As a seasoned entrepreneur with two decades under my belt, I’ve lived by a simple rule: focus on your strengths and outsource the rest. This philosophy took on a whole new dimension when I employed my first offshore staff in the Philippines. It’s a strategy I now deem vital for Australian businesses aiming for success….
• Updated 16th February, 2024 • Managing a team presents its challenges, but the real test comes when overseeing remote staff, including virtual assistants, from different parts of the world. While direct interaction fosters certain dynamics, remote work requires a nuanced approach to bridge the gap created by physical distance and cultural differences. However, when…
• Updated 13th February, 2024 • Australian companies are increasingly embracing offshoring to boost efficiency and growth. Virtual Coworker leads this shift, linking Aussie firms with skilled virtual assistants and remote staff from the Philippines. This move is not just cost-effective but opens doors to a world of talent ready to excel. Why Virtual Coworker?…
If you’ve only ever functioned as a solopreneur, bringing on a Virtual Assistant can feel scary. How will you find the right fit and feel confident that they will add value to your organization? First, trust yourself. You’ve brought your business this far by making sound decisions, and hiring a Virtual Assistant will be yet…
The past two years have brought a flurry of changes to the Human Resources role, particularly in the area of recruitment. Finding talent looks a lot different these days, especially if you’ve embraced the remote/hybrid work-life. Shifts like hiring across states and even across countries are spurring a number of new trends in how companies…
Trying to do too much at once won’t allow you to operate at a high level. That’s why delegation is integral to business growth. If you have a product your launching for example that is likely one of your more important goals. You should be actively working towards ensuring the progress of this goal. If…
Your website is more of a storefront than a business card. It’s a living, breathing entity that can update in real-time, at any time, for whatever reason you choose from just about anywhere. It’s practically magic, you guys. You can share news, announcements, new products or services, establish yourself as an industry leader with insightful blog posts…
Remote work is growing exponentially around the world. With a population of 107 million in the Philippines and a vast portion residing in Manilla, it’s no wonder commute times are terrible. Traveling can take up to two hours one way just to get into office buildings in the town center. This can be quite detrimental…
Hiring remotely IS the next big thing. With today’s emerging technology, virtual channels, and inclusive culture, companies have much more flexibility. Some businesses have fully remote teams, while many others allow their employees to work remotely at least once a week. According to a 2018 study by Upwork, work done by freelancers has increased 168…
Outsourcing is a cost-effective way to help grow your business. If you’re bogged down by repetitive tasks it’s a great way to increase productivity and allow you to focus on things that matter. The Philippines has a huge talent pool with a great work ethic, able to work any time zone and a high proficiency…
Whenever you embark on a new business venture it’s important to keep your expectations in check. It’s so easy to get carried away in the magic of a moment, believing that a new team member, a new project or a new partnership might be a life-changing development for your business. When anticipations are high you…
We’re here with an EPIC guide to help you find and hire the TOP virtual assistants. Our process has been compiled based on patterns from the 1,500+ hires we’ve placed and the 40,000 candidates we’ve screened.
As the late great legend, Stan Lee, once penned back in 1962, “With great power, there must also come – great responsibility.” This is true of all great heroes & heroines, but here, in reality, it is also true. As an employer, you have a great responsibility to your vision, goals, and especially your employees….
We’ve all done it. Right before an important decision or purchase, we scour the internet for information. These days everyone claims to have the correct answer. We even tend to trust strangers on the internet reviewing a product more than claims from a company themselves. With all the information out in the world, how do…
Hiring a dedicated virtual assistant is the perfect staffing solution for small businesses, startups, and entrepreneurs who are focused on the bigger picture and working hard to build their organization. These heavy hitting professionals do not have time to keep up with hundreds of emails, endless to-do lists, IT issues, and the financial health of…
Many outsourcing countries have emerged during the past decade, but the Philippines still continues to dominate the Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) arena. Why? The reasons are simple and clear: a high literacy rate with a dedicated workforce, English culture skills, low operational costs, and government support. Currently, the literacy rate in the Philippines is…
Bogged down by repetitive tasks? Time poor? A great way to increase productivity is to outsource and focus on the things that matter. Outsourcing can help change the way you work today and bring a breath of fresh air to your business. Have you noticed how many hours a day you spend doing repetitive management…
Our day-to-day lives require us to complete tons of tasks in a small amount of time. This rings especially true in the life of a business owner. You get to your office, open your computer…. and BOOM! 92 unread emails and it’s barely 8AM. This is just the beginning of the countless things you need…
We’ve all heard some pretty concerning stories about outsourcing, but it’s the positive feedback that has you intrigued by the idea of offshore staff. So you might ask, “What is the difference between encountering a positive or negative experience with outsourcing?” There are a few mistakes you should avoid to ensure only the best experience….
