As your business grows you will look into getting extra hands. A virtual assistant and a regular employee provide similar services to a business owner.
A VA can however give a business extra value while still saving the business money. Not to say VAs do not have cons to them, for one, they can be from any part of the world with a different time zone and getting an urgent task completed may not be practical.
Which one is right for you? Here are a few differences with pros and cons to help you decide.
Let us start by differentiating a VA and an employee
Virtual Assistant
- An independent contractor, freelancer or self-employed person.
- Works remotely – Outside the business premises, mostly from home.
- Paid for work done or per project.
- Cheaper – No payroll and taxes cost incurred. VAs do not enjoy employment benefits such as healthcare, paid leave, or life insurance. VAs use their own resources.
- No training required – VAs upgrade their skills and knowledge regularly at their own cost to remain competitive.
- Easy to hire and replace – VAs are hired on a need basis.
- Flexible work schedule.
- Constant communication hindered. Some may work different hours/time zones. Urgent tasks maybe be delayed.
- Difficulty tracking working hours as it’s beyond business owner controls.
- No personal interaction. You could be continents apart.
Employee
- Works under a contract by an employer.
- Inhouse. A regular employee is physically present at the business premises.
- Paid a fixed salary.
- Expensive – Cost includes; taxes, office and equipment expenses, payroll cost, employment benefits – life insurance, paid sick leave, healthcare, worker’s compensations, and holiday pay.
- Require training – the business owner meets the costs of inducting new employees and future training.
- Complex hiring and replacement process
- Employees are usually hired for a specific role.
- Ease of communication with immediate 1:1 conversations. Urgent tasks can be delegated and completed within time.
- Easier to keep track of.
- Personal human interaction enhances relationship building for business growth and smooth flow of work.
So, which one is best for you? It will all depend on your needs, the complexity of your tasks and your budget.
Correct.