| > | | | | 4.Now, let’s look at the rate differences. |
| So much to do
So little time. | | | | Actually, the two may seem similar in cost but |
| This is an all to familiar phrase to so many people, | | | | not in other aspects. The rate paid to the temp is |
| especially small business owners. There just never | | | | actually split between the temp and the agency |
| seems to be enough hours in the day to get all | | | | that contracts them out. Then it must be taken |
| the revenue generating tasks done, not to | | | | into consideration the time the client needs to |
| mention the abundance of administrative tasks | | | | spend training the temp, the space used by him |
| that seem to always be piling up. | | | | her, and the equipment that is needed and |
| For most, the only known alternative to doing the | | | | requires maintenance. |
| work yourself is to hire a temporary employee. | | | | A VA’s rates, comparatively, help to |
| This has always been how most have received | | | | upgrade equipment, software and skills. This, in |
| help with their administrative overflow. | | | | turn, allows for more and better services to be |
| Well, not anymore. Now you can get help with | | | | available for the client. It also means that the |
| office tasks from professional, self-employed | | | | client doesn’t need to worry about |
| Virtual Assistants (VAs). | | | | providing space and maintaining equipment that a |
| But, why would you choose a VA over a temp? | | | | temp would need, which can get quite costly |
| Well, there are many differences between the | | | | when in the hands of an inexperienced employee. |
| two
differences that we will cover here and | | | | 5.The next difference is to look at the types of |
| that will point out the benefits and advantages of | | | | clients that temps and VAs are most likely to be |
| utilizing the services of a VA over the help of a | | | | contracted by. Medium to large companies |
| temp. | | | | generally would call in a temp when they have |
| 1.Temporary employees (temps) are just that, | | | | enough work to keep them busy for an |
| temporary. They’re here today and may | | | | extended period of time or when the work |
| be gone tomorrow. A VA, on the other hand, is | | | | involves specific duties that need to be handled |
| available on an ongoing basis or can be called | | | | in-house (ie. reception). However, these companies |
| upon, at short notice, when an extra pair of | | | | may also have a need for the services of a VA |
| administrative hands is required. | | | | when they have an occasional project that |
| 2.VAs take a vested interest in the success of | | | | requires immediate, experienced attention or |
| their clients and their businesses. VAs believe that | | | | when they do not have the training time or |
| the absolute best job possible will not only help | | | | equipment available for a temp. |
| their own reputation but will also help to build the | | | | Small business owners and SOHOs (Sole Owner |
| client’s business. The more successful the | | | | Home Office) are most likely to need and utilize |
| client is, the higher possibility of more work | | | | the services of a VA as opposed to bringing in a |
| needing to be done by the VA or more referrals. | | | | temp. The projects are usually varied and may be |
| A temp, however, may look at the assignment | | | | far between or not enough to keep an employee |
| as just a means of padding their resume or | | | | busy in-house. The completion of the project may |
| getting a paycheque. | | | | also be hampered by the lack of space and |
| 3.Training and experience is also an issue when | | | | equipment that would be necessary if a temp is |
| comparing VAs to temps. VAs are generally | | | | brought in. It is unlikely they will ever use the |
| those that have had many, many years of | | | | services of a temp and they are more receptive |
| experience out in the workforce. This knowledge, | | | | to the idea of contracting a secretarial service. |
| along with any additional training and schooling, | | | | 6.VAs charge for the actual work they do, hour |
| allows them to provide a wide gambit of services, | | | | for hour, whereas a temp is paid for time worked |
| all of which they have had many years to | | | | and any time they sit idle, waiting for more work |
| perfect. VAs also tend to be more apt to | | | | or another project to do. |
| upgrade their skills in order to provide their clients | | | | 7.And, unlike a temp who has loyalty to the |
| with the most up to date and professional | | | | agency they are contracted through, a VA is |
| services that they can possibly provide. | | | | usually an entrepreneur and works with and for |
| Temps, on the other hand, may be those that | | | | the client. As a fellow small business owner, a VA |
| are right out of school with little or no on the | | | | has a vested interest in the success of their |
| job’ experience, or those who are simply | | | | client’s business. |
| looking for something to fill their time. Not to | | | | Although temporary agencies are more visible to |
| mention, when a temp is hired, they have to be | | | | the public, due to their increased size and |
| trained. Now, if that temp is not available when | | | | marketing budgets, they are not the only answer |
| the next assignment crops up, another temp will | | | | to help alleviate the administrative overflow for |
| have to be brought in and thus more time is | | | | both small and large businesses. |
| needed to train that employee. And so on. | | | | |