I posed some questions to Sharon Williams, Chairperson of the OIVAC, and here is her interesting input…

Hey Pam, It’s great to be here today. You’re blog is my first weekend stop – so let’s relax and have a casual conversation – oh, oh! Not too casual, as I see you’ve some important questions about virtual assisting and the upcoming convention you’d like answers to. Okay, fire away!

Sharon, can you explain your ultimate goal of the OIVAC?
Historically, as members of the virtual assisting industry are globally-based, and due to the prohibitive costs associated with worldwide travel, conventional virtual assistant conferences have experienced limited attendance. OIVAC was created to eliminate barriers and offer VAs a cost-effective, value-packed, unique learning, training and networking experience, all from their desktops and conducive to their hectic schedules, regardless of geographic location. It also serves as a forum where VA-related training programs, coaches, organizations, networks, etc. can showcase their organizations, products and services. In a nutshell, OIVAC’s goal is to be the one-stop, must attend annual event for the virtual assisting industry.

What type of business would best benefit from participating as an exhibitor at the OIVAC?
Numerous types of businesses would benefit from participating as an exhibitor, as they will have direct access, over a 3-day period, to a targeted audience – VAs who make purchasing decisions for their businesses and indirectly influence client purchasing decisions. For example:

• Software and technology providers
• Office furnishings and equipment companies
• VA training and coaching programs
• VA organizations and associations seeking to increase membership
• Internet-based businesses wishing to sell their products and services to thousands of virtual assistants who influence their clients.

What prompted you personally to enter the VA industry?
Actually, I was laid off from my “good government job” in the late 80s and decided that I would never depend on anyone else to give me a paycheck. Based on my education, background and experience, I decided to open my doors as a small business consultant, in 1990; and due to a bigger demand from clients for administrative support, transitioned the business into an administrative services company. I developed an innovative business model and began offering services 24 hours a day, every day. At that time, my only competition was Kinkos, and even today there aren’t many companies in this industry open 24/7. I realized that business travelers, conventioneers, travelers, etc., would be an excellent target market, and networked with a local concierge association; and as they say, the rest is history. I gained clients throughout the United States, which ultimately has propelled my business into an international operation.

Where do you see the VA industry in five years?
I believe this industry has unlimited opportunity to make its mark on the global business community. Five years from now, with continued exposure through broad-based marketing and promotion, networking, and due diligence of VA-industry training and coaching programs, I predict that within five years:

• More than 35,000 individuals will classify themselves as VAs (based on current industry growth). As a result of this saturation (although only a blimp on the scale when considering the global marketplace), marginally qualified, prepared and equipped VAs (hobbyist) will leave the industry and experienced, professional VAs will take advantage of growth opportunities and prosper.
• The industry will establish uniform standards for individuals entering the industry, an accepted Code of Conduct and certification requirements for VA training programs (this might take a little longer than 5 years, but I see it happening on the horizon).
• Virtual Assistants will be widely accepted by mainstream corporations as a viable alternative (but not total replacement) to onsite and temporary staffing
• VAs offering generalist services will become specialists in a particular niche service.
• The industry will develop a greater intra-industry, global, collaborative bond.

Currently, the industry does not adhere to any standards or uniform code of ethics. As a matter of fact, for some; “standards” is considered a forbidden term and an impediment to migration into the industry. Others believe prior corporate-based experience alone is enough to open your business doors and to that to advocate otherwise would stymie the growth of the industry.

I believe there is a “middle ground” that can be implemented as a starting point for discussion, assessment and eventual agreement. There are pros and cons to everyone’s opinion, and I believe consensus can be found if everyone keeps an open mind.

Looking 5, 10, even 15 years down the road, we will have to address these questions – a cottage industry (which is what virtual assisting was called 5 years ago) that has exploded and grown as exponentially as virtual assisting should lay the foundation for its future now.

On Saturday, May 19, 2007 at 5 p.m. DST, at the OIVAC VA Industry Workshop, we will place some of issues on the table for open discussion. Everyone is invited to participate. I hope your readers can attend.

Do you believe it is important to define and choose a niche for your virtual assistant business?
Yes, vitally important, even if your niche is to be a generalist. Identifying a niche is an important step in planning for your future. It impacts your business plan (and I hope everyone has one), marketing strategy, financial planning and anticipated education and training projections. Just as important, it impacts your self-esteem, because once you have chosen a niche, you can strive to become the “expert” and “go to person” in that niche – resulting in increased name recognition, prestige, and income potential.

Okay, you are wondering why I wrote, “even if your niche is to be a generalist”. Generalist can also be experts! That’s right. They can be a one-stop supplier, possessing a resourceful rolodex of niche specialists. They may build their reputations on responding to questions no one else can answer – and even though a generalist can be the “research queen” or expert in creating PowerPoint presentations or providing superior admin services, etc.

As you can see, I believe choosing your niche and becoming a specialist and expert should be a very important part of your overall business strategy. If choosing a niche wasn’t a consideration when planning current short- and long term business goals and objectives, I recommend it be factored into your formula for continued growth.

Well Pam, what can I say? Your questions have opened dialogue on some very important issues that the industry must address soon. Thanks for allowing me to express my opinion in this forum. But, I must move on, because if I linger Janet Barclay, whom I visited yesterday and Ann Zuccardy of Vermont Shortbread Company, tomorrow’s stop, as well as all the other podcast and blog hopping travelers, would not receive their scrambled puzzle clues, and we can’t let that happen! So, I’m back on the road again; and here is today’s clue: #7 sdvmiaarentiit. Talk with you soon!

Thank you Sharon, for providing such thoughtful and insightful answers! I found your ideas about the future of the VA industry very interesting indeed. I’m glad you could stop by and look forward to the OIVAC. I, along with my fellow co-founders of IREAA, Kim Hughes and Anna Baron, will be exhibiting and invite all our VREA readers and contributors to join us there! For more information about the OIVAC, (a.k.a. the Online International Virtual Assistants Convention), visit www.oivac.com.

About Sharon Williams
Sharon is the Chairperson of the Alliance for Virtual Businesses and OIVAC, and president of The 24 Hour Secretary an administrative, secretarial and internet-based marketing support services company. She is the 2006 recipient of the Thomas Leonard International Virtual Assistant of Distinction Award and co-founder of Virtual Business University an e-learning environment for entrepreneurs ready to step towards their greatness.

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