Everything you need to know about flexible working: what it is, how it can benefit you, and the best tips to make it a success

Flexible working is by no means a new phenomenon – businesses and freelancers have been experimenting with when and where they work for many years now. But there was little sign of flexi working challenging the 9-to-5 status quo until the pandemic forced a sudden and widespread adoption of remote working, hybrid working, and other arrangements. Due to this rapid change, many of us still have misconceptions about flexible working.

So, whether you’re an employer, employee, or freelancer transitioning to virtual work, our comprehensive guide to flexible working will answer all your questions, giving you the info you need to make the best decision for your business or career.

Table of Contents

• Six types of flexible working
• Benefits of flexible working
• Remote work tools
• How to hire and train remote staff
• Flexible working and mental health

Six types of flexible working

Firstly, what is flexible working?

Flexible working refers to a range of alternative ways of working, compared to traditional office and 9-5 full-time work arrangements.

It’s beneficial for employers and employees to understand the nuances of these options, so they can come to a mutual working agreement that will benefit both. Below, we’ve listed the most popular flexible working policies on offer today. In some instances, a combination of these can be applied to an employee’s contract.

Hybrid working

Hybrid working is one of the more common flexible working policies that employers offer. Hybrid working involves a mix of working from the office and working from home through the week. How the days are split differs across businesses and employees so, if you plan to implement a hybrid working policy, you’ll need to ensure both sides understand what’s expected of a new employee before they start.

Flexi time

A popular choice for those with a difficult commute or time-sensitive commitments, flexi time allows you to shift your start and finish times. If you want to avoid the rush hour and head to the office late, or leave early to pick up the children from school, flexi time may work for you.

Compressed hours

This allows employees to work the same number of hours each week (e.g. 35), but pack them into fewer days. A good option for those who want to keep a full-time salary but need more personal time.

Part-time hours

Part-time hours mean working fewer hours in the week, compared to a full-time job. Salaries will be adjusted accordingly, which is called pro rata. For example, someone who earns a £50,000 pro rata salary working three days a week will earn £30,000 before tax.

Remote working

Working fully remotely became familiar to many of us during the COVID-19 pandemic, and some employees found it their ideal arrangement. While this is a less common option today, it remains a popular working style for those who live further away from their employer’s office location. Some businesses also exist without a physical working address at all; instead, they employ people remotely, sometimes from around the world.

Job share

A job share involves multiple colleagues (usually two) sharing a single role and splitting it across a working week. This requires a lot of coordination and a positive dynamic between the colleagues.

Benefits of flexible working

So far this sounds like a no-brainer for employees, but what’s in it for employers?

Flexible working arrangements are not without their challenges, but when managers and teams make the right preparations, it can deliver a multitude of business and personal benefits. Let’s look at these in more detail.

Employers’ benefits

• Reduced office costs, where businesses don’t have to cover the overheads of 100% of staff desks every day of the week
• Positive rise in staff attraction and retention through flexible working
• Improved employee satisfaction and productivity – while many managers might disagree, most employees feel that they work more productively with access to flexible working
• Improved accessibility for differently-abled employees

For more benefits, read our blog on the reasons to adopt a flexible working policy

Employees’ benefits

• Save money and time on commute
• Work to your own rhythms
• Improved work-life balance
• Improved employee satisfaction
• Improved mental health

Find out if remote working is for you by reading more of the benefits and challenges of home working.

Remote work tools

If you’re wondering how you could possibly replace an office with a sofa, kitchen table, or café, you’re not alone. The transition to remote working can be daunting. Luckily, a whole industry has emerged to cater for remote workers.

Nearly every aspect of office life can be replicated with clever apps, websites, hardware, furniture, and thoughtful planning of your home workspace and routine. Making the best of remote work tools and techniques can provide a big boost to the effectiveness of remote working teams.

Employers should research and invest in these tools and techniques to maximise the productivity of their remote-working staff. We’ve made a list of our favourite apps and tips in our guide to managing remote teams.

For those who need a break from the home, there are many co-working spaces that offer both the focused and social side of an office.

How to hire and train remote staff

Some of the biggest challenges in a flexible working environment include hiring and training staff, not to mention creating a strong team camaraderie. However, there are tried and tested ways to onboard new staff remotely and make them feel every bit a part of the team as those working from the office.

Firstly, all your training materials should be accessible online, and the new starter should be provided with hardware capable of video calls.

But, equally important is the social side.

Efforts must be made to bring a new remote team member into the fold, and businesses are using a variety of methods to achieve this. These include assigning new starters a ‘work buddy’ who will take them under their wing, arranging online team-building exercises like Zoom quizzes, and regular 1-to-1 check-ins to ensure the new starter feels comfortable.

There are many more parts of the process to consider for remote workers, so read our full guide to onboarding staff remotely for up-to-date expert advice.

Flexible working and mental health

One of the most common reasons for employees to request flexible working stems from a desire to improve their work-life balance and mental health. In the wake of the pandemic, this is at the front of many jobseeker’s minds when considering a new position, so HR and hiring managers should pay attention.

Studies have shown that the positive knock-on effects of offering flexible working include:

• Higher employee satisfaction
• Higher engagement
• Higher productivity
• Greater loyalty to the company
• Reduced absenteeism
• Reduced burnout

However, it was also found during the pandemic that the isolation of working from home can cause its own mental health problems. Lack of socialising with the team, alongside a lack of guidance or support from managers can have a negative effect on some employees.

Therefore, if an employee for any reason is unable to work from the office, special efforts should be made to mitigate any potential feelings of isolation or stress. Many lessons on how to tackle this were learned during the pandemic, and you can gain further insights on these through our webinar on improving employees’ mental health remotely.

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There’s no doubt that flexible working is here to stay. Employees have made their wishes very clear, and many businesses now see the flexi-working model for the huge opportunity it is.

Whether you want to scale down some long-unused office space, create a happier and more engaged company culture, or have some feet on the ground in a new territory, allowing employees more say where and when they work has many proven business advantages.

For employees and jobseekers, breaking up your weeks between office and remote work ensures you develop both your collaborative team skills and resourcefulness in a solo setting.

It’s certainly not the end of office life, but – for both employees and employers – flexible working is a very welcome evolution in the world of work.

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Our consultants are experts in flexible working and can advise on how to use your policies to best attract top candidates. Get in touch with your requirements today to set up a consultation.

The post What is flexible working? appeared first on Tiger Recruitment.

Hybrid working is one of the most popular forms of flexible working. Since the enforced remote working during the pandemic, many employers have subsequently adopted a hybrid working arrangement. A number of studies show this to be the perfect compromise for both employers and employees – the latest statistics show that 74% of businesses globally now offer hybrid arrangements.

Despite it now being a part of many contracts and job adverts, people on both sides of the table still ask, what is hybrid working? In this guide to hybrid work, we’ll bring you up to speed on the definition and the latest statistics around productivity and employee satisfaction.

Definition of hybrid working

In a hybrid work arrangement, the working week is split between days in the office and days in a remote location (often the home, but there are many co-working spaces to work from too!)

The ratio of office to remote days varies from company to company, and sometimes from employee to employee, but is typically a 3:2 split one way or the other. However, as we move further from the height of pandemic disruption, we’re seeing more businesses requiring a 4:1 office:remote split.

Hybrid working allows flexibility in the place an employee works, but not the hours. For more information on flexi-hours and other types of work arrangement, read our guide to flexible working.

Why adopt hybrid working?

If you are yet to implement a hybrid working policy for your business or are yet to work in a hybrid role, you may be looking for evidence of its value.

Luckily, the last few years have provided a vast amount of data around every aspect of hybrid working. This can help you craft the most effective policy for business performance and employee wellbeing, answering important questions around engagement, productivity, and employee attraction.

Let’s look at the data.

• Does hybrid working increase productivity?

Despite many businesses and managers being gripped by ‘productivity paranoia’ during and after the pandemic, the data tells a different story. The vast majority of employees (87%) report being productive when remote working, and Microsoft are seeing productivity on their Office 365 products continuing to rise in 2023.

Employees being less active when working outside of the office environment is an understandable concern for managers but, time and again over the last few years, research has shown these fears are unfounded. As long as efforts are made to keep hybrid working employees engaged through smart management and regular social interactions, company productivity will not only hold firm – it will often rise.

• Attraction and retention

Recent data shows that 53% of workers in the UK prioritise work-life balance over location and benefits when making career choices. This gives hybrid work policies a huge amount of weight when attracting and retaining the most sought-after talent.

Businesses that pay the appropriate amount of attention to their hybrid policy will reap the benefits in a competitive hiring market, and can build the respect and trust with their top employees to ensure they stay loyal for the long run.

Hybrid work best practices

Creating an overarching hybrid work policy is one thing, but the day-to-day admin needed to make it effective is another challenge. Managing hybrid teams has become much more nuanced since the days of Zoom calls in the pandemic. Read on for the current best practices around hybrid working.

• Managing and appraising hybrid employees

As there as fewer opportunities for managers to see their teams in person, the hybrid work model requires a more intentional approach to employee management.

This means setting specific times for one-to-ones, making use of the latest generation of online work tools, and adopting a results-based approach to assessing performance, placing less emphasis on presenteeism. Read our tips on managing remote teams to set yourself up for success.

• Employee engagement and productivity

When the right care and attention is given, the hybrid setup can strike a great balance between focused, solo work, and collaborative, creative teamwork.

The former aspect allows individuals the chance to work to their own productive schedules, while the latter adds the crucial social side that creates a team bond. The results speak for themselves – studies have shown that engagement is highest amongst hybrid employees.

• Employee wellbeing

The effects of hybrid working on employee mental health can be both positive and negative, so it’s important that businesses adapt their wellbeing practices to this new way of working.

Solo remote working can be a blessing for some, but others struggle with a sense of isolation, or may not have the ideal environment to work from home. Managers must understand that different personalities will respond differently to hybrid working, and ensure employees are supported with regular mental health check-ins and social initiatives.

Our interviews with employee wellbeing experts can provide actionable advice on how to support your hybrid team’s mental health.

The long-term view

The option for employees to work remotely and limit the number of people in the office was an effective solution in the era of COVID, but is hybrid work here to stay? The answer from most experts is an unequivocal “yes”.

The hybrid option is adaptable to every individual’s preferred way of working, maximising their productivity. At the same time, it retains some universal rules for employees, such as of 9-5 working hours, ensuring no disruption to team communication, diaries, and deadlines.

Fully in-office roles and industries will of course continue, but that rigid way of working has been shown to be deficient in several ways, not least of all in the area of mental health. With hybrid, nothing is set in stone and, through creativity and ingenuity, it will continue to evolve. The policies will become more nuanced and individualised, while managers will finesse their practices to draw the best out of their teams.

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Once you have a competitive hybrid work policy in action, it’s time to start hiring exceptional staff! Get in touch with your requirements today.

The post What is hybrid working? appeared first on Tiger Recruitment.

As specialists in virtual assistant recruitment, we’re no strangers to the benefits of working from home. However, sometimes, it’s nice to get out of the house, experience a new environment and plough through a productive day. That’s where coworking spaces come in. Now on every other corner in London and other major cities across the UK, these spaces are an excellent alternative to the traditional office for freelancers and those on flexible working arrangements. We explored the four of the best on the market in part one, now find out about the final five:

5. Central Working, multiple locations across London and UK

Built on an ethos of collaboration and communication, Central Working aims to provide sophisticated office space and comprehensive support systems to remote workers and start-up businesses across the UK. There are seven spots in London, spanning from White City to Shoreditch, four in regional UK (Reading, Slough, Manchester and Cambridge) and four international outposts, each with varying facilities. Depending on the location, you can expect to find features like meeting rooms and phone booths, showers, free coffee and kitchen access, breakout spaces and 24-hour access. Prices aren’t publicly available, so you’ll need to get in touch with the relevant office to find out what they can do for you.

Check out centralworking.com for more information about your closest location.

