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QUESTIONS and ANSWERS |
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FAQs
WHAT IS A "VIRTUAL ASSISTANT" AND HOW DO THEY WORK?
VA's are typically professional level people who have
left the confines of corporate America to start their own businesses. They work
with businesses and individuals worldwide from their fully equipped home or
private office "virtually" rather than face-to-face. They
communicate through e-mail, phone, fax, and mail. You decide
on the frequency and method of the communication. Your VA will constantly keep
you up to date on the status on your project.
The main benefit of the VA industry is that it allows small businesses access to
a wide variety of services that they may not have been able to afford as they
build their business step by step.
WOULDN'T IT BE CHEAPER TO HIRE A TEMP INSTEAD OF USING A VA?
There are substantial savings involved with hiring a VA . You will find that
using a Virtual Assistant is more cost effective than hiring a regular employee. There are no overhead
costs, no training, no benefits and no sick/personal/vacation days to be paid.
VA's do not require any additional
office space and you pay only for the time actually worked. The down time
or the times
when there is not enough work to fully occupy an employee is not an issue with a
VA as they are only paid for 100% productivity. VA’s often work according to a contract with short
get-out clauses for all the parties concerned should things not work out.
In this case you will
not be saddled with an employee you cannot get rid of.
SHOULD I HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT THE TYPE OF TECHNOLOGY BEING USED OR IF YOUR
SOFTWARE IS COMPATIBLE WITH WHAT I USE ?
No, there is no need to worry about the technology or types of software in which
we use. We have the latest technology and are always upgrading as needed.
As for software, we have an ample array of personal and professional software to
complete just about any project. The final product will be issues to you
in the appropriate and requested format. For a quick list of some of the
technology and software used click here.
WHAT ABOUT LAST MINUTE OR AFTER HOURS PROJECTS?
We do provide services for last minute, after hours, weekends, and holiday
requests. There will however be an additional cost for most of these types
of request. We are always available unless otherwise stated.
WHAT SERVICES CAN A VA OFFER?
A VA can provide a wide array of services from appointment setting to
presentation creations.
Click here for a comprehensive list of services offered by Lasting Designs.
SO HOW DO I START THE PROCESS?
Send us an e-mail with your contact
information and what you need assistance with. We will then contact you to set
up an appointment to discuss your project in detail.
WHO MIGHT BENEFIT FROM THESE SERVICES?
Just about anyone can benefit from someone giving them a extra help. VA's
are ideal for companies of all sizes, entrepreneurs and professionals alike, and
any individual who
might need extra help. We provides services on a regular,
long term, sporadic, or one time basis. Below is a list of those that may
seek our services.
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Business Start-up
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It's always a little more difficult in the beginning when you are starting
your own business. Getting organized, researching information, just trying
to get it all together can be a tedious job alone. Hiring a helping hand
could be your best bet. Yet for many, the cost of appointing a full-time assistant is
prohibitive and, for some, plainly impractical. Few who set up a business
have sufficient space initially to squeeze in an extra employee.
Lasting Designs can present a professional image for you in those crucial
days at a fraction of the conventional cost of a full time personal
assistant.
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Small Business
Owner
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If you have only a small office or lack the workload for a full-time assistant,
a virtual one is ideal - probably the most flexible member of staff you'll ever
have, both in terms of the skills offered and the terms of employment.
Many small business owners fall for the common misconception that they must do
everything themselves. They feel they should be able to handle their own
business documents without help. They hire accountants to handle their finances,
but feel guilty if they hire someone to edit a small document, that if written
skillfully and presented well could make all the difference to business won or
lost.
To the small business person a Virtual Assistant can mean the difference between
failure and success.
By using Lasting Designs you would be able to maximize your potential, run your
business more effectively, respond more rapidly to opportunities that might
arise and ultimately have more time available for yourself, your family and
friends.
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Entrepreneur/Professional
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For the busy entrepreneur or professional with laptop and mobile phone, hard
pressed for time and always on the move, a traditional office is not always
cost-effective. But he or she still needs support - and that is where Lasting
Designs comes in.
Let Lasting Designs be your 'gatekeeper' when you don't want to be disturbed or
your vital link with clients when you aren't able to be contacted. When that
urgent presentation or last minute report needs to be prepared, let us help take
the strain.
Liberate yourself from the stress of paperwork. Delegate all those jobs you hate
to Lasting Designs and see how much more enjoyable your work becomes!
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Company Executive
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In these times of corporate downsizing and recruitment freezes, to whom can the
Company Executive without a PA turn when he or she needs assistance with
research, report writing, presentation preparation etc…?
Lasting Designs
Confidentiality is assured; not only are we habitually discreet but our service
agreements stipulate the non-disclosure of sensitive information.
A Virtual Assistant has something to offer you and over time, we will build up
an understanding of your needs that can't be matched by a succession of temps.
As the relationship grows you will find that we can handle your day-to-day
matters, freeing up your time to concentrate on your core business and generate
additional revenue.
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Individuals
- Individuals are likely to
use virtual assistants (VAs) for a variety of tasks that they do not have
time for or they simply do not enjoy. These tasks could be business
related, but research indicates that many of the requested tasks are
personal in nature.
Some administrative support tasks include trip planning, sending
invitations, research, online shopping, etc. In these instances the client
provides the VA with some guidelines and the VA performs a comprehensive
search of options, as well as discounts/specials.
If you're looking for the perfect personalized invitations, greeting cards
or specialty paper for a reasonable designer price, Lasting Designs is the
right solution to your problem.
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Let Us Help You!!!
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