• Are you an employment agency?
• What does your logo mean?
• What is an online secretary or virtual assistant?
• When would I need a virtual assistant?
• Do Virtual Assistants work only on line?
• What is digital recording and/or digital transcription?
• What does a Relocation Consultancy provide?

Are you an employment agency?

Associated Secretarial is most definitely not a 'temp' agency or employment agency of any kind. Each Member of Associated Secretarial owns and operates her own business, providing a range of services from the traditional office services through to a range of specialty services. If we're unable to provide the Secretarial or Administrative service you require, we have a network of Virtual Assistants and other Office Professionals with whom we liaise frequently, and can put you in touch with a specialist in the field to ensure that the job is commenced and completed to your satisfaction.

What does your logo mean?

Simple ... This wonderful Australian Wedge Tailed Eagle is a symbol of Strength and Freedom. Our collective abilities, skill base and experiences give us the Strength to give you your Freedom to do what you do best

What is an online secretary or virtual assistant?

In the light of recent advances in technology and the ongoing growth of the communications industry, a whole new network of support services for business has evolved. One such service is that of the 'Virtual Assistant' or, as they are more traditionally known, on-line Secretarial and Administrative Assistants.

The Virtual Assistant is not an employee, and as such is not paid holiday pay or sick leave. There is no requirement that you pay superannuation or workers' compensation levy. You pay only for the time it takes your Virtual Assistant to complete the work, plus any expenses incurred. That may be once or twice per week or per month. It may be short but regular assignments such as a design, production and dissemination of a quarterly newsletter. There are also those times when you have a deadline to meet and there are not enough hands on deck!

When would I need a virtual assistant?

It's likely that you will recognise your business in one of the three scenarios below:

Scenario 1

Is your secretary about to lose her sanity? Could she use some assistance, perhaps a part time assistant? As your business grows, you are finding that your secretarial and clerical staff can't keep up with your new successes. Your secretary is stretched to the limit, but you 're not ready to employ another staff member. Not even on a part time basis. Besides, you don't have spare office space or a spare desk, not to mention that you'll probably need to purchase yet another computer! Many businesses, small and large, have the very real problem of not being able to continue to deliver their service or product whilst maintaining standards of quality, customer service and satisfaction, simply because they don't have adequate secretarial and administrative support. We may be your solution! All you need to do is make the call, tell us what needs to be done, and we'll see to it that your business continues to thrive without adding to your payroll, superannuation, workers compensation or holiday and sick leave, and, we'll do it at our office, virtually!

Scenario 2

You're so good at your job you've managed to maintain and even top the projected budget set for you. You've been provided with a car, a mobile phone and a laptop computer. Sounds perfect. What you're not so good at is filing that weekly or monthly report for the boss (you really don't type that well, and it takes you all weekend). Updating your database of clients and their needs means more time at the keyboard ... and who has time to send emails? Our solution to your situation is simple. Send us your dictated report. We'll type it up and email it back to you. We will also maintain your database of clients and contact them regularly on your behalf with information you want them to have. We can even make your appointments for you! Why not continue to do what you do best ... see your clients and close the deals. Let your Personal Virtual Assistant do what she does best. Now you have time to enjoy weekends with your family and friends

Scenario 3

In the current economic climate you must work harder and longer to produce the results you were enjoying a year or two ago. Like many before you, you've been forced to downsize. Your careful evaluation of resources means that you've moved into smaller premises and had to let several of your staff members go. How can you maintain your standards and work harder and longer with less staff? You need more!! Where are you going to put them? How will you afford to pay them? Call your Personal Virtual Assistant. Let your PVA do the work in her office and pay her only for her time and expenses necessarily incurred. Your Personal Virtual Assistant has the experience, skills, abilities, and resources to do the job

Do Virtual Assistants work only on line?

The Virtual Assistant is a professional whose main function is to provide a solution to your needs when you find yourself in a situation such as those described above.

Before our Members became Virtual Assistants, they worked for various businesses in the offices of those businesses. Our VAs have the skills, abilities and experience to work for you "On-Site" if you have the need. The reasons could be many: your front desk reception needs a physical presence, you have a large and busy switchboard or your Personal Secretary is unavailable or about to leave. When staff members are on annual or sick leave or you have lost a staff member, what do you do?

If you find yourself in one of these situations, in some cases a VA may agree to "fill in" at your business site whilst you are in the process of advertising, interviewing and choosing a suitable candidate for a newly created position or for a replacement of a staff member who is about to move on.

It's possible, that whilst you're in this process, you'll find that the job you're trying to fill is one that could easily be done "off-site". This scenario is not unusual. Several of our clients have had this experience and have decided that giving the job over to a VA will actually result in substantial savings.

We at Associated Secretarial really are

What is digital recording and/or digital transcription?

Without getting too technical, below is some information offered as an introduction and insight into digital recording and transcription, which is fast becoming the preferred choice for both the client and the VA.

