas and information and gain valuable insight in facilitated discussion groups and workshop formats. This event was so well received that FoVA 2009 is a highly anticipated event within the industry.

2. Tools/Technology

Social Media Marketing and web based collaboration tools and software have totally transformed business. Having the ability to connect real time with such tools as twitter means that we are able to reach out to millions of people. Managing multiple projects with virtual work teams using web based project management systems such as Basecamp, Skype, and a variety of Google tools is a snap. Not to mention how productive and easy it has become to track time across multiple projects and give clients the ability to log in from virtually anywhere to view and pay their invoices seamlessly with tools such as Freshbooks.com.  Armed with the knowledge, passion, and desire for success entrepreneurs such as Kathie M. Thomas, an Author, Blogger, Speaker and Virtual Assistant Coach & Trainer, who founded A Clayton’s Secretary, vadirectory.net, in 1994, are able to achieve successes such as gaining a spot on the Top 100 Australian Blogs list. Also, Danielle Guérin owner of VADG, a fully bilingual (English/French) multi-VA company in Canada, won the Young Self-Employed Worker of Quebec award in the 2008 ARISTA Provincial Competition. This award celebrates Danielle’s talent and accomplishments. The winners were selected based on rigorous criteria and succeeded in impressing the jury with their professional achievements, creative spirit and involvement.

3. Clientele

A variety of people are now outsourcing multiple projects ranging from personal assistance to the management and operations of their entire business. It need not matter if you run a service based company, an actual brink and mortar store, are an entrepreneur, franchisor, or large corporation people are now keenly aware of the benefits that a virtual assistant will bring to their business. Seeking ways to overcome challenges, be innovative, save money, and participate in online collaboration and marketing are the common factors that the majority of clientele share. Like Terry Green owner of Fastype VA Services, Inc., a full-service multi-VA company with a team of qualified associates specializing in providing quality administrative and executive support to Professional Speakers and Coaches worldwide. Their clients span the globe from across the United States and Canada, to as far away as New Zealand, Antigua and Singapore.

The forecast on the virtual assistant industry for 2009 and beyond is remarkable. With the ongoing commitment, drive, and passion to provide extraordinary customer relations while presenting the best possible options to service their clients, virtual assistants are revolutionizing the way business services are delivered, everywhere.

Quotes:

“The online world is evolving. Being simply a virtual assistant that offers administrative services is no longer enough. With the emergence of social networking and social media marketing, it’s vital to any online business to stay on top of these changes. For the growth of my business, I took the certification course to become a Social Media Specialist. I will achieve the certification in January. It’s not only internet marketers that need this service anymore. Every business, from Realtors to Entrepreneurs to Ebayers will be using Social Marketing to attract business. I heard an interesting quote recently. The Internet is a buyer’s market where sellers aren’t welcome. Sellers need to adapt. ~ Crystal Pina, Visions Virtual Assistance”

Working virtually is not the future anymore, but an everyday reality that has now taken its rightful place! As a Virtual Assistant and owner of Virtual Managing Associates, working virtually throughout 2008 brought in many developments on a multitude of levels, may they be professional or personal. To some it all up in a few words I would only say: Working on a virtual basis is not only a frame of mind, but also a possibility to offer to your existing customers and associates your undivided attention, and a proactive outlook on the work at hand. ~ Christiane Jechoux, Virtual Managing Associates.