Personal Assistant

Virtual Assistant VS Personal Assistant: The Best Support For Business Owners

As your organization grows, so will your responsibilities increase. This will require you to hire someone to help keep track of things and support you in your business and social life. Often you have to hire either a personal assistant or a virtual assistant.

When it comes to choosing between hiring a virtual assistant or a personal assistant for support, it can be quite confusing. You can’t straight away decide between the two.

In this article, we’ll discuss who virtual and personal assistants are, their duties, and what you need to consider when choosing them for support in your business. Read on to find out more!

What’s a personal assistant?

Personal assistants offer administrative support to business owners by working on less demanding tasks like picking up mail, doing laundry, getting coffee, and making copies. By so doing, they free up their boss’s time to focus on tasks requiring the utmost attention. The only catch is that they’re always present with their boss.

Since personal assistants are full-time employees, they receive monthly salaries from their companies or bosses. Therefore, if you’re a business owner with administrative tasks requiring an in-person assistant, consider hiring a personal assistant to sort them out.

What’s a virtual assistant?

Virtual assistants are a digital embodiment of personal assistants. They offer the same administrative support as a personal assistant but remotely. They don’t need to be present with you to provide their services.

As such, virtual assistants aren’t full-time employees of a company or an individual. They work on a contract basis and are paid an hourly rate depending on their work hours. So, if you don’t need an in-person assistant at your office, consider getting a virtual assistant. And set up a virtual office where you’ll handle all your business and transactions.

What are the duties of a personal and virtual assistant?

The duties of a personal and virtual assistant are the same. They include the following;

What to consider when choosing between a virtual or personal assistant for your business

Choosing a personal or virtual assistant for your business can be a daunting experience since their job functions are similar. Here are four things to consider to help you make the right choice.

        i.            Salary

As a business owner, you’re always looking for ways to cut costs while maintaining maximum output. As such, you should consider the salary associated with virtual and personal assistants to pick either for your business.

The average hourly rate of a personal assistant is €18, translating to an annual salary of around  €44,321. On the other hand, a virtual assistant can get an hourly wage of €19 but earn less annually since they’re only productive for the first three hours of a day.

So, instead of getting a full-time personal assistant working 8 hours a day, you should go for a virtual assistant who works for 3 to 5 hours a day and still gives the same output. This will significantly cut down your business costs.

     ii.            Work environment

Since personal assistants must be present at their workstations, they’ll require a working desk or office at your organization. Also, you may have to travel with them whenever you have a business trip. Ultimately, they result in more expenses since you’ll have to provide them with furniture, floor space, and travel costs.

On the other hand, virtual assistants work online from the comfort of their places. There are no costs associated with them apart from their hourly pay. Additionally, they might deliver better results since they’re working under minimum pressure.

   iii.            Employment type

As a business owner trying to grow your company, the type of employment you’ll offer will determine how you pay taxes and the kind of benefits you’ll offer.

If you decide to offer full-time employment, your personal assistant will be entitled to health insurance coverage, allowances, paid leaves, and all the necessary government benefits. This may increase your overhead costs and hurt your business if you have a limited budget.

But, if you only offer contracts to your virtual assistants, it may reduce your overhead costs. This is because you’ll have forgone expenses such as paid leaves and providing health insurance coverage. All you have to do is pay up on the agreed contract amount and close your expenditure. Giving out contracts is very suitable for small businesses that must keep an eye out for their overhead costs.

   iv.            Job type

Some jobs work best with a particular assistant. Look at the two scenarios below:

Suppose you’re a director of some action-packed movie. In that case, you’ll need to have a personal assistant with you to perform optimally. This is because your job is highly demanding, and the tasks you’ll require assistance with change now and then. So it will be easier for you to communicate with your personal assistant rather than a virtual assistant.

If you’re an online business owner, you may work best with a virtual assistant rather than a personal assistant. This is because you don’t own a physical office- your store is on the web. So, getting a virtual assistant for support will be in your best interest.

Also, the demands of your job will determine who you select. Some jobs will require your assistant to keep upskilling so that they can deliver optimally. In such a case, a virtual assistant is your ideal pick because they have a flexible work schedule, thus giving them more time to conduct research and upskill when needed.

Wrapping up

As your business continues to boom, getting support from an assistant is mandatory, lest you risk failing. However, you may be confused between selecting a virtual assistant and a personal assistant.

