There are a lot of businesses and individuals from different part of the globe outsourcing virtual assistants in the Philippines. Many have success stories but there are also people who (I think) still need more information on what should be taken into account when hiring a virtual assistant in the country.

Below are some important things to note when hiring a VA in the Philippines:

The costs

I have been in outsourcing business for almost a decade and as far as I know, the usual rates for virtual assistant job in the Philippines range from $700 to $800 per month for a full-time job – this rate is from outsourcing companies. Maybe you can find prices lower than that but those, most probably, are from freelancers – most of them are home-based.

Why pre-paying is discouraged

This is discouraged most especially if you hire a freelance virtual assistant. As we know it, one of the motivating factors to do the assigned tasks better is the salary – something that an employee expects at the end of a month ( or perhaps every 15th day). When you prepay, one possible scenario is that a virtual assistant might lose his enthusiasm in performing his tasks which can lead to non-productivity – you do not want it to happen.

The holidays (vacations)

When you outsource in the Philippines you must be aware that there are approximately 20 (days) holidays (13 are regular) in a year. This is so that you will be able to do some adjustments of the tasks that you have for your VA that may be affected when he is on a vacation.

The 13th month pay

This is usually given when the year ends – this is under the labor code of the Philippines. Employers are obliged to give a 13th month pay which is equivalent to a 1-month salary to his virtual assistant. Be reminded again that this is different from a salary bonus - 13th month pay is obligatory while bonus is optional. If ever an outsourcing company insists that you are obliged to give a salary bonus for your VA, that is not right.


The option of monitoring system installation

There is no question about your employee's performance if he delivers output as expected or when he fulfills your target goals. However, you may encounter some times where output is less than expected. And then you will hear from your VA his reasons...reasons...and reasons. When dealing this issue, you have the option of installing a monitoring system to ensure that your VA is doing his duties. Some are using programs for screen shots capturing, basecamp, and there also who use video monitoring.

Above are a few things to remember when outsourcing a virtual assistant in the Philippines. Try to learn more as this can help you succeed in business.

It is really important that you have a website that can represent your business. It is an avenue for you to reach more prospective clients. However, having a website live and running requires lots of works – it needs your energy and your money.

If you want to set-up a website live on the Internet but don't know where to begin then resorting to a web design outsourcing company could be an intelligent decision to make. In fact, more and more companies are outsourcing projects today as this is cited as a good alternative to hiring expensive local web designing company – and yes, they have lots of success stories to tell.

Below are some tips aimed to guide you in the outsourcing process:

Where to outsource

There are two options in which you can outsource tasks: (1) Outsourcing locally (2) Offshore. If you really want to save then outsourcing offshore is more suitable for your needs. Countries like the Philippines, India, and China are a huge hub of skilled workers for web design and development jobs. For instance, in the Philippines, there is said to be a huge surplus of IT workers in the area making it a more competitive region for professionals and therefore an advantageous for clients as there are lots who are competing for a single position.

What resources to give when outsourcing

Tools for web design are really important so when you outsource let your worker use the appropriate tools needed Some resources that your web designer need would include the following: 1) log-in information (e.g. hosting account, online resources) 2)website content (e.g. text, images, videos) 3) web design and graphic software (e.g. Adobe Flash/Photoshop).

Per project or hire a full-time web designer

This is one of the most important decisions to make – on whether to hire a full-time worker or go for per project payment. As a general rule of thumb, going for a per project is more ideal for short-term; otherwise, hire a full-time worker.

How much money to allocate

If you want to hire a full-time outsourced worker, you can have it for as low as $725 ( that's the usual rate in the Philippines). For project-based, you can have a website up and running for as low as $300 for a 3-page website.

So that's it. The above-discussed guide has been very useful to me. Hope I have given you some useful ideas. Thanks.

Business ethics (also known as corporate ethics) is not only important in an environment wherein interactions and business relations with colleagues, clients are done under one roof. This must also be present even when you are to deal with people in distance.

Offshore sourcing is one example of dealing people in distance. Through the Internet, businesses are linked together forming a network of networks. Offshore sourcing is a multi-billion dollar industry today with lots of jobs outsourced worldwide.

