4 Business Benefits of a Virtual Assistant

The world of work is changing, with more business owners turning to virtual assistants than ever before. But what benefits do they bring to a business, and why are they rising in popularity as we move towards 2024? Let’s look at what makes virtual assistants an attractive proposition for businesses of any size. 

1. A budget-friendly way to scale resources

Aside from the cost of recruiting a new staff member (said to be around £3,000 on average for UK businesses), having a permanent employee on payroll can be a costly prospect.

From perks and benefits to NI contributions, pensions, tax and the need for desk space, many small businesses will find that the cost of retaining a team is much higher than expected. By contrast, a virtual assistant requires none of these things to carry out the same role, making for a cost-effective choice without compromising on capability. 

2. Increased productivity 

All virtual assistants are results-driven, and the more productive they are, the more likely they are to have a regular stream of income-generating work. 

With a virtual assistant, you can set KPIs to ensure that productivity is measurable and ensure that all targets are hit to achieve your goals. 

What’s more, virtual assistants don’t get distracted by other employees or spend time chatting by the water cooler, so you can rest easy knowing that they are hard at work, helping you to get a great return on your investment. 

3. Extra flexibility 

Not only do virtual assistants boost productivity and cost less than a traditional employee, but they also offer the increased flexibility that many businesses need to stay competitive. 

With an experienced virtual assistant ready and waiting, you can develop a schedule to maximise their output without overspending and agree on targets well in advance. 

You can also use them for short or long-term periods to suit your business’s ever-changing needs without being required to deal with any human resources red tape.

4. Reduced risk 

If business is booming and you’re enjoying a growth phase, it might be tempting to take on additional staff members and hope this prosperous period continues. 

Sadly things don’t always go to plan, and costly and emotionally charged redundancies must be made if there’s a downturn in work. Hiring a virtual assistant who can fulfil a multitude of tasks and yet requires no long-term commitment is a far safer bet from a legal employment perspective.

If you’d like to discuss how our VA service can help and support your business, please get in touch.