Charlotte Wibberley, CEO of VIP VA, reveals why more PAs are seeking flexibility in the workplace by launching their own VA business
Charlotte Wibberley, Business Success Coach for VAs shot at Bronte, The Strand, London WC2. 21/2/17 Shot for PA Life Magazine.
In the working place today, the ‘f word’ (flexibility) is key to keeping people motivated in their jobs. It’s therefore no wonder that so many employees are now choosing to move to self-employment when their employers can’t (or won’t) give them the flexibility they need.
For PAs, when you throw the frequent lack of recognition and possible stunted progression opportunities into the mix, I find it unsurprising that so many PAs are now taking that leap to start their own VA businesses.
Running their own VA business is becoming the preferred career path of many PAs, as they begin to realise how many benefits they can glean from working for themselves. PAs are weighing up those benefits against the current lack of recognition and advancement opportunities they’re facing in their current positions – and the current position is coming up short.
Making that leap to their own VA business means ultimate control – control of their income, their working patterns and their overall career. They get to pick who they want to work with, what type of tasks they want to take on and, with the option to work solo or with a team of associate VAs, how big they want to grow their business too.
For many, flexibility is a huge governing and deciding factor for them, especially those with young children at home. They’re looking for a role that suits the growing needs of their young family, as well as providing them with the means to work flexible hours.
Self-employment is becoming a more attractive option for many PAs. For so long it was seen as a drastic or riskier option to that of full-time employment, but that’s no longer the case. Finding a company that employs staff for life is something that is becoming rarer than hens’ teeth. Job security and its associated benefits are no longer outweighing the attraction of self-employment – that tide has now turned.
Not only has self-employment got the freedom many PAs desire, it also enables them to utilise the skillset they already have. They can branch out into specific niches, based on their strongest talents and their biggest enjoyments. With niche areas as varied as corporate, small medium and large business, right through to authors and other creative types, or lawyers, marketing professionals and accountants – there’s ample opportunity for PAs to step into VA roles.
When you factor in how easy it is for a PA to make the transition to VA, flexibility is the key behind the leap. Working for themselves gives VAs the opportunity to shine at what they do, with the flexibility and opportunities they need to flourish in an industry – so it really is little wonder, that so many PAs are now taking that leap.
