14 Sep The Rise of Virtual Executive Assistants – AND How to Choose The Right One
It was predicted back in 2018 in a Gartner study that by 2021, up to 25% of digital workers will use a virtual executive assistant on a daily basis.
Add to this the current COVID-19 pandemic, that number is even higher today, with more remote employees than ever before. The reality is certain considerations need to be taken when choosing the right virtual Executive Assistant for your business.
The risks of not choosing the right virtual Executive Assistant can result in a lot of wasted time, more expenses, and not to mention, putting your business affairs in the hands of someone without the right experience can have consequences beyond just a little inconvenience, such as data security risks, or even financial ramifications.
With more choices than ever before, it can be tricky to find the virtual Executive Assistant to put your trust in.
At AAC, we understand our clients are putting their “world in our hands”. The clients we work with are highly-experienced, senior level business professionals and their “world” is demanding and important – and we never forget that. Their world becomes ours, and we work hard to understand the niches of their responsibilities and quickly reach a level where there is complete synergy with our clients.
So how can you make the right choice?
Experience is the most valuable tool in a virtual Executive Assistant’s arsenal. Our founder, Ann, has worked as an executive assistant for over 20 years supporting C-level executives in diverse industries including Biotech, Venture Capital, Strategic Marketing and Non-profit. Ann knows what’s needed before it’s even asked for and works tirelessly to embed herself in her clients’ business. What she does goes beyond just a virtual EA service, it’s a framework to help you as a business owner streamline your work life and put the tasks that can be time-consuming into the hands of someone you can trust.
Once you have a shortlist of virtual EA’s to consider, take a look at their website, reputation and pricing, and ask the following questions:
Do they have sufficient experience?
Always start by checking their LinkedIn profile, website, and social media platforms to discover their past career history and whether it’s relevant to your business. It’s extremely important they have relevant sector experience.
Are they sufficiently qualified?
At AAC, we believe that a virtual EA can’t just be someone with a laptop and a phone who wants to work flexibly around their other life commitments. Our founder has high level business qualifications and understands the intricacies of running a business, not just managing a calendar, or organizing travel. When choosing a virtual executive assistant, realistically they should have a minimum of 5-10 years’ worth of relevant experience.
What do their clients say?
Client testimonials are hugely valuable for identifying how effective a virtual executive assistant can be. If their clients are happy to publicly endorse them, that’s a great sign. But what if they don’t have any? It could be cause for alarm, unless they are busy and have not had the time to collect testimonials, or they’re just starting out. Bottomline is, it’s not unreasonable to ask to speak to one of their current clients. If they won’t allow this, a red flag is definitely warranted.
How much are they charging?
You might not be able to gauge this from a website because mostly, virtual executive assistant services are dependent on the tasks and duties required, but what you should be able to clearly understand their payment/service model. The old saying “you get what you pay for” couldn’t be truer when it comes to choosing the right virtual executive assistant. At AAC, we will work with you on short- or long-term projects and take great pride in our ability to help executives be productive and successful.
How committed are they – really?
At ACC, we built our business on being a trusted support mechanism for our clients. We truly embed ourselves in our clients’ professional lives. If your potential virtual executive assistant isn’t prepared to be flexible and work hours that meet your unique business requirements, it might be worth considering other options. One last thing to consider are the services the virtual Executive Assistant offers – you will want a company with a diverse service offering who can always ‘add-on’ as you feel more comfortable handing over duties.
Let’s face it, it’s tough enough out there right now without the added stress of choosing the wrong virtual assistant but follow our tips and you can’t wrong.
Call AAC today, to find out how we can help you streamline your day-to-day business.