The Benefits of Hiring a Virtual Assistant vs In-House Staff
Today’s workplace is rapidly changing. Change management is more constant than ever as it consistently involves the onboarding and training of a new generation of workforce employees who are increasingly looking for a work-life balanced environment. While businesses continue to value productivity, they must also be on the lookout for ways to streamline operations, reduce costs, and remain agile. One solution that many companies, especially small businesses, start-ups and non-profits are turning to is the hiring of a virtual assistant (VA). But, how does hiring a VA compare to bringing on a full-time (FT), in-house employee? Let’s dive into three key differences: cost, flexibility, and scalability.
Cost: A Clear Advantage to hiring a Virtual Assistant
One of the most significant factors when considering whether to hire a VA or FT staff is the cost. A full-time employee requires not just a salary but also benefits such as health insurance, retirement contributions, paid leave, and other perks that can quickly add up. On top of this, there are costs associated with onboarding, training, and maintaining a workspace, such as furnishings, supplies, utility bills, and amenities. Employers must also consider the cost to their employees, especially when budgets are tight. According to most studies, including CNBC, USA Today, and Zip Recruiter, employees who've move from full-time in-house to virtual see a wage increase of 23% per year when factoring in savings from transportation, meals and more.
Flexibility: VAs Win with Customization and On-Demand Work
Flexibility is another key advantage of hiring a VA. When hiring a FT employee, you're committing to paying them a set salary, regardless of workload fluctuations. This can lead to inefficiencies if your needs fluctuate throughout the year or during specific projects. Small businesses are best suited to hire virtual assistants based on skills needed for the specific projects or to meet deadlines. Focusing tasks related needs, eliminates the dreadful "that's not my job" rhetoric when an employer needs a specific project completed. From managing social media, to customer service or administrative duties., the right virtual assistant can take on a ray of tasks saving the employer time for training and onboarding. This flexibility allows executives and entrepreneurs the ability to pay only for the work that is needed. For example, if you’re launching a new product or hosting an event and need additional support for a few months, hiring a VA allows you to bring in the extra help without the long-term commitment. When the busy period is over, you can reduce hours or pause the contract without any of the complications associated with letting go of an employee.
Scalability: Adapting to Growth and Change
Scalability is vital for a growing business. As your company grows, so will your needs, and being able to quickly adapt is critical to maintaining momentum. Scaling is significantly easier with a virtual assistant. Your full-time staff will require considerable planning and resources, whereas your VA can more quickly onboard to handle increased workloads while managing the logistics. This will allow your regular staff to focus on their daily duties without being pulled into added tasks and projects, which will inevitably decrease their daily productivity leading to stress and low morale. Whether you need someone to assist with a short-term project or ongoing support, the pool of available talent for VAs is vast, and you can scale up or down as needed. Additionally, your virtual assistant will specialize in specific areas, based on your need. This allows you to hire for niche tasks without needing to train someone from scratch. Specialized talent can be tapped into on demand, giving your business the expertise it needs at any given time without committing to a long-term, FT role.
A Smart Choice for Modern Businesses
The benefits of a VA are clear in terms of cost savings, flexibility, and scalability. Virtual Assistants offer the opportunity to bring in skilled professionals without the overhead that comes with in-house staff. A VA gives businesses the flexibility to adapt to changing needs quickly. For businesses that need to remain nimble, especially in fast-changing industries or uncertain economic times, hiring a VA is a strategic move. Whether you need temporary help or specialized services, VAs provide the agility needed to thrive and grow. If you’re considering hiring a virtual assistant, check out VirtuAlly, Your Productivity Partner - email us today at hello@va-productivitypartner.com.