It seems like we hear about a coming recession everywhere we go these days. Jeannine Aversa, who is a writer for AP Economics, says in an article that "The number of people without jobs goes up to its highest level in two years, a record number of people are forced to leave their homes, and Wall Street drops again. This is one of the effects of the housing crisis, which could push the country into a recession."
Yikes! How to act? Where do we go? What about virtual help and staffing that is done online? The good news is that businesses now have these tools, which they didn't have during past recessions. In the past, when there was a recession, many businesses were sure to go out of business. It doesn't have to anymore!
Companies have been hiring virtual assistants through virtual staffing agencies for years to save money on payroll and other costs that come with having a physical location. Maybe it's time for your company to try virtual working before the crunch hits, so you and your business are ready for whatever comes next. Even when the economy is doing well, saving money on the bottom line is a sure way to boost your company's net.
What happens when an economy is in a slump? Usually, a company will lay off workers and cut jobs to save money on payroll and hardware costs like computers, desks, electricity, phone bills, etc. I won't be the one to say that some of these aren't important for getting by during a recession. But even when the economy is bad, businesses still need services. We need people to take orders, help customers, work as receptionists, enter data, set up appointments, make warm calls, and so on. So, how can we fight back during a recession while still getting all of those important tasks done and keeping our businesses growing?
How can a virtual assistant and virtual staffing save my business when the economy is bad? Just save? You don't think big enough. What about grow?
Close your eyes and imagine a business world where you could skip the high cost of maintaining an office space, skip the daily commute and high cost of gas for the car, skip buying a bunch of expensive office equipment for everyone and her sister, keep the kids at home and avoid daycare costs, stop paying unemployment insurance, F.I.C.A., employee income tax, and health insurance, and never have to deal with an employee again.
Utopia, yes? Nope, we are just hiring online. When you use a virtual staffing agency to hire a virtual assistant, the following things happen:
- The virtual assistant has been given a task to do for your business.
- She only "punches in" when she's doing your work. You don't have to pay for the assistant's time when he or she is sitting in your office waiting for work.
- Once you say yes, the consultant searches the database of the virtual staffing agency for the best virtual assistant for you.
- She tells you every day what work she's done and thanks you with a smile for giving it to her.
- You talk to a qualified staffing consultant who wants to learn about your business and your needs about the tasks that need to be done and the needs of your business.
- Your call is answered quickly and politely when you call to talk about your needs.
- She will be available all day and all week, but she won't bill you unless you give her work to do.
- You only get one bill for all the help you need, no matter how many virtual assistants you use.
- You start working with the virtual assistant right away on your own.
Since the virtual assistant is an independent contractor, you won't have to pay for health insurance, vacation time, sick time, FICA, office space, computers, desks, or even a lunch break.
You talked about growth. How about the increase? Quite simple. During a recession, what is the one thing that most businesses lack the most? Cash. Cash in hand. What should you have more of if you're trying to save money on office costs and have cut your payroll to just the essentials? Cash! And what can a business do when it has more money? GROW! More marketing, more sales, and growth!
We have 33 full-time and part-time employees at Team Double-Click. In the real world, those employees would cost the company almost $1.5 million per year if they worked in an office big enough to fit them all. They only cost about $200,000 instead. By not having a big office or full-time employees, you can save 87% per year. Plus, our employees are happier because they can work from home. They have more freedom, which makes them more loyal, makes them more productive, and cuts down on down time.
We don't have much of an effect on the environment when we all work and hire virtually, as if we needed another reason to do so.
This article is written in the feminine because most administrative assistants are women and it makes it easier to write and read. There is no disrespect meant for men who may work as administrative assistants.
