It seems everyone is talking about Digital skills these days and you wonder โwhat da hellโ it is and why everyone is so crazy about it.
Well, hereโs your answer, alongside 10 amazing facts about digital skills and why a lot of people logging into DEXA are looking for skills to learn.
Digital skills refer to the abilities and knowledge required to effectively use digital technologies, such as computers, smartphones, and the internet to perform some professional task.
These skills include basic computer literacy, proficiency in using software applications, internet navigation, online communication, cybersecurity awareness, and data analysis, among others.
Digital skills have become increasingly important in today’s society, as the use of digital technologies has become ubiquitous in many areas of life, including finance, education, healthcare, business, and entertainment.
Developing digital skills can enhance job prospects, increase productivity, and enable individuals to participate fully in the digital economy
Here are 10 interesting facts about digital skills you probably didnโt know:
1. According to a survey by the European Commission, about 90% of jobs in the EU require some level of digital skills.
2. The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the need for digital skills, with many businesses and organizations shifting to remote work and digital platforms for communication and collaboration.
3. The World Economic Forum has predicted that by 2025, half of all employees will require reskilling and upskilling in digital skills.
4. Digital skills are not just for tech jobs; they are increasingly important in a wide range of industries, including healthcare, finance, marketing, and education.
5. The most in-demand digital skills include copywriting, web development, video editing, programming languages such as Python and Java, data analysis, cybersecurity, machine learning, Digital Marketing, Project & product management, cloud computing, and others.
6. The use of artificial intelligence (AI) is growing rapidly, and digital skills related to AI, such as machine learning and natural language processing, are becoming increasingly important.
7. According to a report by LinkedIn, the top 6 most in-demand soft skills for 2023 are Management, Communication, Customer service, Leadership, Project management and research, all of which are essential for success in the digital world.
8. Digital skills are not just important for individuals; they also have significant economic benefits for countries. A study by Accenture found that improving digital skills could boost the GDP of the G20 countries by $1.5 trillion by 2025.
9. Digital skills can help bridge the gender gap in the workforce, as they enable women to access remote work and flexible job opportunities.
10. Digital skills can also have a positive impact on social mobility, as they can provide individuals with the tools they need to access better job opportunities and improve their economic situation.
Your article helped me a lot, is there any more related content? Thanks!
Chidumam Jaja
Team 3
1. Your skill set and certification will determine your rate
Search industry trends and compare with other VAs
Your geographical location and living expenses should be considered
B. It is important to be clear on pricing to avoid confusion. It brings about clarity to both parties
2. Manage your time properly
Set your boundaries
Be proactive
If a client is not satisfied with my work I will create a step by step process as to how I arrived at the result then go a step further by calling the client to offer these explanations
3. Install the best anti virus software
When there is data breach, end the process
Use cloud services that are safe
Always back up data files before deleting them from your system.
4. Be clear on who you want to work with and the services your offer by creating a Niche
Create your funnels to filter clients those specific clients that needs your services
You can find clients through: Virtual Assistant Agencies
Networking or via starting local.
5. Email management
Assess your mail inbox
Notice the usual or regular mail
Modify your inbox by creating priority inbox or multiple inbox
Create filters
U subscribes from unwanted mail
Make this process a habit
Calendar management
Make sure to review and assess their routine
Use a Google calendar
Plot out routine for food and rest
Plot routine for business, meetings and recurrent meetings
Plot out breaks
Create templates for recurrent meetings
Check for conflicts in schedules
Use a scheduler
Keep in mind time zones
Block out time for important and specific task
Idongesit Nkereuwem Tom Team 5
Question 1
A.
Skills and Expertise: the skills gained depeneding on what type of VA service one offers will to a large extent determine the rates. These skills are ofcourse not acquired for free and are hours of tedious learning and so their availability and use in scaling up the business has to be properly compensated. This is duly reflected on the rates to be pegged for the VA services offered.
Living Expense: aย financially stable VA will definitely be able to give in their all to foster growth of the business. ย A VA with lots of pending bills might be unstable and unable to take keen notes of details that will turn out very succinct for the growth of the business. ย So considerations should be made as to the living expense of the VA while deciding on the rates.
