It’s no secret that we have been embroiled in one of the most difficult business climates in history. Although we had, prior to that, prided ourselves in our ability to be competitive, technologically astute and ready to take on the business world, we all learned some very swift and harsh lessons. No sector of the business environment was spared and we all found that we had to practice a little bit more of that essential business attribute, being able to think quickly on your feet as you go.
It’s not very nice when you have to change direction in midstream, as many business owners and entrepreneurs discovered during the height of the grand recession. Many plans that had been in process for quite some time were dashed and emergency provisions were rushed into place. In short, our very trading environment seemed to change right in front of our eyes and it’s not going too far to suggest that many of us were quite literally stumped and didn’t know what to do.
In such a business environment expansion can seem to be one of the last things on our minds. When this kind of a downturn arrives survival is paramount and only the strongest will make it through. We will no doubt look back at this period and marvel at our ability to survive, even while we’re reading numerous new textbooks that are in turn trying to explain what on earth happened.
Here we are in post-recessionary times, yet absolutely nothing feels “normal” at all. Have we really reinvented ourselves and have we really learned all the lessons that we needed to? One important lesson that we must have learned is the ability to be flexible and to be able to have room to move without getting bogged down.
In these environments our ability to turn to a virtual assistant to help us out cannot be overstated. The virtual assistant can be pressed into service at very short notice to do a wide variety of tasks, skilfully and on time, when we need them most. No longer do we have to rely on the ability of internal staff, many of whom may not have been “updated” with the latest information and technical know-how. Remember that we simply cannot afford to have a burgeoning administrative staff if we are to be competitive and be prepared for the great unknown ahead.
Each and every business in the future must be leaner, fitter and be in a position to access skills and support on an “as needed” basis. This is exactly what the virtual assistant can provide. If anything good has come out of the great recession, it is that virtual assistants can provide the new business world with a level of support and availability that was hitherto downplayed or in some cases ignored. Now, skills and technical know-how are available to the entrepreneur and business owner without an associated, significant training and availability burden attached. With this kind of an asset at their fingertips, the business owner can breathe just a little bit easier.
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Has the way you run your business been adversely affected by past and present business climates? Please feel free to comment below.
photo credit: marc falardeau
Hello, nice piece.
Not sure the recession and the global financial situation is 100% of the reason someone should hire a virtual assistant.
We are living through one of the most challenging times in terms of changing technology – probably since the wheel was invented. I thnk it is THAT which necessitates that need for a VA.
Care to write about that ?