The Difference Between A Personal Assistant And A Virtual Assistant
This is the comparison of virtual assistants vs. personal assistants. What do you think are the differences between these two? A manager’s personal assistant, sometimes known as a PA, helps with administrative work. Additionally, this individual has honed soft skills, including effective communication, customer service, problem-solving, and attention to detail.
A new breed of PA has, however, evolved as a result of digitalization and the effects of globalization. We call them virtual assistants, those who work remotely and have almost the same functions as personal assistants. Many huge global companies have benefited from this position by being considerably more adaptable and cost-effective in their operations.
What Are Personal Assistants?
Personal assistants are people who help with tasks that are difficult or time-consuming. Personal assistants are a type of worker who handles a range of administrative responsibilities for a person. They may be hired to take care of basic tasks like making appointments and managing finances, or they may have more specialized skills like handling customer service or managing a team. They are often used by people who cannot do these tasks themselves or who want assistance.
What Does A Personal Assistant Do?
Personal assistants are meant to reduce the administrative burden on executives and business managers. Personal assistants assist leaders with all the time-consuming activities that don’t require their leadership ability so that they can focus on the important tasks that only they can complete.
A personal assistant might be the best option if you require in-person assistance for tasks like picking up the mail, making copies, and running errands that call for physical presence.
The Benefits Of Working With Personal Assistants
Think about the kind of tasks you’ll assign them and your preferred channels of communication. Is it important to you to be able to talk to your assistant face-to-face? Do you pay close attention to how people behave and respond while giving nonverbal cues? If so, it would be preferable if you employed an in-person personal assistant.
You’ll also be able to work with them more readily because they’ll probably be stationed within your workplace or just a short distance away. Additionally, you’ll be able to give them assignments for particular locations, including arranging tangible documents, going to meetings, or working at the company’s information desk.
This proximity also benefits you because personal assistants can schedule their schedules to attend any required formal training courses. Furthermore, you’ll feel secure knowing that your data is being handled and protected, which is one of the more valuable benefits you’ll receive.
Due to the length of time, you will be working together, he or she will have a greater understanding of your tastes. As a result, unlike working with a virtual assistant, you can seek the assistance of your personal assistant as needed.
The Disadvantages Of Hiring A Personal Assistant
Unfortunately, considering proximity also has a drawback of its own. For instance, when looking for a new personal assistant, you are essentially limiting your selections to those who are local. In the end, you’re excluding talent from locations that are distant from where you should be.
Additionally, because you would need to complete administrative tasks, the hiring process will take much longer. This includes more than just the employment procedure; it also includes establishing their payroll and offering benefits.
What Are Virtual Assistants?
A virtual assistant is an online personal assistant who can perform tasks, such as scheduling appointments and managing social media accounts, for their clients remotely.
What are the benefits of having a virtual assistant? The benefits of having a virtual assistant include having more free time, as well as being able to delegate tasks to someone else.
What Does A Virtual Assistant Do?
A virtual personal assistant operates remotely, in contrast with a personal assistant who works on-site. The assistant may work for their employer in the same nation or in a different region of the world. The VA uses contemporary technologies for communication, including phones, the internet, and numerous apps, to interact with their employer and carry out daily activities.
Virtual assistants can place orders with a nearby delivery service, but they might not be able to personally bring a soy latte macchiato. They can schedule travel, manage your inbox, schedule meetings with your virtual and physical staff, and organize your calendar.
Beyond these fundamentals, virtual assistants can aid you with prospecting, report completion, and presentation preparation. Many virtual assistants have additional abilities beyond secretarial and receptionist duties, such as graphic design, bookkeeping, or internet marketing. Virtual assistants can quickly establish themselves as key player in your team.
Virtual Assistants And Their Advantages
There are primarily two ways to hire a virtual assistant. First, consider hiring independent contractors or freelance VAs that are able to complete their work from the convenience of their own homes. As they avoid their commute, they save time and money, making this the most economical option. Keep in mind, nevertheless, that it can be more challenging to perform background checks on these remote employees. However, if you merely outsource one through a reliable outside agency, you’ll be set to go. This way, as opposed to employing a personal assistant, you won’t have to deal with the entire hiring procedure.
Choosing to work with a VA also means having access to any professional in the world. You’re no longer restricted to a certain group of people in your city. A lot of things, in addition, can only be learned by experience. In this instance, this enhances the value of the VAs’ diverse clientele. The correct virtual assistants can readily play many different roles. They can assist you with more than just administrative work; they can also manage and execute SEO for your online store. They’re also ideal if you merely need a boost for short-term tasks and don’t need to devote long-term resources.
The Disadvantages Of Hiring A VA
A virtual assistant typically has a flexible schedule. As a result, depending on your agreement, their channels of communication and availability may change. Additionally, they frequently have the flexibility to complete their duties at their own leisure. You will therefore have to prepare for the potential that they won’t be available. Therefore, they might not be able to respond promptly to any urgent duties or modifications.
Working with an external VA also poses new difficulties. VAs work with several customers, in contrast to personal assistants, who spend all of their working hours working on the duties you’ve assigned. However, there is little to no cause for concern. In order to keep an eye on their VAs, agencies often have their own procedures in place. You are still assured that your chores will be completed as quickly as possible, thanks to this.
The Reasons You Should Hire Virtual Assistant Services
- You’ll get more done: By hiring a virtual assistant to help you, you’ll be able to get more done and free up your time to focus on other important tasks.
- You’ll improve your productivity: A virtual assistant can help you be more productive by taking care of tasks that would otherwise distract you from your work.
- You’ll reduce stress: Having someone else handle some of your workloads can reduce stress and help you feel more relaxed and focused.
- You’ll have more free time: With a virtual assistant taking care of some of your work, you’ll have more free time to enjoy your hobbies or spend time with family and friends.
Which Type Of Personal Assistant Is Right For You?
The similarities and distinctions between a personal assistant and a virtual personal assistant ought to be clear to you by this point. Therefore, you must decide on your needs and take your budget into consideration in order to know which option is appropriate for you. These questions’ responses could be useful:
- Do I need in-person assistance? Would a virtual assistant be able to do all of my chores instead?
- Is a face-to-face meeting with my helper necessary? Would a video call work instead?
- Which hours do I require a helper?
- What are my specific deadlines? Are they urgent, hourly, or would a few days suffice? (A PA may be able to fulfill deadlines with little notice; a virtual PA can assist if deadlines are a little longer.)
- How much can I afford to pay my assistant based on my budget?
You ought to be able to decide what’s best for you and your company. We take pleasure in only finding the greatest helpers for our clients at StaffingSolutions.io. Click here to schedule a free consultation for business owners; we can assist you.
Would You Hire An Assistant?
In the end, you’ll be able to identify the best type of assistant for you and when it’s time to hire one. Consider the type of work needed for a moment before hiring your personal assistant, though. When you require more staff at your workplace for an extended period of time, personal assistants might be a better option. On the other hand, working with a VA can be a more economical option for finishing quick assignments.
Where To Find A Great Virtual Assistant
There are a few different places you can look for virtual assistants, like StaffingSolutions.io. Avoid the hassle of searching for the best employee online. Save more time and money when you partner with StaffingSolutions.io; you will surely get the best VAs for your business. Contact them now!
