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Top 5 Reasons Not To Hire A Virtual Assistant

Writen by Bisi Adepo-Bassey

Virtual assistants are becoming extremely popular especially in the small business realm. This fast growing group of professionals often possessing a specialty in one or more of marketing, graphic design, general administration, bookkeeping, web design, event management, phone answering service… and the list goes on. Think of any segment of your business; there are probably virtual assistants out there that can provide support to you in that area. Here are a few reasons why you should not hire one.

1. You are a Jack of all trades and a master of none. You don't care about the quality of work or service you provide to your clients or the business image you project with your unprofessional documents and work. You are happy taking on the job of 4 or 5 people even if it results in half-done projects. A virtual assistant can take a number of mundane or specialty tasks off you so that you can focus on managing your business effectively.

2. You are a glutton for stress. You thrive on stress and will rather go without vacations, downtime or quality time with your loved ones. You enjoy working when you are ill and run down. Your aim is to burn yourself out while working round the clock and you love to sweat the small stuff. Virtual assistant can take on your overflow work or cover your business during vacations or sickness. You can hire them for ongoing projects or one-shot projects.

3. Who cares about money anyway? You are a small or mid-sized business owner who would rather hire full-time staff to cover seasonal or part-time positions. You are happy to pay your staff even if the their workday activity allocation is similar to the example below:

Daydreaming – 20%
Keeping in touch with family and friends – 30%
Online shopping – 10% (20% at Christmas)
Pay personal utility bills - (5%)
Office discussion group on Survivors, American Idol or The Apprentice – 25%
Performance of duties according to job-description – 10% (75% when the boss is in the vicinity)

Virtual assistants are only paid for the work they do, not the work they don't do.

4. You would rather use office space and equipment inefficiently. You appreciate dust-gathering office furniture and office equipment that would not operate themselves. Virtual assistants work out of their own fully furnished offices and are able to provide finished projects to you whether you are on a cruise in the Bahamas or at your home office.

5. You aspire to receive an award from your local chamber of commerce in recognition of your efforts in one or more of the above listed points.

Enjoy the humour intended in this article, but thoroughly consider and explore ways in which a virtual assistant can partner with you for success.

Bisi Adepo-Bassey is the owner of Business Aid, providers of business support services. http://www.mybusinessaid.com/

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