B.
Avoidance of Confusion and Builds Trust: Clearly defining services and costs upfront avoids confusion as well as builds trust between the employer. This will invariably foster good communication and cooperation between the entities involved.
ย
Question 2
A.
Set Clear Expectations : establish clear expectations with your clients from the begining, including goals, deliverables and timeliness as well as agreeing on each party?s roles in achieving goals.
Communicating Regularly: keep the client informed about the progress of the projects, Including and changes or roadblock as well as scheduling regular check-ins through meetings to discuss ongoing projects and any potential issues.
B
Remain Calm: Avoid immediate emotional reactions and maintain a professional tone.
Don’t Take it Personally:ย Usually criticism or dissatisfaction are indicative that there’s still room for improvement in delivering services tailored to a clients unique need. In as much as it may not be easy to deal criticism or expressions of dissatisfaction especially if one is trying their best, a VA must remember that by ignoring upsetting things said by a client he stands a higher chance of converting that client to a fan.
Acknowledge Their Concerns: Empathize with the client and show that you understand their feelings.
Active Listening: key information about unique task and a clients tailored needs are usually passed on through communication, this makes active listening important. A VA should know how to actively listen to a clients complaints and allow the client express his or herself without interruptions and ofcourse readily apologise for inconveniences caused.
Clarify Expectations: Ask the client what they were expecting and what they liked and disliked about your work.
Propose a Solution: Offer a solution that addresses the client?s needs and preferences.
Follow up: Ask for feedback to make sure the client is happy with the resolution.
Document Communication: If issues persist, consider documenting communication for future reference.
Escalate When Necessary: If necessary, you can escalate the situation.
ย
Question 3:
Data Security Measures:
I would install the best anti-virus or anti-malware software.
I would always backup data for files before deleting them from my device.
I would use two-way authentication during sign up in any accounts.
I would ensure to keep my work space including folders safely locked out of view to preserve confidentiality
ย
Q1. Outline at least two factors to consider when setting your hourly or project-based rates as a virtual assistant.
Answer
1. Individual living expenses
2. Administrative expenses and taxes.
Q1b. Explain why having a clear pricing structure is essential for your business.
Answer
This is because as a virtual assistant you will need to cover all of your cost to deliver the service or the job. Also, it should be low enough to draw in new customers.
Question 2
a. Describe two strategies for maintaining positive working relationships with clients.
Answer
1. Time management (being timely)
2. Being open to new ideas and suggestion (being creative)
b. How would you address a situation where a client is dissatisfied with your work?
Answer
You should propose a discount for the next job to compensate the client for the previous dissatisfied work.
Data Security:
List at least three measures you would take to ensure the confidentiality and security of client data.
Answer
1. Using the appropriate CRM tools
2. โข Password Management (LastPass, 1Password): With a multitude of client logins to juggle, VAs need secure password managers to store login details while maintaining data security.
3. Knowledge of Cloud-Based Apps such as;
โข Google Drive: A go-to for collaboration, Google Drive lets you share documents, spreadsheets, and presentations with clients while controlling access and editing permissions.
โข Dropbox or Box: Ideal for handling larger files or when added security is needed, these platforms are essential for file sharing and protecting sensitive client data.
Question 3.
Beyond general job boards, name two effective ways to find clients as a virtual assistant.
Answer
1. Join a virtual assistant company or one of the many freelancing platforms available online, such as Upwork or Fiverr
2. Establish your own company, launch your own website, and get to work promoting your services
Discuss how your chosen niche(s) might influence your client search strategy.
Answer
-The clients are looking for the ideal virtual assistants just as much as you are looking for suitable clients! They desire someone who shares their commitment to the cause. The money will come once you identify the clients you wish to deal with.
-Consider a Long-Term Niche
-Select Your “Dream 10”
Question 1:
– General Virtual Assistant (GVA):
A general virtual assistant handles a broad range of administrative, organizational, or clerical tasks. They might assist with email management, scheduling, data entry, or customer support, and their duties can vary from client to client.
