[SharonF]

I am trying to put together a comparison cost sheet to show to employers how a VA saves them money. I was thinking of a spreadsheet, showing base salary plus everything else an employer needs to pay (benefits, CPP, vacation pay etc.) I am in Canada, so would prefer to show Canadian numbers. Does anyone know where I could find this info? I tried Revenue Canada, but it's not very easy to find what I want (surprise, surprise!) I have seen a couple of US versions from other VAs - are there any Canadian ones? I don't mean to copy anyone's work - I can put it together, if I can only find the right information!

Thank you!

[Maplewood]

Hello,

Had you seen the comparison chart available to VAs from this site? http://www.vanetwork...-comparison.htm

It's available to use in your materials with the source citation mentioned. It doesn't say which currency this is but a quick run through a currency conversion program would easily make it adaptable to whichever currency was needed.

~Ruth

[slw081066]

Personally I am unsure of the benefits of showing a potential client how cheap you are, or how much money they can save. Don't you think this might make them want to pay unfairly low rates?

Maplewood, on 10 March 2010 - 02:37 PM, said:

Hello,

Had you seen the comparison chart available to VAs from this site? <a href="http://www.vanetworking.com/virtual-assistant-cost-comparison.htm" target="_blank">http://www.vanetworking.com/virtual-assist...-comparison.htm</a>

It's available to use in your materials with the source citation mentioned. It doesn't say which currency this is but a quick run through a currency conversion program would easily make it adaptable to whichever currency was needed.

~Ruth

[Kairos Business Solutions]

When I talk to potential clients, they are impressed how much money they can save by contracting a VA rather than hiring an employee. Especially if you charge by the minute! I tell them that if I charge for 12 minutes of work, that's how much I've worked. I often include the fact (only when I'm talking to them, not on my website :) ) that they don't even pay for bathroom breaks! You don't have to lower your rates to prove your point, you're just making them aware of all the 'hidden' costs of having an employee - you can even include non-cost factors but time-factors, which actually does cost them money.

As far as having a cost comparison chart, you can check out my website www.kairosbusiness.com where I show the comparison in Canadian dollars. I believe it's accurate, let me know if you think it's way off.

[SharonF]

Kairos Business Solutions, on 15 March 2010 - 10:54 PM, said:

When I talk to potential clients, they are impressed how much money they can save by contracting a VA rather than hiring an employee. Especially if you charge by the minute! I tell them that if I charge for 12 minutes of work, that's how much I've worked. I often include the fact (only when I'm talking to them, not on my website :) ) that they don't even pay for bathroom breaks! You don't have to lower your rates to prove your point, you're just making them aware of all the 'hidden' costs of having an employee - you can even include non-cost factors but time-factors, which actually does cost them money.

As far as having a cost comparison chart, you can check out my website www.kairosbusiness.com where I show the comparison in Canadian dollars. I believe it's accurate, let me know if you think it's way off.

Thank you so much! That is a great help.

[slw081066]

I guess that makes sense. It is true that my clients also get charged not just by the minute but the second. I pause if I go to the bathroom etc... and they don't pay for training, and they do not pay for breaks :) Very true. I guess I just shy away from ever saying I am cheaper in any way. I'm also considering going to a "package" rate instead of hourly/minute rate to eliminate the need to keep track of time and instead keep track of tasks. But I am still not totally sold on that idea either. :)