Virtual Office Support Services

Virtual Office Support Services
www.virtualofficesupportservices.co.uk

Businesses can now head into cyberspace and use a “virtual assistant” to take care of all their administration needs. Working remotely, Rachel Mackay from Gainford will provide a wide range of professional administrative assistance to businesses from her home office. Companies can send work her way, from audio typing and word processing to invoicing and bookkeeping, without incurring the overheads of running their own office.

“People can have their own personal assistant without having to employ somebody full-time or even part-time,” said Mrs Mackay. “I think there is a demand for this service and fingers crossed, I hope I’m going to do OK.”

Modern technology means that assignments that were once confined to a traditional office can now be sent by email, fax or phone to be carried out remotely at another location. Seeing the opportunities of the ‘Information Age’, Mrs Mackay launches her venture, Virtual Office Support Services (Voss), this Friday. As well as secretarial work, she also offers meeting and travel planning and even a ‘personal concierge’ service to buy gifts or write out Christmas cards.

Or, as she puts it: “anything that anyone needs help with”. She said a virtual assistant is a “cost effective solution” for businesses in the current economic climate. Firms will pay only for the services they receive and won’t have the usual employee costs such as tax, national insurance, and holiday and sick pay. As a result, outsourcing administrative work to virtual assistants is becoming increasingly popular, particularly in the United States. Qualified in all aspects of administrative work, Mrs Mackay took her idea to the Enterprise Agency.

“I always wanted to work for myself and I already have the skills to do it,” she said. “I went to the Enterprise Agency and it snowballed from there - their help has been very valuable.”

The agency’s business advisor, Douglas Palarm, who provided her with guidance and support, said it is “an excellent idea.” “There are a lot of businesses now looking to outsource work so there are good opportunities for people like Rachel,” he said. “And opportunities will still be there even when business builds back up. “She is going to be offering a really high-end professional service.”

She also received backing from Business Link and the Rural Development Agency, showing that help – as well as opportunities – exist even in the current economic climate.

For more information, contact Rachel Mackay on 01325 733335 or 07986 950386, ore by email to info@virtualofficesupportservices.co.uk. Visit her website www.virtualofficesupportservices.co.uk

Source: Teesdale Mercury