Outsourcing has become a popular method for businesses to utilize the expertise of professionals, at a fraction of what it might cost to hire them on a temporary or permanent contract. Outsourcing often occurs when a company experiences unprecedented levels of business, interest, or workload, and needs completion of it within a limited time frame. This type of duty delegation also happens when a company’s current workforce are unable to cope with high customer/ client demand.

In response to this new method of recruitment, a plethora of online agencies have been set up, which operate globally. Such agencies specialize in the provision of additional assistance to companies needing temporary, or long-term work conducted on particular projects, strategies or drives.

Virtual Administration Services:

A “virtual assistant” predominantly characterizes an individual who provides administrative assistance in a remote capacity. This assistant may be employed within a freelance, or contracted capacity, and is generally responsible for the provision of administrative support to a fixed employer, at a fixed location.

A V.A often undertakes the duties that any normal Personal Assistant or Office Administrator would be responsible for. These include word-processing, minute taking, copy/ audio-typing, responding to communications, call handling and general data entry. The evolved virtual assistant acts as an initial point of contact to a fixed or mobile employer, strategically planning every requirement for travel, organising events, and liaising with clients.

Virtual administrators enable employers to free up space within the office environment, as most V.A’s work remotely. Additionally the employment of a V.A can be more cost-effective on the basis that the freelance individual does not necessarily work in the same country as the employer, therefore minimum wage limitations do not apply. Virtual Assistants based in locations such as East Asia and the Philippines are often happy to undertake work which pays upward of $1 per hour, simply due to the lack of employment opportunity in their own location.

Virtual Sales Consultants/ Representatives:

Also known as Field Based Sales Representatives, the Virtual Sales Consultant often works in a freelance capacity, and sometimes on a commission-only basis.A V.S.C is primarily responsible for generating new leads for an existing product or service, or following up appointments scheduled with prospective clients.

A Sales Representative works in either a full or part-time capacity, dependent upon the needs of the employer; and often in addition to another role. Large fuel, broadband and insurance providers rely upon these types of employee to establish new sales leads, in addition to their other strategies.

Virtual Customer Service Agent:

The virtual customer service agent has long been a useful outsourced employee. Rather than having to establish a call centre office, a company can recruit remote customer service agents, who provide the same consistent customer service, technical or sales support, without taking up costly space. Foremost, this reduces the cost of setting up a call-centre facility, which would require all manner of integrated I.T, telephone and network systems; coupled with the expense of modifying a premises to meet health and safety standards.

A virtual customer service agent may be recruited nationally or internationally, providing he/ she has access to broadband and a landline telephone connection. Often the latter is not necessary as many companies use VoIP systems for this type of work. Training is often conducted in large, regional locations covered by an Area Manager, however this type of training can also be conducted in the form of video conferences or seminars online.

Virtual Marketing Executive/ Strategist:

Online marketing executives are generally from a marketing or P.R background, possessing strong experience within Search Engine Optimization, Search Engine Marketing, and Social Network Marketing. They are armed with the knowledge of how to link sites to others, as well as how to improve the ranking of websites within search engines. Additionally they oversee targeted advertising via a number of avenues, and utilize contacts, forums and social networking mediums to promote and advertise.

A virtual marketing executive often undertakes the entirety of a companies marketing requirements, from online marketing, to press and publicity generation, as well as Cost Per Click, and strategic advertising. They will act as the initial point of contact for all Public Relations, and ascertain those relevant or beneficial to the company.

undertaken by both outsourced employees, and specialist software. Software development has enabled companies to forward customer calls to a switchboard style system, which redirects them to other departments or office locations accordingly.

A virtual call-handler works on a similar basis, however usually represents a particular department such as marketing, customer service support or telesales. They can be based regionally, nationally or internationally and may work via a land-line or online, responding to, or redirecting calls as required.

Advanced broadband capabilities, as well as implementations of new software variants now make it possible for many office based jobs to be conducted remotely. Companies looking to adhere to stringent budgets often find this method of employment to be ideal as workers can be contracted, or work on an as needed basis.

Searching for providers of virtual services is relatively easy. For every employer seeking new employees, there will be a hundred or so looking for remote and home-based jobs. The best sites to commence a search are freelance sites which allow the posting of jobs, to which job-seekers can bid, and be reviewed prior to hire based upon location, compatibility, experience and cost.

Additionally, many recruitment agencies from Reed Global to Kelly Services now feature out-sourced jobs alongside the regular listings meaning it is easier than ever to target relevant candidates with job advertisements. The benefit of many freelance sites over agencies is that it is possible to out-source internationally, and often, it costs nothing to advertise a job.

Virtual office is a term for shared office services, which normally includes business address, mail & courier services, phone services, fax services, answering services, web-hosting services, and meeting & conference facilities.

Virtual office services can provide other in-house or outsourced services such as corporate secretarial services, accounting services, or legal services. Professional firms such as law firms and accounting firms often provide registered address services as part of their service offerings.

The definition of the virtual office has also changed. Many small businesses are looking to be mobile, and even work from home, without sacrificing image. With virtual phone services, ip phone services, online fax services, mail services, and temporary office space can be a unique answer to the home based small business.

Many of the virtual office providers and temporary office providers are found in larger cities, like New York, Los Angeles, Hong Kong, etc. Due to the high popularity and prestigious addresses, major cities have become a hub for many of these virtual offices. These virtual offices are growing more popular throughout the United States.