6. Work.Life

At Work.Life’s five London and two regional UK locations, there’s much more on offer than just a spot to plug your laptop in. On top of the “ninja-fast, sumo-stable” wifi, an endless supply of coffee and seven day access to their offices, it also offers its members mood booths, standing desks, a running club, local discounts, beer and pizza nights, networking opportunities, food tastings, a breakfast club and visiting wellbeing services, including yoga and massage. With spots in Bermondsey, Camden, London Fields, Clerkenwell and Hammersmith, as well as a regional outposts, Work.Life is perfectly placed for productive periods. Prices start by the hour (£3.50+VAT), the day (£30 +VAT) and per month (£350 +VAT).

Check out work.life for more information about your closest location.

7. The Allbright

The AllBright, named after Madeleine Allbright, is the UK’s first female-focused space for working women. Located in the heart of Mayfair the luxurious members’ club is designed for women to create, connect and collaborate, all while surrounded by products created by women. A membership, priced at £750/year provides access to meeting rooms, a restaurant and cocktail bar, beauty bar, fitness area and library, as well as a schedule of events, talks, networking opportunities, exhibitions and debates.

allbrightcollective.co.uk

Credit: Uncommon

8. Uncommon

If you’re looking for something a little more luxurious in your co-working space, turn to Uncommon. It combines wellbeing with work, across three distinct locations that aim to make you feel good about where and how you go about your day. Each space has a roof terrace and an abundance of indoor plants, a bespoke soundtrack, custom scents designed to help you focus, specifically designed lighting and ergonomic furniture. This is on top of the 24/7 access, super-fast internet, coffee lounge, meeting rooms and break-out spaces, bike storage, showers, standing desks and a full calendar of events, including Tuesday Tea Time and Thursday drinks. An in-house nutritionist and access to a range of fitness classes complete the offering. Monthly memberships start at £249 +VAT for a hot desk.

Uncommon has five locations: Liverpool Street, Fulham, Highbury & Islington, Holborn and Borough. Check out uncommon.co.uk for more details.

9. Plexal

Located in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in east London, Plexal calls itself a “home for innovators”, where over 800 tech-focused creatives can work and collaborate in a campus-like environment. Across 68,000 square feet of office space, members can grab a hot desk at £240 per month (+VAT), up to a private, sound-proofed office from £1375 per month (+VAT). With a busy calendar of social, networking and thought leadership events, this is the perfect choice for sparking your next great idea.

plexal.com

Missed part one? Catch up here.

Looking for virtual assistant vacancies? Tiger Virtual can help. Get in touch today!

The post Nine of the best coworking spaces in the UK: Part Two appeared first on Tiger Recruitment.

Working a virtual job offers plenty of benefits (here are four reasons to consider a remote-working job), not least the fact that you don’t need to leave the house to start work. You can set up a perfect home office, but after weeks in the same location working by yourself, working at home might not be so positive after all! That’s where coworking spaces come in.

A somewhat recent phenomenon that has grown alongside flexible working, these spaces fill the void between cafes and offices and are popping up all over London and further afield in the UK. They offer freelancers and remote workers the chance to work in a professional environment with all the resources at their fingertips – without committing to a traditional office. Here are the first four of our nine best coworking spaces.

1. WeWork, 50 Locations around London

No list of coworking spaces would be complete without a mention of WeWork. The American company has made a huge splash in the UK market, having opened 50 spaces across London, including Hammersmith, London Fields, Southbank and Paddington, all of which are among the best coworking spaces London has to offer. Memberships range from a hot desk to a private office and start from £299/month. Features include unlimited refreshments, fast Internet, private phone booths, meeting rooms and break-out spaces, as well as on-site staff, 24/7 access and events during the week. Best of all, every office is designed the same way, so there’s no stress about getting lost within its walls.

Head to wework.com for more information about your closest location.

2. Forward – Frome, Bristol and Taunton

London isn’t the only city with coworking facilities. Forward takes the phenomenon outside the big cities, with spots in Frome, Bristol , Taunton and soon, Exeter. The facilities differ based on the venue, but can include a café, event space, meeting rooms and video call booths, showers and bike racks, fast Internet and parking. Memberships start at £25/month for 8 hours, but go up to £150 for unlimited use. Its only downside is its hours – access is only available during working hours, Monday to Friday.

Check out forwardspace.co.uk for more information about your closest location.

Credit: Soho Works

3. SOHO Works, Shoreditch

The latest offering from SOHO House, SOHO Works offers 16,000 feet of coworking space right opposite Shoreditch High Street station. Memberships start at £400/month for a hot desk, but shared desks (with lockable storage) are also available. But just what do you get for the investment? There are weekly events that cover everything from brand-building to meditation classes and designing pillowcases, as well an on-site café and bar, members kitchen, phone booths and meeting rooms, a library and reading room, showers and lockers and a roof terrace. SOHO Works also offers mail and stationary services, photo studios and tech support.

sohoworks.com/shoreditch/

4. Campus London, Kings Cross

Not content with continuing digital domination, Google has also opened a coworking space a short walk away from Liverpool Street and Old Street tube stations. Campus London has something for every remote worker, ranging from the free café to designated coworking spaces. The former is a freelancer’s dream, with free wifi, a constant supply of coffee and no pressure to purchase anything. All that’s required is free membership, activated through an orientation session held weekly. For something a little more established, the coworking space, run by TechHub, allows you to rent desks and conference rooms.

http://www.campus.co/london/en

Still not spotted the coworking space that’s just right for you? Read part two for more of our favourites.

Register with us today to find your next remote-working or virtual role.

The post Nine of the best coworking spaces in the UK: Part One appeared first on Tiger Recruitment.

You’ve worked hard to put together the perfect team, but the newest member has opted to work from home. And now others are snapping up the company’s flexible working offer, leaving you as the manager staring at a half-empty office and managing a remote team.

This is a common problem in the modern workplace, but the secrets to encouraging collaborative working in a remote team still boil down to five simple concepts.

• Regular communication
• Shared routines
• Respecting boundaries
• Clear expectations
• Socialising

More than ever, employees want to choose when and how they work, and there are many reasons for employers to adopt flexible working too. But equally this comes with its managerial challenges, not the least of which is encouraging collaborative working in a remote team.

You may by worried that your close-knit team will be undone by this individual way of working, so we’ve put together the best actionable tips on how to manage a remote team.

Communication is key

We often take for granted how much information is picked up in an office through general conversation, whiteboards and non-verbal cues. So how can you replicate that easy back-and-forth between a team in an online situation?

The first step is to ensure that everyone, especially yourself as the manager, is easily reachable via computer or phone during work hours. Depending on your budget, you may even want to invest in work phones and laptops to ensure everyone is on a level playing field in terms of hardware capabilities.

From there you can explore the many options for group messaging and calls. The list is endless, but we recommend:

• Microsoft Teams
• Slack
• WhatsApp
• Zoom

These services help create the open-plan office feeling, with whole-company group chats and video calls, down to smaller teams and one-to-ones. Encourage your team to be active in these chats, asking questions, sharing useful links, and celebrating each other’s wins. This virtual ‘water-cooler’ will keep the group tight even when they’re miles apart.

Build routines and respect boundaries

Clear and accessible lines of communication between all members of the team will help everyone’s work flow smoothly. However, when everyone is easily contactable, there’s a risk of blurring the lines between working hours and personal time. When managing remote teams, setting clear schedules of when people are expected to start and end their work day helps everyone stay coordinated, and feel respected.

Part of this scheduling should be designed to protect your time as a manager. To avoid being constantly bombarded with messages and phone calls from team members looking for guidance, block out regular times in the week to have one-to-one video calls.

Use shared online tools

Group chats are a great start, but shared virtual spaces go so much further than that. There’s intuitive, easy-to-use software for sharing calendars, project timelines, spreadsheets and more.

Teammates can plan for when their colleagues are on annual leave and help keep each other on target for deadlines, while you as a manager can efficiently monitor progress across all ongoing work. Some of the best shareable calendar and project management tools available include:

• Trello
• Calendly
• Monday
• Asana
• Google Calendar

Onboard correctly to create a sense of engagement

For new starters, joining a remote team can be especially stressful. Without face-to-face interaction, new team members can feel they aren’t gelling with colleagues, and the much-needed collaborative environment will suffer.

Managers need to take great care when onboarding these staff to ensure they feel welcomed, understand what’s expected of them, how they can reach you with any questions, and when they will receive feedback. Read our comprehensive guide to onboarding staff remotely for a crash course in this integral part of managing remote teams.

Facilitate team learning

What better way to help your remote team see eye-to-eye than by giving them the chance to learn skills that are new to them all? Not only will the challenge bring them closer as a team, but the skills acquired will boost performance as well as future-proof the company with the latest tech and industry best-practice.

If you, as manager, have knowledge you can pass on, why not organise a video call workshop for the whole team? Or throw yourself into the classroom with them through online learning platforms, such as our partners New Skills Academy. Other platforms we recommend are:

• Future Learn
• EdX
• LinkedIn Learning

Don’t forget the fun!

It may not be the first thing on your mind when considering how to manage a remote team, but the fun and social side of work can bridge the geographical divide between colleagues.

Encouraging remote team-mates to keep in touch through group chats or with a quick video call is the simplest way to ensure they don’t miss out on the social side of work. But if you want to take things a bit further, why not try some of these ideas:

• Bingo/trivia game on a Friday afternoon (keep an ongoing scoreboard to really get the team engaged!)
• Daily wellbeing email from someone in the team
• A virtual exercise/yoga class at lunchtime
• Virtual team away days – companies like Wildgoose host games where your team can compete against each other

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Transitioning a strong team dynamic from the office space to online is no walk in the park, but when done with care and attention, it can be achieved successfully. With the above guidance, you can give your staff the autonomy to work in the way that they feel comfortable, while also maintaining the camaraderie and support base that a great team offers.

If you’re ready to add more exceptional members to your remote or in-office team, get in touch with our consultants today!

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Working from home or your favourite café was until recently considered the preserve of freelancers and creatives, but we all know that’s no longer the case. As flexible working and the use of home as an office is taken up by employees in more sectors, many of us are thinking it’s time to set up a work-at-home office. There are plenty of benefits and challenges to home working, so to help you tackle them, here are some home office essentials to consider when creating an environment where you can work effectively!

Start with your workspace

Many of us discovered during the pandemic that home working isn’t quite as comfortable as you’d think. Working from the kitchen table, couch, or even bed for hours at a time can leave you stiff and aching all over. So, appropriate and functional seating at a proper desk should be your top priority, as it will allow you to look after your body and aid in your ability to be productive. We also recommend working in a space with natural light, maintaining a healthy posture and adjusting the height of your screen to be at eye level. There are plenty of options for hardware designed to improve your experience while working on a laptop or computer. We recommend investing in:

• Adjustable computer chair
• Laptop stand
• Mobile phone stand
• Wireless keyboard
• Wireless mouse (ideally vertical)
• Ergonomic mouse pad
• Footrest

Prepare your computer and tech tools

It’s incredibly important to make sure your technology is as good as possible while at home, that your internet connection is fast and the computer you’re using is up to date. It may also be worth researching apps you can use to help you complete your daily tasks, such as Scannable for PDF scanning, Zoom for group video calling and Slack for instant messaging between your team. There are a multitude of apps for remote team working out there which may make everyday processes far more efficient. Even though we’re physically isolated, technologies like these allow us to work collaboratively like never before.

Minimise distractions

Distractions are inevitable in any workplace, but they can be a little harder to ignore at home, where it’s friends, family or pets vying for your attention. It’s therefore advisable to establish boundaries. This could be anything from working in different parts of the house, to setting periods without talking. If anyone has to take calls, it might be a good idea to designate a separate room for this so the rest of the house doesn’t become distracted. This way, you can transform a space normally designated for eating or socialising into your productive work haven!

Set your working hours and stick to them!

It’s easy to lose track of your usual nine-to-five without the obvious signs you’d receive in the office – colleagues leaving for home, cleaners arriving or your scheduled train. Studies have shown that people find it harder to switch off when working from home, so we strongly advise you to set out a timetable that you can stick to. Routines like taking a coffee or lunch break in another room, or clearing away your workspace at the end of the day act as clear signals to your brain for when to work and when to relax.

The mainstream adoption of flexible-working contracts for a large swathe of employees is doing great things for work/life balance. However, to ensure that it’s sustainable, it’s important to create an environment at home where you can find focus, and also keep the personal and professional separate.

