We all hate having to do our business ‘housekeeping’ chores; whether it’s organising your filing, sorting out your business cards, typing up letters or just simply getting your tax return done… the list is endless. So how can a virtual PA help you become more effective, more efficiently? 

Top Ten Reasons to use a Designated Virtual PA 

1. Got a big presentation to do? Let the professionals take charge!

With minimal supervision, we can turn around a document in Word, Excel, PowerPoint or even Canva and turn it from a jumble of numbers and words into a coherent work of art, fit for any boardroom. As businesses move from kitchen table to a more corporate environment, it’s more important than ever before to keep teams engaged. No death by PowerPoint over here thank you!

2. Flummoxed by figures, or simply no time to file that tax return?

Why not get us to take a look at the books and help you get back on track, whilst you concentrate on making the big bucks.

3. Give us an inch and we’ll go the extra mile 

We are never happier than when we have a new project to get our teeth into; whether it’s investigating new business opportunities, or following up existing leads, we like to help you make a difference. We know that some of the most important business research can fall to the bottom of the list. Let us cover this area for you and stay on top of what your competitors are doing whilst you focus on the day to day running of your business.

4. Lost for words?

As a team of experienced professionals, we are well-versed in the art of creating compelling copy and putting together savvy sales pitches.

Writing copy is time-consuming, we need to be more aware and sensitive than ever to our customers, clients and colleagues work/personal situations.

5. We do it, so you don’t have to! 

Don’t have time to enter all those potentially lucrative prospects into your system? All we need is a list and we can upload, annotate and amend to your heart’s content.

6. All dressed up and nowhere to go?

Networking can be a time-consuming activity, but just one well-connected contact can pay dividends. We can help advise on which groups are suitable and research any hidden costs or lucrative opportunities that you hadn’t considered.

7. Let us organise your life, leaving you free to concentrate on what makes your business tick.

We can coordinate meetings, arrange travel, type up minutes, compile documents, respond to email on your behalf and even contact previous clients for their feedback on your product or service.

Our PA’s are in touch with highly experienced travel professionals who can ensure both business and pleasure trips are fully managed.

8. Raise your game and we’ll up your ante! 

We can search for, and post, relevant, interesting, compelling content onto your social network profile pages, with the click of a mouse and the tap of the keyboard. We can also help you optimise your pages, reach out to your contacts and keep your pages fresh and relevant – leaving you free to go and do the networking you were born to do!

9. Take the chaos out of conferences

Use us to project manage your corporate events. We get to grips with the gritty details, ensuring no glass is left unfilled. Whether you need client hospitality, private banquets, or large scale exhibitions organised, we are there to calmly communicate and coordinate with your clients and suppliers.

10. Ever get that sinking feeling?

The superpowers of a good PA are often overlooked; whether it be the ability to efficiently manage calls, whilst juggling emails and monitoring a jam-packed diary, or tracking down lost and forgotten receipts. Being able to depend upon a reliable set of hands, eyes and ears can be the difference between staying on top, or getting mired in an administrative nightmare. Never is that more apparent when you are in desperate need and don’t know where to turn. Enter, Designated! We are often able to put you in touch with fellow super-powered assistants, potentially looking for a step up, down or change in direction. We can also vet CVs, write up job adverts or simply field responses until you have time to start interviewing.

So, if you are looking for your next PA or just know you need help but can’t justify the cost of hiring someone on a full-time basis, perhaps going ‘virtual’ is the best way forward – after all, you’ve only got time to lose. Get in touch and chat to us about how we can help.

To chat though how we can help, contact our Head Of Client Services Sophie Brown on sophie@designatedpa.com or call us on 020 7952 1460.

Guide to WORKING SMARTER NOT HARDER….

Ever found yourself with a million things to do and no idea where to start?  Or perhaps you just keep putting off that big black deadline that’s hovering over you? Either way, getting your work space and you task list organised is a sure fire way to help get your head space back on track.  Our guide to helping you towards working smarter not harder will help.

Read on for our free, stress-busting survival guide…

1. Make Lists

Yes, you’ve heard it before, but it works!  It’s simple, the smartest way to unload your over-worked brain is to get it all out on paper (or for those that prefer something a little more high tech, a Smartphone, tablet, or whatever you’re most comfortable with).  Put down everything – every, little, thing.

There are a loads of apps that can help too!

• Paperless
• Wunderlist
• Todoist
• Trello
• Toodledo

2. Now prioritise

Put a number, an asterisk, re-sort or highlight.  Get that list working for you.  Concentrate on the big stuff – the things you know are going to take the longest time.  Put them near the top, somewhere you can’t ignore them.  The sense of achievement when you manage to cross those bad boys off will be immense.  And then you can reward yourself with a few ‘little’ tasks to help break up the intensity.

3. Watch the clock

Your list is ready, your priorities are set, and it’s time to get down to business!  Set yourself a realistic deadline for each item.  Start by breaking things down by hours, half hours, quarter hours or even ten minute slots.  Make an appointment to meet friends, go out for lunch or get a haircut, and then organise your tasks around it, accordingly – it’s amazing what you can achieve when you have a ‘reward’ in sight.

4. BITE size, not supersize.

If you have a seemingly insurmountable task ahead of you, break it down into smaller chunks.  As you start to simplify the job into separate elements, you will be able to concentrate on getting it done, piece by piece.

5. DON’T procrastinate – delegate! 

Use reminders to flag up deadlines, set up rules on your email so that you can see when important emails need to be responded to.  Set your phone to vibrate and let voicemail take a message.  This way you can turn your full attention to the job in hand, without any distractions.

6. CALL in the professionals?

If you are still struggling to stay on top, and feel like you are slowly sinking under a pile of admin, then perhaps what you need is a bit of professional help – of the administrative kind!

Do you need someone to cast an objective eye over your accounts, or a willing soul to get help you get through your filing?  Maybe all you need is for someone to manage your travel and diary arrangements, whilst you concentrate on writing that report.

Whatever it may be, help is at hand.  Designated is a one-stop-shop created with you specifically in mind.  We are here to enable you to hand off tasks and concentrate on your core business.

With us by your side, you will find you are able to focus on productivity, deliver greater results and generally be free to be the high-flying executive you are meant to be.  Alternatively, you might find that you have a few less grey hairs and a lot less to worry about.

7. Get working smarter not harder

Speak to us about how we can help bring time saving and cost effective professional support into your business.  With Designated – where you’re in safe hands.  Call 0207 952 1460 or email us info@designatedgroup.com.