Partnering with a Virtual Assistant (VA) - How partnering with a virtual assistant can increase business and your bottom-line. Top 10 reasons entrepreneurs partner with virtual assistants.

1. Partnering with a Virtual Assistant (VA) How partnering with a virtual assistant can increase business and your bottom-line. PRESENTED BY: MARYANN CRUZ http://www.think-vs.com

2. Content What is a Virtual Assistant (VA)? Types of services provided by virtual assistants Top 10 reasons entrepreneurs contract virtual assistants Utilizing virtual assistant services Benefits Partnering vs hiring a full-time employee

3. What is a Virtual Assistant? A virtual assistant (VA) is a professional who specializes in providing continuous, customized, collaborative-style administrative and management support to entrepreneurs. Virtual assistants operate from their own office utilizing today’s technology to deliver services and communicate with clients. Virtual assistants are cutting edge administrative experts, who sometimes offer additional specialties services that are creative and/or technical in nature.

4. Types of Services Provided by Virtual Assistants(including but are not limited to the following): Bookkeeping Branding Contact Management Database Creation/Management Desktop Publishing Electronic File Management Event Planning Marketing Presentations Reports Research Social Media Spreadsheet Design Travel Arrangements Web Maintenance Word Processing

5. REASON #1 – STRESSED! TOP 10 REASONS ENTREPRENEURS CONTRACT VIRTUAL ASSISTANTS Most entrepreneurs are not only the owner but also serve as: - Sales/Marketing person - Employee - Bookkeeper wearing multiple hats causes for much stress and anxiety.

6. REASON #2 – Overloaded with paperwork Entrepreneurs are responsible for both management and administrative paperwork including: Inquiries Responding to RFP’s Contracts Reports Research Marketing Legal Documents and more…

7. REASON #3Not enough hours in a work day, week, or month Most entrepreneurs will initially work on average of 60-80 hrs/ week. While they are working on simultaneous projects they may occasionally miss important contract deadlines… Or even a family event.

8. REASON #4Need help with time and/or schedule management Being your own administrative assistant can be very challenging. Entrepreneurs must be extremely organized when planning their schedules and they must always be prepared for the unexpected. It’s very common for entrepreneurs to double book and sometimes triple book themselves.

9. REASON #5They need to network To be a successful entrepreneur one must always have a new list of potential clients. The most common way of getting new clients is through networking. Partnering with a VA not only allows more time to attend networking events, but it also allows for entrepreneurs to tap into the VA’s existing network.

10. REASON #6Spend more time with clients Most companies will succeed and/or based upon the customer service they provide. Entrepreneurs must spend time getting to know their clients as well as maintaining that relationship.

11. REASON #7Need assistance with preparing presentation(s) Depending on the business, entrepreneurs may be presenting to: Clients Partners Investors Or all of the above A virtual assistant can assist with researching and gathering data, creating the presentation as well as packaging it.

12. REASON #8Need assistance with reporting and bookkeeping While some entrepreneurs may have purchased software to expedite processes for example: Client Management Systems Bookkeeping they may not be utilizing the software to it’s full extent. Ensuring that data is accurately entered into the system(s) and producing reports is something a virtual assistant can do.

13. REASON #9Increase bottom-line When partnering with a virtual assistant, not only does one get someone who will take over those time consuming tasks , allowing one to grow his/her business, but one also gains a partner to brainstorm with. Some VA’s will assist with budgeting, marketing strategies, goal setting, etc.

14. Reason #10Get important projects completed When starting a business most entrepreneurs have a written business plan for areas that need to be completed within the first year. However, once they get clients and become busy some of those goals continue to get pushed aside. Examples: Website Marketing Collateral Policies & Procedures

15. Benefits Benefits No more stress over administrative tasks No need to expand your current office or purchase additional equipment Do not have to offer medical benefits or paid time off No payroll taxes Assistance with delegation Stronger goal orientation Work with a seasoned professional and only pay for the hours used Make your time more productive and increase your bottom-line Utilizing virtual assistant services

16. Partnering vs hiring an employeehttp://www.think-vs.com/FAQs.html

17. Questions & Answers Contact Information: Maryann Cruz Office: 860.904.2452 Fax: 860.904.2453 E-mail: maryann@think-vs.com www.