How A Virtual Pa Benefits The Traveling Business Person

By Author: Simeon Howard
Total Articles: 4762
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Business people that travel frequently tend to have exceedingly busy schedules. Keeping on top of everything requires a very proficient personal assistant. Traditionally, a personal assistant would remain behind at the corporate offices and handle phone calls, emails and messages. But traveling business people are often in different time zones and may require information and business details sent to them outside of office hours. If the PA has locked up and gone home for the day, it may be difficult to get the information required. A virtual PA on the other hand will often work from home. Although they may not be charmed about being woken up in the middle of the night, they would at least be able to get hold of the information required. Before expounding on the benefits of a virtual PA, let us first look at more details on how a virtual PA actually works.

What Is a Virtual PA?

A virtual PA is a concept that takes advantage of technology to create a more efficient way of doing business. Similar to the concept of a virtual office, a virtual PA offers the professional service of being a personal assist with the primary ...
... difference being that they work remotely. In other words, they do not occupy the same business premises as the business person. Another way of looking at the concept is to think of the person as being a freelance PA. Quite often, they will work for several different clients at any given time. The range of responsibilities and level of business involvement will also vary from client to client. For some clients, the PA may simply do administrative office work; for others, the work may involve more detailed project management.

What Are the Benefits of a Virtual PA over a Regular One?

One of the greatest benefits is the cost factor. You are not carrying high monthly overheads with a virtual PA. Rather, you contract in their services as and when you need them. In other words, when you have a project that needs managing or when you plan to be away on a business trip, you can then hire a virtual PA for a set period. Another benefit is that you get a high level of professionalism from the PAs. Because they work for several people at a time, their rates are moderately lower than what you would pay for the same level experience for a regular PA. What you are getting is someone with far greater skills and experience and who will be able to manage your projects very efficiently.

How Might a Traveling Business Person Require the Services of a Virtual PA?

When most people travel for business, their schedules tend to be quite hectic. It is usually one meeting after another as you try to optimize your time in the destination that you are visiting. Someone who can assist you to manage your diary is very useful, especially when there are tasks that must be done following the initial meeting in order to close the deal. Imagine that you give a presentation on a business proposal. The proposal is favorably received and you need to make a few minor adjustments based on your discussions before the clients would be willing to accept it. Most salespeople know that you have a far greater chance of closing a deal in person and as soon as possible after giving the presentation than if you are far away and too much time passes. But because you have two more presentations to give that day, you would not personally be able to make the amendments. This is where a virtual PA's services can be invaluable. Firstly ,schedule another meeting with your clients for the following morning before you leave the first meeting. Then email all the details and instructions on the amendments to be made to your virtual PA. While you are busy giving your next presentation, your virtual PA will be doing all the necessary admin work for you. That evening the document will be ready and waiting for you when you return to your hotel room. The next morning at your follow up meeting, you will have an opportunity to close the deal. You can be sure that your clients will be impressed by the speed and efficiency with which you came back to them. It will put your business in a very favorable light. As this example illustrates, perhaps one of the greatest benefits is that a virtual PA can help you grow your business by taking care of all the necessary administration and project management while you are traveling.
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