Yet what troubles me most – and borders on offensive – is that, if I carried out my business from overseas, I’d then be in the offshore services category, and presumably subject to the same critizism as other service providers in countries outside North America, who may not have a need to charge comparable rates. So why should I be included in that point of view when I’m just as qualified, capable and competitive as any other North American VA?

I’m well aware of the concerns expressed by users of offshore services – I’m neither downplaying nor negating them. But let’s face it, business owners who work with local virtual assistants – local to them, wherever they may be – could also be faced with similar problems. How many times do we hear from colleagues or see on discussion forums postings including ‘my client worked with another VA but it didn’t work out’? Or from a potential client, ‘I’ve worked with other VAs and it hasn’t been favouralbe’. Fit between a VA and client is key to a positive business relationship – and we all know that not all VAs work well with all clients, and vice versa.

I’m always in favour of working with and buying from local product/service providers; it keeps our (VA) industry going/growing within our community(ies) and helps stimulate the economy(ies). But sometimes as business owners we need to consider other resources that best suit our needs – be it immediate or long term; and offshore assistance is a viable alternative for some.

Besides, who’s to say that in the course of developing our own businesses, we may not find ourselves partnering with someone from another part of the world…

Here’s to a strong sense of diversity in our ever-growing industry of well educated, qualified and competent virtual assistants – worldwide!

Preciosa Leal
Alliance Business Solutions
http://www.alliancesolutions.ca

Do what you do best – and let Alliance take care of the rest.
We are Your Virtual Key to Success!TM