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What is the Difference Between a Virtual Assistant and a Virtual Project Manager?

  • July 13th, 2010

    What is the difference between a virtual assistant and a virtual project manager?

    Everyone has felt the need for an extra set of hands at work once in a while, and many small business owners or entrepreneurs seek out virtual assistance to find the help they need.  However, one of the questions I am asked very often is about the difference between a virtual assistant and a virtual project manager.  Both forms of virtual assistance have their place in the global market, but the work done by a virtual administrative assistant and that done by a virtual project manager is quite a bit different.  Both forms of virtual assistance involve independent contractors, but the similarity ends there.

    What is a virtual assistant?

    A virtual assistant is someone hired by coaches, speakers, or small business owners to take care of the small tasks they just do not have time to do.  Virtual administrative assistants may do anything from schedule appointments to manage airline tickets.  A virtual assistant business is the small business owner’s right hand person when it comes to staying on top of the fine details of running a business.

    A virtual project manager: your efficiency expert

    On the other hand, a virtual project manager offers much higher level help.  Instead of helping the speaker or entrepreneur with the little details involved in operating a business, a virtual project manager actually helps the business run more smoothly.  Think of a virtual project manager as an efficiency expert, someone who provides an extra set of eyes to make sure that your productivity and revenues are exactly where they should be.  A virtual project manager can help you streamline processes and offer solutions for all of your business needs.

    So before you begin thinking about virtual assistance, think first about exactly what kind of professional you need.  If you feel like you’re having trouble getting everything done, don’t assume that you need a virtual assistant.  A virtual project manager may be able to show you ways to get it all done in record time.