Virtual Assistance - ALD Group

The trend, which already exists in the rest of the world grows in Argentina. There are courses to train professionals to work this way with hourly figures ranging from $ 25 to $ 60.

Ximena Casas, Buenos Aires

No matter whether it is an employee or a high executive, whether a multinational or a Pyme, working outside the office has become increasingly frequent. The secretaries are not kept out of this trend. Some dare to start her new business and become Virtual Assistants.
What differs them from traditional secretaries? The Virtual Assistants work from home as freelance, using their own equipment, with the appropriated technology to be connected with their clients and fees charged by the real time in which they perform their duties. In contrast, those who recruit them, maximize cost-benefit (paid only by the request) and save on labor costs, equipment and office space
"We are entrepreneurs who offer virtual secretarial services. We work for entrepreneurs, independent professionals and small companies that do not need full time employees and do not want to increase their personnel" defines Victoria Miles, who became a Virtual Assistant last November after 15 years as executive secretary in various companies.

In addition to performing the traditional functions (interviews confirmation, doing routine paperwork, coordinate flights and hotel reservations), the Virtual Assistants also conduct presentations remotely, monitoring of articles published in the press and transcription services, accounting and purchasing. They are also encharged of overseeing marketing as marketing plans or updating databases. They also find a field of action on the Web, some of them specialize in sites and blogs maintenance and in the production of newsletters

“Thanks to e-mail and other tools, instant messaging, videoconferencing and Voice on IP solutions is online with their bosses. We use all the technology available to make and deliver our work so efficiently” says Barbara Langer who directs the site Asistencia Virtual.com . For secretaries on line, the distance has no limits. "I work for a Colombian lecturer who sends me his lectures in MP3 format so that I can transcript them. This is something I can do from Buenos Aires without problem. That is why we receive many requests from customers from outside " Langer stressed.
Although virtual secretaries are promoted on websites they admit that they get most of their work by referrals or through word of mouth.
A Virtual Assistant can be hired per hour (between $ 25 and $ 60) or through a monthly subscription for certain tasks. "I prefer to work recurrently with the same person because in this way I feel part of the team", says Miles. “Those who hire the service see an increment in efficiency and productivity. They can offer a more professional image to customers and suppliers "
Although the local market is still incipient, the business of Virtual Assistants is highly developed in the United States, where it started a decade ago, Canada, the United Kingdom and Australia, where they are known as VA (Virtual Assistants). According to a survey by the Chamber of Commerce of Virtual Assistants, an American organization, there are between 5000 and 8000 Virtual Assistants in the world. In Argentina, about 60 women have already made some progress to certify as such.

The temporary personel companies are also beginning to detect interest in this type of service. "We received some orders from multinational companies seeking for virtual secretaries for certain works, such as help desk of a project or confirmation from the guest lists for an event. Probably they use this kind of service in their home countries. I think this is a still little known system, but it will grow and remain. It is useful for those who do not want to incorporate another person to their working environment", explains Pablo Liotti, director of Adecco Great accounts.

Source: El Cronista Comercial


Alicia Díaz
ALD Group - Virtual Assistance
www.aldgroup.com.ar/en
adiaz@aldgroup.com.ar