Breathing Space Virtual Office Services offers a wide variety of secretarial and other virtual office services including proof-reading, copy writing, copy editing, audio typing/transcription, document design and layout, research, presentations, event management and other virtual office and business support services.
We can help small businesses to maximise their profits by concentrating on their core business while we take over peripheral functions. You save on time (no training required), money (you only pay us for the hours we work) and space (you don't need to provide us with desks ... or the equipment to go on them!) We can provide anything from a complete office service to specific work on a major project. Such work might include initial research into the viability of a business idea, design of a spreadsheet or database to hold data collected during the project, formatting and proofing of a report, or any number of other possibilities.
We can also provide these services to:
- authors (eg proof-reading)
- students (eg dissertation or thesis proof-reading and/or editing)
- academics (ensuring journal submissions comply with house styles, proofreading ) and other individuals.
What is a Virtual Assistant?
A Virtual Assistant can provide anything from administrative support to a full PA service, but rather than being on site with you the work is carried out largely over the internet. This means that we work with you as and when you need.
Virtual Assistants are not temps or employees but independent contractors who cater to the needs of the individual, small business or large corporation. We are professional partners, operating from fully equipped offices, who can provide support on one-off projects or on a long term basis.
Work assignments are communicated through e-mail, phone, fax, mail and disk. In addition to administrative support, Breathing Space Virtual Office Services offers many more specialised services such as editing, and business writing. For details of prices please see our pricing page.
The Benefits of using a Virtual Assistant
A Virtual Assistant offers businesses a full range of office support services at a fraction of the true cost of a temp or employee.
A Virtual Assistant can perform time-consuming admin chores enabling you to concentrate on core tasks or on expanding your business.
A Virtual Assistant can provide business support without invading the privacy of your home.
People who start a small business inevitably handle all aspects of the business themselves. At some point, businesses reach the stage where more time is spent on administration than on generating income. A Virtual Assistant can assist on an 'as-needed' basis to relieve this burden.
A Virtual Assistant can ensure that the small business based at home has access to the same office support system as a large company - without adding to the payroll. Whereas a temp is employed by an agency, the Virtual Assistant works with you. If you employ a succession of temps you will have to train each one to follow your own working methods.
Breathing Space Virtual Office Services can relieve you of the paperwork, time, commitment and expense of establishing, equipping and running an office. If you use our services, there are no extras to pay for. We don't expect you to provide us with employee benefits, holidays, sick pay, bonuses, training, pensions, overtime or even lunch breaks!
You simply pay for the services provided or hours worked.
Cost comparisons
The services of a Virtual Assistant are extremely cost effective when compared to the real cost of hiring a temp or an employee, which includes the overheads of running an office, employee taxes, insurance, benefits and the cost of recruitment.
With a Virtual Assistant:
- You pay only for the hours worked or services provided
- No need to buy additional office equipment
- No computer training necessary
- Works only when you need a particular service
- No extra office space required
- No loss of privacy
- Parting is painless without the legal responsibilities associated with an employee
With an Employee or Temp:
- You must pay employer PAYE
- You must pay taxes and National Insurance
- You may have to pay private health insurance
- You may have to pay pension contributions
- You have to pay holiday pay, sick pay, as well as offering lunch hours, coffee breaks
- You must spend time and money on training
- You may have to deal with personality conflicts
- You must comply with any legal responsibilities such as company and employee policies for minimum wage, hours, sickness, pension, benefits, performance reviews, grievances, discrimination, terminations and training
- You have to employ someone to administer the above - or spend valuable time doing it yourself
THINK TWICE before employing a temp or even a full time employee - save time, money and space by talking to Breathing Space Virtual Office Services.