I think many thought they would simply be able to achieve a lower cost base, but forgot that they were offering their customers LESS at the same time, in cases where the customer valued the interaction. Ken’s idea is teh exact opposite of this, where he can reduce his cost base, but at the same time offer his customers more value (cultural knowledge by the VA) than he can otherwise.

Although I’ve sent you a more detailed email, I thought I’d outline briefly the way I’m trialling using a Virtual Assistant, for the benefit of others here:

1. Research (technical) – on the I.T. side of our business, I frequently need to track down manuals (PDF), specifications, drivers, and so on – a Virtual Assistant can do this on our behalf, saving us many hours of tedious and costly trawling on the web

2. Marketing research – the marketing consultancy we focus on at Aktiv Tactics frequently requires research about consumer behaviour, internet traffic, emerging trends, and competitors to our clients – with a little initial work in outlining what data I need, a VA can find me a wealth of information for minimal cost, and I only do the tasks that require my professional expertise

3. Chasing me up! So many little requests come in constantly from my clients that, in my busy-ness I can overlook something I’m supposed to have done. With a shared To Do list, requests can be posted on to the list and then my VA can check to see whether I’ve overlooked something and it’s now approaching or past due. In certain cases they’ll be able to sort it out for me, in other cases they can email the client on my behalf (very apologetically!) and let them know we need a few more days, and at the very least they can get on my case to make sure I do it!

We use Yahoo Messenger, Skype, email, and shared online applications to work almost as though we were in adjacent rooms.

Ken’s comment is very interesting since sometimes finding an offshore VA or a project manager is the only practical way for a company to establish presence in a new geographical market or to effectively manage remote vendors.

Bring back the good ol’ days of common sense!!

Most of these networks are password-protected, although one is not and from time-to-time my computer will automagically jump onto that open network. (I can usually tell because web browsing is slower)

For an unwitting user – yep – it’s definitely possible to get onto networks that you shouldn’t be. But I also agreed that it’s the network owner who has the responsibility to lock their network if they want to OR open it up if they want to.

However, comparitively speaking, almost all Australians have nothing to complain about (economically) – not only is there a social security safety net that every body is entitled to, free public health care, and a range of mental health services available to almost everybody. When you contrast that to Philippines, Cambodia, Burma, Thailand, most of Africa, Colombia, Haiti, and so on, Australian’s physical needs are being well met.

But for me to fob off our own population with an answer like that would indeed be to be guilty of the same heartlessness that I highlighted in this article. Because more than any physical needs, millions of Australians are experiencing a sense of terrible isolation and loneliness. So yes, there is an undeniable need here.

The frustration for me is that being surrounded, atleast in my own personal circumstances, by all talk no action institutions (and even individuals) is progressively chipping away at my idealism and desire to act selflessly in the interest of others. I don’t want to be sapped of my passion for others. And in a nation like the Philippines, not only can you make a substantial difference for a significant number of people, your efforts are trully appreciated – and the satisfaction that comes from knowing that you’ve made a difference for somebody physically AND emotionally gives you the inspiration to continue on.

While I’m here in Australia, I’ll do my utmost to make a difference in the lives of those around me. And how I pray that Aussies will search within themselves to rediscover what really matters and ‘get real’ in their love for their neighbours. But I find it far more sustainable to throw myself without counting the cost into assisting those who truly appreciate your efforts and, in turn, would give the shirt off their back for me if it was required. True love for husband, wife, children, neighbour and nation, is fuelled and grows as sacrifices are appreciated and reciprocated in true, forgiving, unreserved, all-in relationship.