Where does the executive assistant sit in the new workplace?
So where, you may ask, does the executive assistant sit in all this? These modern personal assistants are now a remote, virtual powerhouse, embracing the freedom working from home offers whilst maintaining a productive, professional relationship with the executive or executives they are able to support thanks to modern technology. Relationships are built and maintained using video chatting, phone calls and the occasional face to face meeting.
The position isn’t vanishing, and demand certainly isn’t diminished, the role of executive assistant has simply now become a virtual assistant. Transcription, diary management, expense collation and even call handling can all be completed from the comfort of the VA’s home.
The women (and men) who fill these positions don’t want to be nailed to a desk in an office, they crave autonomy and a full life, and they deserve nothing less. Our SmartPAs are all given the tools and support required for them to be a success and have the career they have always dreamed of.
If you’re interested in making the transition from personal assistant to virtual assistant, visit our website here to find out more.
As for automation, certain softwares can make life easier, but often these costly systems don’t check every box. We, at SmartPA HQ, know that these outsourced, back office and administration tasks still require the human touch. They don’t necessarily need to be completed in the same building, but they definitely require the input of a person. Someone with judgement, experience and who can offer a support system that integrates seamlessly with your business. A smart PA, we hear you say? Yes exactly; find out more about our SmartPA services here.
From our own tribe of SmartPAs, we have seen an interesting trend in the last 5 years, shifting from a 95% female community to around 80%, suggesting it isn’t only women who want to take advantage of being their own boss and working from home, male workers are embracing a more balanced work and home life and giving up the commute in exchange for the comfort of the home office.
A larger focus on our individual carbon footprints also makes both employees and employers reconsider driving into the office every day. We calculated that by empowering over 250 SmartPAs to work remotely and flexibly, we save around 10,000 tonnes of carbon emissions every month.
Not only does this make the workplace a more efficient place cost-wise (fewer desks and technology requirements), it makes it a happier one. You will have read in our previous blog how important it is to promote the work/life balance, happiness and wellbeing of your team, as happy workers have been shown to be more productive and remain with the company longer. Investing in your team’s wellbeing will help you attract and retain top talent, an all-important factor in an increasingly competitive job market.
So there you have it, the modern workplace with modern personal assistants may look like it’s filled with active-wear clad millennials, sipping Starbucks and tapping away on laptops whilst stationed at the nearest treadmill-mounted desk, but it is actually an efficient, effective hub focussed around maximising productivity whilst maintaining and prioritising individual wellbeing.
*If your workplace doesn’t look like this and you’re looking for a change of scenery, get in touch – we’re always looking for new faces.