With the industry expanding quickly, many coming on board as VAs, and new clients now looking for a VA or VAs to support them, I thought it might be a good time to explain why VAs don't work full time for one client. There are several reasons and here are some of them: If a VA works entirely for one client that client could become viewed as an employer, depending on the tax system of the country involved. For example, here in Australia, if there is one main source of income the Australian … [Read more...]
New milestone pending!
As my regular readers will know, I've been in this industry for quite some time. In fact, my 20th anniversary in business will be in March 2014. Not that far away. It was in April 1996 that I began the network, initially for home-based secretaries, and then we changed our titles to Virtual Assistants as that term became popular around the world. Seems such a long time ago now. What is the new milestone pending? The 1400th VA to join the "A Clayton's Secretary" network. We're only a few off … [Read more...]
Will you be attending office show this week in Sydney?
You may, or may not, be aware that I will be presenting at the OfficeShow this coming week in Sydney at the exhibition centre. Below is a post from the AVAA website with the details. If you would like to attend the morning tea please email me as soon as possible so I can add your name to the RSVP list. There is also a VA Meetup over dinner on Wednesday 16th October @ 6.30pm at Cyren. Again, we need to know numbers so if you could please RSVP for that also, that would be appreciated. Hope to … [Read more...]
AVAA Members Breakfast at the Office* Show
You are invited to attend a special AVAA Members Breakfast at the office* Show. Time: 8:30am – 9.30am Date: Thursday 17 October, 2013 Venue:Interactive Demo Theatre, office* Show – Sydney Convention & Exhibition Centre At the breakfast, Kathie Thomas, President of the Australian Virtual Assistants Association, will introduce the topic of what a Virtual Assistant is and how the industry began. Few people would know that it started in Australia the same time as the US – ahead of the rest of … [Read more...]
Are you an Australian Virtual Assistant?
If you are, there are two sites you need to be aware of. Actually three. To keep informed of events, activities, meetups, and things that relate to our industry specifically to our country, then the following sites may be of interest to you. Make sure you subscribe, register or sign up to keep informed. Australian Virtual Assistants Association (AVAA). Has a blog, a board, preferred partners and is the parent organisation for our annual conference. Australian Virtual Assistants Conference … [Read more...]
Reasons for using a Virtual Assistant
In this series I've been covering why someone would want to become a Virtual Assistant, why a VA might want to join a VA Network and now why a client would use a VA, or VAs. Generally most business owners start up a business because they're good at doing something and they want to run the show themselves, instead of answering to a boss. That's all well and good, but with business ownership, comes all those other things that also need to be done, to keep the business running smoothly, the … [Read more...]
Reasons for joining a VA Network
There are many reasons why people become Virtual Assistants. I've often shared the importance of joining a VA Network. Why is that? There are a number of reasons: Most VA Networks have their own discussion forums. Community. This industry is very much built on community and when you're working home alone all day, being able to connect with others online is a saving grace. Being able to learn from others without necessarily paying for that learning. Joining in and sharing your knowledge … [Read more...]
Reasons for becoming a Virtual Assistant
I've come across so many stories as to why people have chosen to become a Virtual Assistant. For me it was about family and has always been that. I began before the internet and in those days we were known as home-based secretaries. But the reasons why were the same. Fed up with corporate life and the rat race. Fed up with driving into the city and back every day, or being stuck because a train has broken down. Fed up with office politics and all that went with it. Fed up with being blocked … [Read more...]
Buying a Virtual Assistant
Odd term, I know. But that's what I saw recently in a forum. A guy wanted to buy a VA for 8 hours a day, 5 days a week. He asked for the monthly rate. He was posting via a job forum because he wanted to get the VA direct rather than through an agency which doubles the charges (his words, not mine). That made me wonder if people think engaging a VA through a VA Network means they're paying higher rates and I want to let you all know that 'no, you're not'. When a Virtual Assistant registers … [Read more...]