So you're thinking of hiring Filipino virtual assistants or remote workers in the Philippines and want to know all the ins and out's before deciding if it's right for you and your business?
This Philippines outsourcing starters guide will show you everything you need to know.
Freelancer or a Virtual Staff?
What is a "typical" freelancer:
Freelancers usually work temporarily on a per-project basis for clients and are most prominent in the tech and finance sectors.
Who should hire a freelancer?
If you are looking for a one-time project, freelancers can be a great option.
What is a virtual staff or virtual assistant?
Virtual staff or virtual assistants work for your business either part-time or part-time. They are like regular local employees, except they work from home, and they usually cost you significantly less than if you hired employees in your home country.
Who should hire a Virtual Staff or Virtual Assistants in the Philippines?
If you want to replace higher-cost local employees with equally talented staff, but at a fraction of the cost, hiring virtual staff in the Philippines is the right decision.
Tips for successfully working with remote staff in the Philippines
You hired a person, not a robot, from a sci-fi movie!
The fact is you're hiring a person to be part of your company. Treat them like you'd treat any employee you employ locally, and the results will be astounding.
I'd strongly suggest you communicate daily with your virtual staff or VA's. It does not need to be 1-1 call, but make sure to send the odd message to check in and keep things human,
It does not have to be too much, but saying "Hi," asking how they are, asking for feedback, etc., are all great ways to build a great working relationship.
Just like in the non-virtual world, questions like "did you do much over the weekend" on a Monday morning are good ways to add a human element to the relationship.
Ways to make the relationship work well
- Open up the dialogue and keep communication open, straightforward, and HUMAN.
- Set expectations at the start and let them know you're okay if they need to ask something, and you don't expect them to know everything, so not to worry or get stressed if they are unsure.
- Make it clear in the job description what skills you need.
How to outsource to the Philippines?
You can directly outsource to the Philippines by hiring virtual assistants and remote workers on the VirtualStaff.ph marketplace.
For further reading, I'd suggest asides from reading this article, you should look at Philippines offshoring and how to build your team in the Philippines for a more in-depth look.
Top tips
- Post a job that is short but accurate.
- List skills you need (remember to post a job advert per position. Don't expect an SEO expert to be a graphics expert).
- State salary and working hours.
- State experience/qualifications if needed.
Provide regular feedback
- The aim of the game here is to hire full-time long-term virtual staff who will help you build a team and grow your business at a faster pace than you otherwise could.
- Provide POSITIVE feedback before constructive criticism.
- It helps you get the best ROI from your virtual employees and create a win/win scenario.
Require that they send you a daily update
- Holds them accountable
- Keeps the relationship under control
- STOPS you micromanaging (the whole point of this is, so you're working on adding value to your business and getting back control of your time)
- Moves projects forward and towards a goal
Pay your virtual staff on time
- Their livelihood depends on it, just like if all your clients decide not to pay you on time, you'd probably be annoyed and frustrated. Some of you might even go out of business if the delay was long enough.
Pay your virtual employees on time.
- Creates trust, which is good for you and your business.
NEVER release salary before hours are completed.
You don't pay staff in advance; it does not matter how honest they are. It's just not a good thing to do as it opens you up to easily avoidable scams.
Just like back home, you pay your virtual staff weekly for their work hours. And remember to keep yourself protected.
How do I outsource to the Philippines without being taken for a mug?
I'd suggest you go through a professional outsourcing provider or use the Virtual Staff Philippines Outsourcing Marketplace, where you can choose from thousands of virtual assistants and remote staff.
Be careful, ask questions, and remember to interview applicants like you would interview a local employee.
This can change your entire business and life
You can save thousands of dollars and increase your profits dramatically if, of course, you outsource to the Philippines the right way.
My virtual staff is home-based, and I have had tremendous success in various businesses. That would not have been possible if I had not discovered the impact of Philippines outsourcing on my life.
Here are some facts:
- Treat your virtual staff like you would treat regular local employees.
- Remember you are outsourcing to the Philippines as a long-term solution to building your business.
- You're hiring outsourced staff in the Philippines instead of hiring local employees because you can save 75-82% on salary costs while still getting a high skilled, degree educated workforce.
Final note.
If you plan on your virtual staff being part of your team long-term, then invest some time to train them, motivate them, and create a good working relationship (as you should with any employee), it will do amazing things for your business and life.
If you treat them like a temporary worker doing some casual work, then the relationship will never reach the potential that you otherwise should have.
How to get started outsourcing to the Philippines
VirtualStaff.ph: The Philippines Outsourcing Marketplace
You can post jobs and choose from thousands of virtual staff and remote workers who registered on the virtual staff Philippines outsourcing marketplace.
It's the lowest cost option available as it's a marketplace for you to hire staff in the Philippines directly.
VirtualStaff.ph: The Enterprise Solution
Would you like our team of outsourcing experts to help you professionally outsource to the Philippines? Check it out, and if you like what you see, schedule a time to talk to our Enterprise team.
