Forgive the often-used phrase, but… we really are living through the most incredible period of change. This is particularly true when it comes to the working environment, the virtual revolution is here! Historically, people have been required to attend their employer’s offices. However, as the last few years have proved for many, this travel element is no longer necessary.
Also, businesses often find themselves in an all-or-nothing situation regarding staffing. They wait until their employees are stressed before taking steps to employ additional staff. The reason for this delay usually concerns whether they can keep employees at work and justify paying their wages.
But, both these scenarios are no longer necessary. How business owners manage their day-to-day operations had started to change before the lockdown, but this has accelerated.
Why Are We Seeing a Virtual Revolution
The three main reasons for this shift:
#1 Online Systems
Immeasurable technological developments have changed many aspects of our working life. The multitude of online systems makes it possible to carry out almost any background supporting task online. Furthermore, in many cases, it’s more efficient and practical too.
#2 Global Access to Skilled Professionals
The right person to support your business may not live within a commutable distance! In addition to online business systems, online networks facilitate the contracting of skilled professionals. These virtual freelancers can be anywhere in the world. Businesses are no longer limited to hiring within their immediate geographical area. Instead, they can contract individuals or companies with the required skill sets, regardless of location.
#3 Cost-Cutting
We are in the middle of an economic downturn, and who knows when it will get better (or worse). Businesses need to look at their outgoings and assess where savings can be made. Consider the costs of rent, utility bills, furniture and equipment for staff, and the costs and complications around hiring staff. There is a significantly reduced cost involved in running an online office and outsourcing your support roles.
For this reason, many businesses realise that considerable cost and efficiency savings can be made by embracing the virtual revolution. Therefore they are hiring virtual resources rather than in-house employees.
The Perfect Support Option
These fundamental changes have created the perfect environment for virtual business managers and assistants to step up as an outstanding flexible support option. Using a range of online systems such as Zoom, Slack and Trello to communicate and collaborate on projects and tasks, VBMs can be highly efficient and productive. They can effectively support your business by applying a wide array of skills, including
- writing,
- editing,
- scheduling and engaging on social media,
- bookkeeping,
- project planning,
- website creation,
- preparing design elements and graphics.
How To Embrace The Virtual Revolution
These virtual resources are committed to supporting their clients and often become integral to business operations, including its success and growth strategy. They can also contribute to the stability and scalability of the business. For instance, virtual freelancers can make it easier for companies to scale their staffing requirements up or down. Instead of worrying about recruiting and training employees, you can request that your virtual business manager bring further team members on board. Hence ensuring your organisation can react responsively and remain competitive at all times.