| As an onshore Virtual Assistant and entrepreneur, I | | | | succeed in their businesses. Their success is our |
| feel it is necessary to address the disadvantages of | | | | success. Also, our clients are able to discuss various |
| outsourcing to offshore virtual assistants (VAs), as well | | | | business ideas with us, because we are dealing with |
| as discuss what some of these disadvantages are. | | | | the same business-related issues. |
| When you outsource offshore, you are going to | | | | Another disadvantage in offshore outsourcing is |
| encounter virtual assistants who are not familiar with | | | | offshore virtual assistants can't operate without |
| our culture and language. Although they speak English, | | | | access to the Internet. A few months ago, India had an |
| generally it is not their first language. This causes | | | | Internet outage due to snapped cables in the |
| language barriers, communication gaps, and lack of | | | | Mediterranean Ocean. Although, onshore virtual |
| understanding. It can also be very time-consuming to | | | | assistants require Internet access in order to conduct |
| have a regular conversation. All languages have | | | | their business, their Internet providers are their phone |
| nuances, which can't be taught in foreign language | | | | companies, cable companies or satellite providers. We |
| lessons. Is the frustration worth the money you save? | | | | are not at the mercy of a cable under the ocean. |
| Another disadvantage is if you choose to outsource | | | | When you decide to work with offshore virtual |
| confidential personal data offshore, it may not be | | | | assistants as opposed to onshore VAs, this decision |
| protected. Firms in India currently are not equally | | | | eliminates a job opportunity for a fellow American |
| subject to any extensive legislative or regulatory | | | | citizen. Onshore VAs need all the business they can |
| data-protection controls. | | | | get in order to pay for the rising costs in food, housing, |
| Most offshore VAs work for outsourcing firms and | | | | medical insurance, education, etc. Keep in mind, |
| are not business owners. They do not have a vested | | | | offshore VAs' cost of living is much lower than ours |
| interest in your business other than making more | | | | here in America. They can afford to work for less |
| money. Erin Blaskie of Business Services, ETC stated, | | | | money. Offshore outsourcing causes a negative |
| "These companies are working day and night going | | | | domino effect on our economy. |
| through a wide variety of tasks just to get them back | | | | According to an article by TemplatesFactory.Net, a lot |
| out the door. They aren't spending the time to | | | | of people who outsourced to new companies or |
| strategize and become a partner in your business. | | | | individuals have lost money when paying in advance. In |
| They are simply providing cheap labor." Most of us, | | | | some cases, third party companies charge more than |
| onshore virtual assistants, are entrepreneurs and small | | | | the agreed-upon fee when they realize the clients are |
| business owners; therefore, we understand the daily | | | | totally dependent on their services. |
| operations of a small business, as well as what is | | | | There are several disadvantages in outsourcing to |
| required to develop it. Our goals are to establish | | | | offshore virtual assistants, including drastic differences |
| ongoing business relationships with our clients in order | | | | in time zones. The one main advantage in offshore |
| to help them reach their goals, as well as help them | | | | outsourcing is saving money. The old adage is true. |
| develop their companies. We want our clients to | | | | "You get what you pay for." Is it really worth it? |