Whether you’re looking for a flexible, remote, or office-based role, register with us today to start your search for the perfect job!

The post Remote working for the first time? These are your home office essentials appeared first on Tiger Recruitment.

If you’re in a personal assistant job, you may have considered moving into a more flexible role. Flexible working has been increasing in popularity for a number of years, even before the COVID-19 pandemic brought the idea of alternative ways of working to mainstream attention. According to research from the Trades Union Congress (TUC), the number of employees who regularly work from home has tripled since before the pandemic, while ONS statistics show flexi-time has increased by 33.54% since 2013

It’s not hard to see why the popularity of working from home is on such a sharp rise. Offering additional flexibility, removing the need to commute and higher levels of productivity, it is often a preferred option for many full-time workers. However, just like any endeavour, working virtually presents its own challenges, not least isolation and overworking. Below, we look at the pros and cons of remote working.

Advantages of remote working

An environment to suit you

One of the most commonly noted benefits of remote working is flexibility. It allows you to adapt your working hours based on your schedule and accommodate tasks that require being at home. It also allows you to adapt your working environment to your needs, changing the lighting, temperature, setting and background noise as needed.

More time, more money

Working from home also reduces the need for a commute, saving time and money and increasing morale – after all, who wants to spend hours travelling to and from work? These time savings can also result in a better work/life balance, as you have more time for maintaining your physical and mental health.

Master your to-do list

From a productivity perspective, virtual workers are reported to get more work done, as meetings become more effective and there are less distractions in the form of co-workers. You may also find you take fewer sick days as a remote worker, as you’re less likely to take a day off for a mild illness. Taking less time off makes it easier to stay on top of your workload and deliver outcomes effectively and efficiently.

Build your self-reliance

There are also opportunities for personal and professional development that come from independent working. Being separate from most people within your company and the influence of your colleagues will force you to become more resourceful and solve problems by yourself. For example, you might be able to do a quick Google search to solve a minor IT problem, rather than approaching the IT department as a first port of call. You might even be able to pick up a few additional skills along the way by watching online tutorials, which can help to boost your professional confidence.

Challenges of remote working

Lack of socialising

Working remotely also has its challenges. For starters, working from home is often isolating and can see you not talking to anyone for hours on end. In line with this, maintaining an employee community and connection to your colleagues can prove difficult. With no way to chat over a cup of tea or check in to see how your colleagues are faring, there are fewer opportunities to connect, engage and build a sense of camaraderie. It also reduces your exposure to the overall company mission and values, as you are removed from the office environment.

No more 9 to 5

Virtual working can make switching off difficult, as the boundaries of working hours may become blurred – is it appropriate to be answering emails at 7pm? According to research from Zapier, remote workers are more likely to overwork, as the lack of the office routine makes it harder to disregard tasks outside of business hours.

This is supported by findings from a report from the UN’s International Labour Organisation (ILO), which found that 42% of regular home workers dealt with insomnia, while 41% suffered from stress. This was attributed to the blurring of boundaries between professional and personal lives and the ease of which workers can complete supplemental tasks outside of traditional working hours.

Losing motivation

For some, working from home also introduces the risk of slacking off or getting distracted. Without your team or managers around you to spur you on, it can become harder to stay engaged, or perhaps that quick home task takes longer than expected, or you’re distracted by a visitor. It also restricts performance monitoring and, in some instances, can increase the danger of being overlooked for promotions and career progression.

The pros and cons of working from home are highly influenced by personality types; some thrive in a quiet, self-motivated setting, while others work best in the buzz of a busy office. Finding the right balance is important for you to excel in your job and career.

If you’re looking for a remote working role or to transition to a virtual job, Tiger can help, register with us today!

The post The benefits and challenges of working from home appeared first on Tiger Recruitment.

It’s been called ‘The Future of Work’ and ‘The Next Great Disruption’, but does flexible working make sense for your business?

The pandemic forced us all to adapt to new realities, not the least of which was the swift and sometimes stressful shift to remote working for a huge number of employees. While many of us initially saw this as a short-lived solution, as the lockdowns dragged on, it increasingly became a way of life.

With studies last year indicating more than half of employers expect a surge in flexible work requests from their employees after the pandemic, it’s clear the flexi option needs to be given serious consideration if a company wants to stay at the forefront of their industry. In fact, even before the pandemic, research found that as many as 87% of us wanted more flexibility in our work structure, so it’s no wonder that it has become the preferred way to live and work for a lot of Tiger’s candidates.

However, not every employer is convinced by the new dynamic, and feel that its merits remain unproven. This cautious approach could prove costly in the long run though, as we’re seeing candidates go so far as to turn down roles that require 5 days a week in the office. So, in what ways can flexible working be shown to provide benefits for both parties?

Focus on what’s achieved, not what’s perceived

As we’ve mentioned in a recent Forbes article, the pandemic had a significant effect on the culture of presenteeism and long-hours working. The happy result of the reduced micromanagement was that both employers and employees could stop measuring their worth on sometimes misleading metrics like number of hours worked, and focus instead on what has actually been achieved. Less clock-watching takes a load off employees’ minds and frees up much-needed mental energy for delivering exceptional work.

Lower costs on office space

Post-lockdown studies have shown that, on average, surveyed companies are reducing their office space by 30%. These companies are shifting to flexible work options like hot desks, with fewer staff on-site on a given day. Of course, this can reduce overheads significantly, and a quieter office has its own perks, as we’ll see in the next point.

Empowering all personalities in your workforce

Naturally, working from home isn’t for everybody, and many employees thrive in a busy, fast-paced office. But we often neglect those who hit peak performance in quieter settings. Flexible working gives these employees more control of their environment, so they can maximise their productivity and work to their natural rhythms.

A less stressful commute

With more employees taking up the option of a hybrid work-week, the once ubiquitous morning sight of packed trains, buses and gridlocked traffic isn’t such a sure bet anymore. With fewer nerve-jangling commutes, employees are arriving to offices still brimming with morning energy and raring to go. Companies can also offer commute-easing incentives to encourage employees into the office more regularly, such as cycle-to-work schemes, hot desks in more nearby offices, and flexible start times.

Stay ahead in a competitive talent market

Increased market confidence has put the ball back in the employees’ and jobseekers’ court, and businesses hoping to attract the top talent would do well to keep flexible working at the forefront of their offers. This type of tailored benefit shows respect for employees’ wellbeing, and could give you the edge over your competitors.

Increased job satisfaction

Another welcome effect of increased employee autonomy is a deeper sense of satisfaction in their role. They feel more valued and trusted by their employers, and a greater ownership over the work they’re doing. They are thus much more likely to remain loyal to their company, and are a great advert for attracting further talent.

It’s more and more apparent that flexible, hybrid working is here to stay, and is becoming a key enticement for talent. Our Hybrid Working Survey report digs deeper into just how important it is for jobseekers, so be sure to request your copy today.

The post Reasons to adopt a flexible working policy appeared first on Tiger Recruitment.

As virtual jobs continue to rise in popularity, thanks to new technology and flexible working setups, more and more people in personal assistant jobs are becoming a virtual assistant. With added flexibility and convenience, it has become a fantastic option for those looking to even out their work-life balance.

However, the transition to a virtual assistant role requires plenty of forethought and preparation – it’s not just a case of dropping everything on Friday and starting up on Monday. So if you’re interested in how to become a virtual assistant, look no further than the following tips:

Plan ahead

Becoming a virtual assistant won’t happen overnight. It’s worth putting a plan in place as early as possible. Because you’ll likely be setting up as a freelancer, you need to treat the endeavour as a business, setting targets for business development, pitches and completed work. You can even create a path plan, identifying milestones and the skills and experience needed to reach them.

Network

When starting out, it’s all about who you know. Start networking with decision makers, calling on old acquaintances and connections to build a database of potential clients. One of the best ways to find potential clients and useful contacts is via LinkedIn, so spend time learning how to use LinkedIn effectively.

Another fruitful avenue for networking is with fellow ‘digital nomads’ working remotely. These could be other virtual assistants, or freelancers in other fields who may nonetheless have good advice and connections. Your best chance to meet these peers (and to have a break from the home office!) is in co-working spaces. Find out more about the best co-working spaces in the UK.

Get online

As part of becoming a virtual assistant, it’s imperative to make sure your online presence represents your brand as well as possible. These days, setting up an impressive and professional-looking website is very simple through services like WordPress and Squarespace. Having an easy-to-find online space with up-to-date contact details and information about your services will be one of the biggest drivers of new business. You should likewise treat your LinkedIn profile as a shop window, ensuring it reflects your achievements, services, and career aspirations.

Research

Do your research before engaging any clients. Know what the industry standard pay rate is, what normal turnover rates are and the average weekly hours. This will protect you from being taken advantage of, but it also shows prospective clients your depth of knowledge in your field.

At the same time you should learn all you can about businesses or clients you’re approaching. Show them from the start that you have an understanding of their work, their industry, and what would be required of you. This will certainly pique the interest of target clients.

Invest

Make sure you have all the equipment ready to go. This includes a fast computer and internet connection, microphone, headphones and, of course, a quiet space to work. For help setting up your own personal den of productivity, check out our guide to creating a home workspace.

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The move from PA to VA is a natural one in the increasingly online world, but it’s not always obvious how to become a virtual assistant. If you keep these principles in mind you’ll have a much greater chance of success as you head off in this exciting new direction!

Looking for a virtual role, or in need of a VA? Tiger can help – get in touch today.

The post From PA to VA: How to become a virtual assistant appeared first on Tiger Recruitment.

Originally posted on Forbes, 22nd February 2022

Hybrid working is here to stay. Countless studies show that workers relish their newfound work-life balance, not to mention the time and money they save by not commuting to the office every day. And if their flexible working options don’t pass muster, they won’t stick around, with 72% of workers saying they are likely to look for a new job. Employers who are serious about holding on to top talent will need to be prepared to meet this demand, as many already do. However, several recent studies suggest that hybrid working, when different people are in the office at different times, might not be all it’s cracked up to be. It could create workplace divisions, they say, stall career development and be detrimental to employee health and mental wellbeing. So, how can employers overcome the potential pitfalls to unlock hybrid working’s full potential?

Proximity Bias

The first charge leveled against hybrid working is the threat of proximity bias – the idea that managers tend to rank people who sit alongside them in the office more highly than employees who are working from home and therefore out of sight. According to the Future Forum Pulse survey (January 25, 2022), this bias is now the number one fear among business executives, with 41% saying they are concerned about inequalities between those working primarily in person and those working primarily remotely, up from 33% three months earlier. The risk is that people who aren’t in the office as frequently as their co-workers could be overlooked for promotion – the so-called Zoom glass ceiling limiting their career opportunities – with bosses seeing those who lean towards remote work as somehow less committed.

The Great Divide

Experts warn that women could be at a particular disadvantage in a hybrid future. They probably won’t go into the office as much as men due to childcare duties and family commitments, which are easier to manage from home.

Global data from the Future Forum Pulse supports this. It found that 84% of men work in the office all or some of the time, compared to 79% of women.

According to Amanda Blanc, CEO of leading British insurer Aviva, the problem is that women might not be around “when some of the conversations are being had and they could miss out on opportunities.”

That not only means personal development and career opportunities. It could also mean that women are passed over when there’s a challenging project – or they’re simply less connected than their in-office colleagues with what is going on across the company.

Health Issues

People aren’t just jeopardizing their careers when they work remotely, it seems. A new study suggests they could also be affecting their health and mental wellbeing.

More than 8 in 10 people leaders report that hybrid working is exhausting for employees. Workers, too, say that they find hybrid more emotionally draining than fully remote arrangements and even full-time office-based work.

For some, hybrid offers the best of both worlds but for others the switch in routine and the need to maintain two workplaces appears to be taking its toll.

A Way Forward

Despite these potential downsides, we know that employees want and now expect hybrid working. So, how can employers ensure that the benefits shine through for everyone?

Dispensing with traditional, outdated views of remote working is an important first step. The notion that an employee who is working from home for however many days a week is less dedicated or less able to contribute is a relic of the pre-Covid past.

Creating the right conditions for remote and hybrid workers to succeed is also key, which might include:

·        Defining and communicating what remote working means for your organization. Do you expect workers to be in the office a set number of days or can individuals or teams set their own hybrid-working schedule?

