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Virtual Assistants gaining popularity among small business owners in Arizona
PHOENIX – January 22, 2006 – This type of assistant never turns on you when you fail to give a large enough raise, never escapes on a two-hour lunch break, or calls in faking the flu to take a day off. A new breed of assistant – the Virtual Assistant – is gaining in popularity among entrepreneurs and small business owners to the point that there may soon come a time when the question will not be, "What is a Virtual Assistant?" but rather, "Who is your Virtual Assistant?" Virtual Assistants – otherwise known as “Virtual Assistants” – are gaining in popularity, particularly among small-business owners who do not need or cannot afford full-time office staff, or have limited or no office space. According to the International Association of Administrative Professionals, approximately 3,000 people are using the title, and that number is expected to rise as more executives look for assistance above and beyond what the typical office offers. And with Arizona’s large percentage of small businesses, Kim Robinson and Amber Miller believe they are fulfilling a great need. Robinson and Miller, who live and work in the valley, are both Virtual Assistants – self-employed independent contractors who handle administrative tasks for small offices via e-mail, fax, telephone, and the Internet. Together, they formed a Virtual Assistant company called vasForSmallBusinesses.com, which allows small businesses to spend less time doing paperwork so they can focus on generating profits. “A Virtual Assistant’s primary job is to free up their client's time to focus on the activities they do best,” said Robinson. “So, Virtual Assistants will specialize in different areas, like bookkeeping or technology, while others specialize in working with a particular industry, like real estate and law.” Virtual Assistants can be located anywhere in the country. They work from their computers, many at home, and don't require office space or health benefits from an employer. "With a Virtual Assistant, there are no geographical boundaries, because of the Internet and online communication," Miller said. "All of our work is done through telephone, e-mail and fax.” Virtual Assistants charge anywhere from $25 to $45 an hour, depending on their skills and the complexity of the tasks they do. Most clients have the option of paying a monthly retainer or an hourly rate. Rick Eastman, owner of Phoenix-based Sierra Adventure Sports, believes a Virtual Assistant plays a vital role in his business. “Having a Virtual Assistant has been a lifesaver when it comes to handling my back-office work. They handle all of the registration information and supply me with the spreadsheets that I need for event day. Having their services gives me an opportunity to focus on permitting, event direction, and promotions. I couldn't do it without a Virtual Assistant.” Companies of any size can use Virtual Assistants, but most of their clients are small and medium-sized businesses. Tami Bryan, a coordinator for Phoenix-based Christian Business Women’s Association, has come to rely upon a Virtual Assistant for many different types of projects. “Whatever the project is, I know that our Virtual Assistant will deliver it timely and professionally. I can trust our Virtual Assistant to meet deadlines and produce a high-quality product.”
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