Ever seen a manager or entrepreneur buried under phone messages, to-do lists, project folders and the sacred appointment book? In times of crisis who do they turn to for assistance when they do not have the physical space, additional equipment or want an employee in their office. The answer is the Virtual Assistant.

This New Economy career combines technology and the skill set of a secretary. Stacy Brice has been a successful Virtual Assistant (VA) for the past two years and sees this as a growing career trend. Her belief in this trend is so powerful that she is now President of Assist U, a virtual training organization that teaches people how to become successful VAs.

The role of the VA is to work closely with a successful person without needing to be physically present. It works because of the availability of fax, phone, and email that allows people to be in touch as easily as if they were sitting four feet from one another.

VAs offer administrative and personal support to business owners, executives and entrepreneurs. They provide several advantages to businesses by saving them payroll taxes, insurance, equipment, space and time, and providing high quality professional support. The best advantage is the VA works on the details while the client concentrates on the big picture, income generation and having a quality personal life.

The following are the qualities best suited in the virtual assistance practice:

• has great office skills
• is open minded and curious
• willing to learn new things and learn it quickly
• has superior listening skills to hear what's said and what's not said
• is proactive and able to anticipate client's needs
• is focused and organized
• is confident
• has passion
• enjoy solitude and independence
• is committed to a successful long-term partnership

Virtual Assistants provide a form of virtual office management and the following are a sample of their services:

• Handle all forms of correspondence
• Internet research
• Make appointments and keep a schedule
• Plan meetings and events
• Make travel arrangements
• Handle reservations for seminars given by clients
• Desktop publishing
• Coordination of web design/hosting
• Buy gifts/cards for customers of clients
• Bookkeeping - business and personal
• Manage vendor relations
• Create/maintain databases
• Marketing support

The VA acts as a partner and takes on a dynamic role in the client's success. The duties performed are only limited by the imagination and creativity of both the VA and the client. Due to the ongoing relationship the VA has with their clients they can only work with a small number of clients, whereas a home based secretary can have many clients and do piece work for them.

If you think that you have the motivation and passion to be a Virtual Assistant, then consider attending the 16 week virtual training program offered by Assist U. Training has been offered since May 1997 and there have been eleven graduates and with seven more about to graduate pending approval on their final project.

Stacy feels the graduates have found individual success. Stacy defines success as "being in control of their destiny" and they are free to select clients that they enjoy working with. Her graduates operate on a part time or full time basis. Several of her graduates serve more than five clients while others serve as few as two. She quoted "the average rate of pay is $30 - $35 US per hour" although she charges a higher rate for herself. The rate of pay is based on the value that they create through the long term partnerships with their clients. This is unlike the other "cyber secretaries that exist that is willing to do piece work" on an irregular basis and bill out lower fees where their work becomes a "commodity."

Stacy comments, "I think that we are just scratching the surface of what's possible. I plan to continue as a pioneer in regards to this profession. Working virtually is amazing."

For further information contact Stacy Brice at president@assistu.com.

Cindy Poulin is a virtual consultant specializing in training, project management and e-commerce. She may be contacted at pps_online@hotmail.com.