·        Evaluating employee performance objectively so that it’s less about hours worked and more about impact and outcomes

·        Expanding diversity, equity and inclusion efforts to provide equal opportunities for everyone, regardless of where they work

·        Ensuring that people who are working remotely feel as connected as their in-office co-workers. For example, meetings should either be held online by default so that everyone has a consistent experience or scheduled for the days when the full team is in the office

·        Reskilling managers so that they are better able to support and collaborate with their teams in the new, more flexible future of work

·        Providing guidance for employees so that they are able to work smart, such as encouraging them to set healthy boundaries and have clearly defined work hours when they’re working from home

The Road Less Traveled

As offices go back and employees and employers find their hybrid working feet, teething problems are inevitable. However, with the right policies, processes and practices in place, businesses can escape the prejudices of the past. And they can capitalize on their positive experience during the pandemic when remote working rightfully earned its place in the future of work. No longer the preserve of working moms or viewed through a negative lens, it can work for everyone. Welcome to flexible working 2.0.

The post Three Hybrid Working Misconceptions, Busted appeared first on Tiger Recruitment.

Often a freelancer or contractor, virtual assistants (VAs) can take repetitive or time-consuming admin tasks off your hands, freeing up vital time for your top-level priorities. VAs are particularly effective as support for project work, as they can be brought in for short term projects at short notice, reducing the costs associated with onboarding.

Thanks to high-performing communication technology, VAs offer a cost-effective alternative to the traditional PA role, providing much of the same assistance, but without the need for an extra desk or the expenses of a full-time employee.

How a Virtual PA could be the ideal solution for you

Personal assistants are a life saver for executives and managers the world over, but not every business is lucky enough to be able to accommodate them. Perhaps you’ve downsized your office and don’t have room, or you’re an entrepreneur without the budget for an in-house PA.

Regardless of the size of your operation, there is often a need for assistance across a range of admin tasks – this is where a VA can be invaluable.

What does a virtual assistant do?

If you were to write a virtual assistant job description, it would share many of the same tasks as one for a personal assistant. Many VAs come from a PA background, and so are already very skilled in similar duties, such as:

• Travel booking
• Diary management
• Database management
• Expenses
• Preparing briefs and presentations

But that’s not all. The technology that allows VAs to work remotely is constantly evolving and improving, to the point where there are very few tasks they couldn’t do effectively. So the answer to ‘what does a virtual assistant do’ is changing all the time, and is limited only by the software they can access.

Differences between a VA and a PA

Having said that, there remain some distinct differences between virtual assistants and personal assistants.

Having an assistant with you in person and in the office allows them to take care of the inevitable physical paperwork any business produces. A PA will typically be involved in incoming and outgoing deliveries, filing documents, preparing meeting rooms, and the occasional personal errand (ever needed a last-minute gift for a forgotten birthday?)

A virtual assistant can’t be expected to cover these tasks, but they do have heightened expertise in other areas. Working remotely and without quick access to IT support requires serious tech know-how from a VA. Their computer and software literacy can be a valuable leg up for their manager and the wider team, who perhaps won’t know of certain online tools that could help boost performance.

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Virtual employees, as a staffing solution, are growing in popularity thanks to the flexible working model, and the option is well worth exploring if your business has limited office space, or needs short-term support. Whatever the situation, our consultants are available to help, so be sure to get in touch with your requirements.

If you’ve hired your first virtual staff member, be sure to read our advice on onboarding remotely, as well as our tips on how to manage a remote team.

Looking for a virtual job, or in need of some virtual assistance? Register with us today to see how Tiger Virtual can help!

The post What is a virtual assistant? appeared first on Tiger Recruitment.

First published on Forbes, 12/08/22

“The true enemy for many is the daily grind of commuting.” That’s according to Mark Dixon, CEO of flexible office provider IWG. And he has a point. People were only too delighted to give up their commute during the pandemic; for many, the resulting time and cost savings were the biggest perk of working from home. And now that offices are going back, many workers are dreading the thought of having to do it all over again, not least due to fears over the risk of infection.

However, as someone who regularly runs and swims to the office (yes, in London!), I can wholeheartedly say that the commute doesn’t have to be that way. There are cheaper, more sustainable ways to get to the office and, dare I say it, commuting can be good for you.

New Commuting Patterns

Changes in how we work should mean that commuting isn’t as painful as it once was. Less days in the office mean less commuting and less people using transport systems, which could actually make taking the train or the bus more bearable.

For those whose only option is to drive to work, the rise in hybrid working is also good news. Research by Wejo for USA Today, shows that the “rush hour” is not quite so rushed these days. Starting times are now flexible, often later, and more spread out.

Employers can help to ensure that these new commuting patterns stick. For example, at Tiger Recruitment we’re giving people flexibility over their start and finish times so that they can travel in quieter (and less expensive) periods. Thanks to technology, people will soon be able to plan their journeys with even greater precision. Take Google’s transit crowdedness predictions innovation, for example, which is currently being trialed in New York and Sydney. Commuters can see how busy their train or bus will be and avoid peak times, meaning that standing shoulder-to-shoulder in an overcrowded carriage could become a thing of the past.

Shorter Commute?

Another growing trend that could eliminate the once-dreaded commute is the so-called 15-minute city, the brainchild of Professor Carlos Moreno. This is the idea that everything you need in terms of work, retail and leisure is within 15 minutes by foot or bike. The concept, which gained momentum during the pandemic when people tended to stay local, is designed to create a greener, cleaner, more pleasant urban environment. Paris has embraced it; Milan is piloting it and other world cities are introducing their own variations, with leading examples including Portland’s Complete Neighborhoods and Bogotá’s Barrios Vitales.

With the 15-minute city, rather than everyone having to travel to a central office location, people would work closer to home, combining remote working with working from a local flexible workspace.

Healthier Start

The beauty of living closer to the office, or working closer to home, is that you can travel there under your own steam. My own day starts with a run through London’s Hyde Park followed by a swim in the Serpentine. For me, the commute is my daily exercise, which leaves me energized and ready to face the challenges of the day ahead.

The desire to avoid public transport during the pandemic has also driven a number of my team to rethink their commute and, like me, where they can, have made walking, running or cycling to the office part of their routine.

Active commuting is great for physical wellbeing, with medical research showing that it could help people live longer and reduce the risk of chronic conditions such as cardiovascular disease. Employers can help their employees make healthier choices. That might mean offering bike or e-bike subsidies, such as Amazon is doing, and providing the right facilities so that people can easily store their bikes and shower and change before work.

Greener Choice

The other beneficiary of more active commuting is the environment. Encouraging people to take up greener modes of transport can help businesses reduce their carbon footprint and maintain the sustainability boost we saw during Covid-19 when people drove less and stayed at home more.

Many people are still wedded to their cars and if anything, the pandemic has strengthened their attachment as they look to avoid crowds and the risk of infection. But Oxford academics have found that by swapping their car for a bike or e-bike just one day a week, people can reduce their carbon footprint by about 0.5 tonnes (0.55 tons) over a year, representing a substantial share of average per capita C0².

Changing behavior also requires city-level transformation. There needs to be the right infrastructure in place – such as cycle lanes – with incentives to reward and encourage healthy choices. This year’s European green capital, Lahti in Finland provides an interesting example of how it can be done. As part of a broader urban mobility project, citizens use an app to calculate their carbon footprint and earn points – virtual Euros – for using greener transport options, which can be exchanged for discounts on products and services.

Mental Preparation

Love it or hate it, the commute is an important part of working life, which helps people mentally prepare for the day ahead and unwind when it’s over. It’s for that very reason that when all of us were working from home, a group of UK academics recommended a ‘faux commute’ as a useful way to separate work and home life.

This is a healthy habit that businesses should continue to foster in their remote workers. A lap of the park or a walk round the block can help people get into the right professional mindset. It can also guard against burnout; rather than gaining an extra hour by not commuting, employees often devote that time to their work and don’t mentally switch off as much as they would if they were traveling to the office.

So, as offices go back in cities around the world from New York to London, let’s resist the temptation to return to our old ways and a commute that fills many of us with trepidation. Now is the time to think differently, to encourage your teams to consider the commute not as something to endure but as an opportunity to exercise, mentally prepare for the working day and have a positive environmental impact. Anyone care to join me for a swim?

The post Re-Imagining The Commute: Why Take The Train When You Could Swim? appeared first on Tiger Recruitment.

The idea of becoming a virtual assistant can sound very appealing – with flexible working hours, you can work from literally anywhere in the world and, if you’re experienced, it can be a much easier job than being in an office with a demanding boss. The reality of being a remote employee and offering virtual secretary services means that you need to be up-to-date with the best software to carry out duties, so that you can be as efficient as possible in the job – regardless of whether you’re a VA in London or on the other side of the world.

We’ve made it a little easier by rounding up the best new apps and what you’ll be using them for.

Time Tracking

Timely
Timely is completely design-focused which means that the interface is extremely intuitive and aesthetically pleasing. This is going to be your go-to app when you’re tracking your timesheet as it calculates your activity across your device (including browser activity, desktop apps, travel, calls and meetings) so you won’t miss out on one second of pay. The timesheet is also automatically compiled so you don’t need to manually sit down every month and pull the figures together.

Social Media

DrumUp
If you’re spending too much time every day to schedule posts for your principal, this one is for you. The great thing about DrumUp is that it’s a social media scheduler, content generator and provides analytics all-in-one. Not only that, it has a function which searches the web for new relevant posts from leaders in the industry and suggests you repost them. You can schedule and post to the multiple platforms at the same time, complete with emojis, gifs and hashtags.

Scheduling

Float
This app will be a lifesaver if you’re the virtual PA to multiple partners or a whole division. You can control a number of schedules simultaneously, including tracking time off and overtime. As the VA, you’ll also have control of who has access rights to each schedule, so nothing will be changed without your approval, which may be very helpful if you’re putting together sensitive information. There are also settings for project managers, employees and contractors to make it even easier for you.

Online Meeting Software

Brosix
This is an instant messaging app that provides a secure network for collaboration and is perfect for holding meetings with your principal. If you’re dealing with sensitive information, the end-to-end encryption will make it as secure as possible while being over the web. And best of all, you don’t need to buy any other hardware, unlike many other options out there. You have the option to share your screen so to present the presentation you’re creating or demo how to complete a new process.

File Sharing App

pCloud
The beauty of this app is that you don’t need to brief your principal on any new technology as they don’t need to be a user of pCloud to receive the files.  You can invite them to view and edit content according to permissions you set up and upload/download content you send them using links. Unlike other file-sharing apps, this one has a public folder which allows you to use it as a hosting service for large files.

Contact Tiger Virtual if you’re interested in becoming a VA.

The post Five New Apps Perfect for a Virtual Assistant appeared first on Tiger Recruitment.

Our Managing Director, Rebecca Siciliano, talks about how Tiger and our clients have transitioned to remote working. She covers:

• The logistics of setting up remote working
• The importance of communication and support for your employees to keep them safe and well while working from home
• How to connect your team while you’re working remotely
• The impact of COVID-19 on recruitment activity

The post WATCH – Remote Working in a Changing Landscape appeared first on Tiger Recruitment.

Flexible working hours and hiring virtual staff are huge topics of interest in the job market today. More than ever, employees want to choose when and how they work, and this can give an employer some major benefits as well. You can access a valuable skill set for a lot less cost and office space, among many other perks but equally this comes with its managerial challenges. Here are some tips on how best to manage your remote staff.

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If you’d like to hire a virtual assistant, Tiger can help you! Speak to a consultant today, or click here for more info on all our virtual hiring options.

The post How to manage a remote workforce appeared first on Tiger Recruitment.

Head of the Permanent Division in our West End office, Missy Shutt-Vine, interviews the Founder of Collaborative Future, Tessa Cooper, about practical tips employers can use to ensure their teams stay productive and connected throughout this period.

The post LISTEN – Motivating Remote Teams appeared first on Tiger Recruitment.

With the COVID-19 outbreak causing the majority of staff to work from home, many of our clients have implemented some fantastic processes to support their employees in this (hopefully) once-in-a-lifetime situation. If you’re still considering the ways in which you can motivate, support and care for staff, these innovative and heart-warming measures may prove helpful!

