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Having a Virtual Assistant may be new to you, as compared to having your assistant in your office for face-to-face discussions about projects. How can you make your new working relationship effective?

In her recent blog post, Sue Canfield offers three tips:
1. Take advantage of today’s technology by utilizing what works best for you. Do you prefer email, telephone conversations, or another tool as your primary communication method? Consider trying something innovative, such as Skype or eFax. Once you determine your preference, your VA will be able to respond in the fashion that is most effective for you.
2. Decide how often you wish to communicate with your VA. If your project has deadlines, you may require frequent progress reports, especially if your working relationship is new. However, if your schedule is demanding, you may prefer to designate a specific date and time (such as Monday at 8:00 am). Remember that your VA’s role is to offload tasks so that you can utilize your time efficiently.
3. Be clear as to your expectations. You and your VA can team successfully if you both have the same goal.

Applying these ideas should make your relationship with your virtual assistant mutually profitable.

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Generally speaking, an independent VA may be a more economical choice than an agency, as an agency's fees include their own commission. The benefits of agencies include that the VAs they represent are screened, well qualified, and specifically assigned to a project based upon her/his skill set.

In addition, should the VA assigned to your task fail, another can take on the job and complete your assignment satisfactorily. This is not to imply that independent VAs are not highly skilled, but in the event that her/his work is sub par, there is no other VA to whom your task could be re-assigned. You would have to find another VA, or attempt to resolve the problem satisfactorily.

A contributor to the publication "Outsource Outtakes" presents an example of a situation in which an agency, or better investigative interviewing, might have served his needs more efficiently.

In this scenario, the client contracted with an independent VA specializing in website updates to add some new links to his website. Giving the VA a "soft" deadline, he left the professional to his work, and did not check in until that deadline was upon him. The VA did not return phone calls or e-mails, so the client solicited help from a friend to complete the task. When the VA reappeared, he claimed that he had done the work, but had just not submitted it. They settled on a price to resolve the matter.

What the client learned was that he had no backup plan when he contracted with the VA who failed to follow through. Unable to complete the task himself, he would have had no updates for his website had his friend not helped him out.

He realized that in the case where a task is critical and requires specific knowledge, an agency or simply more advance investigative interviewing would have served him better. Had he used an agency, he would have had a manager with whom to communicate.

Had he obtained references, he might have learned that the VA he chose might not have been an ideal candidate for meeting deadlines. He strongly suggests that if you choose to work with an independent VA, that you check references, and check in frequently to assess progress, rather than waiting until a deadline is approaching.

For more outsourcing tips, read "Outsource Outtakes" here. For information on how a virtual assistant can help your , visit Virtual Staff, Inc. at this Link.

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As an entrepreneur it’s important that people– vendors, current and prospective customers and potential investors– not perceive you as a “Mom & Pop Shop”. This kind of perception can spell disaster for any small business.

Including a Virtual Assistant as part of your team shows that you are profitable enough to retain staff. Having an assistant will show potential investors that as the owner you are available to grow your client base and develop new products and services.

It's not just about perception either. A Virtual Assistant is a highly skilled professional. This individual will be trained in all aspects of administrative support and some even specialize in fields like real estate or accounting. A team member with these skills will provide peace of mind and the time you need to break onto the scene as an up and coming success.

The most "in demand" skills now needed in the marketplace are social media networking capabilities. If you are working with a VA, consider paying for training in these essential skills through VAClassroom. Or take the course yourself, for more direct benefits, and delegate intelligently to your virtual assistant, to keep your business name and services on the forefront. Check out VAClassroom – social media marketing specialist training here.

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Employers must withhold income taxes, withhold and pay Social Security and Medicare taxes, and pay unemployment tax on wages paid to an employee.

Employers do not generally have to withhold or pay any taxes on payments to independent contractors.

If you classify this individual incorrectly, the IRS can hold you liable for taxes for that worker, and impose penalties as well.

According to the site, an employer has "the right to control or direct only the result of the work done by an independent contractor, and not the means and methods of accomplishing the result." An employee is classified as "anyone who performs services for you is your employee if you can control what will be done and how it will be done."

For more in-depth reading on this topic, visit the IRS website here.

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