anybody using Virtual Assistants?

[blue moon]

trying to figure out if getting somebody to help remotely makes sense. Is anybody using the services or a person?

thanx,

pierre

[zanegun08]

We do not currently, but I'm super interested in this.  I have someone going on leave in the prepress department coming up and since business has seen a big uptick I think it's going to force the issue unless I hire.

We aren't a very technologically advanced business though, so figuring out that workflow to a 3rd party and not making it a big administrative feat in itself is going to be the difficult part.  As well as finding someone that just gets what we need.

The person going on leave is pushing for work from home, thinking that we are some tech company, but we are a manufacturing company so if I'm going to the lengths to setup work from home, may as well just make it more effective and outsource to a 3rd party where if it doesn't work out can just cut ties, no unemployment, benefits, insurance ect. to worry about.

I'm looking at https://www.graphxsource.com/plans-pricing for this, who already does digitizing and some redrawing for us.

I know some people on the board have utilized them, not sure if they still are or not.

[ericheartsu]

We use graphx. happy to help answer any questions.

[zanegun08]

What tasks are you using them for?

Mockups?
Vector Separations?
Creative?
Redrawing Art?
Digitizing?

How do they differentiate on something that goes to your "dedicated resource" vs something the bill separate for (digitizing / redraws separations), probably can just ask them.

Are you happy with the service, and do they get it, or do you deal with language barriers and it becomes a burden? 

I feel like it's going to be so much administration unless we can give them easy access into our workflow with VPN's and stuff that the ~$20k we'd save per year over having someone on staff full time may not be worth it.  However if I'm tapping into their creatives and well versed team rather than just one person who may be ok at a few things that could be more beneficial.

[whitewater]

A person in my business forum group, uses a VA, she says she loves it. She is more into makeup and hair side of things. She says it takes the mundane tasks away from here so she can concentrate on the business more.

[blue moon]

A person in my business forum group, uses a VA, she says she loves it. She is more into makeup and hair side of things. She says it takes the mundane tasks away from here so she can concentrate on the business more.

this is what I am talking about. Several times per month I have to make hour long phone calls to sort out things. It would be nice to have somebody else deal with ATT, gas company, airlines, medical appointments, paying bills and all the other crap. It's more of a personal assistant thing.

pierre

[ericheartsu]

What tasks are you using them for?

Mockups?
Vector Separations?
Creative?
Redrawing Art?
Digitizing?

How do they differentiate on something that goes to your "dedicated resource" vs something the bill separate for (digitizing / redraws separations), probably can just ask them.

Are you happy with the service, and do they get it, or do you deal with language barriers and it becomes a burden? 

I feel like it's going to be so much administration unless we can give them easy access into our workflow with VPN's and stuff that the ~$20k we'd save per year over having someone on staff full time may not be worth it.  However if I'm tapping into their creatives and well versed team rather than just one person who may be ok at a few things that could be more beneficial.

For us they do mock ups, vectorize, and digitize. We have VERY  VERY VERY Detailed notes when it comes to setting up these things, and so implementation was super easy for them to follow. For folks who don't have as detailed info on their mock ups, i've heard the learning curve is pretty rough. Seems like that's always the case though.

[Maxie]

Printavo have a Podcast about hiring virtual assistants that’s worth listening to.
Coved has shown that you can do almost anything online.    Sales, debt collection, graphics, whatever.
Our sales staff and accounts dept have worked from home.     Like virtual assistants.
We have in-house graphics but use V Lead in India for Vector redraws etc and GraphX for more complicated Separations.

[whitewater]

A person in my business forum group, uses a VA, she says she loves it. She is more into makeup and hair side of things. She says it takes the mundane tasks away from here so she can concentrate on the business more.

this is what I am talking about. Several times per month I have to make hour long phone calls to sort out things. It would be nice to have somebody else deal with ATT, gas company, airlines, medical appointments, paying bills and all the other crap. It's more of a personal assistant thing.

pierre

She uses it for those things and more I think.