Setting up Home Offices

Many firms are prioritising ergonomics and have couriered workstation replacements to staff, such as monitors, desk mounts, back support and office furniture. Purchased or hired, these are designed to minimise any physical strain where employees are now working in improvised home office set-ups.
Wi-Fi boosters are also being posted to staff homes in the event they have weaker signal or where multiple household members are plugged in and straining the Wi-Fi usage at home.

Prioritising Communication

Management teams must lead from the top, keeping communication as frequent and informative as possible. From daily summaries of Boris Johnson’s briefings through to sharing wins, ideas and new systems, CEOs and senior management should be circulating (at minimum) twice-daily updates that cover how employees will be impacted by the PM’s advice and how they are supporting their employees. Messages should be as positive and supportive as possible.

Video calls are better than phone calls or phone conferences. Daily video calls with teams or line managers help to boost morale, even when the odd cat or dog gets in shot! Mixing up interactions with different team members virtually contributes to employees (particularly those who live alone) feel less isolated.

Managers should incorporate well-being check-ins with staff. For those suffering with anxiety, this is likely to be an exceptionally difficult time. Prioritise employee well-being and ensure they know it’s ok to not be ok. Arranging staff socials virtually, whether it be video drinks, virtual gym sessions or games like ‘heads up’, interactions like this can go a long way to helping staff feel less lonely. Book clubs are also being established to allow colleagues to chat outside of work hours (and about something else other than the news).

Slack has been a popular tool for companies who don’t already have an IM service. This can be set up to have private groups for teams, and public groups for chit-chat and important announcements. Slack is very useful for inbox management.

Employee Benefits

Many employers have offered alternative benefits to minimise the impact on their employees’ lives while being out of the office.

One client has offered staff free pairs of trainers to encourage exercise

Additional flexible working is something that firms may need to offer, particularly where families are struggling with childcare. This doesn’t necessarily mean less hours on the job – it just allows employees to have the flexibility to log on while children are asleep, for example, and log off when they need to be entertained.

Where employers have traditionally offered free breakfasts, lunches and dinners, some businesses are offering employees a food allowance to be added to their next pay packet.

Finally, health and wellbeing are so important and must be prioritised on management and HR agendas. If there are opportunities to be creative, employees will value and appreciate this. One of our clients has offered their staff free pairs of trainers to encourage them to get out and exercise! If you can’t quite manage that, free subscriptions to apps can also go a long way to supporting a healthy, balanced lifestyle during self-isolation. Clients have paid for subscriptions to apps focused on meditation, fitness and nutrition to support people’s mental and physical health.
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We would love to hear what you are doing for your workforce so we can share any tips with other companies and continue to keep all of us motivated, engaged and supported! Please feel free to email me directly at katie.hawksley@tiger-recruitment.co.uk and check out our guidance on the future of work after COVID-19.

Be well!

The post How our clients are transitioning to remote working appeared first on Tiger Recruitment.

Considering a career in virtual assistance? One of our top VA candidates explain how she got into the business and how she finds it working virtually.

How did you become a virtual assistant in the UK?

I was working as a senior PA for a private individual and due to moving around as an Army wife, I worked virtually throughout the second year of our contract. I have also run my own communications business for about eight years now, working virtually for clients on projects such as web design, freelance writing and marketing and so I was experienced in the most unique aspect of the role, namely working away from the client. I then applied for a Tiger Virtual position earlier this year and was successful in joining the team.

What did you do before being a virtual assistant?

I have worked as a PA/Administrator for about 10 years, working my way up from a Team Administrator to a Senior PA/EA. I have also worked in a number of other industries, such as marketing, property and web design, which gives breadth to the skills I can offer.

What type of people do you tend to work for? Business owners, private individuals etc..?

I tend to work for smaller companies and/or individuals, in a private and/or commercial capacity. I specialise in working for fledgling companies or for individuals, where a ‘sleeves-rolled-up’ approach is required, and my role tends to be very varied.

Why did you choose to become a virtual assistant?

As an Army wife I move every few years, which makes it hard to find a long-term job in one specific location. Working as a virtual assistant allows me the flexibility to maintain a career for myself whilst fitting in with my husband’s. I also have other interests outside of work, which I am able to fit in more easily due to saving time through not having to commute.

What is the part about being a virtual assistant that you most enjoy?

I like the autonomy and the challenges that come from getting to know and understand a client without daily face-to-face interaction, and the subsequent satisfaction when the client is thrilled with the support being provided.

What is the most challenging part of being a virtual assistant?

Being on your own all day can be tough and a bit isolating, so it is vitally important to make time to leave the house at least once during the working day, as you would do in an office. I go swimming, walk the dog, meet friends for a coffee or run some errands, in order to change the environment and talk to someone other than the dog! Staying away from the fridge can be a challenge too…

What skills are most important within the role?

Self-motivation is essential, as is time-keeping, organisation and being content with the fairly solitary set-up. One needs to be utterly professional and have a good listening ear to discern what clients are looking for and to then deliver the project on time. It is also important to be able to communicate clearly both verbally and in written format.

If you were given the opportunity to improve a skill, what would it be?

I would like to improve my good French skills back up to near fluency, incorporating business French.

What kind of a character would best suit being a virtual assistant?

Independent, resilient, proactive and problem-solving.

Would you say previous PA experience is vital to become a virtual assistant or could people get into that line of work with transferable skills?

I would say that it is crucial to understand how to administratively support an individual in their business pursuits, alongside a strong knowledge of IT packages, good typing skills and a ‘can-do’ attitude. So many workplaces nowadays ask their staff to multi-task and it may be that all of these things are being accomplished by someone who is not strictly a PA. That someone may be able to bring something else to the table such as marketing skills, or an understanding of website CMS; it’s all about making one’s skills clear on a CV and being able to explain your diversity in interview.
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If you’re looking to begin working in a virtual job, Tiger Virtual can help!

The post A Q&A from one of Tiger’s top virtual assistants – what does it take? appeared first on Tiger Recruitment.

If you’ve ever asked yourself “how do I become a virtual assistant?”, you’re not alone! Perhaps you like the thought of being your own boss, or setting your own schedule and knowing exactly what you can do, when.

Maybe it’s the flexibility aspect – you know you’re going to be moving around a lot and this way you can work wherever you are. The question is – how can you get yourself started, and how can you make yourself known to those who need someone like you?

Make yourself known

Once you have decided to go down this route, tell everyone you know about your business. Explain it to them as well; people may be unsure of how virtual assistance works, so explain it to them. This way, they can then go and tell other people who may need your services.

Stand out from the crowd

You have to show potential clients what you can offer them that other virtual assistants may not be able to. What experience do you have that is relevant for them and meets their needs? Have you worked as a personal assistant previously and have a passion for organisation, or are you a PowerPoint whizz? If the answer is yes, then make this known.

Network

If you are just starting out as a virtual assistant, go and talk to former employees – perhaps they’ll be able to lend advice or provide useful contacts. Find out if there are any networking events that you should be going to; there are always so many of these and they’re great places to meet people and tell them of your services. Considering you are often working from home, face-to-face marketing is all the more important for virtual assistants.

Get business cards made so you have something to give people to remember you by and make sure they look professional.

Create an online presence

It’s important to create a professional image on the Internet and to have somewhere to direct people to so they can look at what you do, and have been doing. If you can, try and get some testimonials on there from previous clients that highlight what you can do and how you helped them.

You don’t have to spend a lot of money on your website; it can be tweaked once you’ve got yourself going, but it looks good to have something to put on your business cards or social media profiles.

Social media

You can’t get anywhere nowadays without using social media in one way or another! Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn – create profiles on all of these to promote yourself and your business, network with others, and keep an eye on what’s happening in the market generally.

Tweet every day telling people about yourself and what you can offer them, set up a business page on Facebook and link it to your website, and create a professional, attractive profile on LinkedIn demonstrating all your experience. You need to be constantly engaging with existing clients and potential clients.
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Looking for virtual assistant work, or need some virtual help? Tiger Virtual’s team are ready and waiting! Get in touch today.

The post How to promote yourself as a virtual assistant appeared first on Tiger Recruitment.

Becoming a virtual pa is a huge endeavour that requires a lot of foresight and planning. However, once you’ve passed this stage, it can result in unmatched flexibility and freedom.

We sat down with one of Tiger Virtual’s long-term candidates, Sarah, to find out the benefits and challenges of being a virtual assistant.

Can you tell me a little about your professional background? How did you start out and what has your career progression been like?

I started as a lawyer, and was working in the music industry while also studying drama and music on the side – I did this for on and off 15 years and worked at most of the major labels and independents which was fun in my twenties/early thirties. However, I always wanted to write and act, so eventually I went to Drama School but still temped to pay the bills and live.

I was back being a legal assistant in a music publishing company when I became pregnant with my son and, when he was born, I realised I didn’t want to work quite so long hours or go out as much.

We went travelling for about nine months when he was six months old, and when I returned, I temped back in music until I found something permanent, which was in magazine publishing. It meant I could write and collect my son from nursery thanks to flexible hours. This was great for about four years but when my son went to big school, I wanted to spend more time with him so I started working a mixture of temp assignments, virtual placements, part-time positions and freelance writing work.

I wouldn’t say I have had a particular career or think of myself as ambitious; I have always gone for jobs that I enjoy, where the people are good to hang out with and where I don’t feel over-pressured to live to work, especially now I have a family. I love temp and part-time work because it leaves me time to write, enjoy my family and feel way more balanced as a person.

What is your current title? What are the types of tasks you do in your day-to-day work?
I work both virtually from home as an assistant, and have a part-time day job in a music company, again as an assistant. In my virtual job, I reply to emails, arrange evening functions, correspond with contacts and send out information almost daily.

What types of clients and industries do you work for?
In the past, I have generally worked across music, law, publishing, media, music publishing, music law and in-house law. My virtual job is more niche with HNWI and global networks.

What inspired the move into virtual working?
The desire to have a better work/life balance and to stop being a slave to the Man (ie ‘The Establishment/Corporate Worlds’)

What are the benefits you’ve experienced so far?
Flexibility is the biggest benefit – I can plan when to work, sometimes working late into the night but having the day free, or putting in a few hours first thing in the morning, rather than the usual 9-5, which is great. Sometimes the money isn’t great, but the freedom is immense.

Are there any challenges?
In my particular virtual role, I work with people in different time zones and I answer emails every day, so sometimes not having a completely free day including at weekends when we are busy is a bit of a downside, but the job is only about 15 hours max a week, so it is rare not to have free days in actuality.

Do you work from home or from an office?
Both! At home and in an office.

Would you recommend virtual working for other candidates?
Absolutely! I think the only issue is being ‘on-call’ all the time, like a real-life ‘Alexa’ if you’re a virtual PA – so I think setting reasonable boundaries as to when you’re not to be bothered (middle of the night/weekends, depending on what you want) is important to establish from the beginning. It’s also worth remembering to find virtual work that still enhances/furthers your CV. You don’t have to reduce yourself to tasks like being a dog-walker (although I am considering doing this before we buy a puppy!)

Anything else you’d like to add?
In my opinion, a good agency is crucial in getting connected with good virtual work positions – I have been with Tiger for about six years; they got me the magazine publishing job, some great temp jobs, and my current virtual job. It’s quite difficult to get a good position without an agency having vetted the client and found out what they expect and whether it’s right for you – and giving you a leg-up in getting seen by the client. There are so many different positions out there! Lastly, I have found it’s good as a top-up job in the longer term – i.e I still work part-time in an office in the day, and the virtual part-time position at home isn’t many hours, but acts as a top-up to my PT job, meaning I can afford to look after my son, still pay the bills and have time and money for me and my family!

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If you’re interested in pursuing a virtual assistant role, or are in need of virtual services, Tiger Virtual can help! Get in touch today!

The post Working virtually: a candidate’s experience appeared first on Tiger Recruitment.

• Their favourite technology
• Staying motivated and productive while working from home
• Their remote workspace
• Structuring their day
• Learning opportunities
• Creating boundaries
• Improving communication with their principals
• The benefits and challenges of working from home
• Their tips for PAs working remotely for the first time

Find out more about working as a virtual assistant with Tiger here.

