Dispelling Myths about Virtual Assistants

We have been in the business for nearly 2 years now and have found ourselves having many interesting conversations debunking the common misconceptions of what a Virtual Assistant (VA) or Online Business Manager (OBM) is and does. We love these types of conversations. It not only teaches us about how the profession can be perceived in the workforce but also allows us an insight into the potential anxieties that a prospective client could have.

In this article we highlight some of the common discussions and misconceptions we have had the pleasure to debunk and we hope you find this helpful in aiding you to make a step forward with hiring a VA/OBM.

Common misconceptions

Limited Skill Set

One common misconception is that virtual assistants possess only basic administrative skills. In reality, virtual assistants often have diverse expertise, ranging from project management to marketing, making them valuable assets for handling various tasks. Check out our meet the team page to see what expertise our team have.

High Costs

Some employers assume that hiring a virtual assistant is an expensive endeavour, especially when considering the pay per hour. However, virtual assistants can significantly reduce costs compared to traditional in-house staff, as they eliminate expenses like office space, equipment, employee benefits and more. The cost of a VA is dependent on the skill set you are looking for. If you want a higher level of expertise you can expect to pay a rate applicable to that expertise, however be rest assured it will still work out cheaper than hiring salaried employees. What CBVA offers is the option to pay flexibly per hour or on a fixed retainer agreement, either option will always guarantee 100% satisfaction and will be cheaper overall. 

Lack of Professionalism

There's a misconception that virtual assistants may lack professionalism or commitment. That they work from home in a hap-hazard way in PJs! In truth, virtual assistants are dedicated professionals who prioritise their work, maintain clear communication, and have a strong work ethic. In fact, the CBVA team work hard to produce results and maintain 100% excellence for our clients. We are like other employees, we get set up at our computer in the office ready to jump on daily stand-ups, team meetings, client work and much more. 

Inflexibility

Employers might believe that virtual assistants are rigid in their work arrangements. On the contrary, CBVA offer flexible hours and can adapt to varying workloads which we know are important to providing scalability to businesses. At CBVA, we work with global teams, this means we can be on a call outside of traditional UK office hours to meet with clients in other timezones! One this is for sure, flexibility is guaranteed with you work with CBVA.

Security Concerns

Some employers worry about the security of sensitive information when working with virtual assistants. However, we prioritise data security and employ encryption, secure communication channels, and confidentiality measures to protect client information. We hold all passwords in a "password safe" that is only accessed by our team when needed and never shared. We wipe data from our systems if no longer needed and we are compliant with the ICO regulations.

Limited Communication

Employers may fear that working remotely with a virtual assistant leads to communication challenges. However, with the availability of various communication tools such as Slack, Notion, Asana, Office 365 chat and other technologies, we maintain seamless and effective communication with their clients. 

Outsourcing to a VA / OBM is only useful on a part-time/short term basis

We are often asked if our clients stay long term and the answer is yes! We integrate within the team and this means we understand the workflows, we are a key resource within the fundamentals of the operation, we attend team meetings, we are assigned work and assist long term objectives. Ultimately, we work with clients in a way that suits them! That could be part or full-time assistance, short or long-term; either way our service is invaluable and will guarantee 100% excellence.

Conclusion

It's crucial to dispel these myths surrounding VAs / OBM to recognise the depth of our contributions to businesses. We are versatile professionals capable of handling diverse tasks, offering cost-effective solutions, staying progressive through continuous learning, and providing both part-time and full-time support. Understanding these realities can empower businesses to make informed decisions about integrating VA / OBM into their operations for increased efficiency and productivity.