For busy executives looking to offload administrative tasks to focus on higher-value work cost-effectively, offshore virtual assistants are an increasingly popular option.
Especially as the world has become more comfortable with remote work, the idea of hiring people in far-flung locations is not nearly as daunting as it once was.
Working with a VA from Manila isn’t much different from working with a VA in San Francisco when everyone is working remotely.
There are a couple of options when it comes to hiring an offshore virtual assistant: managed and unmanaged services.
There are several unmanaged VA models available, ranging from hiring a freelancer on a service like Upwork to utilizing a virtual assistant agency that maintains a "bench" of candidates, allowing you to select the one most suited to your business.
What all unmanaged VA models have in common is that the VA's onboarding, training, and performance management fall on you.
In a managed model, the assistants are hired, trained, supervised, and compensated by the service provider. They usually provide a management layer that includes value-added services such as delegation consulting, service continuity, and security.
Customers in a managed model generally pay the service provider a flat monthly fee that encompasses all aspects of their service.
If you're looking to hire a VA, knowing which type of service is best for you isn't a one-size-fits-all type of approach.
Let’s look at the pros and cons of each model.
The primary reason for directly hiring an offshore virtual assistant is cost. A service provider will add fees to the assistant’s hourly rate. However, the rates VAs charge can vary, as can those of managed service providers. There are also other advantages to the direct hire model.
The disadvantages of directly hiring an offshore VA involve time and risk.
Related Reading: 4 Types of Virtual Assistant Services
Managed virtual assistant services can save time and minimize many of the risks associated with hiring an offshore virtual assistant. The primary advantage of this model is that you gain a team supporting your VA, making the service turnkey for you.
You Don't Have to Manage Another Employee
This can be significant because executives turn to remote assistants in the first place due to having more administrative work than they can or should manage. What we repeatedly hear is execs saying, "I just want someone to come in and make it work."
With a managed service, the provider handles all these functions through an account manager who partners with you to enhance productivity.
No hand-holding is required.
You Have a Team Behind the Team
With a managed service such as Prialto, you're not just hiring an independent contractor. You're hiring an entire support team that includes:
You Achieve Scalability
This is particularly beneficial for larger businesses and enterprises that are increasingly utilizing managed virtual assistant services. It's much easier to scale up (or down) as business conditions change. Hiring office workers takes approximately 40 days and costs $4,000.
If you're looking to add more VAs through a managed service, you can hire them within a few days. Additionally, you can create a team that collaborates effectively for your executives.
You Don't Have To Worry About Security
Allowing an independent contractor or freelancer to access your work on a BYOD computer presents clear security risks. How secure are the PC and the home network it connects to?
Finally, personal security. Is the individual trustworthy?
Managed virtual assistant services utilize secure facilities, computers, and networks, and conduct background checks on all VAs.
Related Reading: What to Know About Virtual Assistant Security Risks
You Have Access to a Vast Tech Stack
A managed VA service has hundreds of VAs with experience with just about every tech platform businesses use. CRMs, marketing automation platforms, prospecting tools, calendaring, travel planning, expenses and invoicing, and more.
If a VA requires training or a refresher course, the responsibility falls on the service provider. With an unmanaged VA service, any gaps in knowledge or experience are your responsibility.
Managed virtual assistants aren’t for everyone. Here are some of the reasons a managed service might not work.
Recommended Reading: Proven Benefits of Hiring a Virtual Assistant
No solution fits every business. Managed VA services are ideal for executives overwhelmed by repetitive tasks who lack time to concentrate on their company. The tasks that VAs can handle for you include:
Managed VA services usually operate on a monthly retainer, where you pay for a specific number of hours each month. They are not suitable for occasional projects like a quarterly report or creative tasks that require fresh design, writing, or graphic design-intensive work.
If you're considering hiring a virtual assistant, here are some questions to ask a service provider.
Want to learn more about what it's like to work with Prialto's managed virtual assistant service? Contact us today.