January 2004

The 100-Watt Light Bulb

Sharon Williams

by Sharon Williams

Eyes cloud over and a puzzled expression usually follows when an entrepreneur first hears the term, “Virtual Assistant.” However, once explained, the listener’s face brightens like the turning on of a 100-watt light bulb has jolted it awake. He wants to learn more. Through The Virtual Alliance, we are hitting that light switch for all the entrepreneurs, small business owners, corporations, associations, etc. located around the world.

Our purpose is many-fold. First, introduce the Virtual Assistance industry to the worldwide business community. Second, business owners who work with Virtual Assistants will describe how VAs influence their company’s financial well being and growth. Third, we’ll showcase the expertise and applicable use of innovative office practices and Internet-based technologies available to VAs. Finally, we invite readers to browse over to the Alliance for Virtual Businesses web site (www.AllianceforVirtualBiz.com) and learn more about this exciting industry and its practitioners.

Virtual Assistants are unique in that we perform tasks ranging from normal executive or administrative assistant responsibilities to accomplishing web master, bookkeeping or event planning and other duties.

Some of us prefer to be called Virtual Office Professionals (VOP), or Executive Virtual Professionals (EVP) and the like. Whatever we’re called, Virtual Assistants, worldwide, have banned together in an organized, industry-wide campaign to fulfill one goal. To say to the business community, if you knew about us you would call Virtual Assistants your company’s invisible asset. We help you work smarter, not harder.

How? We work from our homes and communicate via telephone, Internet, fax, and other state-of-the-art technologies. Cost no overhead and expect no benefits. Are only paid for time worked. Require minimal training—Virtual Assistants usually have full office setups and are experienced professionals. VAs develop “teaming” relationships with others, providing access to a wealth of expertise and technologies.

Bottom-line financial impact, innovative yet practical office applications, newest technologies.

Light switches are clicking on everywhere!

Visit www.AllianceforVirtualBiz.com and learn more about the Virtual Assistance industry and our campaign to help businesses work smart. Subscribe to The Virtual Alliance at www.TheVirtualAlliance.com for insightful material about what we do, whom we do it for, and how we virtually assist.

Thank You

I’d like to thank everyone for supporting this campaign, especially the Committee Leaders and members, for their diligent work and unlimited volunteer hours in preparing our Special Edition of The Virtual Alliance.

Virtually Speaking,

Sharon Williams
Editor and Chair, Leadership Team