| The International Virtual Assistants Association | | | | writing and marketing efforts. |
| (IVAA) and many of its members have been | | | | Most recently, the IVAA elected Cindy Opong, |
| virtually thriving during the last few years, despite | | | | owner of marketing and administrative services |
| (or because of) fluctuations in our economy. Since | | | | company, Creative Assistants, to serve as |
| 1999, the IVAA has been dedicated to the | | | | President in 2009. Like many virtual professionals, |
| professional education and development of virtual | | | | Cindy Opong has a specific niche and passion - |
| assistants worldwide, as well as educating the | | | | hers is for technology, and this has made her a |
| public about the function and services VA's offer. | | | | leader in her field, highly sought after by both her |
| With over 1,000 members in over fifteen | | | | peers and senior level executives all over the |
| countries (including the U.S., Canada, Great Britain, | | | | country. She is also a well-respected resource |
| India, Australia, France, Puerto Rico, Argentina, | | | | both to the online world and in her real-life |
| Kenya, etc.), IVAA is the premier industry | | | | community of Colorado Springs. Like many virtual |
| association, setting standards for excellence and | | | | workers, the shifting economy poses unique risks |
| offering a myriad of courses leading up to formal | | | | to Cindy's business, but she has been able to |
| certification (CVA). | | | | parlay her work with the IVAA into many key |
| What exactly is a Virtual Assistant (VA)? In these | | | | professional relationships. Like many VA's in |
| belt-tightening times, more and more small | | | | today's online world, Cindy has a passion for |
| business owners are turning to the "virtual" world | | | | working virtually as well as a unique skillset. In |
| for their secretarial and professional support. | | | | fact, like most of the volunteer executive team |
| Today's Virtual Assistants offer the same | | | | at the IVAA, Cindy could be the poster child for |
| dedication, skill level and administrative services | | | | Virtual Professionals everywhere. With many |
| one might find in any office team, but they offer | | | | years as an entrepreneur, a broad background in |
| these at a greatly reduced bottom line. The | | | | administration and a focus on high-end IT |
| difference is that a client only pays for the hours | | | | services, plus being a small-business owner herself, |
| an assignment takes -- there are no sick days, | | | | Cindy is uniquely suited to help her clients achieve |
| vacations, or company-paid benefits in the virtual | | | | the highest level of productivity and profit on |
| world. It's just the work and nothing but the work! | | | | every project, every day. |
| And since VA's work remotely, the business | | | | For men and women working from home being |
| owner doesn't even have to provide a cubicle, | | | | able to form these online relationships (often |
| telephone, or a computer. Assignments are | | | | through social networking or chat rooms and |
| transmitted at the speed of light via the internet | | | | teleseminars), is "virtually" priceless. It is the key |
| or fax. In addition to the usual services like | | | | to their professional sustainability and perhaps a |
| document creation, email management and | | | | huge inroad to keeping our nation and its workers |
| transcription, many virtual assistants also offer | | | | viable, flexible and sought after in a changing |
| web design, online computer training, freelance | | | | world. |