Virtual Assistant vs Temp?
I was recently approached by a potential client to carry out some work for his business. He gave me an example of the tasks and requested a quotation. I didn’t get the work as he felt that my prices were extortionate compared to him hiring a temp. I tried to explain why but he was adamant that it did not pay him.
When comparing a Virtual Assistant to a Temporary Employee there are a number of areas to take into consideration. A Virtual Assistant is not just an employee, they become a business partner, helping you to build your business in a way that temporary employee couldn’t. They run their own businesses and can therefore understand the constraints placed on you.
So, you need to ask yourself, what does adding a Virtual Assistant do for my business?
As well as the obvious, they take your to-do list and turn around anything you wish to delegate to them, a Virtual Assistant can add the following;
- An extra pair of hands – second pair of eyes
- Support for you and your business
- The addition of a team member – you are no longer I but we!
- Professionalism -polished front line services such as call handling and virtual receptionist
- A sounding board – now you have the ability to try something out on someone first
- Flexibility – coupled with other services, there is always someone available for your customers.
- Automation – regular systems and correspondence can be scheduled automatically
Some of those services can be added by a Temp indeed, however, to employ a Temp, or even an employee, you also need to supply space, a desk, equipment, a significant number of hours, benefits such as healthcare or pension, you are responsible for NIC, PAYE, agency fees, the costs soon exceed that of a Virtual Assistant.
Virtual Assistants often have their ear to the ground as well and often have a wealth of information at their fingertips that Temps just don’t have time to acquire.
Excellent post. Virtual Assistants add so much more value to a business than a temp ever will. I’m not saying temps don’t work hard but at the end of the day they are temps-temporary and will have no loyalty to the business concerned whereas a Virtual Assistant will want to get to know the business and form a partnership.
I guess to some people money is the bottom line and any other added value is irrelevant.
Thanks Tracey. Temps definitely have their place but increasingly, I think Virtual Assistants are adding value, no longer are we “just the secretary”, we are now businesswomen (or men) in our own rights and bring a new dimension to the role.