As a management professional, your role requires you to engage in important directives and make critical decisions on a daily basis. Tasked with leading upper-level initiatives such as strategy sessions, negotiations, process reviews, and goal setting, you devise and enable solutions that aid in the betterment of your organization.  

As a busy executive, your daily to-do list also likely involves behind-the-scenes tasks such as: 

• Combing through an inbox full of emails
• Planning and scheduling meetings 
• Coordinating travel itineraries and logistics
• Editing documents, slide decks, proposals, and contracts

At times, it may be difficult to think clearly, critically, and creatively when balancing these mundane yet important administrative tasks along with the higher-level responsibilities of your role. 

Naturally, you might consider hiring an executive assistant to support you with those day-to-day administrative functions, however that doesn’t mean you have to make space in your office. More and more executives are embracing a virtual assistant model to garner the same solid, reliable, tenured support one can expect from an in-person employee while alleviating costs in other areas.  

Virtual Executive Assistants (VEAs) are real, human assistants who work remotely to serve your administrative needs. 

Increased Benefits and Savings

Through use of the VEA model of support, executives are saving hours of time, energy, and effort, and have renewed ability to focus on company priorities. By managing and maintaining daily tasks, VEAs are helping companies boost overall efficiency, while the remote aspect offers flexibility and cost savings.  

Because of these advantages, adoption of a VEA workforce has been on the rise, prompting a demand for assistants with higher skill levels. Originally focused on the daily, routine tasks of their executive team, VEAs have seriously upgraded their competencies. They are broadening their skill sets to keep up with peers in the industry and to contribute more to their executives’ organizations. The expanded set of skills embraced by today’s VEAs includes:  

• Creative and digital marketing
• Graphic design 
• Website management
• Customer service support 
• Expense management and bookkeeping 
• Research and report generation 

The incorporation of core-focused duties with everyday tasks allows for engagement of the virtual employee in the overall objectives of the business. They are ready to contribute to both short and long-term initiatives.  

A Growing Attraction

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that over the next decade, approximately 316,000 administrative assistant positions will be available each year.  

In a list of statistics related to the virtual assistant model, Truelist, a software and service provider reports that the U.S. employs more than 3.3 million virtual and in-house secretaries and administrative assistants. With regard to the remote assistant workforce, they express that: 

• 59% of virtual assistants work full time
• Employing virtual assistants can lower operating costs by 78% 
• 49% of companies with virtual assistants have over 1,000 employees 
• 85% of virtual workers report increased productivity when working from home 
• The most sought-after virtual assistant services include social media management

VEA Partnership

Many executives continue to consider the virtual model, to determine if it is a good fit for their organization. Input and resources from an experienced and knowledgeable service provider can help. Such partners are adept at handpicking assistants who provide the best results.  

The most successful relationship between an executive and their VEA stems from a solid partnership. In order to provide quality, reliable remote staff support, the Cayuse model commits to: 

• Performing a thorough needs assessment with the client, to allow for the design of personalized and appropriate support. 

• Support that goes beyond the typical daily schedule. With national coverage spanning from 8 to 12 service hours daily, overlapping time zones provide support and attention to busy executives when they need it. 

• Technology that seamlessly integrates multiple forms of communication including instant chat, email, and phone. Once clients send their requests, they can expect a timely response and updates on project completion.  

• VEAs who have been screened and comply with client training and confidentiality requirements.  

• VEAs who are thoroughly assessed and reviewed for the necessary skill-level of each assignment. 

Cayuse pairs clients with VEAs whose personality, skills, and experience most match their needs. Initial efforts made to acclimate VEAs and executives allow for strong, solid relationships that produce quality work through communication and partnership. An encouraged and well-supported VEA quickly becomes a true asset to the executive and the business.  

Alongside an experienced provider, hiring remote assistants is proving to be one of the most cost-effective ways to save executives and business owners valuable time and energy. Knowing how best to encourage and embrace a virtual support team will add value to your business culture, directives, and overall goals.

Cayuse excels as a partner in providing talented, tenured, professional staff to businesses. Read more about our success in this case study. 

Consider Enlisting Virtual Help

Once considered unusual, employing a virtual workforce is proving to be the new normal in executive support. The remote assistant appreciates the freedom and comfort of working from home, while the executive benefits from having a partner they can count on. This relationship affords renewed time and energy, decreases overhead expenses, and gets things done.  

Partner with Cayuse to determine the best support model for your business. Reach out to us and one of our Senior Managing Directors will be in touch.