Choosing the right kind of administrative support can have a big impact on your team’s productivity and your bottom line. At Prialto, we offer two tailored virtual assistant options under our managed service model: fractional and fully dedicated virtual assistants (VAs). Both VA service options come with all the benefits of our proven managed model—thorough onboarding, consistent oversight, and ongoing support—so you don’t have to worry about training or turnover.
But depending on your business’s needs, one model might serve you better than the other.
Let’s break down the differences between fractional and fully dedicated VAs—and how to know which one is right for you.
Table of contents
- Fractional Virtual Assistants
- Fully Dedicated Virtual Assistants
- Hybrid Approach
- How Prialto Can Help
Fractional Virtual Assistants
A fractional virtual executive assistant is a shared assistant who supports 2 or 3 clients, providing part-time help on an ongoing basis typically for a set number of hours per week.
Unlike hiring a contractor or freelancer for piecemeal work, fractional Prialto VAs are part of our managed team. That means you get the same consistency, security, and accountability you’d expect from a dedicated employee—without the overhead and headache.
Benefits of a Fractional VA
Fractional VAs are ideal for companies that want to start small, have a limited administrative workload, or only need help with a few functions. Benefits include:
- Cost Efficiency: Access professional administrative support without the expense of a full-time salary and benefits package.
- Scalable Support: Easily adjust your support as your business needs fluctuate.
- Diverse Expertise: Tap into a team with varied skills rather than relying on a single person's capabilities.
- Continuous Coverage: Even when your primary assistant is unavailable, another team member familiar with your needs can step in.
- Team Accountability: With multiple team members involved, there's built-in oversight and quality control.
When to Choose a Fractional VA
A fractional VA solution is ideal for your business if you:
- Only need part-time support
- Have varied needs across departments (e.g. payroll, CMS, travel planning, sales support)
- Want to support an in-house assistant without overloading them
- Need backup support for in-house staff
- Want to test out VA support before scaling
Fully Dedicated Virtual Assistants
A fully dedicated virtual assistant works exclusively with you or your team full time—40 hours a week, similar to an in-house employee. This model is ideal for executives and teams who want a deep, embedded partnership.
These assistants function just like remote in-house employees—but without the hiring, HR, or training hassle. And, like all Prialto assistants, they’re supported by a full team to ensure quality and coverage at all times. This gives you the best of both worlds: full-time support and the benefits of Prialto’s managed model.
Benefits of a Fully Dedicated VA
Fully dedicated assistants provide distinct advantages that can transform how your business operates:
- Deep Business Knowledge: Your assistant becomes intimately familiar with your operations, processes, and preferences.
- Relationship Development: Build a strong one-on-one working relationship that grows more valuable over time.
- Consistent Availability: Enjoy reliable, uninterrupted access to your assistant during business hours.
- Proactive Support: As your assistant learns your business, they can anticipate needs and take initiative rather than simply responding to requests.
- Seamless Integration: Your dedicated VA becomes a true extension of your team, participating in meetings and collaborating with colleagues.
When to Choose a Fully Dedicated VA
It’s time to hire a fully dedicated VA when:
- You need one-on-one support for a senior executive
- Your business has complex or bespoke workflows
- You require support for high-volume tasks
- You want to invest long-term in one or multiple resources
- You’re looking for a cost-effective alternative to hiring in-house
Hybrid Approach
For enterprise organizations and executive teams, a hybrid approach often provides the optimal solution. This model combines both fractional and fully dedicated resources to create a customized administrative ecosystem that addresses varied needs across your business.
Strategic Team Structures
You might structure your hybrid virtual assistant solution in several ways:
Department-Based Allocation
- Assign dedicated VAs to departments with consistent, high-volume administrative needs (sales operations, executive leadership)
- Provide fractional support to teams with fluctuating or specialized requirements (marketing campaigns, event planning)
Example: A financial services firm might have a dedicated VA managing client communications for the advisory team while using fractional resources for quarterly reporting and compliance documentation
Function-Based Specialization
- Dedicate specific VAs to business-critical functions requiring deep expertise (CRM administration, complex calendar management)
- Use fractional support for routine or diverse tasks (data entry, travel arrangements, expense reporting)
Example: A technology company might employ a dedicated assistant for technical documentation and product management support, with fractional VAs handling email management and meeting coordination
Project-Centric Support
- Deploy dedicated resources to ongoing, high-stakes initiatives (client onboarding, system implementation)
- Maintain fractional support for day-to-day operations and seasonal projects
Example: A consulting firm might use dedicated VAs for client project support and fractional assistants for internal administrative tasks and research
Real-World Implementation
In practice, a hybrid approach might look like:
- An executive team of 5 sharing two dedicated VAs for their core needs, with additional fractional support for specialized tasks or overflow work
- A regional sales team using a dedicated VA for CRM management and client communication, while leveraging fractional support for territory research and competitive analysis
- A professional services firm assigning dedicated assistants to senior partners while providing fractional support to mid-level managers
The flexibility of this approach allows organizations to optimize their administrative resources based on:
- Volume requirements
- Complexity of tasks
- Budget considerations
- Growth projections
- Seasonal fluctuations
The beauty of Prialto's service model lies in its adaptability—we can tailor a solution that precisely fits your organization's unique requirements, adjusting as your needs evolve.
How Prialto Can Help
Whether you need fractional support, a fully dedicated assistant, or a hybrid model, Prialto delivers professional administrative services that integrate seamlessly with your business. Our managed service approach ensures that you receive consistent, high-quality support without the burden of overhead and management.
Our virtual assistants are:
- Thoroughly trained in business best practices
- Supported by team leaders and managers
- Backed by built-in coverage for time off
- Continuously developed through ongoing education
By partnering with Prialto, you gain more than just administrative help—you access a system designed to enhance your productivity while reducing your management responsibilities.
Not sure if you need a fractional or full-time solution? Let's talk.
