Achieve More with Multiple Part-Time VAs: A Smart Alternative to Full-Time Hiring

By Eric Taussig | Updated: 09 Aug, 2024

At Prialto, we understand that your goal is to manage your business as efficiently and effectively as possible, and unpredictable costs throw a metaphorical wrench in the plan. That’s why we’ve made pricing our managed Virtual Assistant (VA) services simple and transparent. We offer our services in what we call a Prialto Unit—a flat monthly rate that eliminates overage fees and hidden costs. 

In this article we’ll walk you through what a Prialto Unit is, how it works, and why we use it! 

Table of Contents

  1. What Is a Prialto Unit?
  2. Why Choose Multiple Part-Time VAs Over Full-Time Employees?
  3. Maximize Productivity with Flexible Scheduling
  4. Better Back-Up Support 
  5. Strength in Diversity 
  6. How It Works
  7. Scale Your Business with Prialto’s Managed Virtual Assistants 

What Is a Prialto Unit? 

A Prialto Unit represents a block of time that you can rely on every month. Each unit is about one-third of a full-time employee’s capacity: 55 hours a month.  

This approach gives you the flexibility and support you need without the commitment of a full-time hire. Our VAs are trained to manage these units effectively, providing you with consistent, high-quality service. A single unit, 55 hours a month, is about 13 hours a week. We’ve found, through years of testing, that is about how many productive hours business leaders need to succeed with a VA. 

Note, we said productive hours. That’s because we only charge for the time we’re working, not the time your VA spends between tasks or internal admin work.  

Why Choose Multiple Part-Time VAs Over Full-Time Employees? 

You might wonder if it’s better to hire a full-time employee once you reach a certain level of support. However, staffing multiple VAs part-time offers several key benefits: 

  • Flexibility: You can adjust the number of units as your needs change, allowing you to grow or scale your coverage back as needed. 
  • Diverse expertise: Access a broader range of skills and expertise by working with multiple VAs. 
  • Continuous coverage: Benefit from backup support and reduced risk of downtime, ensuring your business runs smoothly. You can have multiple VAs working on different projects at the same time.  

Maximize Productivity with Flexible Scheduling  

One key benefit of hiring multiple managed virtual assistants is maximizing productivity through flexible scheduling. Your tasks get completed efficiently and on time, no matter the deadline. 

Faster Turnaround 

A single employee can only functionally do one thing at a time. When you split the work between multiple VAs (especially when those assistants specialize in different tasks), they can tackle tasks simultaneously. This specialization and focus leads to faster turnaround and increased efficiency.  

By working on projects at the same time, our VAs can divide and conquer, ensuring that your urgent tasks are completed quickly. You’ll meet tight deadlines without compromising on quality. 

Extended Coverage 

Our VAs can work both synchronously and asynchronously, providing you with extended coverage throughout the day. For example, one VA might work Eastern Time while another works Pacific Time, effectively covering more hours and allowing for greater flexibility in handling tasks.  

Read more: Advantages of Managed Virtual Assistant Services 

Strength in Diversity 

One of the standout benefits of working with multiple Prialto VAs is the ability to tap into diverse strengths and personalities.  

By having a team of VAs with different skills, you can assign specific tasks to the individuals best suited for them, ensuring high-quality results across all areas of your business. 

By dividing and conquering, you’re increasing productivity across the board. 

Tailored Support for Every Task 

Each of our VAs brings unique talents and expertise to the table. So, you can assign tasks to the VA whose strengths align with your needs. For example: you can have one assistant acting as a more traditional virtual executive assistant, managing your calendar, inbox, and travel planning. Another specialized VA can focus on your database management, working in your CMS and preparing reports.  

A tailored approach ensures that every task is managed by someone who is highly skilled in that area, leading to better outcomes and more efficient workflows. 

American Microgrid Solutions (AMS) is a great example of how diverse strengths can enhance business operations. Initially, AMS worked with two virtual assistants to manage three Prialto Units. One VA focused on core support like scheduling and inbox management, while the other handled contract and invoice support. 

After a staffing change, AMS consolidated their support to one assistant, highlighting the importance of matching tasks with the right skill set. This experience emphasized the value of having VAs with diverse strengths, as it allows businesses to adapt quickly and maintain productivity. 

Better Collaboration  

Having multiple VAs working on similar processes encourages collaboration and innovation. As Zach Bigej, Engagement Manager Team Lead at Prialto, explains, “Having two different brains thinking through things provides more opportunities for brainstorming and process improvement.”  

By embracing the diversity of strengths within your VA team, you can enhance your business operations, improve process efficiency, and drive innovation. This strategic advantage sets you up for long-term success by ensuring that the right talent supports every aspect of your business. 

Read more: How Diversity is a Competitive Advantage

Better Back-Up Support 

One of the key benefits of working with multiple VAs from Prialto is the improved backup support you receive. By distributing tasks across a team, you ensure that your business runs smoothly even if one VA is unavailable. 

Seamless Backup and Continuity 

When a single individual manages all your tasks, any absence can disrupt your workflow. 

However, by spreading work between two or more VAs, you create a system where backup is built-in. This setup means that if one VA is unavailable, another is already familiar with your company, ecosystem, and processes, ensuring that there is no disruption in your support. 

Familiarity and Consistency 

Having multiple VAs working on your account means they all gain familiarity with your business operations.  

This shared knowledge allows for seamless transitions and consistent support, as each VA understands your specific needs and workflows. As a result, your business benefits from reliable and continuous assistance without the stress of training new support staff. 

Read more: How to Succeed with a Prialto Virtual Assistant 

How It Works 

Many of our clients appreciate having one primary VA as their main point of contact, with additional VAs working in the background. As Sara Bindl, Director of Enterprise Solutions, explains, “People frequently like one point person, with the other person working in the background.” This approach provides a sense of familiarity and consistency while still leveraging the strengths of multiple assistants. 

Tailored Task Management 

We can also customize our support based on your needs. Different VAs can focus on specific tasks or support different members of your team. This flexibility allows you to build relationships with each VA and ensures that your team receives the specialized support they require.  

Whether you need someone to handle administrative tasks, manage projects, or support your team directly, our VAs are equipped to meet your needs. 

Scale Your Business with Prialto’s Managed Virtual Assistants 

According to our 2024 Executive Productivity Report, administrative work remains a top productivity buster. And the impact sneaks up on you. 

A managed virtual assistant service can help you revolutionize how you manage your workday – whether you’re a team of 1, 5, or hundreds. Your VA team will take on repetitive tasks, freeing you from hours of administrative work like travel planning, organizing your calendar and inbox, task management, document preparation, CRM management, and so much more.   

With several VAs on your side, you can streamline your workflow and focus on more valuable tasks that help you grow your business. You’ll be surprised by how much time you can save.  

Are you ready to win back hours in your week? Connect with our team of productivity experts to explore the best support options for your business.