If the concept of working with an assistant “virtually” is new to you, this is probably your first question. I am thrilled to tell you technology makes this work seamlessly no matter where you are in the world. Even if you are unfamiliar with technology, don’t let that stop you. I will walk you through every step and ensure you have absolute peace of mind.

Here are the basics: 

Communication is the most important key to the success of a virtual business relationship. Phone and e-mail will be the media used with the frequency determined by your preference and the work at hand. The flow of information must be reliable and consistent to and from both parties.

Availability in this context means when I am available to take your phone call or answer e-mail. While you will have access to me during business hours, for extended phone time, it is best to schedule an appointment to receive my undivided attention and to avoid causing time management issues. Modus operandi: You will need to respect I am working with multiple clients. Therefore, you should not expect instant availability every time you call or an immediate response to every email.

Turnaround Time and Deadlines – Taking into consideration your desired deadline, I will determine how to manage my work load and when tasks can be completed. Naturally, the type of task will influence turnaround requirements. Most tasks can be turned around in a day or so. More complex tasks will require more time. Undoubtedly, there will be times when you need same day turnaround. I will strive to be flexible with this, as long as it is not abused. If you find yourself continually operating in “crisis” mode, I will work with you to improve your time management.

File Sharing – File sharing is very simple. If you want to share a large volume of files for on-going projects AND keep files synchronized in real-time; a secure and convenient solution is a private, shared workspace on the Internet. Programs like DropBox, HyperOffice and Google Docs are excellent resources for this purpose. There are many programs to choose from with varying degrees of features and costs, so there will be no problem finding one that meets your needs. For simple file sharing, small files can be sent via e-mail and large files can be shared using a service like www.yousendit.com or www.swapdrive.com.

Paper Documents – Thanks to the growth of speedy and affordable courier services, what you have in your hands today can literally be in my hands tomorrow. Of course, it's even better if you can fax or scan and email your document.

Remote Computer Operation - Using www.GoToMyPC.com technology I can access and operate your computer via a secure connection. This is useful for working on proprietary software or to troubleshoot a technology problem or to teach you how to use a program. And with the telephone for audio, it feels like I'm right by your side. Isn’t technology amazing!

Phone and E-mail Support – There are many choices. One option is www.freedomvoice.com. This is a service that allows me to take your calls and to transfer calls as if we are in the same building. Assistance with email is as simple as sharing the web access login, using GoToMyPC or setting up a forwarding rule as needed.

Time Tracking – While not all VAs in cyberspace provide time reporting, I use a computer-based, time tracking software called TimeSlice®. I record the time it takes to complete every task. This makes billing simple and accurate.

Fees – Executive Virtual Assistance® offers a Retainer program. See cost comparison in FAQs for rates. This means you will pre-pay for a set number of hours on or before the first of each month. You are billed only for the time it takes to complete each task. Working with a Virtual Assistant makes it possible to have a highly skilled assistant without the added costs of hiring an employee.