First of all, congratulations! You’ve reached a significant milestone in your business journey, where you’re ready to bring in some extra support. This is a big step, and it’s important to make the right decision.

Now you’re here, maybe you find yourself wondering what the best solution for your business may be.

Should you opt for the traditional route and hire an employee, or perhaps consider the convenience of a remote, virtual assistant?

Both have their merits and drawbacks, but how do you decide which is best for your business?

Let’s break it down.

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Virtual Assistant vs Traditional Employee

Before we go any further and dive into the benefits of a Virtual Assistant over an employee, it’s important to first clarity the difference.

Virtual Assistant (VA): A virtual assistant is a freelance professional who (usually) works remotely. They are paid a fee for the work they complete.

Traditional Employee: A traditional employee is someone who is likely to work on-site in your physical office or location. They are part of your permanent team and you pay them a salary and employee benefits.

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The benefits of hiring a Virtual Assistant

We may be a little biased at The Executives Suite, but here are just a few of the reasons you should hire a VA…

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• VAs are more flexibile:

VAs offer flexibility in terms of the services they provide and the hours they work. You can hire them on a project basis, part-time, or full-time, depending on your needs. This is perfect if you need to scale up or reduce support, rather than a traditional employee with set hours each week, regardless of workload.

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• VAs are the most cost effective option

It’s often cheaper to hire and work with a VA over a permanent employee. You won’t need to provide office space, benefits, sick pay or paid time off, which can save you money in the long run. When you work with a VA, this is all included in their contractor fee. Plus, there’s no need for a complicated (and expensive) hiring and onboarding process.

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• VAs have a wider skillset

If you work with a team of VAs, you can usually find the expertise you need without the hassle of hiring multiple employees. At The Executive Suite, all of our virtual assistants are highly experienced and can support you with a variety of tasks, from diary management to generating invoices.

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Why you should hire a permanent employee

On the other side, traditional employees offer a sense of stability and commitment that virtual assistants may not. Here’s why you might lean towards hiring a traditional employee:

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• Traditional employees have a physical presence:

Traditional employee tend to work in your physical location, which means you can build a relationship easier, have in-person collaboration, team building and training. This enhanced communication can lead to ebtter relationships and more control over their work.

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• Traditional employees are generally a long-term commitment

Permanent employees may be more loyal and committed to you as their employer due to the stability and team aspect of the role. They are then more likely to go the extra mile for their employer, and stay for the long-term.

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Which is the right hire? How to make the best decision for your business

So, now you’ve read a little bit more about the benefits of each, how do you make the right choice for your business? Here are some extra factors to consider:

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• Assess your workload and the specific tasks you need help with. If you have a high amount of ongoing, routine tasks that potentially require training, then a traditional employee might be a better fit. If your needs are project-based or reduced hours, a VA could be the answer.

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• Evaluate your budget and finances. If you have limited funds, hiring a VA might be the more cost-effective option. If you have the financial means, hiring a traditional employee could be a strategic investment.

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• Consider your long-term business goals. If you’re expecting growth, a permanent team member might be the best choice. If you want to maintain flexibility and adapt quickly to changing demands, a VA could be the way to go.

Summary

Still unsure on the best option for you? Let us help.

Arrange a free, no-strings attached consultation and we can talk through all the ways we can support your business.

Book a consultation call by clicking here.