History of the First 25 Years of the Virtual Assistant Industry

Posted on June 26, 2017 by Sharon Williams

The Virtual Assistant Industry has a rich but little-known history of pioneering individuals and organizations that saw opportunity in the work-at-home arena to develop and grow businesses that could support and sustain families. This infographic recognizes and shares the story of the industry’s first 25-years. It acknowledges the many women and men who walked the walk and talked the talk that propelled virtual assisting to become the small business resource it is today.
Congratulations to all of the pioneering VAs, and Thank You.

Our Story (from my perspective):

Let’s go back in time, way back, way, way back, to 1981. That’s right! That’s when the concept of secretaries working from home was the exception instead of the norm. As a matter of fact, working from home was frowned upon and individuals who worked from home were considered “second-class workers”; not really contributing to an industry or their household incomes…hobbyist…you name it. Call it what you want, but working from home in the 80s always carried a negative connotation.

However, knowing where you come from, acknowledging all the hard work of those that paved the way — using determination, sweat, time and energy to build the industry, starting new, innovative thinking groups, professionally and positively — spreading the message of how businesses benefits.

Knowing your history helps you understand your foundation, where you come from and most important WHY you can now build a long term, sustainable business – it’s because of those that came before you, 10, 15, 20, 25 years ago – people who walked the walk, talked the talk, and spent many hours answering questions and overcoming obstacles, that have paved the way for you be the Virtual Assistant you are today.

Please don’t forget where you came from. Your History is Your Future!

VA Tips & Tricks Blogging Challenge 2014 E is for Emigrating

28 years ago on 1^st February 1986 I emigrated to South Africa. In 1985 my brother-in-law came to the UK for a holiday, he suggested to me why don’t I emigrate and come to South Africa, he said I would like it and to this day it has been the best step I have ever taken in my life.

I came to this country with a very positive frame of mind and I have never looked back.

Before I left the UK friends were worried about me, telling me, don’t I think I need to buy a gun to shoot the lions, people at the time thought lions were everywhere in South Africa, they had the perception that we lived in mud huts and made fire and cooked outside. They thought the wild animals wandered in the streets and are everywhere. I knew different and did my homework before I came here, so I knew what to expect. I knew the climate, new the work situation and new what living here would be like.

 

 

 

After 5 years here I took a trip back to the UK and on the plane on the way back a guy asked me was I coming here on holiday and I said no I am in fact coming home. I love this country, home is where the heart is, and mine is in South Africa.

It is a lifestyle change coming here, South Africa is very different from the UK.

Since coming to SA I am now doing my dream job of working from home, running my own business, this is something I wouldn’t have thought of doing in the UK.

My aims one day are to travel and visit places in South Africa and Africa in an RV or something like that. I would love to visit places that I want to go to, the Garden Route, Game Parks, Namaqualand in the Spring, I would love to go to the wine route and sit and drink wine and have a nice lunch at a winery.

South Africa tends to get in your blood, once you have been here you will come back time and again. This is a beautiful country, the people are warm and friendly. People like to greet each other and ask each other “How are you”, this is a standard greeting. I can understand why people leave South Africa with the political and crime situation but they come back so that must say something for the country.

 

 

So here is to another 28 years in South Africa.

 

How will you manage your business whilst on holiday?

By Dee Matheson

It’s that wonderful time of year again here in South Africa, winter has started, it’s cold in the morning and evening but during the day the weather on the Highveld is fantastic, blue skies and lots of sunshine. What more can you ask for? The kids are getting excited about the July holidays and all your plans are made for that vacation you’ve been saving so hard for. 

Now here’s the dilemma, what to do with your business while on that well deserved holiday? You can’t close the doors, you need the money and you also don’t want to let your clients down.  It’s only human to stress about this when you are supposed to have a relaxing time with your family. Some business owners have very understanding clients and communicate with them regularly and have created a good relationship when it comes to taking leave but what if you’re not that lucky and don’t have the backup support to allow you to take time off? Or do you make the fatal mistake of either not taking a holiday at all and disappointing the family or trying to work whilst away?

Here are some tips to help you enjoy your holiday this year:

·        Take care of the majority of work before you go away. Make sure whatever can be completed prior to departure is done and dusted and let your clients know that all the tasks or jobs taken aboard have been completed. Plan ahead and get help if you need it to get the job done.

·        Communicate with your regular clients or customers and let them know that you’ll be on leave and when you’ll be back. Don’t leave them in the dark because it’s Murphy’s law that when you’re not available, that’s when they want you the most.

·        Have a support system in place and if you don’t know of anyone, get yourself a Virtual Assistant to ‘run’ your business whilst you’re away. Let her have all the necessary emails, contact information and current work that’s not been finalised yet. She can be your go-to person and handle things for you and also liaise with clients on your behalf so that they don’t feel stranded. Currently I’m doing this for an influential client who is overseas and it’s working like a charm. My client still feels in control of her business even though she is not in this country.

·        Be available for any emergencies. Again, this is where your Virtual Assistant comes to the fore and she will be able to assess if there is any need to contact you.  She will very likely be quite capable of handling the situation herself and only contact you if the situation absolutely warrants it.  If you still feel it’s necessary while you’re away, set a time to speak to your Virtual Assistant and run through any important issues and the outcome thereof. She will be your right-hand person and has your business interest at heart. Remember, if your clients are kept satisfied, she will be happy too because she knows she will get paid and is pleasing her client, that is you, at the same time. There is no better reassurance than having a satisfied client and a job well done for both parties. 

·        And the last but not least point, RELAX and enjoy the time that you’re away. You have now done everything in your power to make sure that all your ducks are in a row. You deserve that much needed break!

If you need support and are looking for that perfect back up Virtual Assistant, contact Dee Matheson on dmatheson@worldonline.co.za or look at my website on www.dfm-virtualassistant.co.za