VIRTUAL EMPLOYEES
I have been exploring outsourcing as a great way to increase productivity and keep my business flexible. I don’t have the budget for full-time staff but I recognize that I only have so much time in a day and I can’t do it all. So it makes sense to hire others to deal with small tasks that I don’t have time for.
Another approach to outsourcing is to look at hiring a web-based Virtual Assistant. These are skilled people who would love to do nothing more than answer your calls, check your voicemail, coordinate your schedule and remember to buy your mom flowers for her birthday. They're a great source of small business resources.
And they cost far less than you might pay to have a warm body doing the same job in a chair in your office. That’s because many of these talented, well-trained professionals live in other parts of the world where costs and wages are lower than in Canada – like India or Costa Rica.
You’ll also save on capital and overhead costs, since they’re working from their office, not yours.
The International Association of Virtual Assistants has a code of ethics its members must follow, and their website has a directory of members with a wide variety of skills.
Closer to home, the Canadian Association of Virtual Assistants boasts a large membership of Canadians ready to put their skills to work for you.
Professional organizations and trade associations who publish their member directories online are also a good source of specialized skills. Here are some ideas:
- Need a communications plan or publicist? Check out members of The International Association of Business Communicators and Canadian Public Relations Society.
- Need an editor? Try the Editors Association of Canada.
- Lawyer? Each province has a Law Society – BC, AB, SK, MB, ON, QC, PEI, NS, NF, NB
- Canadian Bookkeepers Association
- Graphic Designer? Graphic Designers of Canada
Outsourcing isn’t for everyone, but if it fits with your business strategy then it can be an incredible resource. Who knows – you might even find yourself finding yourself doing work outsourced by others!
Still not sure if outsourcing is right for your small business? Check out this article for more info.
Cheryl Binning is a Vancouver based freelance TV, digital media and print writer, publicist and small business owner. She's been writing about business, entertainment, the media and communications for fifteen years, and isn't sure if the highlight of her career so far was interviewing Nick Nolte in his bathrobe, or meeting Alice Cooper at the Music Video Awards.
www.twitter.com/cherylbinning
