Who are VASS? What do you do?

This is always the first question on everyone's lips, just who are VASS and what do we do? 

VASS is the perfect support to help with your company. VASS is built up of dedicated teams to help support your day to day business. We support business all around the world with their day to day duties that they no longer have time to do. We can provide you with administrative, accounting, legal, hr event co-ordination, marketing (including social media management) support, leaving you with more time to focus on your business.

VASS is a fully virtual team, which means that they will not require any office space or equipment, our team work from their own home offices across the country, allowing them to spend more time supporting you, and less time travelling. This means that VASS can save you money by only invoicing you for the work that has been carried out, rather than the time spent onsite.

All members of the VASS team sign a non-disclosure agreement before any work commences, guaranteeing that your work is dealt with in a confidential and secure manner. 

So who is a typical VASS client?

·      Any business person who just doesn't have enough hours in the day; 

·      Would like to expand their business and take on bigger clients of their own.

 VASS will be there to help with all tasks from answering the phone to replying to emails. From creating a social media content, to managing your social media platforms. VASS's team of freelancers have decades of experience between them and are highly enthusiastic and professional individuals.

So if you have a business, but not enough hours in the day, contact VASS and see how we can help. We have a range of packages for you to browse through, and also offer bespoke packages for you and your business. VASS are here to support you as we want your business to succeed just as much as you do. 

Tel: 020 3370 4075

Email: hello@thevass.com

Xero - A brilliant system to organise your business finances

Ever heard of Xero?  If not, Xero is a fantastic cloud-based financial system which benefits small to medium sized businesses by keeping track your business income and purchases.  For example:

• You can invoice clients using the system, keep track of who owes you money and see how much of each service or product you sell in any period.
• Enter supplier invoices and expenses and keep track of the money being spent and on what.
• Complete VAT returns using the system
• Calculate payroll figures for yourself and any staff you have. 
• If you sell a product, you can use Xero as an inventory system.  
• Use the information to complete your Self Assessments and End of Year Accounts.

The beauty of this software is the flexibility it gives you to run your business from work, home, or on the go. You can be confident that you have an up-to-date picture of how your business is doing, no matter where you are.

Since September, VASS has been a Xero Certified advisor.  Meaning that we have been trained to understand how to use the core functions of Xero.  After using another particular piece of software for over 15 years, I have particularly fallen in love with Xero.  It is so easy to use and I love that that it is cloud based.

Five ways cloud software benefits your business

1.     You have a clear overview of your current financial position, in real-time.

2.     Multi-user access makes it easy to collaborate online with your team
and advisors.

3.     Automatic updates mean you can spend more time doing what you love.

4.     Everything is run online, so there’s nothing to install and everything is backed up automatically. Updates are free and instantly available.

5.     Upfront business costs are reduced – version upgrades, maintenance, system administration costs and server failures are no longer issues. Instead, they are managed by the cloud service provider.

What to see a bit more?  Check out this short video.

If you have more questions about Xero, please feel free to email me on hello@thevass.com . I can train you to use Xero or do your Book Keeping using Xero if you have neither the time or interest to complete it yourself.

Zelica Jones

We Are VASS

 

When I first started VASS, I called myself a Virtual Assistant because I thought that was what I was.  I thought that title covered all the services I provided.  Admin, Book Keeping and Event Co-ordination.  Then I started working with other freelancers so VASS could provide other services and act as “One Stop Shop’ for business support services for small businesses.  I still marketed myself and the others as Virtual Assistants.  But in August this year, I had a conversation with someone who said my website didn’t fully represent what I actually did.  When she heard Virtual Assistant, she heard PA.  She admitted that once she read everything on the website, she understood that in fact VASS was providing a high-level service of many things.  But pointed out that most people won’t take the time read everything.  They’ll probably just skim.  At first, I didn’t really get what she was saying but it has slowly dawned on me.  I need to communicate to people who I am and what my business does straight away. Not assume they’ll know.

So let me clarify.

I have worked with Insolvency Practitioners, Web Designers, Event Planners, Architects, an Environmental Charity, Interior Designers, Celebrities and Royalty for nearly 18 years as a Book Keeper, Office Manager, Business Manager, Company Secretary, Business Support Manager. I have organised businesses from Start-Ups to Multi-Million Pound Organisations and enjoy what I do. Immensely. My job has always been to make sure one or several functions/departments run well and effectively so that the business owner can focus on growing the business by concentrating on the core function of the said business. I have:

• Run Accounts and Admin departments,
• Liaised with Accountants and Solicitors to resolve financial and legal matters,
• Negotiated pricing with suppliers,
• Overseen a new company branding strategy and made sure it was rolled out effectively across the company
• Interacted with Clients to make sure they are happy and most importantly, pay their bills on time.
• Created new operational systems in order to make functions easier to carry out and/or access information quickly.
• Co-ordinate events
• Organise appropriate gifts for high profile clients, suppliers and staff
• Make sure the business is following the appropriate legal and financial regulations/guidelines dependent on their business.
• And lots of other things, I can’t remember right now. (covers face)

Fun facts? I helped decorate a London Eye Pod for London Fashion Week and I was once was a cleaner at Vivienne Westwood's Studios when I was studying for my A-Levels.

I decided to start my own business because I enjoyed what I did but didn’t enjoy who I was working for.  Running my own business meant I could choose who to work with. First of all, I only work with people I like!  I work with businesses or people who I believe in and have the same work ethic/values I do.  I like to work with people who can think outside of the box, are doing something to make something better for others and trying to make their mark in the world.  This includes members of the VASS team too.

VASS is a team of individuals who provide, Admin, Accounting, Coordination, Legal, HR, Marketing, Concierge, Design support to small business and other individuals who need it.  We are all passionate about what we do and are taking all our experience to enhance other businesses and those with busy lives.  We are a Virtual Business Support Service Company.  We are more than Assistants, we are Managers and Doers.  We are all very experienced so we can ‘hit the ground running’ as we need very little guidance and assistance.

We are not Virtual Assistants, we are Virtual Managers.  I think that sounds much better, don’t you?

Don’t wait until the 1st January to tackle that to-do list, start a new productive routine or be the new you.  Start today.  If you need any help, do not hesitate, even for a moment, to contact me at hello@thevass.comWe are all here to help. It’s what we do.  Really well.