Welcome to International Executive Choice

"An office-manager-in-a-modem, the virtual assistant is a home-based worker who uses electronic technology to do almost everything onsite assistants can do, from balancing the books to answering the phone. But since they're contract workers, not employees, they can save small and midsize businesses time, money, and red tape."

Source: ABC News

A new member of the Reidsville Chamber of commerce is offering a unique service. International Executive Choice, based in Greensboro, is providing virtual assistance, via the companies website. More Info>>

Think You Can’t Afford The Help You Need? Think Again!
Diane Hughes, Industry Analyst, Webpronews.com

So many small business owners - especially those who work from home - are very pressed for time. After all, as an independent professional, you must wear the hats of: accountant, salesperson, customer service representative, marketing manager, distribution manager, tax professional, and countless others. While you may need help desperately, you probably think you can't afford to hire someone. The truth be known, you can actually SAVE money by using an assistant. Think of it this way. How do you make your money? Providing a product? Offering a service? Soliciting memberships? Regardless, you have to DO something (promote the product, perform the service, solicit the membership) to get that money. When you must be all things to all people, it takes valuable time away from the one thing that brings in cash for you. Hiring an assistant can free you up to make more money.

Here's an example:
Let's say you spend 10 hours a week on actual moneymaking ventures. Your average income in one week is $1,000. You spend the other 30 hours per week answering emails, doing bookkeeping, providing customer service support, and so on. If you could delegate many of the duties that don't absolutely require your attention to an assistant, you could devote possibly 20 more hours to making money. That would give you 30 hours a week to make money and only 10 hours per week to do other things. Don't think you can afford an assistant? Oh, sure you can! Virtual Assistants perform a wide range of duties at very reasonable rates. They work via phone, email, fax, and postal mail rather than being a full-time employee of your business. This way, you only pay for the services you need. Let's say you DO hire a Virtual Assistant. He/she works 20 hours week for a rate of $35 per hour. That equals $700. On the other hand, YOU spend those 20 hours a week making more money. That would give you an additional $2,000 per week (using the same example above). You would actually make MORE money ($1,300 more) hiring a Virtual Assistant than you would doing it all yourself. Whoever you choose, make sure they have experience performing the duties you want to delegate. Also, be sure they allow hourly work without contracts (at least in the beginning) so that you can get a feel for how he/she does business. Virtual Assistants can free you up to do what you do best, make money. This is a very affordable alternative to running yourself ragged, and trying to do everything yourself. After all, isn't one of the perks of being a business owner supposed to be more freedom?!

More firms use virtual assistance
By Nick Easen for CNN
Bosses can be thousands of miles away from their virtual assistants.

(CNN) -- The Internet has revolutionized many business sectors and has single-handedly created one -- virtual assistance. Over the last decade, thousands have swapped corporate jobs to provide services for new bosses who they may never actually meet. These home-based workers help out with anything from bookkeeping, Web design or travel arrangements via phone, e-mail or fax. And the industry is now so big that there are trade groups and Web sites that assist virtual assistants (V.A.s) -- and try to attract potential clients.

"The growth is fastest in the U.S. There is also a substantial base in Australia, Canada and the UK," Bronwyn Robertson a virtual assistant for British arts companies, told CNN. "Many employees who suffered from downsizing discovered they could offer their skills on a self-employed basis."

Even though the concept has been around for a while, according to some virtual assistants, many bosses are only just beginning to realize administrative support can easily be done virtually. "The term virtual assistant is frequently not looked for because the general public are still not familiar with it," said Kathie Thomas, a virtual assistant in Australia. "They tend to think -- home-based secretary -- or something similar."

However, as independent contractors, V.A.s are involved in all kinds of work including data entry, tax advice, accountancy and technology support. Those in the industry say it is on the rise because it is cost-effective. The employer does not pay for extra office space, furniture, equipment or software. There is also no additional cost for training, pensions or work insurance.

In the U.S., medical practitioners, legal practitioners, realtors, public speakers and corporate trainers are the most prominent users of V.A.s. The downside of employing them is that relationships take longer to develop, since they are not actually in the office. Carolyn Moncel a V.A. in Paris, France, provides support for companies in North America, while her employers take advantage of the time difference to meet deadlines. "I think people choose to be a V.A. because it gives them a alternative way of working -- it's mobile, flexible and empowering," she says. Many mothers have become V.A.s in order to balance work with family commitments and for many the advantages are numerous, while others miss the office environment. "I sometimes miss the camaraderie of my former work colleagues, although there is instant messaging, E-mail and phone," says Robertson.