Outsourcing a virtual assistant brings substantial benefits for your business. Firstly, it can save you a lot of your time and a significant amount money because it is definitely more cost effective than hiring someone working with you in an expensive office. However, there are also challenges that come with hiring one and it became more apparent during the pandemic when everybody started working from home when the world of virtual assistance and outsourcing boomed.
From the lack of quality control, communication issues, cultural differences to security concerns, etc so let us provide you with tips on how to overcome the problems that come with outsourcing.
If You’re Not Reaping the Benefits of Outsourcing a Virtual Assistant Yet…
Businesses of all sizes have been reaping the benefits of outsourcing virtual assistants who can help them not only with administrative tasks, but also accounting, marketing, mortgage and loans processing support and many more.
The act of employing a third party to carry out a commercial task that is usually handled internally is known as outsourcing. It is beneficial to businesses because it could lower costs, increase efficiency, allows you to concentrate on your core skills and most especially, gives you back the needed time you need to do and create other things you love. Access to specialist resources and talents that might not be accessible internally can also be provided by outsourcing.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed with work lately, it’s a sign to hire a virtual assistant right now.
Communication and Cultural Differences
Working with people that have different language and cultural standards can cause miscommunications, hence it is one of the major concerns when outsourcing. This could lead to confusion, delays, and unmet expectations. Finding common ground, cultural training, and clear communication can all help to lessen these difficulties.
Time zones can be a hurdle too since it can be challenging to organize meetings and coordinate communication when the outsourced business and the client are in different time zones. This could result in miscommunication and delays in finishing the project. Also, if there is a considerable time difference, it could force people to work outside of regular business hours, which can affect both productivity and work-life balance.
Established in 2020, Virtual Office Angels is a boutique outsourcing company that manages only highly specialised virtual assistants. With hands-on expertise and experience in managing the Australian business culture and dealing with Australian clients, VA productivity is higher with tasks easily done and completed with confidence and great knowledge.
Additionally, with the Philippines only 2 – 3 hours behind, it is easier to work on fixed Australian business hours.
Quality Control and Performance Issues
When dealing with remote teams, quality control can be a concern because you are not working next to the staff and one is unable to correct mistakes that come along right away.
This risk can be reduced by creating clear expectations, keeping communication lines open, processes in place and quality assurance procedures. It’s also crucial to establish precise contractual agreements and closely examine prospective outsourcing partners.
Virtual Office Angels has a team of HR and team leaders that ensure nothing is missed out. From its VA Recruitment procedure and the VA Onboarding process, we are able to assist you in the needed support you need to ensure that tasks are done and completed to your expectation each and every day.
Lower Productivity Levels
Another problem with outsourcing is productivity, but it ultimately boils down to how well the outsourcing is handled. Setting expectations, keeping track of progress, and having open lines of communication can all assist to keep productivity on track. Also, selecting an outsourcing partner with a track record of producing high-quality work on schedule might assist reduce any productivity concerns.
Here are some tips to help make sure virtual assistants are effective during work hours:
· Thoroughly explain the role, your expectations and outcome
· Establish clear objectives and due dates
· Provide needed on boarding and the special tools, if needed
· Arrange regular progress updates or check-ins
· Promote open dialogue and feedback
· Track their work using productivity tools and software.
Security Threats and Concerns
Concerns about intellectual property rights, confidentiality, security lapses, and compliance with local laws and regulations can arise as a result of outsourcing. For instance, outsourcing could entail disclosing private data to independent suppliers, raising the danger of security lapses and the potential loss of intellectual property. Also, there may be differences in how local rules and regulations are followed between countries, which can lead to moral and legal conundrums. When outsourcing, it’s crucial for businesses to carefully weigh these potential dangers and take the necessary precautions to reduce them.
Here are some guidelines to help you protect your company’s papers when outsourcing:
- Carefully identify and communicate to the outsourcing provider your expectations and requirements for data security.
- Make use of secure file-sharing and communication methods, such virtual data rooms or encrypted email.
- Use security tools like firewalls, antivirus software, and data encryption to safeguard the devices and network of your business.
Choosing a highly reputable Australian outsourcing company such as Virtual Office Angels Pty Ltd with a proven track record can help mitigate or completely avoid the above challenges of outsourcing virtual assistants in Australia. More importantly, you can work less, earn more and save a lot of your precious time to help you grow your business faster, easily.
Contact us and start your journey with a highly skilled virtual assistant tailored for your specific business needs.