If a so-called client is successful enough (and many of them who propose this kind of arrangement are not) to have something that’s worth a damn, then they should have enough money to simply pay you what you require, in full and in advance. Professionals don’t need incentives to be professional and do good work. And as independent professionals, we are not responsible for their success or failure. It amounts to subsidizing someone else’s business. Yet they are placing that responsibility on your shoulders when you work on incentive. Like I say, it’s just another bullshit way exploiters try to get out of paying us fairly and squarely.

Thanks for commenting. Yeah, the virtual assistant term is really completely idiotic to me anymore. If you’re a business owner, you are not anyone’s assistant.

Administrative support is an expertise and specialization in and of itself, and you certainly don’t need to be anyone’s assistant in order to provide that expertise.

I don’t think online business manager is any better a term (I actually detest that term almost as much) and here’s why: As an independent consultant, expert and business owner in the art of administrative support, it is not your job to manage any client’s business. That’s their responsibility. So I absolutely detest this further idiotic, devaluing mindset being perpetrated out there to people in the business of administrative support that they aren’t enough, that their expertise isn’t enough, that they have to do that AND manage their clients’ businesses. It’s complete bullshit and it really pisses me off because it sends a really devaluing message to newcomers that their skills and knowledge and talents that they spent years gaining STILL aren’t enough. And really, the origins of that term, just like the term virtual assistant, yet again come from people being led around by the nose by clients and industry outsiders.

For all these reasons, at least for those who are in the business of administrative support, that’s why I’ve moved on to the term Administrative Consultant.

Have you checked out the new site yet? http://administrativeconsultantsassoc.com/

I haven’t had the pleasure to read your blog in a while, but I’m always pleasantly surprised at the depth of your insight.

I just have to comment on the whole ‘virtual assitant’ thing for a second.

When I first got into the business, there was so much promise… I have a strong background in administrative support so I thought it would be a great business for me to be in. However, I have found that there are soooooo many people passing themselves off as VA’s (any dope who pays $2,000 for a kit can post a badge on their website and voila…) when they clearly have no clue what it means to provide that kind of support.

Add to that the hundred of “Virtual Assistance” companies abroad who are competing with seasoned, skilled VA’s and provide services for pennies…. the market just seems diluted and weak.

Through some serious reflection and focus, I have found that I have NEVER been anyone’s ‘assistant’, and I also had lots of trouble trying to explain that even though I called myself a VA I wasn’t a secretary… I was a business partner.

Most recently I have shifted my focus to providing grant research, RFP and RFQ assistance, as well as M/WBE certification assistance to small businesses. Now that I have a new focus, I don’t even call myself a VA anymore… I”m a grant writer. It’s clear, concise, and easy to explain.

Before I even decided to change direction, I liked the term “online business manager’ better than VA… but that doesn’t really explain what I do now, either.

I’ll stick with what I know works.

Always a pleasure!

Yeah, I’m not really into Facebook still. I don’t use it for business. I only use it as a temporary forum for the VACOC/ACA until we get our real forum up on the new site. It something to stay connected in the meantime though.

Glad to hear from ya!

Between client work, homeschooling, working on my new website and moving (yet again!) back to NJ, I haven’t been around anywhere online for almost six months.

Let me tell ya 3 moves in 2 years is more than enough! LOL!

Happy to see you have a Facebook page! It was a pleasant surprise since I thought you hated Facebook. LOL!

Your site is looking wonderful, too! I see you’ve been just as busy! Good stuff.

Always nice to hear from you! How are things over in Missouri? I had sent you a message, but never heard back after tornados. I sure hope you’re doing fine.