As trusted advisers increasingly encourage business owners to turn to outsourced support to ease costs and enhance productivity, understanding how outsourcing services operate is key. Bay Tree VA provides a managed service model that connects clients with members of their experienced, UK-based team.
To answer a few FAQs, here’s what sets Bay Tree apart and what clients can expect when working together:
Are Bay Tree VA team members employees?
No, Bay Tree VA team members are self-employed professionals and their client portfolios are managed by the Bay Tree Operations Team. This ensures a seamless and supported experience for all parties.
How do you choose the right team member for a client and how quickly can they begin?
The matching is where the magic happens! We use psychometric assessments as part of our recruitment process and use our experience to determine who will work well with clients. This combined with the appropriate skillset enables a ‘hit the ground running’ approach, particularly for ad hoc tasks or specific projects, where we can set up and be and running within 48 hours. For ongoing, long-term support, the typical onboarding process, including initial discussions, matching, a chemistry meeting, and sign-up usually takes a couple of weeks, depending on availability.
How is work charged?
Clients are invoiced monthly. Time is tracked using Harvest software, and the Operations team centrally manages all invoicing, offering clients a streamlined and transparent billing process.
Is there a minimum commitment and what does it cost?
To ensure the service is meaningful and effective, Bay Tree requires a minimum monthly commitment of 10 hours. This allows enough time to integrate into the client’s workflow and deliver tangible value.
Given the variety of tasks and roles our team perform, our rates vary depending upon the complexity or specialist nature of the work, number of team members required etc. However, as a guide, the average hourly rate in the UK is £30.60 for outsourced services (according to UK Survey from the Society of Virtual Assistants).
How is confidentiality maintained?
Only the assigned Bay Tree team member has access to a client’s systems and information. They operate within a client’s secure network with their own profile and email address, blending into the client’s team. Whilst our Client Services team may be aware of the brief and check in on progress, all interactions are handled with professionalism and discretion. Confidentiality is also formally covered in our Terms & Conditions and clients are welcome to request a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA).
When will I see results?
For those new to outsourcing, Bay Tree recommends starting with an average of 20 hours per month. This allows our team member to complete tasks while also learning the client’s communication style, culture, and systems. After a three-month settling-in period, Client Services will review the relationship to ensure it’s working effectively.
What is the next step for anyone considering outsourcing?
Arrange a no obligation telephone call with our Client Services team.
Sign up and join our growing network of people working smarter
https://lnkd.in/eAxMAJd5
« What keeps you awake at 3am | Charities in 2025 are facing a perfect storm »
Join our growing network.
Sign up to receive updates, news and tips & tricks from Bay Tree VA to work smarter.
Join our growing network.
Sign up to receive updates, news and tips & tricks from Bay Tree VA to work smarter.
