2The Managed Virtual Assistant Model
A managed virtual assistant service differs from the most common model, which SIA calls “self-service.” In the self-service model, an agency has independent contractor virtual assistant resumes on file and, upon request, provides suitable matches to client requests. It is up to the client to onboard, train, and supervise the assistants.
In a managed service, virtual assistants are hired, trained, and supervised by the service providers. There is no onboarding, training, or performance management on the part of the client. Because the service provider has hundreds of assistants on hand, businesses can quickly scale their admin layer without additional HR or management resources. Trained backup assistants, performance managers, and account managers take care of quality control.
You can scale up and scale back as business conditions change.
“Employment can be burdensome,” SIA said. “Virtual assistant firms offer their clients the ability to upscale or downscale efficiently in reaction to unexpected changes in business demand.”
3Managed Virtual Assistants Control Costs
That scalability also gives companies the ability to control costs. Most managed virtual assistants are fractional—executives get a set number of support hours per month, paying only for the time they need. Because the assistants are employed by the service provider business avoid overhead costs like:
All these costs are the responsibility of the service provider.
4Growth with Flexibility
Administrative tasks are not core to most businesses. Offloading functions like calendar and inbox management, travel planning, expense accounts, data entry, and document preparation enable executives to pull the company forward. Offloading these tasks to a managed virtual assistant service further boosts operational efficiency by avoiding added management and HR overhead. At the same time, a managed service enables levels of organizational flexibility that are much more difficult to attain with direct hires or independent contractors.
For more information on how to work with a managed virtual assistant service, download this guide.