The post Watch – Two VAs share their best-practice tips for working remotely appeared first on Tiger Recruitment.

In its most simple form, digital wellness refers to using technology, such as mobile phones, social media and the internet in a way that promotes active, healthy use, rather than passive scrolling. Not only can mindless scrolling be a time waster, but excessive use of tech like social media can lead to health problems like increased levels of anxiety and depression^[1]. Alongside this, according to CharlieHR, 87% of employees are unable to manage a healthy work/life balance[2].

In the time of COVID-19, this issue is especially pertinent as we’re all spending more time at home with our devices and less time out and about with our friends/family. The temptation to reach for our phones is higher, which leads to an increase in passive (and sometimes unhealthy) use.

Whether you’re a virtual PA or another type of remote worker, you may feel it’s impossible to practice digital wellness, given technology is essential to your way of working. However, it’s something you can achieve if you’re looking to use technology more mindfully. We have put together a few of our top tips to help you incorporate mindful use of tech into your daily routine.

Top tips for promoting a healthier digital wellness lifestyle

Invest in consolidating technology

Whether it’s using one software for all of your finances and invoicing, or moving your file-sharing process to a universal cloud-based system, investing in easy-to-use platforms that consolidate different functions will minimise the time you spend working. For example, if you’re an entrepreneur looking to bring all of your finances under one roof, cloud-based companies such as Freshbooks^[3]and Xero^[4]are designed to make things as easy as possible. Research what’s right for your situation and you’ll soon save time on your daily tasks.

Turn off notifications where possible

Some notifications are absolutely essential to the daily running of a business. For example, you may have social media notifications turned on for marketing purposes, or emails set up so you’re alerted when a new client makes an enquiry. However, how many times have you checked an alert, only to find yourself scrolling through social media five seconds later? While you can’t turn your notifications off altogether, it’s a good idea to get into the habit of trying to minimise them where you can. Whether this is during out-of-work hours or in your lunch break, make it easy for yourself by setting an alarm to remind you to switch them off.

Use tech outside of work hours in a positive way

If you’re looking to improve your digital wellness, start by thinking about how you use your tech personally as well as at work. If you’re curious about how many hours per week you spend on different apps, find your phone’s ‘screen time’ function. If the results are shocking to you, you’re not alone. According to research from RescueTime^[5], we spend three hours and 15 minutes on our phones, on average per day. On top of that, 20% of those surveyed used their phone over four-and-a-half hours daily.

So, how should we use our phone in our leisure time? Try to focus on something that looks after your mental or physical wellbeing, like meditation app Headspace^[6]or a program to help you reach a fitness goal, like Couch to 5k^[7]. Of course, it would be unrealistic to stop using social apps completely, but by being aware of how you’re using them, you can turn some of those negative habits into positive ones.

Force a limit on your screen time

The ‘screen time’ function on your phone doesn’t just let you know how much time you’re spending on your apps. It will send you a weekly report of your activity, allow you to set downtime and app limits, and even set a schedule for time away from the screen.

For example, if you want to limit the time you’re spending on social media, simply select the ‘social networking’ category and the time you want to spend on those apps each day, week or month.

Leave all tech at your desk during a break

This one is fairly self-explanatory, but so easy to forget. When you take your breaks throughout the day, whether it’s for coffee or lunch, leave ALL tech (including your phone) at your desk. This will mean you can actually switch off and enjoy a proper break from work, which is the purpose of the exercise! It’s a great excuse to do something that will truly relax you, like picking up a book or indulging in a yoga session. This will leave you refreshed and ready to jump back into work mode.

Enjoy tech-free days

Considering our lives are completely integrated with technology, this may seem like a ridiculous suggestion. While it’s definitely not for everyone, taking a day every so often to turn off your phone and laptop may be exactly what you need. It will open up your time to practicing a hobby, learning a new skill, catching up with friends or family, or just enjoying a soak in the tub with a book. You could choose to go for a long walk, or simply get out onto your balcony and enjoy the sun.

However you spend your tech-free day, chances are that – once complete – you’ll wonder why you’ve never done it before! We find that we sleep better, feel a greater sense of calm and have much more energy. We hope you do too!

If you’re looking for more resources to help you navigate the new normal, check out our insights page.

^[1]www.helpguide.org/articles/mental-health/social-media-and-mental-health.htm

[2] https://www.charliehr.com/state-of-employee-engagement

^[3] www.freshbooks.com

^[4] www.xero.com/uk

^[5] blog.rescuetime.com/screen-time-stats-2018

^[6] headspace.com

^[7] www.nhs.uk/live-well/exercise/couch-to-5k-week-by-week

The post Six secrets to promoting digital wellness as a remote worker appeared first on Tiger Recruitment.

A growing number of people are now choosing careers that allow them to work from home – or anywhere in the world.

According to the National Archives, more than 4 million people now work from home out of around 31 million workers in the UK, so it is clear that employers and employees alike are beginning to note the benefits that remote working can offer.

Home working does not only give employees flexibility; some organisations are better run remotely, as it can make them more agile and reduce their operating costs, making for a more effective organisation.

For businesses that require business support – in the form of personal assistants, administrators or secretaries – remote working staff is an increasingly popular option, as a wide range of support tasks are easily completed online.

Working from home is now easier than it has ever been, as most individuals now have a reliable wifi connection with video conferencing software that makes connecting with colleagues quick and seamless.

Here are five reasons why you should consider a remote working role:

You’ll stay motivated

Working in your own space can help you to feel more motivated than you would in an office, as you’ll feel relaxed and able to fully concentrate on the task in hand.

Your work-life balance is likely to benefit as you’ll be able to fit in appointments or the gym and, in turn, boost your health and wellbeing.

You’ll also be less likely to be distracted by your colleagues and away from any additional stress that the rules and regulations of an office can bring, which can help to keep you motivated.

You’ll be more productive

By working from home, you’ll be able to fit more tasks into each day as you won’t be wasting valuable time commuting; figures from the Office for National Statistics show that a two-hour daily commute is fast becoming the norm.

You’ll also be able to work in a way that suits you best, whether that is in silence or with some background noise, and away from any ad hoc tasks that you might be asked to complete while in the office.

You’ll save money

You won’t have to pay for everyday essentials like travel and lunch or regular office-appropriate wardrobe updates if you work remotely, so you’ll be free to spend your hard-earned cash on the things that are important to you.

You might also be able to benefit from a cheaper gym membership as you won’t be tied to a central location, and if home-working is career decision, you might be able to benefit by living in an inexpensive area, as you won’t be living within commuting distance of a city.

You’ll have fewer sick days

If you have a mild yet contagious illness, you are likely to need to take time off if you work in an office, however, in these circumstances, you might be feel as though you are well enough to work from home.

Fewer sick days mean that you stay on top of your workload and become a reliable and valuable employee; and because you’ll have more time to exercise and cook for yourself, you’re likely to be fitter and healthier, meaning that you’ll be less likely to become ill in the first place.

You’ll be more independent

Working from home will mean that you’re separate from most people within your company and the influence of your colleagues. This will force you to become more resourceful and solve problems by yourself first; for example, you might be able to do a quick Google search to solve a minor IT problem, rather than approaching the IT department as a first port of call.

You might even be able to pick up a few additional skills along the way by watching online tutorials, which can help to boost your professional confidence.

Our Tiger Virtual division recruits a range of remote working support roles. Register your interest here.

The post 5 reasons why you should consider a remote working role appeared first on Tiger Recruitment.

You’ve made the transition to a virtual PA job, and are now working from home. While you may be able to put loads of laundry on between emails, or enjoy lunch at your dining table instead of at your desk, you may also find yourself lacking in motivation. With no team to encourage you and plenty of distraction, keeping on track can be harder than first thought. Bring your VA-game to your lounge room with these tips.

Create a routine and workflow

In your previous PA job, you may have had an established routine, bookmarked by a commute. While battling the crowds on the train or bus may no longer be an issue, it’s still important to create a routine and workflow that encourages productivity. Some London-based virtual assistants opt to start their day as they would one in the office, sitting down to work having showered, dressed and prepared for the day. Others opt to start the day slow, working through emails before dealing with everything else. Whatever your routine, try to stick to it – it will help you bring a ‘work’ mindset to your tasks.

Set goals and track progress

A virtual PA job usually doesn’t come with a boss, but it does come with clients, to whom you are just as accountable. Make sure you can deliver on what you’ve promised by setting goals and then tracking your progress, either digitally or with physical to-do lists. These goals don’t need to be huge – in fact, the smaller the better. That feeling when you knock something off your list is all the fuel you need to keep going! It’s also worth recording what you’ve accomplished on a weekly or monthly basis, even just so you can update your CV. Setting goals can also help to draw boundaries between work and play time – once you’ve completed your tasks for the day, you should be clocking off!

Take advantage of tech

While technology usually enables virtual assistants to do their job, it can also prove to be very distracting. Luckily, there are plenty of apps and websites that can help you stay on track and motivated. Block access to your social networks, split your working days into intervals with a timer (like the Pomodoro technique) or batch your emails – whatever you need to do to get the job done!

Create a space that works for you

As a virtual assistant, your office and home is often in the same space, so it’s important to distinguish between the two. Avoid working in bed – this is where you sleep, not where you work. Instead, invest in creating a nook or room where you feel productive yet comfortable. This area should have plenty of natural light, room for paperwork and in the words of Marie Kondo, spark joy! If you aren’t motivated by your surroundings, you won’t be motivated by your work.

Reward yourself

After a long day, or week, everyone needs a reward – even when working in a virtual PA job! Therefore, make sure you schedule in a treat every week – it could be as simple as taking the time out to cook your favourite meal, booking in for some pamper time or throwing your favourite sweet treat into your shopping basket for an afternoon pick me up. Having a reward at the end of the tunnel will motivate you to keep going and make your work all the more fulfilling.
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Are you looking for a virtual job in the UK? Tiger Virtual can help find you a role that enables you to work from home. Get in touch today.

The post Staying motivated as a virtual assistant in London appeared first on Tiger Recruitment.

The week marks National Work Life Week across the UK, which aims to encourage workers to adopt a healthier work-life blend. You may find it quite straightforward if your role is office-based, but if you’re working in a virtual PA job, this line can blur.

Virtual assistants rarely work to set office hours; when you work from home, or when your clients operate on a different time zone, it can be quite tricky to maintain a healthy boundary between your working and leisure hours. We’ve put together six tips to try and help your work fit around your life.

Compile a short, daily to-do list

As a virtual assistant, it’s likely that your to-do list will be long and possibly a bit daunting! However you work, the key is to mark up your top three priorities and work to complete them first. Once finished, you’ll hopefully feel less pressure to complete non-urgent tasks afterwards.

Stick to set work hours if possible

Obviously this isn’t possible for every VA but, if possible, aim to work for a set number of hours per day and allow for flexibility on either side of the work day. For example, if you’ve scheduled a meeting with a client in the evening that you expect will take an hour, start your work day an hour later to give yourself that time back.

Take breaks

If you don’t work with colleagues to chat to or have lunch with, you might find yourself stuck to a chair for eight hours straight!  Set alarms at appropriate times to remind you to stretch, walk around or take lunch to improve your productivity.

Make it clear when you’re offline

Whether you use Skype for meetings or an online calendar, make sure you set yourself to ‘offline’, or ‘unavailable’ when you’re away from your desk. It will take the pressure off you to rush through your lunch to see if anyone has called, and it will mean you’re not interrupted when you’re taking a break.

Create a physical workspace

This is a tried-and-tested tip for those who work remotely, and for good reason! Separating work from your personal life is extremely important for both your productivity and your state of mind! We recommend a tidy space that you’ve designed for maximum productivity. This could include inspirational quotes, a comfortable chair, noise-blocking headphones, natural light or plants. Don’t be afraid to experiment to create a space that’s perfect for you.

Your workspace is an office

If you treat your workspace as you would an office, it will mean that you arrive at your desk, ready to start the day. As easy as it may seem to sleep in until the minute you must jump online, we recommend keeping your morning routine the same as if you were commuting into the office. That includes getting dressed, showered and eating a good breakfast. The same rule applies for when you’re finishing up for the day – find an excuse to leave the ‘office’ (if only to run a personal errand or go for a jog). This will make it clear in your mind that work’s finished for the day.