– Key Characteristics:
– Versatile and adaptable to various tasks.
– Often serves multiple clients with diverse needs.
– Skills are broader but may not be deep in any specific area.
– Specialized Virtual Assistant (SVA):
A specialized virtual assistant focuses on a particular area or industry and has developed advanced skills in that niche. Their services are tailored to specific needs, such as marketing, bookkeeping, or graphic design.
– Key Characteristics:
– Expertise in a specific area.
– Higher value for clients seeking niche skills.
– Fewer clients, but deeper, more focused relationships.
– Examples of Specializations:
1. Social Media Management VA: Specializes in managing social media accounts, creating content, scheduling posts, engaging with followers, and analyzing social media performance.
2. Bookkeeping VA: Provides financial support services like managing invoices, tracking expenses, payroll management, and tax preparation for small businesses or entrepreneurs.
Question 2:
1. Trello:
– Primary Function: Trello is a project management tool that uses boards, lists, and cards to help organize tasks and workflows visually.
– How it Enhances Workflow: Trello allows virtual assistants to track their tasks, deadlines, and projects efficiently, enabling easy collaboration with clients or teams. Its flexibility to customize workflows according to project stages helps VAs stay organized.
2. Slack:
– Primary Function: Slack is a communication platform designed for teams and professionals, offering instant messaging, file sharing, and integrations with other tools.
– How it Enhances Workflow: Slack improves communication by keeping all messages in one place, making it easy to keep up with conversations. VAs can create channels for different projects or clients, reducing email clutter and ensuring quick, real-time responses.
3. Google Workspace (formerly G Suite)
– Primary Function: A suite of cloud-based productivity tools (including Gmail, Google Drive, Google Docs, Sheets, and Calendar) that help with collaboration, document management, and scheduling.
– How it Enhances Workflow: With real-time collaboration and cloud storage, Google Workspace allows VAs to work seamlessly with clients, share files, and collaborate on documents. The integration of these tools ensures all project-related information is stored and accessible in one ecosystem.
Question 1: Compare and contrast the roles of a general virtual assistant and a specialized virtual assistant.
A general virtual assistant provides a variety of administrative tasks, such as managing emails and calendars, and entering data. They work with clients from different industries.
A specialized virtual assistant, on the other hand, focuses on specific areas, like:
– Customer service and support
– Administrative tasks and scheduling
– Managing social media
– Data entry and analysis
– Real estate support
Question 3: Explain the concept of “niching down” for a virtual assistant.
Niching down means focusing on a specific area of expertise or industry. This helps virtual assistants to:
– Earn more money by specializing in a particular skill
– Stand out from others and attract clients who need specific services
However, there is a potential downside:
– Specializing in one area may limit the types of clients you can work with.
Janet Akpa -Team 5
For example,if you require Assistance with your accounting,a General Virtual Assistant may not have the necessary knowledge to handle it effectively.
Roles specialize in a particular area such as accounting, digital marketing, graphics design,or content writing .
2. We have project management software which organizes tasks,tracks progress and enhances collaboration
Communication -having a great oral and written skills is important when working as a Virtual Assistant. Because there is no physical form of contact,clients must rely on emails, phonecalls, messaging platforms and video calls to communicate. Being able to write and speak clearly helps to provide a positive experience to all who communicate with the VA which results in positive feedback for the brand.
An easy way to help narrow down your niche is by reminding yourself of who you are and in what sectors you would best benefit your clients. Focusing on your strength and areas of expertise to become an expert in your profession.
And the benefits is it saves time and helps to grow your online presence. By targeting a niche market,you can increase visibility and credibility.
Challenges: segmenting niche market is identifying the market itself because they’re often small and specialized,businesses must determine which demographic or individuals they want to target and determine what their specific needs and preferences.
There is possibility of being too niche and not appeal to a broader market:There is always a risk of being too niche and not appealing.
Perpetual Onyeaghornim, Team 9
Am ready and earger to learn