| It takes money to make money. Nothing ventured, | | | | ways. There are virtual assistants who specialize |
| nothing gained. You've heard all the clichés.As a | | | | solely in administrative tasks. You can also find an |
| small business owner, you know that cliché or | | | | assistant who focuses more on marketing and |
| not, these adages are often true. Your business life is | | | | advertising plans.Why is hiring a virtual assistant |
| a constant risk-benefit analysis. There are so many | | | | different than taking on an on-site employee? For |
| decisions to make. Each decision can be the key to | | | | starters, you will most often hire virtual assistants on a |
| success. On the other hand, each choice can send | | | | project to project basis. You may also hire them on a |
| you right down the track of failure.It's no wonder small | | | | retainer basis, but either way they are working on a |
| business owners often feel so stressed!One of the | | | | contract basis for you. This means that you are not |
| major decisions in the world of small business is when | | | | going to be dealing with taxes, benefits, or any of the |
| to grow and how fast. Do you have more work than | | | | other human resource issues associated with an |
| your present staff can handle? Is there an area of | | | | on-site employee. Also, you need not feel obligated to |
| your business that you're thinking of expanding but | | | | your virtual assistant. If you are not pleased with their |
| don't have the required manpower? Maybe you've | | | | work, you simply don't hire them again! No need for |
| already decided to adopt that new marketing plan, but | | | | performance reviews or warnings, just find a new |
| it's turning out to be a lot more work than expected.So | | | | provider.It's important that you do enough research to |
| as a small business owner, what do you do now? Do | | | | make sure you find an assistant who you feel |
| you call the local newspaper office and start | | | | comfortable with and with whom you find |
| advertising for a new employee? Can you really | | | | communication simple. Also, make sure both of you |
| afford to do that? What about using a temp agency? | | | | are clear about the expectations and terms of your |
| Could that reduce the risk to your business?Well, you | | | | agreement.Hiring a virtual assistant may seem like a |
| could try either of those options, but have you fully | | | | foray into a strange, new world, but for small business |
| analyzed what the cost to your small business will be. | | | | owners trying to get the most bang for their buck, it |
| Employees, temporary or not, inherently cost you more | | | | might just be one option worth checking out.Dana |
| than you think.For each employee, you've got to worry | | | | Wallert is the owner of an online virtual assistance |
| about so much more than just wages. You've got to | | | | company. She has many years experience in sales |
| consider the payroll taxes, the insurance costs, the | | | | and marketing, as well as office management. Find |
| cost of your time hiring and training this person, extra | | | | more about Dana and sign up to receive her free |
| office space and equipment, etc.What if you've done | | | | monthly newsletter at DW Office Solutions - Virtual |
| the analysis of these risks vs. the benefits to your | | | | Assistant Services Dana has also ridden horses her |
| small business and found that you just can't afford the | | | | entire life. She currently provides several barns with |
| risk right now? Do you give up on all your growth | | | | virtual assistance. She also runs a new horse |
| plans?Of course you don't! You look for other options. | | | | information website called Horse Topics offering |
| Have you ever considered hiring a virtual | | | | information on all aspects of horsecare, riding, etc. |
| assistant?Virtual assistants can help in a variety of | | | | |