I started reading this article thinking this would be an article I would like to share with my fans on facebook and twitter. Instead it turned into me rolling my eyes. One of the paragraphs that really got me a little heated was this one:

Some employers are inevitably concerned that a virtual assistant will charge for hours when they are actually watching television. Silicon Valley’s oDesk, for example, provides some assurances. When an assistant is logged into a job on their computer, an automated program takes six snapshots of the screen every hour. The employer can check those images remotely to see whether their assistant is fooling around on Facebook (FB).

This is simply perpetuating the idea that many virtual assistants out there are fooling around and need to be baby sat so the employer can rest easy knowing that oDesk is invading their privacy by taking snapshots of them working. I had high hopes for this article. I thought Bloomberg would really be able to see the value of a VA but I guess not.

Here is the link for the rest of you to read:
http://www.businessweek.com/articles...ant-is-virtual

Thoughts?

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Paulette R.
Rhythm Virtual Solutions | Alpha & Beta Translations

You're right. That's a sad way to put it. I also think $12 is waay too cheap.

I just had to post a comment to this one, on their blog. Unbelievable!

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Pam Blackman - On My Wings International
Integrated Virtual Business Management Solutions | Mentoring | Coaching

Virtual Assistants are not employees, they are business owners.

If this article had been written about an accountant or an attorney this would not be a topic of conversation. I feel certain they would not subject themselves to someone taking a "picture" of their computer screen 6 times per hour. This software could easily risk the confidentiality of other client's information, which would in turn effect the VA's credibility as they are constantly multitasking if they have numerous clients.

As a business owner, I generally shy away from working with people I have never met in person. I've had several individuals contact me from other states wanting to work with me but I prefer to have meetings with my clients periodically and get to know them on a one on one basis.

Just as much as potential clients are relieved to see that I work from a business office and I have systems in place, I am relieved to interact with them, to get to know them to see if I think the business relationship could work. Working locally it is easier to find out more about the character of the individual seeking VA services. That is, by the way, just as important as knowing the VA's character and trustworthiness.

If a potential client feels the need to record snapshots of a potential VA's screen they should probably not be working together. Most likely, the assistant sitting outside the executive's physical office spends more time "goofing off" on the bosses dime because they need to look busy even if they are not.

When you are a business owner, time is money and you treat it as such.

Sandy

I read this article with great interest and also shared the link on FB. I thought it was a great article in the most part, but have to agree with comments posted above regarding oDesk's policy of taking snapshots of the VA's screen to prove they are working.

As a VA and a business owner, I work hard to build trust with my clients. The greatest compliment I receive from my clients is that they trust in me.

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Margie Gibson
http://mgvirtualofficesolutions.com

This is offensive on so many levels. If a client feels they can't trust my billing, they come off the ideal client list.

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Administrative Support Group
Jenifer D

I don't know which angered me more, parts of the article or some of the comments, especially this one from Sue Smith, The Celebrity Personal Assistant Network:

"...The biggest problem with a VA is that an employer will only be able to attract a certain level of talent. The very best assistants want a full-time job with benefits."

I think I had steam coming out of my ears.

Pam B, you made an excellent comment on the blog. (I tried to comment, but for some reason it wouldn't work right.)

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Pam Deyerle - Transcriptionist in Richmond, Virginia
The Perfect Word Transcription Service

In addition to the trust and privacy issues, the biggest problem I see with the paragraph Paulette posted is the second word: EMPLOYERS. Reveals the mindset that we're all fighting against - it's not an employer/employee relationship.

I commented on the post as well. I am disappointed that an article that started out very positive, fell short in several ways. Why attempt to bring light to a very sought after industry and then throw in doubt that you can trust it?

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Lisa Kolb, Co-Owner/Virtual Professional
Augusta Virtual Assistants

There's no point in getting angry. We just have to pipe in and educate them. I left two comments. I commented on the blog itself and pointed out that many VA's would have issues with screenshots being taken. That I believed it was not ethical and I would not put my other clients confidentiality at risk like that. I explained that we often have to switch from one project to another in a second's notice which means we have multiple client projects open at one time. Plus I felt it would be breaking HIPAA regulations. Which I have to follow. Then I asked, why is it that there is a trust issue with VA's, but not with other professionals. I said you wouldn't ask them to take screen shots of their computer.

Then I commented on Sue's comment about about not being able to get a VA that was well qualified as the best ones are working or wanted to be working full-time jobs with benefits. I said something to effect that her comment was far from the truth. I said I am a VA. I subcontract with other VA's, and I subcontract to other VA's. I have never met a VA who is not well qualified.

That's the jist of what I said. I can't remember exactly.

The entire article was not bad, but it was slanted wrong. We just have to take these situations and turn them into opportunities to educate.

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