Supporting business growth and ensuring its success is a crucial skill and a role that must be carefully evaluated. Organizing and providing solutions to situations crucial for business is just one of the duties of an executive assistant. They are required to be able to work independently and delegate routine tasks.
An executive assistant provides administrative support to executives, such as CEOs and other senior managers. Their role is crucial in helping executives manage their time, communications, and tasks efficiently. Their job is to ensure that the executive’s daily operations run smoothly, allowing them to focus on strategic decision-making and leadership responsibilities.
Understanding In-person Executive Assistant
In-person executive assistants are a good option if you and your company prefer to work directly with individuals and have them nearby in case you need immediate consults and easy access. Physical presence can also be translated into better communication and easy work dynamics.
Core Responsibilities of In-person Executive Assistants
The role of the in-person executive assistant includes managing your calendar (scheduling meetings and appointments), preparing meetings, managing communications (email, phone calls), coordinating travel arrangements, showing the ability for problem-solving, and, in some cases, offering personal assistance. In this last point, an in-person executive assistant may be a better option.
Advantages of Immediate Accessibility
Being a connection point for other company members with the leading team, an in-person executive assistant can serve as a positive role model, helping to promote alignment with the organization’s culture and values. Immediate accessibility to an in-person executive assistant can foster spontaneous collaboration and rapid decision-making, creating conditions for business agility.
Other factors such as social presence and satisfaction, are more efficiently transmitted in a traditional environment compared with a remote work-space environment. It should be noted that some of the executives slightly prefer to have team members they collaborate with who are physically available and sharing the same space with them.
Potential Drawbacks of In-person Executive Assistants
One slight drawback for the companies that prefer to work with an in-person executive assistant is that they will be limited in their choice within their geographical borders. This comes with the risk of not choosing the best option suitable for them. It might also be the case of selecting the most expensive candidate for the position.
Hiring in-person executive assistants requires providing a dedicated workspace for them. The company would be responsible for providing all necessary equipment to them. So, there would be extra expenses for office supplies and other utilities. All of this can be translated into higher costs for the company.
Understanding Remote Executive Assistant
Remote executive assistants can enhance workflow and provide solutions based on their extensive experience. These professionals can work across geographical locations and time zones, making them adaptable to various different countries and cultures. They are competent individuals to seek if you want someone who understands digital tools and online platforms.
Digital Proficiency and Task Management
Remote executive assistants can easily use digital platforms to facilitate duties, create schedules, respond to meetings, manage emails, and coordinate other tasks.
Environmental and Cost Benefits
If your company is looking for ways to improve its impact on the environment, remote executives can be good options to be considered. They can reduce costs by eliminating paperwork, office supplies, and space.
Access to a Larger Talent Pool
Choosing a remote assistant can give your company extensive access to more qualified individuals, especially if your company is located in an area with a limited talent pool. You can also benefit from choosing an assistant and paying less if you hire someone living in a lower-cost area.
What Should You Know Before Hiring a Remote Executive Assistant
If you are contemplating working with a remote executive assistant, there are several points that should be consider.
Define Remote Executive Assistant Responsibilities
Defining a remote executive assistant’s responsibilities from the start is essential. Clear expectations on tasks, communication, and availability help ensure a smooth, productive working relationship.
Communication, Collaboration, and Cultural Alignment
Good communication, collaboration, team spirit and alignment with organization culture are just some of the challenges that should be expected with remote workers. Establishing clear communication channels and protocols can facilitate communication and maintain connectivity among team members and stakeholders.
Performance Metrics and Accountability
Ensuring direct performance metrics and accountability mechanisms is important so there wouldn’t be any compromission in productivity standards. A remote executive assistant should be a person that is able to adapt with company structure and ready to take responsibilities. A remote executive can be a good candidate if we want someone who is flexible, possesses all the skills for digital channels and more importantly if we want to track talents globally.
Aligning with Company Goals and Needs
Choosing between a remote and in-person executive assistant should be a decision that is taken in alignment with company goals and needs. Your organization should differentiate between short-term goals and long-term goals. We will always suggest an option that can satisfy the company’s needs regarding both the long-term vision and the short-term strategy. Anyway, short-term goals are always in harmony with the company’s long-term strategy.
Importance of a Clear Vision and Decision-Making
It’s important to have a clear vision of where you see your company so that you would be able to choose suitable team members and partners. Some decisions can directly impact a company’s well-being and position. Especially choosing your right-hand person. Your executive assistant would be your trusted partner to manage all your confidential information. They will have access to manage personal and professional contact and respond to people on your behalf. That is quite a decision to be taken.
Self-Reflection: Is a Remote Executive Assistant a Good Fit for Me?
If you are already thinking about whom you should trust for all that information, Take a moment to understand what exactly you are expecting to receive from this decision.
Picturing Expectations Before Making a Decision
Before making any decision, companies should be able to picture their expectations. If you are considering hiring a remote executive assistant, and if it is your first time. Firstly, you as a company or an individual, should be ready to experience positive changes.
Ensuring Readiness for the Shift
It is important to ensure that your company or you are technically ready to take this shift. Other structures that should be analyzed are teamwork style and work dynamics. Making minor adjustments here and there is crucial to creating the proper environment to fulfill the needs of the remote assistant.
Evaluating Current Workload and Needs
After considering all challenges, it should be easy to make the right decision. But, if you are still unsure about the decision, consider your current situation. How many tasks are waiting for your attention? Is your inbox still exploding from unread emails? Do you already have a sizeable pending list? Do you have enough time to make all the appointments and attend all the important meetings? Where was the last time you felt there was too much going on? These are some of too many things a remote executive assistant can handle on your behalf. So, you would have more time for meaningful work.
The Right Address for Choosing the Best Remote Executive Assistant
Choosing the right executive assistant can be challenging. But we’re here to help.
Why ProAssisting?
ProAssisting can be the best solution if you are considering hiring a remote executive assistant. We are focused on bringing the best professionals in contact with you.
Our Selection Process
ProAssisting is selective when it comes to choosing the right professionals to become part of our team. Our selection process involves a thorough interview, detailed reviews of resumes and LinkedIn profiles, assessments of personality and work ethic, and an extensive background check—resulting in less than 5% of applicants becoming Pro Assistants.
Proven Success
We have many satisfied clients, from non-executive board members to entrepreneurs, business owners, and C-suite executives. We recognize the value of our client’s time, so we’ve designed an onboarding process that enables us to fully understand your needs and connect you with the ideal Pro-Assistant.
Guaranteed Match
We can assure you a 90% successful match on the first interview. Leaders already know how valuable time is and that an investment in efficiency is the best decision one can make. Pro Assistants are precisely what you and your company are seeking. Let’s get to talking today!
