The most important trait of a leader lies in knowing how to pick the right people and delegate tasks to these individuals. You can’t do it alone, no matter how competent you are, so you must find some help.
The first issue you’ll need help with is the overwhelming burden of administrative tasks. Managing your schedule, data entry, email correspondence, task preparation, and collaborative work management are just some of the tasks you can safely delegate, but to whom do you delegate them?
The most obvious answer is that you need an assistant, but do you hire a conventional (in-house) assistant or outsource this task to someone working online? Let’s see what each of these two options offers.
1: Salary
Regarding salary, there’s always some variation based on the individual’s skills and experience. However, virtual assistants generally tend to be more affordable. This is mainly because they often don’t require the same benefits or office overhead as personal assistants.
In hiring assistants, the good thing is that there is a multitude of options out there. Because you are not restricted by geography, you are now able to recruit workers from many across the globe. This enables you to be able to get the best fit for your expectations and not be confined to hiring locally only. It is a win-win situation.
Also, since virtual assistants can work from any place, it is possible to look for people from areas with cheaper costs. In effect, you will be able to find labor that is as equally skilled as the labor in the high-cost areas, but be able to pay them less, thus giving you flexibility with your budget.
When hiring virtual assistants through agencies like Rocket Station, controlling your costs is easier. Agencies often provide a set pricing model, making it easier to scale your needs up or down without significant financial risks. You also don’t have to worry about fluctuating salaries.
2: Work location
The office context is an obvious advantage of utilizing personal assistants. They need not wait to respond to a given requirement as the situation is already in front of them. This, for instance, is of great help when a given activity can only be accomplished in person, or contacts have to be made.
Otherwise, there are no geolocation limitations to the workplaces of the virtual assistants. Even if they are in a different country or city, there are no geographical barriers to getting things done. You can always search for the most suitable candidate for the desired position due to the geographical independence. However, remember that legal issues must be addressed in this case too.
Moreover, time zone differences mean that virtual assistants typically have more leeway in setting hours for work. When distance is irrelevant, it is possible to arrange a schedule that best meets everyone’s needs. It really becomes beneficial when you require assistance after office hours or when the people you need are located in different countries.
Nevertheless, it is clear that virtual assistants have some limitations in terms of the intensity of their tasks. They are present as most people are in the same place working together; they are familiar to the day to day activities of the business operations and can instantly perform hands on requirements without having to wait for exchanges via electronics.
3: Communication
One of the key benefits that a personal assistant offers their clients is direct communication. You can set a meeting right there on the spot and explain your tasks and get responses instantly. This immediacy enables reconciliation of workflows and reduces the chances of misunderstanding which is particularly useful in the communication of difficult or sensitive matters.
In contrast, virtual assistants use digital tools (email, instant messaging, and video calls). While this method works well for most tasks, it can sometimes slow things down, particularly if responses are delayed. This digital communication is just as effective for tech-savvy businesses as in-person interactions.
However, with virtual assistants, you might occasionally face time zone delays. It’s not a deal-breaker, but it requires more planning. When there’s a time-sensitive task, you must ensure your virtual assistant is available, which might mean adjusting deadlines or planning ahead.
Personal assistants are on-site and always available during working hours. If you need something done right away, you can rely on their immediate availability. There’s no waiting around or worrying about whether they’re online – it’s one less variable to manage.
4: Skills and expertise
Virtual assistants often bring unique skills to the table, sometimes more specialized than personal assistants. Because they work for multiple clients, they might have experience in a wider variety of tasks. This makes them versatile and well-suited to specific, niche tasks your in-house assistant might not handle.
On the other hand, personal assistants tend to have a deeper understanding of your office tasks. Their day-to-day activities revolve around your business, making them more familiar with internal processes. This familiarity can be useful when managing long-term projects or working closely with team members.
Moreover, virtual assistants are your go-to if you need a specific skill set for a short-term project. You can hire them based on their expertise for just the project’s duration. Once it’s done, there’s no need for ongoing costs or commitments, giving you financial and operational flexibility.
5: Availability
Personal assistants are usually full-time employees who work during standard office hours. This means they’re always around when you need something done immediately. Their full-time presence in the office makes them more accessible for spontaneous tasks or last-minute requests, giving you peace of mind knowing they’re there.
Virtual assistants, however, offer a lot of flexibility regarding scheduling. You can hire them for hourly tasks or specific projects, so you’re not committed to a full-time salary. This can save you money while ensuring tasks are completed when needed.
Also, keep in mind that virtual assistants often work for multiple clients. While this gives them a broad range of experience, it also means you’re not their sole priority. You’ll need to ensure clear communication and scheduling to ensure your work isn’t delayed because they’re busy with another client.
On the other hand, personal assistants are always available for immediate tasks. If you need something handled urgently, they can jump right in without any wait time.
Wrap up
Choosing between a virtual assistant and a personal assistant is subjective. So, you must first figure out what you want and then proceed to research these two forms of employment in order to see what fits the description the most. The only thing that really matters is finding the right fit to boost your productivity and take some weight off your shoulders. The right assistant can do just that.