Take your wellbeing seriously

If you’re sitting at home by yourself day-in, day-out, it can be easy to stop looking after your health and wellbeing, as there’s no one around to keep you accountable. In this situation, it’s so easy for unhealthy habits to start to creep in. It’s up to you to get enough sleep, eat healthily and take breaks, so you need to make sure you’re staying on top of it.

Why not take advantage of the fact that you’re working remotely and take your laptop outside on a beautiful day, or meet up with a friend for your lunch break? In addition, try developing healthy habits like a daily meditation or exercise session to stay refreshed and positive.

Interested in a virtual admin job? Tiger Virtual can help! Simply submit your details online today.

The post Seven tips to maintaining a healthy work-life blend as a VA appeared first on Tiger Recruitment.

We once again find ourselves under mandatory restrictions in England. If you have yet to consider it, it’s possible hiring a private PA may come in handy more than ever before. Below, I’ve outlined how a private PA might just be the perfect solution to assist with your personal or business needs while in lockdown.

Supporting your household in times of need

Private PAs are organised, tenacious, creative and adaptable individuals. Unlike a secretary or EA who is used to working in an office every day and following a fairly set structure, a private PA is accustomed to working in any environment. This often means working remotely, so they’re experts in working on a wide and varied range of requests to support the smooth running of your private life. A private PA can literally work from everywhere – all they need is a phone, laptop and their trusty black book (a prized possession of any private PA)! This is the type of support you need during this period of uncertainty – someone who isn’t fazed by weird and wonderful ways of working!

This is the type of support you need during this period of uncertainty – someone who isn’t fazed by weird and wonderful ways of working!

How can a private PA help during lockdown?

Private PAs can assist with a range of tasks from a remote location, including managing household admin such as sorting out utilities, research and virtual errand running. As so many tasks can be completed without the need to be physically present, they can use technology such as Facetime and Zoom to connect with you if they need to see what tasks are to be completed.

Alternatively, you may find that being at home has highlighted all the extra jobs that need to be completed! Perhaps you’re working with your children at home and need someone to keep them educated and entertained? An extra pair of ‘remote’ hands may be just the thing you need to ensure everything is up and running while the family is at home.

The process of hiring a private PA

We have an amazing array of private PAs who cover a wide range of languages, global locations and skillsets. They really are one of the most adaptable members of staff you can hire. At Tiger Private, we have exceptional candidates available on a permanent or temporary basis, including those wanting to work on a short-term contract.

Once you call in your brief, we will search our database to present you with your bespoke shortlist. We know how important it is to find a private PA with the right personality fit and we take this into account when selecting our top candidates. So, whether you’re looking for someone to help run errands while you’re at home, or need some assistance in reorganising travel plans or meetings, a private PA can help.

Tiger Private is one of the leading private PA recruitment agencies in London. To learn more about how a private PA can help you remotely, please feel free to contact us today.

The post Looking for extra assistance while in lockdown? A private PA can help! appeared first on Tiger Recruitment.

So you’ve decided to take the plunge and commit to a full-time virtual assistant job. Whether it’s the chance to work flexibly from home, or you’re looking to diversify your workload, a VA job is a fantastic option for administrative professionals.

However, before you hand in your notice and commit to becoming a virtual assistant in London, there are a few things to put in place.

Branding

It may not be the first thing you think of but it’s essential that anyone offering VA services has a strong brand to go with it! The market is quite saturated, so it pays to have a recognisable name and identity before you begin. Think about your name – will you operate under your given name or will it be something that describes your services instead? Do some research into what’s on the market – if you choose something that’s too similar to another brand, you will struggle to compete on a Google and social media search.

It’s also worth thinking about your visuals. Will you have a logo, or rely on images? What colour scheme will your branding be? Getting this sorted before going out to clients will ensure an authentic brand identity from the very beginning.

Charges and services

Before you start quoting on virtual assistant jobs, it’s important to establish a pricing matrix. You may choose to charge by the hour, by the project or as a flat fee, depending on the type of work you’re completing. You need to consider how much you need to charge to not only cover living expenses, but other compulsory elements like tax, National Insurance and pension.

It is inevitable that some clients will try to bargain with you, so it’s important to know how far you’re willing to drop in order to still make a living. Some virtual assistants in the market do have very low prices, so it may be tempting to try and compete. But, at the end of the day, you need to make every task worth your while!

It’s also important to establish the scope of your services – as a London-based virtual assistant, what exactly will you be offering? Is it just straight administration, or can you assist with other tasks, such as copywriting or website design?

Legalities

A virtual PA job in the UK may have its benefits, but one of its pitfalls involves either engaging an accountant or taking charge of your finances yourself. You’ll need to decide whether you want to trade as a limited company or sole trader, what to do with VAT and how to make sure you have all the necessary records come tax time.

Technology

There’s no point offering your VA services if you can’t actually deliver on them. Make sure you have the appropriate technology to keep connected with clients and complete tasks required. This includes video conferencing tools such as a camera and microphone, all Microsoft Office software and a fast and consistent Internet connection. It would also work in your favour to be well-versed in mobile technology so you can work on the go, with access to a wide range of apps.

This is also the point you can get your website going – this should include a summary of your services and your experience.

Business Development

You’ve got the brand, know how much you’re charging and are all teched up. It’s time to find your first virtual assistant job! This can be a long process that requires a multi-faceted approach, so it’s worth starting this before you resign from your full-time role.

Social media is a VA’s best friend so as soon as you confirm your branding, it’s time to get networking! Start with Twitter and LinkedIn – these are the two platforms that are most likely attract your target audience. Let your existing network know about your new venture – they may not require your services in the near future, but could know someone who could.

On your website, add some blog posts or create short videos – whatever you think will attract your audience’s attention. You could also build an email list so that you can keep any leads warm. Perhaps consider offering a free service to incentivise signing up?

Alternatively, consider signing up with a virtual jobs agency like Tiger Virtual. They will contact you as and when roles emerge.

Once you build that base of clients, make sure you ask for referrals or testimonials – this will allow you to attract ongoing business, reducing the need for proactive business development.
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Tiger Virtual recruits for virtual PA jobs in the UK. Submit your details today to make sure you’re on our database.

The post How do I become a virtual assistant? appeared first on Tiger Recruitment.

If you’re a business owner or manager who has come to the point where you need extra support, a virtual PA may be the ideal solution for you.  Even though it makes sense on paper, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic where the majority of office workers are working remotely, the prospect of hiring virtual assistants can be daunting, as there is an aspect of anonymity that can put some employers off. You’re putting your trust in somebody who you probably won’t meet face-to-face. Here are three things to look for in a potential VA that should ensure a successful working relationship.

Chemistry and personality fit

The nature of the working relationship between a virtual assistant and their employer is unique in that they may not work in the same city – or even the same country. Yet, the arrangement has to work as smoothly as it would if they were working side by side. This means that there are some additional elements to consider, as you want to make sure that you choose someone who fits your personality and work style. Unfortunately, there’s no hard-and-fast rule to ensuring chemistry, however a video interview will help considerably. Try and have an informal chat as much as possible, asking them questions about their background, preferred working style and how they feel they can benefit you. Developing rapport will hopefully help you to feel more comfortable and trusting in your future working relationship.

Trustworthiness

Trustworthiness is an extremely important trait to look for in your virtual assistant. Part of their role might entail exposure to confidential information such as your passport if they’re booking your travel, or bank account details if they are purchasing things on your behalf.

There are a few ways you can check a person’s integrity: firstly, ask for references from previous employers when vetting potential candidates. If you use a recruitment agency, your consultant should provide these to you. You’re also well within your rights to ask for a disclosure and barring service (DBS) check or an enhanced DBS check, if this will make you feel more secure in your choice. In addition to this, you can also ask the candidate to sign a non-disclosure agreement, which will mean they can’t share private information about you without penalty.

An independent worker

While many employers have now become comfortable with the idea that their employers are working efficiently while working from home, some employers may be hesitant to trust a VA to complete the work they’re given. Unfortunately, you can’t physically see your VA working which means it’s crucial to hire someone who can work independently. If you’re hiring an experienced VA, it’s most likely that they’ll be able to work unmonitored, as their reputation depends on their output. They will likely have a timesheet system in place and, if they don’t, just ask for it – it’s is an easy way for you to know exactly how long they have spent on specific tasks.  If you’re still concerned, try to negotiate a trial period where you monitor their performance against predetermined and realistic expectations.

Looking to hire virtual services in the UK? Get in touch with our team today.

The post Three things to look for when hiring a VA for the first time appeared first on Tiger Recruitment.

As technology continues to rapidly progress, so too does the way in which we work. The traditional 9-5 working week is a thing of the past for many as technology continues to give us the flexibility we need. Which is why, in 2010, we launched Tiger Virtual, our virtual services division, to complement our existing permanent and temporary recruitment services.

Our virtual offering means that a business of any size, no matter where you are in the world, can experience the benefits as a large corporate enterprise – without the overheads. Whether you’re a small start-up or a HNWI, Tiger Virtual will ensure your business exceeds the exceptional service levels your clients expect.

Wherever you are in the world, you will appear as any other business to the outside world – complete with receptionist, meeting rooms and personal assistant.

Virtual PA service

• Remote and onsite PA support

Virtual Interaction

• Seamless file sharing

• Remote video conferencing

• Data storage

Virtual Office Services

• Virtual telephone answering

• Virtual address – Piccadilly

• Meeting rooms – Piccadilly

What is a Tiger VA?

So how exactly does a Tiger VA work, and how could a virtual assistant (VA) possibly be as effective as someone in the office? A virtual personal assistant can perform all the tasks a normal PA would, with the only difference being that they’re working remotely and with greater flexibility around your schedule.

Tiger VAs have been interviewed and assessed by our experienced office support team and are overseen by our Tiger virtual Manager to ensure accuracy and integrity, plus they have:

• Undertaken a Virtual Assistant training course devised by Tiger

• Signed a Non-Disclosure Agreement

• Signed a contract with Tiger Recruitment

• Had a minimum of four references checked

• Undergone typing and full MS Office tests

• Full high-speed connectivity at home

• Skype

• Remote email and mobile devices

How does it work?

The Tiger VAs are often experienced PAs who prefer to work from home. This affords them – and you – huge amounts of flexibility. Your specific needs will be met with the perfect assistant with the right experience to suit your requirements. While many of our VAs can of course help with more administrative tasks like record keeping and diary coordination, equally if you have a home project you need help with, a virtual personal assistant will be able to help with that too.

Once you’re comfortable with your VA, you can pick and choose the ways in which you need help and how often. And should you have projects intermittently pop up through the year, you can engage the same assistant again and again to avoid the need for additional briefing.

How is it costed?

With no minimum booking time, you have the flexibility to either be invoiced for actual hours completed or as a one off project fee.

Seamless payroll – Once we have received a signed timesheet approved by you, we will pay your Virtual Assistant and invoice you for the hours he/she has worked plus any expenses agreed upfront. It couldn’t be simpler.

Project fees – We will invoice you for 25% up front and 75% on completion of the project.

Expenses – A standardised expenses template with receipts attached will be provided to you at the end of each week.

It’s as simple as that!

Want to find out more? Get in touch with us today and we can give you the full run-down!

The post How Tiger Virtual can transform your business appeared first on Tiger Recruitment.

Virtual assistants are increasingly in demand, providing comprehensive and flexible secretarial and administrative support to businesses and private individuals, all from a remote location.

When hiring a virtual assistant, it is important to understand that they still require an element of on-boarding and management, even if you aren’t working side by side. After all, your remote team are only as good as your ability to manage them effectively.

With no face-to-face contact between a manager and virtual assistant, tried and true management methods aren’t always as effective. Here are some of the most common mistakes we’ve seen in managing a VA.

Not supervising your virtual assistant’s performance

While most people would jump at the opportunity to work from home, there is a risk of productivity loss. This is no different with a virtual assistant.  Therefore, it’s crucial that you set a clear framework for measuring their performance, ensuring they’re on track with their tasks.

