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As more and more businesses are turning to remote work, the use of virtual assistants has become increasingly popular. These professionals offer a wide range of services that can help businesses and entrepreneurs manage their workload and stay organized. However, there is a new term emerging that may be a more suitable term to describe the relationship between businesses and their remote staff: Virtual Associates.
At first glance, the difference between a virtual assistant and a virtual associate may seem trivial. However, the distinction between the two terms can have a significant impact on how businesses perceive their remote staff and how these professionals perceive their work.
Virtual assistants are independent contractors who provide administrative, creative, or technical services to clients remotely. They work from their own location, using their own equipment and software, and they typically communicate with clients via email, phone, or video chat. Virtual assistants are generally hired on a per-task or hourly basis, and they may work for multiple clients simultaneously.
Virtual associates, on the other hand, are professionals who work remotely with a business or an individual client as part of a team. They are hired on a long-term basis and work closely with the client to achieve specific goals and objectives. Virtual associates are not just assistants who are tasked with completing a list of specific tasks; they are professionals who work collaboratively with their clients to achieve common goals. The term "associate" suggests a more equal partnership, where both parties work together towards a shared objective.
The term "assistant" has a connotation of working for someone, while the term "associate" implies a sense of working together. By changing the term from "assistant" to "associate," businesses can shift the relationship between themselves and their remote staff from a hierarchical one to a more collaborative one. This small change in terminology can lead to a shift in perception, which can result in a more positive and productive relationship between both parties.
Working with virtual associates has several benefits for businesses:
Virtual associates work collaboratively with their clients, which can lead to more innovative and effective solutions.
Virtual associates are not just task-based workers, but they are part of a team, so communication is more streamlined and efficient.
Since virtual associates are part of a team, they are accountable to the team's goals and objectives, which leads to better results.
Virtual associates are hired on a long-term basis, which means that they are invested in the client's success and work towards achieving long-term objectives.
The term "virtual assistant" has been the standard for many years, but the emergence of the term "virtual associate" highlights the importance of working collaboratively in today's remote work environment. By shifting the relationship from working for someone to working together, businesses and virtual professionals can create a more productive and positive partnership that leads to better outcomes. If you're looking to hire remote staff, consider hiring virtual associates to help you achieve your business goals.
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