Press Release Summary = A competitive arena and a tight labor market have forced professionals and businesses to be as efficient as possible, and the entertainment business is no exception. One way many streamline is by letting go of full-time support staff: this results in savings not only of salaries, taxes and benefits, but also of residual costs associated with employees, such as workers insurance, office space, furniture and the like.
Press Release Body = A competitive arena and a tight labor market have forced professionals and businesses to be as efficient as possible, and the entertainment business is no exception. One way many streamline is by letting go of full-time support staff: this results in savings not only of salaries, taxes and benefits, but also of residual costs associated with employees, such as workers insurance, office space, furniture and the like.
The problem, however, is that while it may not be cost effective to employ a full-time personal assistant, busy artists and executives still need the services of someone, from "regular" business tasks like drafting correspondence and making travel arrangements to specialized services like storing contacts and leads and reviewing scripts. Into the breach comes a new breed of professionals like Lynette Venable-Sledge, a "Virtual Assistant."
The only virtual thing about Venable-Sledge is that she assists clients from her home, rather than their offices, staying in touch through phone, fax, computer network, internet and e-mail. For VAs like Venable-Sledge, being a virtual assistant eliminates the cost of commuting and cuts down on expenses like childcare.
For employers, contracting with a VA like Venable-Sledge means getting top-quality, experienced support for a specified term without the expense of a full-time personal assistant.
A former executive secretary, Venable-Sledge says she's fulfilled the functions of "salesperson, personal assistant, office manager, hiring manager, IT assistant and more," all functions that can be done as well in the virtual world as in the physical one. Proficient in office procedures and necessities like Microsoft Office Suite, she also brings to the table years of experience in the film, television, music and publishing industries. From transcribing a script to coordinating wake-up, lobby and stage calls, Venable-Sledge keeps track of the business tasks so that her clients can devote their energies to the creative.
"Some artists and managers think they can't afford to hire anyone," Venable-Sledge says. "Others worry about giving up control, especially to someone who is not physically in the office." That thinking can be misguided, she says: "Sometimes you can't do it all yourself. Delegate!"
Taking advantage of a seasoned professional like Venable-Sledge can save money, not to mention headaches, in the long run, she says. In modern offices, even people in the same room communicate through computer networks, e-mail and voice messaging: for even the most anxious client, Venable is only the touch of a button away. She offers a complete list of services and hourly rates as well as upfront agreement on associated costs such as travel and specialized software.
Web Site = http://www.home.earthlink.net/~virtualpersonalassist
2025
