The pursuit of Virtual Assistant excellence within South Africa
Setting up as a VA is an invigorating experience. It’s an exciting and interesting career and if you are dedicated to excellence and professionalism like we are, it is incredibly rewarding. Having been there ourselves, I bet you asked yourselves the following questions:
- How can I afford to do this?
- How do I market myself?
- How do I get clients?
- What are the legal implications?
- what to charge per hour?
- What area to concentrate on?
- What research do I need to do?
- Where do I get advice?
- What tools do I need?
We’ve all been there… If you, like us, did the internet research you will also have found International Virtual Assistants Association – www.ivaa.org (USA); International Association Virtual Assistants – www.iava.org (UK); Society of Virtual Assistants – www.societyofvirtualassistants.co.uk (UK); Global Alliance of Virtual Assistants (GAVA)- www.globgava.org (Canada); UK Association of Virtual Assistants – www.ukava.co.uk (UK); IVAA – International Virtual Assistants Association – www.ivaa.org (USA); Virtual Association for Administrative Professionals – www.thevaap.com (USA); to name but a few…
I am sure you have noticed that the majority of the Virtual Assistant organisations are either based in the USA or United Kingdom. There is an enormous amount of information and advice available from these organisations.. but… nothing specific to the South African market. This has led us to establish our own, home grown, rerig Suid Afrikaans Organisation! A network and organisation that will relate to VA’s in South Africa. An organisation that will answer your questions, support your quest for excellence, market the VA directory to South African businesses and organisations.
If you have been fortunate enough to find someone willing to sit down and offer advice, then lucky you! There is still a tendency in South Africa for some VA’s to say “mine!” “not sharing!” “find your own area!” “leave me alone!” We believe this attitude is changing and becoming more positive. The result of our initial survey show that many of you South African Virtual Assistants are keen to connect and maintain a high standard of professionalism.
The founding members of VA Connect and VCS – More Time for YOU are aware of the growing need to connect and assist. We are deeply committed to providing an authentic organisation. Over the years we have developed key skills through many years of experience in a variety of professional roles. We have acquired varied skill and our extensive experience (over 150 years’ worth) means we can now assist others to reach their potential. VCS and VA Connect recognise the necessity for a South African Association of Virtual Assistants. Somewhere South African VA’s can gather, join and gain the full benefit of ongoing advice and empowerment. A place where South Africans can meet together in the pursuit of excellence in a positive and dynamic way!
The Wikipedia definition of a Virtual Assistant is:
“virtual assistant (typically abbreviated to VA, also called a virtual office assistant) is generally self-employed and provides professional administrative, technical, or creative assistance to clients remotely from a home office”.
One of the keywords here is PROFESSIONAL!
As a VA, you recognise how essential it is to be PROFESSIONAL. And a professional in SOUTH AFRICA! South Africans have a reputation for
- Competence
- Professionalism
- Diligence
- Dedication
- Loyalty
- Commitment to completing the job to a high standard
- Pride in a job well done!
The Virtual Assistant Association of South Africa – VAASA thanks YOU for showing your initiative to join VAASA. The overwhelming positive response shows that we are on the right path.
VAASA are delighted to welcome you to the Virtual Assistant Association of South Africa. Together we will build a uniquely South African Association.
Our Vision is to be recognized as a positive and dynamic tool for Virtual Assistants in South Africa. To be one of South Africa’s most innovative, client-centric and devoted Virtual Assistants Association, valued as an indispensable part of any Virtual Assistant business.
Virtual Assistants Association of South Africa (VAASA) Objectives are:
- Raising the awareness of this Association to Virtual Assistants based in South Africa and getting them to join the
- Raising the awareness of Virtual Assistants to the South African business community and press.
United we stand and create excellence! We look forward to working with you
Kind regards
KAREN, ALBERT, DAWN, ROSE