A remote administrative assistant can be a game-changer for entrepreneurs and start-ups. If you compare such a person with an on-site employee, you quickly understand why – costs. An onsite admin assistant can cost a business $25,000 to $50,000 annually to do administrative work.
However, this will not be the total amount since the business must cost additional fees. Besides cost savings, a company can benefit for other reasons when hiring a remote assistant. Let’s explore these advantages.
Save you money
Business costs can be dramatically reduced if you hire a remote administrative assistant instead of paying an onsite staff member. That said, two key differences exist between a remote worker and one employed onsite. A remote assistant (also known as a virtual assistant) is not an employee.
Instead, this person is a hired consultant who works remotely. In contrast, an onsite employee is a staff member who will demand additional costs, such as taxes, insurance fees, workstation costs (ranging from desks to chairs, to computers to stationary), and rental space. A company can save around $11,000 per person annually on a person who works remotely. Usually, a business does not pay out benefits to a remote worker. However, this is up to the company.
Nevertheless, their tasks are similar. These tasks include making calls, scheduling appointments, making travel arrangements, preparing reports, sorting out the email inbox, and offering general office support. All such matters can be done for less − much less. These savings on business expenses can be used for marketing or investing in other skilled staff, which might otherwise not have been possible.
Boost productivity
Alongside the cost savings, productivity is another massive benefit for any business. The main reason is that the time-consuming and repetitive tasks are outsourced to a remote assistant who will accomplish the same quality and amount of work as an onsite worker.
Therefore, the business does not waste any valuable resources, whether money or time taken by the core staff. Core staff will thus have more time to focus on their core work (the work they were hired to do). The tasks that the core staff undertakes are more high-level and will help to grow the company more rapidly.
Meanwhile, the remote admin assistant will quietly complete the admin tasks and prepare everything for the onsite team. Moreover, as the core team is given more time to attend to the work they love, they will feel valued and, in return, be more productive. The business can then consider moving towards a four-day week.
Moving towards a four-day week
The five-day workweek became the norm in the 19th century. It was simple – you work and go home, and then repeat. This does not always lead to a healthy work-life balance. However, the need to work long hours has diminished with technological developments.
More so, it has been shown that working a week does not mean higher productivity. In fact, in contrast, working less can boost productivity. Iceland has shown, for example, that a four-day workweek is successful.
Also, in Japan, the Microsoft offices ran a trial, which reflected a 40% increase in productivity. A similar work strategy is gaining popularity in countries like Sweden, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom.
The benefit of a shorter workweek is a reduction of costs for all − running costs, for instance, will decrease by cutting out one workday. Workers will also save on work-related travel costs. Additionally, workers are happier and have fewer health issues. However, another benefit is that this strategy helps retain your good staff.
Able to access great talent
When you hire, you want to hire the best. The problem is that your budget will not go far if you have to hire locally. However, with outsourcing, you expand your net and can access top-quality people. More so, with technological developments, geographical restrictions become less of a concern.
However, the only factors to consider are whether remote workers have a good command of the English language and in which time zone they operate. This will influence your choice of remote worker.
Employee Retention
The ability to retain staff was mentioned above. This feature is a benefit in its own right. Hiring staff costs money and time. In addition, a company spends money on training and onboarding every recruit. When a worker decides to resign, the company is left in the lurch.
The HR department is then obliged to repeat the entire hiring process. The HR manager can then not complete other tasks that might boost staff morale, having to spend time sourcing new candidates.
The bottom line
Hiring a remote administrative assistant can offer five great benefits to you and your team. Although not in the office, the remote worker will integrate perfectly with the rest of the team despite working remotely as a consultant. Such a remote worker can perform all the same tasks as an onsite worker.
Knowing when to outsource and how to go about this process can be overwhelming. This is a normal response to a stressful situation. Aristo Sourcing offers an outsourcing specialist to assist you here. The outsourcing specialist has had years of experience working with some of the largest businesses globally.
Yet Aristo Sourcing is there even for the smallest business. You can book a free call in which you can discuss your situation and your needs. Book your call now.
What is a remote administrative assistant?
A remote administrative assistant is a virtual assistant who provides administrative support to businesses and individuals remotely. Remote administrative assistants can perform a wide range of tasks, including:
- Managing email and calendars
- Scheduling appointments
- Preparing presentations and reports
- Handling customer inquiries
- Managing social media accounts
- Providing travel support
- And more!
What are the benefits of hiring a remote administrative assistant?
There are many benefits to hiring a remote administrative assistant, including:
- Increased productivity: Remote administrative assistants can take on tasks that would otherwise take up your time, allowing you to focus on more important things.
- Reduced costs: Remote administrative assistants are typically less expensive than hiring a full-time employee.
- Improved work-life balance: Remote administrative assistants can help you reduce your workload and stress levels, giving you more time to enjoy your life outside of work.
- Access to a broader pool of talent: You can hire remote administrative assistants from all over the world, giving you access to a broader pool of talent and skills.
What are the different types of remote administrative assistant services?
Remote administrative assistants can provide a wide range of services, including:
- General administrative support: Remote administrative assistants can help with tasks such as managing email, scheduling appointments, and preparing presentations.
- Customer support: Remote administrative assistants can handle customer inquiries, provide technical support, and manage social media accounts.
- Travel support: Remote administrative assistants can help with travel arrangements, booking flights and hotels, and creating itineraries.
- Project management: Remote administrative assistants can help with project management tasks such as creating timelines, managing budgets, and tracking progress.
- Virtual assistant services: Remote administrative assistants can provide various virtual assistant services, such as data entry, research, and transcription.
What skills and experience should I look for in a remote administrative assistant?
When hiring a remote administrative assistant, you should look for someone who has the following skills and experience:
- Administrative skills: The remote administrative assistant should have experience with everyday administrative tasks such as managing email, scheduling appointments, and preparing presentations.
- Communication skills: The remote administrative assistant should have excellent communication skills and communicate effectively with you, your team, and your customers.
- Organization skills: The remote administrative assistant should be organized and able to manage multiple tasks simultaneously.
- Computer skills: The remote administrative assistant should be proficient in using standard computer software such as Microsoft Office Suite and Google Workspace.
How much does it cost to hire a remote administrative assistant?
The cost of hiring a remote administrative assistant varies depending on their skills, experience, and location. However, remote administrative assistants are typically less expensive than hiring a full-time employee.
What are some tips for managing a remote administrative assistant?
Here are some tips for managing a remote administrative assistant:
- Set clear expectations: Ensure your remote administrative assistant knows what you expect from them regarding their roles and responsibilities.
- Provide regular feedback: Give your remote administrative assistant regular feedback on their performance and let them know what they are doing well and where they can improve.
- Be available to answer questions: Make sure your remote administrative assistant knows that they can come to you with questions and that you are available to help them when needed.
- Use project management tools: They can help you track your remote administrative assistant’s progress and ensure they meet deadlines.
- Trust your remote administrative assistant: It is essential to trust your remote administrative assistant and to give them the autonomy to do their job.