Keeping in mind that they both perform similar functions, you should select one that fits your preferences. If you want to keep costs low and you don’t have a physical office, go for a virtual assistant. But if you want someone to be present physically to run errands, then a personal assistant is what you should go for. I hope you’ll find it easy to pick your ideal assistant and get the support you need.

If you’re looking for a virtual assistant to assist you in your work, don’t look further than Clyde offices. We offer the best support in Glasgow to help grow your business. Give us a call today so we can grow with you!



Nicholas CapuanoNicholas Capuano
11:20 17 Sep 24
Been using Clyde offices for 1 year, brilliant service just renewed for another year.
Lance WilliamsLance Williams
15:54 04 Jul 24
Very easy set up process, great address for buisness , looks better than a home address in my opinion
alan wattalan watt
13:13 28 Jun 24
Very pleased so far with Clyde offices. very quick and easy to set up and they keep you informed of any developments.
Stuart GraceStuart Grace
11:06 30 May 24
Very efficient and friendly service. Excellent value for money. Strongly recommend this service. Have used this service as my ltd company registered address and hence get correspondence forwarded to my home address.
Business 83Business 83
21:16 16 May 24
Very easy sign up, clear and fast communication with competitive pricing. Just joined and hoping the service is as good as the sign up process.
Muhammad ADMuhammad AD
09:29 16 May 24
Great service, great rates and quick admin staff replying to emails and sending through stuff very quickly. 10/10 would recommend if looking for a virtual address in Glasgow for business or private company purposes.
Morag WebsterMorag Webster
07:39 03 May 24
I recently signed up to Clyde Offices and so far I couldn't be happier with the experience. From the moment I initially enquired about their services to signing up, their communication has been prompt and efficient. The sign-up process was incredibly easy and straightforward.
Calum PatersonCalum Paterson
06:16 03 May 24
Recently joined Clyde Offices and the whole process has been so easy. From signing up to the initial engagement from the team, the whole process couldn't have been better. would highly recommend.
SA PietrzakSA Pietrzak
16:05 24 Apr 24
I would like to recommend Clyde Office for friendly and professional service. The set up process was easy and straightforward.
Tom McDonaldTom McDonald
19:25 18 Apr 24
Great Service and very easy to use.
Teresa RTeresa R
13:43 18 Apr 24
Only recently joined, however, I am really pleased with the ease of joining, the promptness of engagement and the general engagement received. Thank you.
PucPuc
08:00 12 Apr 24
Setting up a new registered address for my business was so stressful with all the other challenges a new business faces. Clyde Offices took all the stress out of it. The service was so simple to use and we're very happy with the ongoing relationship.
Y. R.Y. R.
10:13 11 Apr 24
The registration with Clyde Offices was easy and efficient and the fee was very reasonable. I've been with them for a few weeks now and have been very happy with the service. Responses to a couple of queries I had were prompt and resolved easily. I would happily recommend this service.
esther iesther i
11:45 28 Mar 24
Really happy with the service so far very proactive and happy to help us with whatever we need
MFbyForesytheMFbyForesythe
10:56 28 Mar 24
I am totally enjoying the services. This is one of my best decisions I made beginning of 2024.
Eryk SzyminiakEryk Szyminiak
11:02 26 Mar 24
I recommend it, easy access to the website and unrivaled low cost... '
Kerry HarveyKerry Harvey
12:22 21 Mar 24
Not long started using this s service and so far amazing. Easy set up and very fast.
Ian HoughtonIan Houghton
12:37 11 Mar 24
Excellent service. Centrally located Well priced
a ea e
09:40 04 Mar 24
Speedy on-boarding process, efficient mail notifications and friendly reception
IdrzyIdrzy
19:43 15 Feb 24
Very fast service , address sent via email immediately after purchase. Attentive staff and customer service
Tom GairTom Gair
09:39 09 Feb 24
Found these guys, easy to follow online instructions. Quick to set up. Very fast response times to welcome us on board. Not yet used their services, but I'm sure they will be great!
Jordan SmithJordan Smith
13:49 01 Feb 24
Mark MunroMark Munro
14:50 29 Jan 24
Quick and easy to set up, very competitively priced with good support and friendly follow-ups.
Team NeonTeam Neon
09:40 26 Jan 24
Great service!
Michelle LydenMichelle Lyden
16:59 25 Jan 24
Clyde Offices provided us with a consistent and really good service for almost 4 years. Gerry was always at the end of the phone to help us with our queries. I would recommend Clyde Offices if you are looking to add value to your office needs, i.e. outsources answering service etc.