Scheduling daily check-ins, weekly one-to-ones and quarterly reviews is a great way to maintain consistent communication and, if necessary, identify opportunities for further training or support. Regular contact also gives your virtual assistant a chance to talk through any concerns or problems they may have so they can be addressed as early as possible.

However, it is also important not to micromanage – most often, VAs are experienced PAs or EAs looking for more flexibility, so they know what they are doing!

Not providing an accurate job description

Many companies hire virtual assistants for support with a broad range of duties. By providing a detailed job description, your virtual assistant will have a firm grasp of their responsibilities, enabling them to be proactive. It will also ensure they are able to manage their time effectively.

Be sure to update the job description as the VA’s role evolves, detailing the main responsibilities and skills required. Your virtual assistant will then have a clear understanding of your expectations and be able to anticipate your needs ahead of time.

Not offering thorough training

While a training period is the foundation of most on-boarding processes for in-house staff, it can be easy to forget the importance of this in a remote work relationship. By providing structured training for your virtual assistant, you’ll save both yourself and your assistant a lot of time in the long term.

Providing an overview of your business and ensuring they are comfortable with the software, databases and communication systems your company uses will boost their confidence and encourage success in the role.

Not communicating effectively

One of the biggest mistakes that you can make when working with a VA is not communicating clearly. Good communication is the foundation of every working relationship, but is especially important when collaborating with a remote worker.

There is a limit to what can easily be communicated via email and text, so scheduling calls and video chats on a regular basis will help you both to work through complex tasks more efficiently. Consider implemented shared task calendars as well – this will ensure that both parties are on the same page.

It’s also essential to be clear about your expectations and priorities. If something needs to be done today, make sure you tell your virtual assistant!

Not respecting your VA’s work-life balance

In some cases, a virtual assistant may not work regular office hours. With no commute, they may start earlier in the day, or work beyond the normal end of day. However, this doesn’t mean that they are available 24/7.

It’s important to manage your expectations of how quickly your virtual assistant responds to your emails and calls, especially if they do not have fixed working hours. Regular, scheduled contact and an up-to-date job description should minimise the risk of miscommunication. By respecting your VA’s other commitments and working with them rather than against them, you’re sure to get the best from them.

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Looking to hire a virtual assistant? Tiger Virtual can help. Contact us today.

The post Five mistakes you could be making when managing virtual assistants appeared first on Tiger Recruitment.

Hiring a personal assistant (PA) or virtual assistant (VA) can quite literally transform your work life or even your private life. They are able to oversee all administrative elements of your life, freeing you up to focus on other parts of your life.

Is it worth the cost of hiring someone to take care of it for you?

Simply put, yes it is! You are going to be far more productive in the office with an efficient PA by your side. You can concentrate on running the business or doing whatever it is that produces revenue. You will have more time on your hands to do those parts of your job which have the greatest effect.

The key is in hiring the right personal assistant. Beware the adage: a good PA halves your workload and a bad PA doubles it.

An efficient PA will act as an effective gatekeeper, organise your diary and travel itineraries and sort through mountains of admin. In time, they will learn to second guess your requirements and as they sync in with the way you like to work, you’ll find they quickly become invaluable.

In time, a good PA will have got to grips with the administration side of the role and have systems in place to make sure that things are running as efficiently as possible. This means they will have time to take on additional projects and create even more value for the business.

There are a lot of PAs out there – some great ones, but awful ones as well. To give you a heads up, a bad PA will book you on the wrong flight, organise two meetings at the same time, book you into economy when you are used to travelling business class and hide the paperwork she is meant to be filing in a drawer.

If you’re in London, it’s best to go through a London recruitment agency. This way, you’ll have candidates that come recommended and you know have the right skills and capabilities. You will also have access to references to ensure their performance is consistent.

A good virtual assistant is equally as effective. The key difference is that they will be working remotely or from home. The nature of the work will likely be different and they might be booking holidays, managing household staff or working remotely on your behalf, making sure your business or private affairs are in good order. A bad private or virtual PA could have catastrophic consequences. For instance, they might have access to your bank accounts!
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Looking to hire a personal assistant or virtual assistant? Get in touch with the Tiger team today!

The post Should you hire a personal or virtual assistant? appeared first on Tiger Recruitment.

Are you considering the transition to a virtual assistant position? With added flexibility and the opportunity to work from home, it’s an attractive career path for many experienced PAs and EAs. However, as with any new role, there are job-specific challenges that you may not have encountered in your previous positions. Understanding and acknowledging these can go a long way in ensuring professional success.

It can get a little lonely

While working at home means you can pop that load of washing on, or let a repairs person in, it also means you’re at risk of feeling isolated as you miss out on the camaraderie of an office. If you are normally a social person, this could feel a bit lonely and drive you to distraction. To counteract this, surround yourself with people at a local café, or head to a library or co-working space. Even the presence of people can help to drive productivity and reduce distractions.

Less regular income

While there is opportunity to work full-time as a VA for just one client, most jobs we see at Tiger Virtual are on a part-time, project or temporary basis. This means you’re less likely to have a regular stream of income and may need to look at taking on multiple projects. You’ll need to rely on your time management skills to juggle different clients and their workloads, as well as consciously think about business development, ensuring that your pipeline of work is always full. Signing up with a virtual jobs agency like Tiger Virtual is just one way to do this, as it ensures you will be contacted when relevant roles come in.

Communication

Unlike traditional PAs who commonly have a daily 1:1 with their bosses, VAs have to work extra hard to ensure strong communication is maintained. With most contact taking place over virtual platforms such as email, messaging and phone, it’s essential to make sure you’re as clear as possible in all dealings. Consider your questions before asking them, ensuring that they are well-structured, targeted and will generate the answers you need.

You also need to establish what the best form of communication is and how frequently you need to communicate with your client – this way, you are both on the same page and can work more efficiently.

Administration

With no HR department, virtual assistants need to look after their own administration, including chasing leads and fielding enquiries; generating, sending and following up invoices; managing expenses and maintaining their marketing efforts. This is on top of business development, cutting into the time you can actually spend working. VAs must therefore use their exceptional time management and organisational skills to make these processes as efficient as possible. In some cases, it may be worthwhile investing in accounting software to streamline these procedures.

Turning off

With no office to travel to and no set hours, establishing and maintaining the line between your professional and personal lives can be more difficult as a VA. While many PA jobs do not subscribe to the normal working hours, working as a VA requires a self-implemented structure, allowing you to truly relax outside working hours. To ensure you can actually turn off, set the standard early on with your client, establishing when and how you will be available. While some extenuating circumstances may see you broach these times, having a structure in place will make things much easier for both parties.

Data security

Some of your clients may be very high profile, or work on very sensitive documents. Therefore, data security is of the highest priority. Wherever possible, best practice is to remotely login into their databases, using a secure username and password. If this isn’t offered, take the time to discuss how you will send and receive information with your client. You can also ask your client if they have data, security and privacy policies and if you need to sign a copy – these documents will provide an overview of their expectations and clarify any operational procedures you may need to follow.

Should you lose your phone or laptop, you must report this to the company straight away, as well as take all steps to ensure that no-one else can access the information, such as wiping the data remotely.

Finally, GDPR legislation also applies to virtual assistants, meaning you are responsible for the safe storage and justification of any data you hold, including your clients’ names, emails and old documents. If you have been a VA for a lengthy amount of time and you haven’t done so already, take the time to review the documents saved on your computer – are there old files from old clients that you no longer need? Are they saved anywhere else, like an old hard drive? If you are just starting up as a VA, taking precautions like this from the outset can save you lots of time and hassle down the line.

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A virtual PA job can be a great option for those looking for flexibility and a new challenge. However, before embarking on this career path, it is worth considering both the benefits and challenges and establishing if the positives outweigh the negatives.

Tiger Virtual can help you find a VA job. Get in touch today!

The post Challenges VAs face that PAs don’t appeared first on Tiger Recruitment.

Working virtually as a business assistant can offer a flexible and rewarding career for the right candidate, but do you know what this role actually involves? We spoke to Allison, an experienced virtual assistant (VA), to break down a typical day supporting her clients.

6:30am: Although no day is the same, I usually try and sift through online news first thing in the morning. As a lot of what I do includes consulting and market research for my clients, it’s extremely important that I stay abreast of any trends that could affect business.

7am: I take the time to enjoy a decent breakfast before I start work in my home office. I make sure that I keep a physical split between my work and home life, even though I am working at home. My office has been decorated with things to inspire me, whereas my bedroom offers a place to relax and unwind.

8am: After breakfast, I make my way to my desk and start checking that all-encompassing inbox! Luckily as I no longer work in a corporate environment, I don’t get bogged down by all the corporate mass communications.

At the moment a lot of what I do is travel related, which is where elements of a traditional personal assistant role comes into being a VA. I make reservations and itineraries for my clients, which could include anything from booking in a wine and dine experience to organising a few rounds of golf.

9am: I normally try and schedule virtual meetings in the morning so that if it requires urgent action, I can do it later that day. As I work virtually, my meetings are held via Skype, but luckily modern technology means that file sharing, tracking conversations and meeting notes can be quick and easy. I can find it quite lonely in my home office, so I prefer interacting via video call to feel like part of the human race!

10am: After my meetings, I can prioritise my work for the rest of the day. Working virtually means I must balance my tasks effectively. Normally, I work on a first in, first out basis, however there are always exceptions when it comes to urgent work. It also depends if that work has come from a client with whom I have a long-standing relationship – I am happy to slot them in where necessary. Knowing how long preparing a presentation will take me over putting together a sales report is something that has come from experience, and it allows me to structure my day. A great VA will be able to turn around an important deadline very quickly!

11am: Unfortunately, work from clients is not always constant, which is why it’s important to take on work where you can and use your existing clients to forge relationships with others. It’s also imperative you recognise your star clients and give them a reason to keep coming back! Today, I’m working on developing my relationships with my smaller clients by over-delivering and turning around their work quickly, as clients value speed and quality. You must work hard to build relationships, as you’re also building trust – when your client is on the other side of the world, you must work a lot harder to prove to them that you can do the job efficiently and effectively.

12am:  I spend a decent amount of time surfing the web for all sorts of industry news headlines, which often turns into market research, even if it isn’t on my to-do list.  As a VA, knowledge is power, and many clients don’t get to do this themselves because the time isn’t available to them.

1pm: It’s lunchtime! I usually take tea breaks at my desk throughout the day, however when I take time of lunch, believe it or not, I enjoy hanging up washing outside. Different strokes for different folks I suppose, but I really appreciate having the freedom to stay at home during the day.

2pm: One of my biggest clients is a hotel and property company in Portugal, so I find myself blocking out some time to consult on their marketing needs including gathering details, helping create their online profile and managing reservations and bookings.

3pm: While I completed traditional PA tasks this morning, I’m now engaging my experience in business and marketing, which goes above and beyond the role of a standard VA. I see my relationship with my clients as a partnership as I treat their business as my own. I offer a sounding board for executives, adding value and validating their thoughts from a fresh angle. I find myself consulting on anything from sales to marketing strategy, presentation to competitive analysis.

4pm: I do a final check of my email, and because I’ve been on top of communications throughout the day and responding accordingly, luckily my inbox hasn’t been flooded! As a virtual assistant you operate more than one mailbox, so managing this does take some savvy.

5:30pm: I end my day by planning tomorrow’s tasks and I try to get ahead of these where possible to work smarter, not harder. With time you learn how to flag for importance and how to structure priorities properly – this can give you a lot of time back. For me, it comes with experience of having worked across industries and with different executive profiles.

6:30pm: My work day ends at around 6:30pm, however I often work flexibly around specific tasks and deadlines and am in communication with people in other time zones, so being a VA means you must commit to odd hours. In addition to this, if a last-minute task came through, I would drop everything and work late into the night. Those situations make me appreciate a more structured day like today!

7pm: It’s important to stay active and social when you’re working from home, so either before or after work I regularly engage in fitness sessions. Today I’m actually going to play a game of ladies’ doubles tennis, which makes for one of my favourite ways to add some physical and human interaction to an otherwise virtual day.

If you’re looking for a virtual job, or would like to hire a virtual assistant, contact Tiger Virtual at our West End Office.

The post A Day in the life of a VA appeared first on Tiger Recruitment.