The true value of the virtual PA
In today’s pressurized business environment could a virtual PA be the answer to your prayers?
Today’s powerful Internet and communication tools offer us unparalleled access to new markets and opportunities, indeed often with the result of stretching our abilities to exploit and manage them, as we try to respond and deliver faster then ever before. But this online revolution has also heralded a new breed of business support service that is quickly establishing itself as a highly valuable and empowering resource - the virtual personal assistant.
Stephen Bracegirdle inherited his first virtual PA, Jackie Baily of Virtuosity Executive Support, from a predecessor when picking up the reigns as CEO of Texon, a multi-national group spread over three continents. The company was experiencing seismic change and with no idea what to expect Stephen admitted to a fair amount of trepidation… “Did I fire her or embrace the unknown? I was under a lot of pressure and needed experienced, discreet and professional support, in the end I decided to give it a shot.”
Happily, Stephen found that experience and professionalism are just a few of Jackie’s many skills and his demanding international schedule also highlighted her ability to support him working unsocial hours with 24 hour turnaround of documents, seven days a week.
But the multi-national executive is by no means the only beneficiary of this ‘PA in your pocket’; Virtuosity is called upon to assist a wide range of businesses, many much closer to home, as Jackie explains, “My clients are hugely diverse and I enjoy the challenge to free up their valuable time, enabling them to get on with the important job of growing their business, or in some cases having a life!”
Long time client Jill Hasler of Hasler Training Associates is in no doubt of Jackie’s value to her business, as her safe pair of hands has helped shape the company’s development, from the professional presentation of bids and tenders to event organisation, “Always helpful, positive and prompt, it’s brilliant to have her there when I need her.”
This ability to seamlessly bolt on an experienced team member as and when you need them means greater office efficiency and real cost savings within hard pressed budgets. With work spanning Tottenham Hotspur, The Royal Opera House, Tax-MOT Ltd and a great many local businesses, Jackie’s experience, responsiveness and flexibility certainly stand out as key to her success, allied with her desire to thoroughly understand her clients’ needs and exceed their expectations.
Now CEO with Bison Concrete Products, Stephen Bracegirdle retained Jackie’s services and she now works along side his on-site PA. Would Stephen employ another virtual PA? “Absolutely, but I’m certainly not looking - there’s nothing Jackie can’t do!”
For value and flexibility the virtual PA is without doubt winning many friends and influencing the way we do business, be it around the world or just around the corner, it seems this virtual PA is virtually unbeatable!
For further information about Jackie Baily and Virtuosity Executive Support call T: 0844 884 5018 or E: jackie@virtuosity-uk.com www.virtuosity-uk.com
© Jacky Fitt – www.thebigideascollective.com 2008
