Canada's First Virtual Assistant Training Program Celebrates 5 Years With Unique Course Offering

September 11, 2007 – (Powell River, B.C.) Canada's first Virtual Assistant Training Program (VATP) is celebrating 5 years in business with another first in the profession – a comprehensive 4-week course on Building a Multi-VA Business.

In the mid to late 90's a small group of independent entrepreneurs began developing collaborative relationships with business owners supporting them in the growth and success of their business. Calling themselves Virtual Assistants (VA's) most of these individuals worked solo. Since the inception of the profession, there has been tremendous growth in this rising industry to estimated numbers of 20,000 worldwide.

"The trends we are seeing today are more Virtual Assistants with full successful practices looking to expand their businesses as well as an increase in the number of VA's looking for and willing to perform subcontract work for other VA's." says Mary-Lou Ashton, a VA since 1997 and the owner/operator of the Virtual Assistant Training Program.

As a result of the trends and growth of the profession, Ashton has partnered with Michelle Jamison, owner of MJVA & Associates and author of The Virtual Assistant's Guide to Marketing, to use her latest e-book, The Virtual Assistant's Guide to the Multi-VA Business, for the creation of a new course based on this business model.

"Not all VA's have the skills, time or desire to market or run their own practice," explains Ashton, "This model provides them with an alternative by allowing the VA to service clients found and managed by the Multi-VA owner. While the associate VA's, as they are commonly called, remain independent contractors they do not have to worry about the day to day details or the long term challenges of running a business."

The course curriculum covers the following for participants wanting to build a Multi-VA company:
• Defining a Multi-VA business
• The pros and cons of two company structures
• The roles of Associate versus business owner with managing clients
• Identifying, finding and hiring ideal Associates
• Associate and client contracts
• Company policies and procedures manual

Facilitated by Jamison herself, the course is designed for experienced Virtual Assistants who have been in business for at least 2 years. "The biggest challenge is where to start and how to sustain and manage a Multi-VA business," states Jamison, "By providing the knowledge, tools and resources needed to transition from solo VA to Multi-VA business owner this program supports them in succeeding."

For individuals interested in finding out more about building a Multi-VA business or for those ready to take their business to the next level, visit http://www.vatp.ca/info/multiva.html or send an email to multiva@vatp.ca .

Virtual Strategies
Mary-Lou Ashton
5418 Laburmum Ave.
Powell River, B.C. V8A 4M7
P:(604) 483-3740
F: (604) 648-8641

In 1997 I left the corporate world after 18 years and was looking for a more fulfilling career that supported the things I valued in life not what was valued by the corporation. My dreams were to work from home, have the freedom of being my own boss while running my own business and be successful in all these endeavours This now is my reality."

I am now committed to supporting others professionals who want to create the same thing in their life. The Virtual Assistant Training Program is a culmination of the business acumen I have experienced in my lifetime and designed to support professionals in making a difference in the business world. My vision is the term Virtual Assistant will become part of our everyday language."

This release was published on openPR.