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