Individuals working for clients through outsourcing companies must uphold their commitment to business ethical standards. This is very important most especially that information are constrained by distance - prone to miscommunication which may result to misunderstanding and may later on can cost your business.

If you are working for client offshore or if you are leading employees who are rendering services for clients offshore, you must be aware that there are four major areas that ethical problems in business could occur:

(1) while providing services to clients - services for clients must be rendered according to what is being offered or what has been agreed by a service provider and customer. However the process itself is vulnerable to unethical acts. Some common practices that can be considered unethical are: decreasing production (intentional); reporting false or edited time of work - and the like.

(2) how employees perform their duties and responsibilities - unethical acts occur when particular employees do not adhere to the company policies or when they are making their own agenda despite clear work designations.

(3) how your company treats other competitors - the way your company compete with other service or product providers must be carefully examined. Companies must see to it that they are for healthy competition and not a destructive one. Black propaganda is one common example for this.

(4) in providing a price that is fair to all concerns who may have direct or indirect contribution for your production - I think this is self-explanatory. The price that you impose for a particular product or service for your client must be fair to everyone who contributed for that. Business owner should not sale his products or services at $100 when the production cost is just $1.

Business ethics, wherever or whatever corporate environment you belong, is really important to maintain good relations and to keep your business running.

Yesterday I posted a decision making process (in content) that would help to come up with the right decision when outsourcing. However, there are some who requested me to post it using 'flowchart' because that is more easy to understand. As a result, I have below a flowchart for decision-making process when outsourcing.

Outsourcing to staff leasing companies can be an effective way to minimize labor costs and increase production. However it involves important decision-making -- on whether you really need to outsource or not. What should be your deciding factors? Below are important considerations to take into account which can help you decide on whether to outsource or not.

1. Do you have some tasks to accomplish?

If your answer is yes, then proceed to number 2 question. Otherwise, you do not need to outsource.

2. Can you do it yourself and do you have enough time to do it?

If you have tasks that need to be done, the next question that you must answer is - can I do it myself? If yes, then you do not need to outsource. If you can not handle them alone, proceed to question number 3.

3. Which would you prefer - to outsource locally or offshore?

If you decide to outsource local employee, then proceed to 4.1 question; if you hire offshore, go to question 4.2.

4.1 Do you have enough money to outsource locally?

If your answer is yes, then proceed to number 5; otherwise, go to other alternative - question 4.2.

4.2. Do you have enough money for offshore sourcing service?

If your answer is yes then proceed to number 6; otherwise the decision-making process ends here: not to outsource for now.

5. Decision-making (again) on whether to outsource locally or offshore ( you might want to choose offshore even if you have money to outsource locally). 

If you outsource locally, then proceed to number 6. Otherwise, go to number 4.2.

6. Find prospect - gather information, conduct interview and examinations. If you want to hire an outsourced virtual assistant then give exam related to the position.

Prospect passed your employment standards? If yes, proceed to number 7. Otherwise, repeat the number 6 step until you found qualified prospect.

7. Decision: To outsource.

I came across this blog administered by Alister Cameron - an Australian blogger who posted an article that caught my attention. His post titled "Another stupid SEO strategy: the filipino link builder who can’t write" highlights about a Filipina linkbuilder who ( according to him ) posted a crap comment. 

And now I am posting here my response - by the way, I submitted this comment to his blog but for some reasons, this was not posted. So I decided to post it here.

"So you are done writing this 'compelling' content about a Filipina. I hope it has satisfied your soul -- and this (your) SEO, traffic-generating strategy. 

And oh...by the way...I've just read one of your comments above and I think there is something wrong with it - grammatical error. I am not sure though ( I am not good in English). 

I am referring to this particular content you posted above: 

"...then in the mood I was in at the time, they would have appear in the title and body of this post." 

See? I hope you got it... 

That is what we call human imperfections. 

My point is: You always have the freedom to write indiscriminately...and in according to what your mind or heart dictates...but you always have the option  to write content in a more healthy way. 

Unless you are absolutely perfect, I think it would be necessary if you give a little 'consideration' to your blog visitors - no matter how stupid you may think they are. 

I think that would be all. Thank you."

To be continued...