What Is A Virtual Assistant?

A virtual assistant is many things. Off the top of my head, I would say the following:

• Business Owner
• Clients biggest supporter  Virtual Assistants have a vested interested in their clients business because the success of their clients equal success for the Virtual Assistant’s business.
• Jack of all trades.  The nature of Virtual professionals and administrative professionals is a profession that involves problem solving, continuing education/training, communication, etc.  The day is never the same, thus virtual professional need the ability to adapt to the every changing situation.
• Virtual Assistants are PROFESSIONALS  Recently, while talking with friends from college who went on to become doctors, lawyers, teachers, and business executives; I was asked the question, “Why are you still working as a secretary, you have a degree from a prestigous university?” At first, I was a little insulted, then I explained that I was sucessful.  I own a business that enables me to live happy life, while, doing something I love.  This is not just the first job I was offered after college, this is a career I have chosen for myself. I have had the opportunity to meet administratve professionals who have blown me away with their brillance!  My mentor, works for a fortune 500 company assisting a EVP, her salary is comparable with many VPs in the organization and she could run the department herself if need be.  She takes pride in your profession and my all means is successful.  It takes years of training and experience to become a high level virtual professional. 
• Business Partner  Before starting my virtual assistant business, I was an executive assistant for a national company.  During the course of my employment, wore many hats (trainer, business manager, analyst, budget manager, employee relations, “fixer”, back up to executives, event coordinator, etc.) all while maintaining the same title.  Administrative Professionals no longer just type, they are responsible for being about to work at the level of the person they support, they are more business partnerthan support.  This business partner title has transferred into what describes a virtual assistant.  Virtual Assistants are the ultimate business partner because they provide all the services of an in-house administrative professional, for a lower overhead cost.

I refer my potential clients to this MSNBC report on Virtual Assistants video when they are unsure of my business and its vitiality.  I have received positive feedback, many indicating they feel a national report validates the profession.

A new way to work from home