What is a VA?
Take your run of the mill secretary out of the office and put her at home - you now have a VA (Virtual Assistant), and don't forget that a VA comes minus all the extra costs of a conventional secretary, i.e. NI, pension, sick pay, equipment, office space, paid vacation, etc. A VA is an independent entrepreneur providing administrative, creative and / or technical services. Utilizing advanced technological modes of communication and data delivery, a professional VA assists clients in his / her area of expertise from his / her own office on a contractual basis.
How does it all work?
The VA works from his / her own off-site office, "virtually", with the help of latest technology. A VA is a self-employed person, selling services to primarily small business owners and entrepreneurs. Other users of a VA's services are students and unemployed people needing help with writing a CV, or writers. Just about anyone can utilise a VA's services with either business-related and administrative tasks or private matters, such as gift-buying when you are unable to find the time to do it yourself.
The emergence of VA's is the result of the rapid growth and development in the field of IT (Information Technology). As a result of the ‘Credit Crunch’ businesses are cutting costs and thinning staff as much as possible – this is where a VA can help you out by saving you some money, but still enabling you to get your admin work done while you have time to develop your business. Business executives still need someone to assist them with the administrative part of their business, so utilising the services of a VA is a cost-effective alternative to an onsite secretary, clerk and personal assistant.
Simply put, a VA is someone who assists with things in his / her field of expertise. He / She can be situated anywhere in the world, in the same time zone or a different one, but with the help of the World Wide Web, he / she is able to help you when you need an extra pair of hands. The dream of working from wherever you happen to be today and avoiding the stress of commuting, is possible with today's technology.
How a VA can help you?
Did you know that the average small business spends 16 hours per week on administration and only 8 hours on business development. With the help of a VA you can readdress these figures to allow you the extra hours to spend on your business while your admin work gets done by your VA while saving you the cost of a full time secretary/PA. Pay only for the time that you use and need.
How will CosmicXpress be able to help me out?
That’s easy – I will save you time. I will help you to complete the tasks that take up too much of your valuable time so that you can concentrate on the things which you would prefer to be doing. I will simplify your life!
How do I know my work will be treated as confidential?
I am an experienced PA and business support person. I have many years of experience working for people in charge of large organisations. I also have a Confidentiality Agreement which we will sign together before I undertake any work for you.
What hours do you work?
My office hours are 9.30 – 5.30. These are the hours that I will accept telephone calls between. This does not mean that I don’t also work later in the evenings, or over weekends if necessary.
Do you complete short notice tasks?
Absolutely yes! I work in a very flexible way and will always try to help you on your short term, urgent tasks.
What locations do you cover?
I am based in the West Midlands, but due to the nature of being a virtual PA, I am able to accept work from people based throughout the UK and indeed the World.
Can you come to our office to work?
I prefer not to, but if you are based near enough to me, I would be able to come into your office for a few hours if necessary.
Can you work for me on a regular basis?
Yes of course. CosmicXpress is happy to work for you on an hourly basis as and when you need, or for a regular set amount of hours each week/month depending on your needs. I can be as flexible as you need me to be (within reason of course).
How do you price tasks?
All tasks are priced by the hour other than Transcription and Telephone Answering. If you are interested in either of the above services, please do give me a call and we can discuss your needs individually.
How do you accept payment?
CosmicXpress will invoice you monthly on the last day of each month. Payment is to be made within 14 days of invoice (unless otherwise agreed).
Payment by BACS directly into my account is preferred, but I will also accept payment through Paypal or by cheque.
