Why Customers are against Virtual Professionals
The traditional model of work has lead to most people around the world having a second home in the office. Employers have grown used to seeing and managing their employees on a daily basis. This might be fine with employees that need to be micromanaged but what about independent leaders or niche professionals that are negatively affected by so much in office management? Below are a few reasons that we have heard over the years of why companies are against hiring Virtual Professionals.
- Control : Customers like to physically see the person they hire in their office.
- They had a bad experience : Customers previously had a bad experience with a virtual professional where the employee was let go or quit.
- No Virtual Education : Customers have not been educated on the benefits of virtual work. They tend to immediately say “no” when a recruiter or candidate asks.
The Benifits of Virtual Work
Most customers disagree with using remote workers long before they understand the benefits to the worker or the company. Above, We reviewed some of the reasons of why customers say no to virtual professionals. The below section is meant as a guide to educate your recruiter or client to at least consider remote work. Customers want what the want. They tend to have the blinders on so be prepared to accept a few “nos” before you get to “yes”.
- Delivery won’t Suffer : As long as a role remains open, productivity and work are lost. Filling an open seat with a virtual professional ensures delivery will not suffer.
- Control your Commute : Time saved traveling to the office can be converted into planning or work. Companies can also save money on office requirements that are normally reserved for an on site professional.
- Virtual is better than Relocation
- No Moving
- Stay in the city you Love
- No Relocation costs needed at you or your client’s expense
- Scheduled visits : A virtual professional can still visit the office to stay “connected” to the social fabric and ease the client’s face time needs.
- Unicorns : Offer it as an option for opportunities that remain open and are affecting delivery. Inform your client that you will continue to look for an on site professional but you have some remote resumes they can view.
- Try before you buy : Offer to place a candidate for a 1 to 3 month contract. This will allow your client to try out the virtual professional and could lead to a long term engagement.
How Virtual and On Site Professionals can work together, The Hybrid Model
