Most companies we talk to about outsourcing to the Philippines generally think Virtual Assistant first. They start with the idea that maybe they could free up more time if they added a VA. The term VA is a terribly bad representation of what an actual assistant does and is capable of.

According to wikipedia - Virtual means

adjective - almost or nearly as described, but not completely or according to strict definition.

According to wikipedia - Virtual assistant means-

A virtual assistant (typically abbreviated to VA, also called a virtual office assistant) is generally self-employed and provides professional administrative, technical, or creative (social) assistance to clients remotely from a home office.

What’s missing

What most small businesses need are more sales and a way to better efficiently service those new customers. To generate new sales they need quality content and method to distributing and managing that content. This is much more than a general VA is trained to handle.

Technical skills

In today’s digital world just about everywhere you turn there are technology requirements in your small business. Like every small business, automations, workflows, software systems, cloud based services all require technical know how. Investing in training and certifications across the technical fields will clearly better position your business to streamline services to increase profitability.

Sales

All small businesses need more sales and it pays big dividends to companies that invest in skilling up employees with the right sales skills. Using simple audio training programs that can help staff adjust to a sales culture will give the business more value in having the ability for staff to always be selling. The standard ABCs of any small business. Check out How to become a rainmaker - Jeffrey J Fox.

Content Management

More businesses are realising that having editorial practices in place gives them the capability of producing the much needed content to enhance their brand stories. Customers want to feel engaged in a brand before they buy and having content management or editorial skills is highly desirable.

Content development and production

What most small businesses need is a way to publish their content. What they lack initially is a content development plan along with viable content production options. Staff that have a creative flair will be better suited to manage the content development and production of your content assets. The more you can weave together skills sets that help you actually grow the business the better off you’ll be.

Social Media

Social media marketing is a highly complex set of skills, from content curation, to posting, connection building, engagement and analytics. Having staff trained across the broad spectrum of social channels and their idiosyncrasies takes resources and time. Developing the right mix takes more time.

With the labour market in the Philippines and global markets shifting to adapt to the new market dynamics the internet offers, looking to hire a VA simply won't get you as far as you need to go.

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About the Author

 

About Adam Mole

Adam is the proprietor of start up BPO company Transeo and has been working with offshore and outsourcing services for more than 20 years. Adam is passionate about small business. He likes to write about his experiences in sales and startup business ventures. In his spare time you'll find him on one of Sydney's south coast beaches surfing and smiling. Email Adam at adam.mole@transeo.com.au and follow Adam on Twitter @adam_transeo.