A personal online assistant (PA) or executive assistant offers high-level admin support to a manager or executive. This also includes daily clerical tasks. The job description mainly ensures that the boss’s life runs smoothly and everything is organized and ready when the boss requires it.
Moreover, a personal assistant is vital to any busy and successful business, especially for entrepreneurs craving independence. That said, a virtual personal assistant is similar to a traditional PA, the only difference being that they complete their tasks remotely.
Where can a personal assistant add value to a business?
A personal assistant is usually knowledgeable and well-trained and can provide professional assistance. Here are some of the main benefits and tasks completed by a PA:
Gatekeeper for the busy executive
The virtual personal assistant will typically be the first point of contact. In a timely and professional manner, the PA can liaise with employees, various stakeholders, and the employer. A PA can provide information to third parties without the executive needing to send it out – this means the smooth running of the office. Moreover, while the boss is playing golf, the PA can address and sort out emails, answer the phone, set appointments, and, more importantly, ensure that the correct information flows.
This means that sensitive information can be safeguarded, controlling the spread of information and how it is sent out. This is primarily accomplished by proper communication skills, which the PA will need to demonstrate while at the same time ensuring confidentiality is adhered to and the PA has the confidence of the executive.
Complete practical tasks
With the executive gaining freedom by delegating administrative tasks to a PA, the personal assistant will conduct periodic research and compile reports. This will involve gathering data for presentations or reports that the executive needs for meetings.
However, it might be that the personal assistant manages and does the expense reporting. This means doing bookkeeping and invoicing tasks and checking that the information on account spreadsheets is correct. A personal assistant may also be asked to take the minutes during meetings.
Capturing what transpires is beneficial; this not only acts as a permanent record, but should there be a dispute, the minutes can be used as a reference, offering clarity.
Other special values
A personal assistant can conduct many practical functions. Some aspects are often overlooked, such as volunteering to lead unique projects, where the extra hands, such as a project manager, can assist the company to ensure the project’s success. Additionally, a PA can help the marketing team with newsletters, writing for the company blog, or other content marketing projects.
They may also help boost your on-site employees’ wellness by setting up a committee focusing on their issues. As they are the executive’s right hand, they can provide you with much insight into making the workplace a happy and productive space, thereby retaining your staff and not losing them to the competition.
Take away
A virtual personal assistant is critical for smooth daily operations and ongoing flow of communications, as well as to help executives focus on their core work and not administrative functions.
The virtual personal assistant can arrange flights or find information for a presentation. Private individuals can also hire a personal assistant to help them stay organized. Moreover, a PA can multitask and has excellent organizational and communication skills.
We at Aristo Sourcing − a virtual assistant business − have assisted many executives in sourcing great virtual assistants to match their needs. Contact us, or book your complimentary consultation with one of our expert outsourcing guides. We will help you find the perfect virtual personal assistant to enhance your working life.