It comes in two parts, the Digital Recorder and the Digital Transcription Kit. The recording equipment can be used in 'dictation' mode or 'conference' mode, depending on your needs.

Digital transcription certainly leaves taped transcription "for dead". It's light years ahead. One could liken it to the difference between using a computer rather than a typewriter. The keyboard is almost the same, but that's where the similarity starts and ends.

Digital recording/transcription devices currently on the market can use both .wav or .dss files and a few other formats. The .dss file is a compressed file and therefore downloads more quickly than the .wav file. It is the preferred choice of most who use this technology.

The client needs special software loaded onto his computer and also needs the recording device, which is used in the same way the mini- or micro-cassette is used. The client records his material, downloads it into his computer, then emails it as an attachment to his VA.

The VA has the transcription kit, which has a software component as well as hardware, which consists of the foot pedal and headphones. When the client's email and voice file attachments arrive on her computer, it's just a matter of transcribing the file. When completed, the work is returned to the client as an attachment to an email. The client opens it up and there is the document, ready for printing.

What are the advantages of using Digital recording and transcription technology?

The size: Smaller and lighter than a micro- or mini-cassette recorder, it won't take up any more space in a handbag than a compact and lipstick, and the guys can 'wear' it comfortably in the breast pocket of a business shirt.

Recording time: Holds up to 160 minutes of recording (depending on which brand and model is chosen). Most tape recorders take only a 60-minute tape, each side recording just 30 minutes. The technology for the digital recorder is the micro-chip. This facility alone makes the Digital Recorder very attractive to the busy executive. No need to carry several tapes (Did I bring enough tapes?) No need to remember to turn the tape over in 30 minutes' time. No need to remember to change the tape when the first one is full. No tapes to get damaged. No tapes to get lost.

Time saver: Neither the VA nor the client ever need pick up and deliver tapes again, or pay couriers to do the same. Sending your voice files via email makes the process of getting it from one place to another almost instantaneous.

Dispute negator: What the client sends to his VA is still on his/her own computer. When the finished product is emailed back to the client, there can be no dispute over what was or was not said. The recorded proof is available for checking.

If you feel that you would like to embrace this new technology, check around to see where the distributors in your area are located, and remember to ask for a demonstration at your site.

Is digital transcription/recording equipment and software expensive?

Pricing will depend on each distributor's profit margins. Be sure that the distributor you choose will give you on-going support by phone or in person for at least 12 months without extra charge. (This one can sometimes be tricky to pin down ... but it's worth posing the question). Keep in mind that this SUPPORT is different from the WARRANTY (which should come with the package for at least 12 months).

If you are a person who cannot afford the time to do this research, we at Associated Secretarial would be happy to source the equipment for you, comparing brands, checking prices and availability and we will arrange a meeting between you and a sales executive who handles your chosen product, at your business site

What does a Relocation Consultancy provide?

Relocation Services are provided to a range of people moving either from overseas or interstate to live and work in South Australia. When a family is relocated smoothly, it is found that the employee is more efficient and up and running more quickly in the workplace.

The aim is to ensure the relocation process is a stress free experience for not only the employee, but also his/her family. Often, the company relocating the employee does not have the resources to research and source things other than those directly related to the employee and the job.

A preliminary interview between our Relocation Consultant and the company relocating an employee is conducted to determine the company's objectives. Equally importantly is the interview between our Relocation Consultant and the person being relocated.

The majority of people relocating choose to rent a property in the first instance and so research is undertaken to locate suitable properties for viewing by the client. Support is given right through until occupancy, which includes checking of the lease before signing, advice in advance of bond requirements, connection of services to the property, etc. This ensures that everything is right for the employee to move in with the minimum of fuss.

Our Relocation Consultant also provides the opportunity for the employee and his/her family to advise as to the more personal details such as the number of children, their ages and what type of schooling will be required. This ensures that children make the transition easily and are therefore settled quickly enabling them to make new friends earlier.

Proximity to medical practitioners and specialist, church, public transport, shopping facilities, gymnasium, sporting groups and community activities is sourced according to the individual requirements of family members. If the partner of the employee being relocated needs to find employment, he/she will be introduced to the appropriate employment agencies for the positions being sought.

Included in the services is an orientation of the city of Adelaide for the employee and family. This service is also provided to potential employees ... people being brought to Adelaide for an interview. Showing potential new residents the city and surrounds, and what Adelaide has to offer, means that living in Adelaide is seen as a bonus to accepting the position being offered.

If you are a company who is relocating an employee in Adelaide, or an employee who is seeking relocation to Adelaide, we have

| Home | About Us | Services | Resources | Articles | Articles Archive | Newsletter | Newsletter Archive | Web Log | Members | FAQs |
| Links | Contact Us | Search |

© 2002-2004 Associated Secretarial & From the Eagle's Nest - All rights reserved
This page was last updated on: 20 January, 2004
Associated Secretarial & From the Eagle's Nest ~ P.O. Box 181 Para Hills South Australia 5096
  Site design & maintenance by B & P Thursby Digital Services