What Are Your Options?

Option 1 - Hire a Temp

I have done a lot of temping in the past. My first 2 years of temping were to gain valuable experience. I also temped during my holidays whilst I was doing my Computer Studies degree.

You wouldn't believe the amount of times that I went into a company and was told "we had a temp, who went to lunch and didn't come back!". There were only two occasions when I did not see temping jobs through to the end and this was because they were filing jobs and I felt I needed to keep up my typing speeds.

I contacted the agency so they could find a replacement for me.

I would NEVER let anyone down.

So you get the picture that not all temps are reliable and it can be difficult to find a really good temp. You also need to take into consideration:

You will need to train every new temp:

Generally when you hire a temp on an adhoc basis it will be a different temp each time (a good temp will be on other assignments). Each temp you hire will need to be trained, introduced to the staff and shown where all the facilities are. This could take half a day before any actual work is performed.

You will pay for time wastage:

You will pay a temp for coffee breaks, chats by the photocopier, and time spent using the facilities!

Will a temp be proactive and have the necessary skills?

It is very rare that a temp will return to the same company, so there will be no need to make an impression. A temp is less likely to be proactive.

Each temp you hire will have a different skillset.

You will have to hire a temp for a minimum hire period:

A temp cannot be hired for one hour only and most temps want long term assignments.

Option 2 - Employ a Permanent member of staff

Some Considerations:

You will need to have a constant workload:

If you do not have a constant workload for a permanent employee, there will be times when they are costing you money.

You will have to pay employee overheads:

There are a number of employee overheads that you will need to pay, these include holidays, sickness, maternity leave and a pension.

You will need to purchase equipment and find space:

Additional equipment may need to be purchased for a permanent employee and desk space sought.

Option 3 - Hire a Virtual Assistant (VA)

The Benefits:

You will have more quality time:

Utilising the services of Help on Tap allows you to concentrate on generating more business or spending more time with your family.

You will only pay for the time spent on your project:

You will not be charged by Help on Tap for coffee breaks, chats by the photocopier, and time spent using the facilities!

You will develop a relationship with a VA:

Unlike anonymous temps, Help on Tap will develop an understanding of your business and your clients.

Your business is important to Help on Tap. We want your business to grow and we will offer suggestions for process improvements.

You will not have to perform repetitive training:

During your free consultation we can establish your requirements. These will then be recorded for the next time you use our Services.

You do NOT have to commit:

You can hire a Virtual Assistant for one hour only.

You can utilise the services of Help on Tap as and when required.

You will SAVE money with Reduced Overheads:

You do not have any employee overheads when you hire a Virtual Assistant.

You will NOT need to purchase equipment or find space:

You would not need to purchase any equipment as Help on Tap operates from its own premises and utilises all its own equipment.

The ONE Disadvantage:

You would have to make your own coffee!

What is a Virtual Assistant?

A Virtual Assistant is rather like a Secretary, Office Administrator and Personal Assistant combined; the main difference is that VAs work out of their own fully equipped office. You only pay for the actual time they spend on your work, whether it is one hour or a day per week, or just an occasional one-off project. VAs use the internet, email, remote logon tools and some specialised software to perform their duties.