We are all faced with those moments when we are completely and utterly overwhelmed with the never-ending tasks at work. So how do we fix this? Hiring an employee to come into the office everyday can be expensive and there is no way we can manage to get everything done all on our own. This…
As technological capabilities evolve, companies with aspirations of success must evolve at a similar rate. If you are part of a midsized organization or have founded a low fund start-up, you are likely all too familiar with your resources being overwhelmed by admin tasks. It is because of this that more companies are looking to…
Outsourcing has become a huge benefit to many companies in Australia and other parts of the world. Its benefits are undisputed and the results tend to speak for themselves. Still, not every business chooses to outsource for some of its positions, but those who don’t are really missing out. Of all the areas in the…
In my time at Virtual Coworker, I’ve seen countless numbers of companies successfully hire staff in the Philippines. This can range from the mom and pop shop who hired a part-time admin assistant, to the ASX listed company who hired 20 customer and tech support staff. When outsourcing works, it’s amazing. The ability to hire…
In the age of technology, more and more offices are globally diversifying and moving away from the traditional bricks-and-mortar place of work. What this means is that we need to be flexible to collaborate with coworkers, customers and clients and manage outsourcing in an efficient and pragmatic way. These eight tips will make it easier…
The benefits of outsourcing particular tasks and positions within a business are indisputable, however, some business owners still choose to be sceptical. Whether it’s virtual assistants you’re looking for, or perhaps web developers, sales assistants, or customer support personnel, outsourcing from the Philippines is a great way to find exactly what your business needs. Here,…
Crew Scout is an online marketplace for on ¬demand video production and video crew services. Its purpose is to cut through the noise of the video production industry by enabling businesses to find and hire vetted video production companies and freelancers for their next video campaign. With their platform, you can post a project in…
Outsourcing as a concept is nothing new. What is new, however, is the ability for small and medium sized businesses to start and grow offshore teams instantly. What used to be reserved for only the big end of town is now available to everyone due to technology and a better educated global workforce. With workers…
To celebrate the new financial year in Australia, Virtual Coworker is holding a contest that will give the winner one free month of virtual assistant services. The process is simple. Fill out the form below telling us why your company desperately needs a Virtual Assistant. Our judges will choose the entry that seems to need…
Virtual assistants make work easier – and all over the world tens of thousands of companies and organisations are outsourcing jobs to highly skilled VAs working overseas. There are many great advantages. You can clear away difficult or time consuming tasks like spreadsheets or bookkeeping from your in-tray and create space to concentrate on the…
Outsourcing virtual assistants in the Philippines certainly has its benefits and businesses are moving in this direction to reap some of these. However, there are situations when outsourcing to a virtual assistant is not beneficial, particularly if the business does not have an adequate plan in place to support this type of arrangement. If one…
Organisations work hard to achieve goals through efficiency of time, outputs, resources and costs. Outsourcing to virtual assistants provides many benefits to assist organisations to achieve these goals, however it can be limiting when hiring project-based virtual assistants, as they are generally more taskoriented rather than focusing on the businesses’ long-term strategic goals. Hiring a…
As online and digital facilities continue to improve, the ability to hire virtual assistants is becoming more convenient for organisations. As a result, there is an increasing demand for outsourcing to the Philippines. This is for a number of reasons, including: • Reduction of overhead costs as a result of lower salary expectations; reduction in office…
Solar companies in Australia and abroad are dealing with increasing overheads at a time when demand is rising steadily. There are solutions available to support SME’s to do more with less; one of which is outsourcing. Outsourcing has been something that has, at times, had negative connotations attached to it, but the high quality and…
Building offshore teams used to be routine for only companies at the big end of town. Not anymore. In today’s business landscape, small to medium sized businesses are in a great position to take advantage of the cost-savings and productivity that comes with building an offshore workforce. For companies in Australia, there is no place…
Alicia Rennie from Oxygen Executive Technology has opened the door for virtual workers across a range of industries. But before you go ahead and fill a remote position in your company make sure you have an induction strategy in place. When I think back to my first job in recruitment 17 years ago I never…
Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) are increasingly juggling cost pressures at a time when demands on service delivery are on the rise. There are solutions available to support RTOs to do more with less; one of the most significant is outsourcing. Outsourcing has been something that has, at times, had negative connotations attached to it, but…
Working with remote developers can be incredibly beneficial to a business. It’s an opportunity to employ highly skilled staff and to create working conditions that are suitable for both parties. However, for remote recruitment to work, it is crucial to find employees who are trustworthy, hard working and committed. What are the options? There are…
Unrealistic expectations? Imagine…you are the CEO, the CFO, and also the CMO of your business and desperately need a helping hand. In just a moment or two, you can have a virtual assistant, even a virtual team, fully ready to perform on your behalf. These remote workers can instantly solve all your problems. Does this…
Case Study: How to Build a Customer and Tech Support Team Business Name: BigAir Group Limited (ASX: BGL) Type of Company: Telecommunications Positions hired: Technical and Customer Support Explain the roles that you’re currently outsourcing Level 1 Technical Support for residential customers and non-technical Customer Service Representatives for corporate and wholesale customers. How did you…
