Virtual Responsibility

As a professional provider of Virtual Assistance services, it is my responsibility to provide the very best service possible to my partners. Working the web on a regular basis, I have seen and have provided support for some wonderful content that I am very happy to share with my friends and colleagues. From a business standpoint, this usually includes sharing information about a reputable business, service or shared knowledge and advice on how to better improve the way we conduct business and/or our lives or the lives of others.

Since the web is an easy way to spread the word about virtually anything, unfortunately, the door is open to spreading what I like to call “bad net”, or scams. I believe it is part of my responsibility to avoid these “negative” and unfair business practices at all costs and never allow my business to serve as a catalyst to such industries.

Just as I hold ethical business practice in a very high regard, I would expect my business partners to do the same. When approached by a potential partner, it is always in my best interest to research their business, that their license is in good standing (if applicable) and assure to the best of my ability that they are conducting business practices that are upstanding and reputable. This is the very first step for me to assure the future of forming a successful virtual business relationship.

When someone is seeking to partner with a Virtual Assistant, the same effort should be put forth to assure that the potential VA is professional, ethical and honest. There are professional organizations that exist that provide a “Code of Ethics” for its members who are expected to uphold the virtual assistant to those standards, such as IVAA.org - the International Virtual Assistants Association. They provide a list of members as well as a means to submit a “Request For Proposal” that its members can respond to, allowing the opportunity to choose a partner from the responses received. In addition, research the Virtual Assistant’s website and look for positive testimonials provided by current and/or past clients and ask to contact those who provided them for a reference. If a Virtual Assistant provides website design, be sure their site lives up to your standards. If their site isn’t to your standards, chances are, your result will not be what you’re looking for.

When doing business on the web, always be mindful to protect yourself, your business and your online reputation.

Lisa Duhamel
Virtually Ready
Virtual Web Assistance - “Extend Your Reach!”
www.VirtuallyReady.com