1. THE VIRTUAL ASSISTANT INDUSTRY
Taking care of business no matter where you are in the world!

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What is a VA?
A Virtual Assistant is an independent consultant/ contractor who provides a range of services remotely from their own office.
They use fax, , instant messaging, mobile, internet telephony, web conference rooms and chat servers to communicate with clients.
They provide wide ranging services, but most particularly administrative support. Think of them as a Personal Assistant, Office Administrator and Secretary rolled into one.
But virtual office assistants aren't entirely new.
At one point, they were called at-home secretaries. The profession evolved to virtual office assistant in the mid-1990s as businesses' needs grew from basic typing to marketing, Web design and accounting.
Also known as Virtual Business Service Providers, Virtual Business Operators, Teleworkers & Telecommuters.
“Professional Virtual Assistance for the 21st Century Professional!”
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What a VA isn’t
A WAHM (work-at-home-mum) business
A get-rich-quick scheme
An internet-based, make money from home scam
An employee
A ‘job’
An Indian Call Centre
“Professional Virtual Assistance for the 21st Century Professional!”
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Who would use a VA?
Small business owners
International businessmen/women
Consultants
Company & exec/non-executive Directors
Professionals
Coaches
Authors
Speakers
Students
Large organisations
Other VAs
Small Business Owners: who do not have the space or resources to take on an additional employee, but need help with an ever-increasing workload.
International Businessmen: who need assistance when travelling – the VA can handle your diary, regular administrative tasks and be your link when you are out of the office.
Consultant, Company and non-executive Directors, Professionals or coaches, who need a professional and skilled partner to handle reports and administration, and enable you to spend more time marketing, growing your business, or enjoying the leisure time now available to you.
Students, who require a professional format to term papers, assignments and theses.
You might also use a VA during times of staff absence or when your in-office staff are overloaded. Or you might prefer to establish a more permanent business relationship with your VA.
Large Organisations: looking to reap the benefits associated with out sourcing non-core tasks.
“Professional Virtual Assistance for the 21st Century Professional!”
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What’s in it for me?
Pay only for time on task
No need to supply equipment, office space or training
No sick leave, holiday loading, workers’ compensation, superannuation and other statutory payroll requirements
It would cost you up to $40,000 a year for a full time professional assistant.
Using a Virtual Assistant would cost you approx. $12-$15,000 a year.
A VA is available when you need them
You are valued as a client – the VA has a vested interest in your success
“Professional Virtual Assistance for the 21st Century Professional!”
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Services Provided
General Administration
Executive Assistant Support
Database design and maintenance
Website development and maintenance
Graphic design
Sales support
Event planning
Presentation preparation
Telephone answering
Internet research
Bookkeeping
Travel Arrangements
DTP
Bill payments
Computer training
Transcription services
Assistance in times of staff shortage or overload
“Professional Virtual Assistance for the 21st Century Professional!”
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Confidentiality?
Contracts – containing confidentiality clauses
VAs work alone in their own home-based office
Look for accredited/certified VAs:
VACertification.com
Accredited Secretary OnLine (ASO)
Certified Australian Virtual Business (CAVB)
EthicsChecked VA
Virtual Assistance University
“Professional Virtual Assistance for the 21st Century Professional!”
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Getting the Work Done!
Fax
Telephone (shorthand services)
Digital Transcription
Instant Messaging Services – eg Skype
Postal services/couriers
Online Collaborative Sites – eg Premiere Conferencing, eProject
Web conferencing rooms
“Professional Virtual Assistance for the 21st Century Professional!”
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Drawbacks
A VA can take a holiday at any time
A VA can turn down work if they get overloaded
However, by planning your activities and working in partnership with your VA, these drawbacks can be eliminated.
“Professional Virtual Assistance for the 21st Century Professional!”
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Our Memberships
A Claytons Secretary - Aust
A Virtual Solution – US
Australian Virtual Business Network – Aust
IAVOA – US
LegalVA – International
LinkedIn – International
Virtual Business Alliance – US
Virtual Professionals – US/Australia
Local Chamber of Commerce
“Professional Virtual Assistance for the 21st Century Professional!”
© Executive Stress Office Support. All Rights Reserved.

11. Executive Stress Office Support
Offering a range of services - but specialising in digital transcription, Virtual Author Services, document production, internet-related marketing activities, and executive personal assistant services - Executive Stress Office Support (eSOS) provides clients with high quality, confidential secretarial and Virtual Assistant support by utilising today's latest technologies.
Giving the gift of time by providing professional virtual assistance to the 21st Century professional!
“Professional Virtual Assistance for the 21st Century Professional!”
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Contact Details
Mngr: Lyn Prowse-Bishop, MVA ASO CAVB PVAA
Mobile:
Web:
LinkedIn:
Facebook:
Skype: execstress
Mail: PO Box 1200, Warwick, Qld, 4370
Australia
“Professional Virtual Assistance for the 21st Century Professional!”
© Executive Stress Office Support. All Rights Reserved.