Outsourcing work virtually is a cost-effective way to get those time-consuming tasks completed efficiently. As this financial year comes to an end, it is time to tie up loose ends and get prepared for the next one. To assist with the transition and get the right processes in place for the new financial year, there…
When you’re a salesperson, you want to be out there doing what you do best: sales! If you’re like me, closing a deal is the excitement and reward you live for. Of course, there are many steps leading up to that close. Some are enjoyable, like creating relationships, having meaningful conversations, and attending events. Other…
For those who aren’t familiar with Tony Robbins, he’s a legendary “business and life strategist” who has worked with the likes of Oprah Winfrey, Bill Clinton, and countless other extremely successful entrepreneurs and companies. I had the privilege of seeing him live in Sydney where he spoke about bettering oneself in business, relationships and everyday…
The days where business owners share a workspace with all of their staff are well behind us. Now, it is a rare workplace that does not have some level of remote working, whether that is a local staff working from home or a virtual assistant working in a different country. Being co-located with our teams…
If you’ve recently partnered with a recruiter to hire a staff member and had a positive experience, I’d imagine the timeline looked a little something like this: You, the hiring manager and/or internal recruiter identified a specific need within your team; You liaised with your consultant regarding said need and together established a plan of…
Name: Referee upon request Type of Business: Executive & IT Recruitment Type of Virtual Coworker: Full-time Recruitment Assistant Questions: What does your Virtual Assistant do on a daily basis? She started off doing some of the more basic admin functions any company has. Once I realised how competent and capable she was, we started giving…
More employees are working remotely from their homes, and that’s a good thing, not only for them, but also for their employers, and for the environment. The simple fact is that working in the comfort of your own home can increase job satisfaction, and satisfied workers tend to be more productive employees. Employers who let…
When working with remote teams, it’s critical to utilize programs that will best allow you and your staff to collaborate and communicate. There are a thousand apps and programs you can use to do this. In this article, I will cover the top three programs that Virtual Coworker and its clients use for seamless interaction…
With the help of a Virtual Assistant (VA), you can make your business more efficient and productive without having to micromanage everything. In fact, you can run your business even while you sleep! Here’s how: Answering Customer Service/Enquiries Answering questions from customers and interested prospects is a very time-consuming process. However, this is a necessary…
8 Things to Look For In a Virtual Assistant Outsourcing specific roles to Virtual Assistants is a critical component for growing businesses. There are, however, a lot of attribute that separate average virtual assistants from great virtual assistants. Below are 8 things to look for in a Philippines Virtual Assistant. 1. Excitement Find out if…
Outsourcing can be quite the daunting task. There are certain practices from recruitment to staff management that if done correctly will lead to outsourcing success, however, if disregarded can lead to total failure. The following are the ten biggest mistakes you can make when outsourcing Have a vague idea of the job role Having a…
I get asked all the time about the best way to create an amazing business relationship with a Virtual Assistant from the Philippines. In my experience, the way to do this can be a lot different from approaches most bosses take in western societies. Solid relationships are not built on money or gifts. It’s not…
Hiring virtual assistants in the Philippines (VAs) is a great option if you’re running on full capacity or looking to improve productivity and efficiency. With many online assistants specialising in various business processes and marketing skills, they can take a huge load off your shoulders. But regardless of how good the VA is, you will…
*** Please refer to our updated 2020 version of this blog here*** Beginner’s Guide to Interviewing a Virtual Assistant When hiring a virtual assistant (VA), conducting a preliminary interview is very important. Interviewing a prospective worker lets you know what that applicant is capable of and verify that he or she is indeed the right…
Whether you employ full-time, part-time, or virtual assistants, it is always important to establish good relationships with them. Studies have shown that building good relationships with the members of your team can improve overall business productivity and efficiency and help you generate greater revenues. Here’s how you can build a strong and successful relationship with…
You always hear people talking about Facebook pages and Twitter accounts, but as a business development resource for B2B service providers, LinkedIn is by FAR the most powerful social media tool around. For amateurs and experts alike, the following tips will help you master LinkedIn: Become a Thought Leader In order to build your personal…
A virtual assistant (VA) can greatly improve your productivity and, at the same time, give you more opportunities to focus on business and personal activities you enjoy the most. But how can you tell that a VA is indeed working for you? Unlike regular employees, you cannot exactly tell your VA to “step into your…
Having a sound lead generation strategy is a pivotal part of any business. It’s what attracts new clients and expands your customer base, allowing you to sustain your business and get access to a steady flow of income. Generating leads, however, is often a time-consuming task. If you focus your time and energy solely on…
Hiring virtual assistants (VAs) is one of the most effective and inexpensive solutions to manage aspects of your business. VAs can be a huge help and unlike hiring a full-time employee, you don’t have to spend a large amount of money to enlist their services. Like any boss-employee relationship, however, it is very important that…
I am excited and proud to announce Virtual Coworker has been selected as a finalist in Anthill’s Cool Company Awards 2013. We always knew the people of Virtual Coworker were cool, but having our company selected as one of the coolest companies in Australia is quite validating. Virtual Coworker is one of four finalists in…
In today’s fast-paced market, sales professionals face the constant challenge of balancing high-impact activities with essential administrative tasks. Shifting the latter to a Filipino Virtual Assistant (VA) can significantly enhance your efficiency and profitability. Here’s how a skilled VA from the Philippines can transform your sales approach, updated to reflect the latest trends and practices….