A virtual assistant is many things to many different people. It's sometimes an umbrella term that many people use to describe any staff they hire in the Philippines.
This article will debunk the six Filipino virtual assistant myths that people think are real!
Myth 1: Virtual collaboration doesn't compare with shared space collaboration?
This is utterly outdated thinking. If Covid showed us anything, it's that staff can be amazingly productive when working from home.
The truth is many people are more productive outside of an office environment. With collaboration tools like Skype, Slack, and other tools, you can build a tremendous virtual work environment.
In fact, on VirtualStaff.ph, you can use time tracking and task management tools, as well as our free-to-use chat and video call functions for free!
I've worked from home for years, and even with 300+ staff, I still work remotely.
I spend my work time often listening to music or sometimes even putting a series or documentary on in the background while I work; this results in me getting significantly more work done because the environment allows me to maximize it to my advantage.
Myth 2: Hiring virtual assistants and remote staff causes problems?
Problems occasionally occur to any business that employs, works with, or hires staff, whether in an office or working from home. That's life.
However, trust me when I say this, hiring a virtual assistant does not present any more problems than hiring any other local employee.
Usually, the people who experience problems working with a virtual assistant are bad at people management and don't have or put systems in place.
It's straightforward, hire your virtual assistant by the hour and put them on a time tracking tool. You then have full accountability without any problems.
Here are three steps to avoiding problems:
- Be clear with what the job is. What tasks does the virtual assistant do? Remember, just like back home, you can't hire someone as a marketing assistant and then expect them to be the night cleaner and bookkeeper at the same time.
- Pay on time! Agree on the hourly salary rate, and always, always, always pay them on time. Remember, your virtual assistant trusts you, and because they are based in another country, you must keep that trust.
- Open and consistent communication. Keep the dialogue open and flowing by utilizing free and easy-to-use technologies. You can easily message or call your virtual assistants from VirtualStaff.ph!
Myth 3: If you outsource to the Philippines, will you end up with lower-quality staff?
This is true, and if you try to pay the lowest salary rates possible, you will end up compromising the quality by hiring a staff of lower quality than local employees.
However, that's only if you try to pay less than $3.00 per hour for staff that would cost $20.00 to $30.00 in the USA.
Instead, if you want to replace local employees with equally skilled virtual assistants and remote staff in the Philippines, then look to pay 1/4 to 1/3 of what it would cost you in your home country. For example, if a graphic designer costs you $20.00 per hour in the USA, then look to pay $5.00 to $7.00 per hour in the Philippines, and you'll hire somebody fantastic!
If you do this, you will hire the best virtual assistants. You'll also be highly successful in achieving your goals of hiring VAs and outsourcing to the Philippines.
"To be successful outsourcing to the Philippines means you have saved money, and not compromised on the quality of the staff that you have hired."
Michael Brodie - Founder of VirtualStaff.ph
Myth 4: Virtual Assistants Have Limited Skills
It's valid to the extent that if you expect to hire one expert in everything, then yes, you will find that such a super VA does not exist.
For example, in the USA, you'd hire a Google Ads Manager to run Google PPC campaigns, and you'd hire a graphic designer to do the graphic work.
However, you'd not hire a Google Ads Manager and expect them to be bookkeepers, content marketers, and cold callers.
What I mean by this is no person in the world is good at everything, and it would be unrealistic and insincere of me to tell you that such a super VA exists. It does not.
However, here's why I list this as a myth. While one person might not be a jack of all trades, you can hire specialist virtual assistants in the Philippines who happen to be experts in specific areas.
There is a type of virtual assistant or remote staff in the Philippines that can do almost any task you need doing. Here's some to look at and consider:
- Virtual assistant
- Filipino video editors
- Digital marketing virtual assistant
- Web Developers in the Philippines
- Graphic designers
- Real estate virtual assistant
- Research virtual assistants
- Amazon virtual assistants
You can also hire a general virtual assistant who might have basic knowledge of various things. An example would be a virtual assistant who can do social media posting, content creation, basic Canva graphics, and admin work.
Myth 5: It's impossible to build trust with an overseas virtual assistant in the Philippines?
The truth is, trust is earned. Trust comes from being honest, having integrity, and of course, building a relationship that develops confidence.
How do you that?
I'm repeating myself from earlier. However, it's supercritical, so I'll repeat it.
Pay your virtual assistant on time, pay them what you agreed to, and develop a relationship built on mutual trust. The foundation of all excellent virtual assistant relationships is transparency and open dialogue.
Myth 6: The language barrier will cause problems?
English is the joint official language of the Philippines, so if you want to hire an English-speaking virtual assistant, you won't have any problems in the Philippines.
I live here in the Philippines, and I have over 300 staff directly working for my companies and me. I can guarantee you the following things:
- All degrees in the Philippines are taught in English.
- All the road signs in the Philipines are in English
- If you go to a restaurant, then the menu's are in English
- If you go to the Cinema, then the movies are in English... and without subtitles
- The Philippines constitution is in English, as are all laws.
Anyone educated in the Philippines, anyone with a degree here, will speak impeccable English. And if you want to ensure all written communication is of the quality you need? Then do what I do with my staff, and have them use Grammarly premium of Grammarly business.
If you'd like more information on working with a Filipino virtual assistant or outsourcing to the Philippines, take a look at the articles below:
I hope this article has helped.