David HeriotDavid Heriot
11:08 11 Jan 24
Super easy to set up, very competitively priced and friendly follow-ups.
Gillian's WalksGillian's Walks
14:01 30 Dec 23
Quick and easy to set up. Great to have an option like this locally.
SamSam
12:41 07 Dec 23
I was looking for a mailbox provider as I am studying and I live abroad. I found Clyde Offices and they were very helpful in answering my questions. Very reasonably priced and would allow me to receive a few parcels. I highly recommend them and I will be using them for many years. The staff were very attentive and friendly.
Julie MurphyJulie Murphy
15:16 06 Nov 23
This is a great idea if you have your own business but would like an address in the city centre on top of, or instead of your own address or other location.Allows you to advertise as being based in the city centre.Anytime I had to contact the offices the staff were great and very helpful. I didn't need to contact them much at all because the process is so easy and straightforward.
Charles RidleyCharles Ridley
08:55 20 Oct 23
Really easy to get set up and competitively priced service.
William KimmetWilliam Kimmet
23:25 19 Oct 23
Very good and very cheap rental
Jon ChristieJon Christie
11:25 10 Oct 23
Can't fault the service; long may it continue. A good choice for most I would think
Stacy MairStacy Mair
09:56 10 Oct 23
Clyde Offices were very helpful and informative when setting up an account with them, they provide the full service at competitive prices and no additional fees.
j caldwellj caldwell
16:47 21 Aug 23
Setting up my virtual business address with Clyde Offices was so quick and easy to set up in minutes. They also were in email contact to make sure everything was ok and if I needed any other services from them just to make contact with them. I couldn't be happier with the service I received. Thank you
Levati LearningLevati Learning
14:13 21 Aug 23
Very good experience working with the team at Clyde Offices. They have been helping us out for over 5 years now and couldn't survive without them.
Joanna “C.”Joanna “C.”
16:12 14 Sep 22
A vastly superior service from Clyde Offices than any of the corporate virtual offices I have used in the past. A fab team, very efficient and friendly, always very helpful. I would recommend them one hundred percent. Great Central Glasgow location if you ever need to visit.
Audrey JenkinsAudrey Jenkins
04:00 03 Jul 22
I hired a mailing address through Clyde Offices for two months and the service was hugely helpful during that time. I rented some camping equipment for my hiking trip and could only find it for mail delivery; because I flew in from the USA, I needed an address in Glasgow and it so happens their office is very near the train station so this plan worked out perfectly as I set out Monday morning for my trip via train. In addition to easy communications and set up, the service worked with me on my order so that delivery time and pick up were arranged and I had no issues arriving and picking up as planned despite an awkward delay between delivery and pick up. My box was also large, which was certainly an inconvenience for them to hold for a week, but they understood my situation. I recommend Clyde Offices if you are seeking a mailing address in Glasgow.
Kathleen RobertsonKathleen Robertson
09:33 21 Mar 22
I have found Clyde Office to be 100% committed to all work that they carry out for people. Very helpful polite and trustworthy.
Ralph FlemingRalph Fleming
14:44 20 Mar 22
Alan and the team have been a real find for me. They do my reports and deal with all my mail for me. They automatically scan my mail over to me so that I can pick it up on the go, I could not recommend them enough for a small business like me. It's true what they say if you don't have an admin person then you are the admin person!
Austin PowellAustin Powell
17:56 19 Mar 22
Clyde Offices provide me with an incredible service that is invaluable. They help me manage my business. I use for call answering, mailing address and also they help with some of my admin via the virtual assistant service. 5 stars for sure.
Hunter StellaHunter Stella
18:45 16 Mar 22
Sign up was straightforward, and got a virtual mailing address confirmed within minutes. Would recommend.
Glasgow ClinicGlasgow Clinic
11:57 16 Mar 22
Amazing service for a new startup. Understands my business needs and always happy to offer solutions. Professional staff at the end of the phone every time.
hondo madhohondo madho
15:19 14 Mar 22
The staff are professional and timeous in their communication to customers.They give you confidence to work anywhere in the world and they handle your administration in a fantastic way.....keep it up...
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