Virtual Assistant

Virtual Assistant

VA’s are the latest buzz work in the world of work, firstly there was the Temp Staff then came the Outsourced Staff now you can become a Virtual Assistant. Did you know that thousands of people make up to £25 an hour working from home as a Virtual Assistant? A VA is very much like a PA except they work from home using the internet and telephone to help clients all over the world. If you have experience of office work and good communication skills then this is an excellent way to either build a business or supplement your income. UK Open Learning will show you how to become a VA and what’s more once you have completed the VA course we can help you with your other skills such as using Microsoft Office Programmes, Bookkeeping and Web Design. To assist you with your studies we have included the ECDL with this course which will either teach you new skills or brush up on existing skills. Please see below for more information on the course. For more information on becoming a VA why not visit .uk

Qualification On successful completion of the assignments you will receive a UK Open Learning Diploma. Also if you decide to complete the ECDL exams then you will gain a nationally recognised qualification.

Tutor Support You can contact your tutor by e-mail or post. This will last for one full year from the day you receive the course, to complete this course it will take in the region of 90 study hours which can be spread over a 12 month period to suit the student.

Course Guide: We advise students to read through the full course before attempting any assignments. After you have completed one assignments you send that off to your tutor for marking by e-mail/post, and wait for your results.

Assignments Students can gain a pass, fail or re-submit. A pass means that you can move onto the next section, a fail asks you to submit another answer as there was not sufficient information included and a re-submit will ask you to include a little bit more information (your tutor will give you a few pointers as how to improve your work.) There is no word count for these assignments however you must prove to the tutor that you have fully understood the question asked.

ECDL Information: What is ECDL? The European Computer Driving Licence (ECDL) is the world’s most successful IT skills certification programme. Almost three million people are participating in the programme today in over 60 countries worldwide. Outside of Europe the programme is known as the International Computer Driving Licence (ICDL). The ECDL establishes a standard for everyone who uses a computer in either a professional or personal capacity. It is a certificate that verifies competence in computer use, making the holder readily mobile within England and internationally. Employers and job seekers all agree on the importance of this standard definition of practical competence in Information Technology.

How this Course works This is a self-study course which comprises of the Approved CD Interactive Learning which covers the entire ECDL syllabus which can be run from your PC. You can start and stop the course and complete it at your own pace. When you have completed the course you can then sit the exam in one of the many assessment centres across the UK.

Course Content This course is for students who want to know the basics of Computers, Windows and the most popular Microsoft software. It covers fundamental concepts of information technology and the use of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, and Outlook. Students will also learn about basic file management with Windows XP and browsing the Web with Internet Explorer. This course is certified by the ECDL foundation to cover all ECDL Syllabus 4.

Assessment Each Module of the course is tested separately and each test generally lasts 45 minutes. The seven tests can be attempted in any order. Exam fees are not included in the course fees. Exams are completed at an Assessment Centre. Centres are located all over the UK – visit .uk for details of Assessment Centres near where you live.

Exam Fees Log Book (Purchased before you complete your first exam) £25.00 aprrox.

Each exam costs around £10.00 and there are 7 exams for you to complete.

Accreditation Following successful completion the exams you will receive the official "European Computer Driving Licence (ECDL)". As you do each exam, your log book will be stamped in to prove you have completed that module.

Course Syllabus – Virtual Assistant Section Unit 1: What is a Virtual Assistant?

What is a Virtual Assistant? Who uses a Virtual Assistant and Why? What tasks can a Virtual Assistant do? What skills will a Virtual Assistant need? Issues to Consider When Setting up a Home Office What organisations are available to Virtual Assistants?

Unit 2: How You to Market yourself as a VA?

Tips on where to Market your Business How to write a Marketing Plan Marketing in other Countries

Unit 3: Starting Your Own Business – Decisions

How to succeed with your business How to start up your new business Getting the right mindset

Unit 4: Starting a Business from Scratch

Why start a Business from Scratch Buying an Existing Business Buying a Franchise

Unit 5: Recruiting Staff

How to Recruit Staff The Process in Recruiting

Unit 6: Dealing with Staff

Introduction to Dealing with Staff Paying Staff Training & Development The Law Discrimination Health & Safety Trade Unions Taxation

Unit 7: Fraud & Theft

Protect Your Business: Stop Fraud before It Starts Theft of money... Theft of inventory or equipment... Theft of intellectual property.

Unit 8: The Business Plan

Understand the role of the business plan Reasons for developing a business plan Identify sources to get help in developing a business plan Identify the type of information to include in a business plan Prepare an outline of a business plan

Unit 9: Customer Care an Introduction

What is Customer Care? Defining Customer Care Characteristics of Effective Customer Care

Unit 10: Customer Care and the Benefits

Increase in profits Customer loyalty and long –term profitability Fewer complaints Staff know what is expected of them More pleasant work environment Customer integration and specialisation

Unit 11: Considering a Policy & Plan?

Who are our current and potential customers, their characteristics and needs? Staff interfacing with customers What tangible or intangible assets does the company currently have? Competitor Characteristics Improvements and Additions To Customer Care And Service

Unit 12: Customer Care and You

The Right Attitude Looking and Sounding Right Having the Right Information Keeping Control Working within a Team Customer Complaints Answering the Phone A Checklist

Unit 13: Customer Care and Service Plans

Contents of The Plan The Advantages of Planning Objectives, Strategies And Tactics Forecast or Assumptions Of Outcomes A Simple Case on Customer Care Planning Company Polices People Make A Plan Work Current Customer Care and Services

Unit 14: Basics of the Internet

Internet Basics How the Internet Works Internet Access Understanding Email About the Web Internet Safety Learning about Viruses

Unit 15: Creating a Web Site

Introduction Graphic Design Web site Content Navigation Key Points to Remember

Unit 16: Meetings Skills

Introduction Why do we have meetings? Important things to know about meetings How to plan a meeting How to run a meeting

Unit 17: Introduction to Conflict Management

What do organisations use conflict management for? Important things to know about "conflict" and "conflict management": How to identify signs and stages of conflict How to build teamwork and co-operation How to manage and resolve conflict situations Outline for a Mediation Session Mediation Guidelines

Unit 18: Introduction to Planning

What do you use planning and evaluation for? Important things to know about planning and evaluation How to ensure planning is useful and contributes to effective results How to plan – 8 basic planning steps

Unit 19: Introduction to Proof Reading

Introduction What is Proof Reading? Tips on Proof Reading

Unit 20: Managing Stress

Introduction What is Stress? Symptoms of Stress Causes of Stress How to Reduce Stress

Unit 21: Managing your Time

Introduction Managing Time step 1 Managing Time step 2 Schedules

Unit 22: Small Business Bookkeeping

Introduction Three Steps to Keeping Your Books Bookkeeping Systems, Software and Method Accounting Terms Every Business person Should Know

Unit 23: Inland Revenue Requirements

What type of Business are you? Registering as self-employed How to pay your Class 2 National Insurance contributions (NICs) Basic Tax Records you must keep.

Course Syllabus – ECDL Module 1 - Basic concepts of information technology

Input and Output Devices, PC components and data storage Computer software. Computers in daily life. Information networks IT and society Health, Safety and the environment Security, copyright and law

Module 2 - Using the Computer and Managing Files

Introduction to windows Working with Windows Folder and File management Windows control panel. Using the Computers Desktop. Working with Compressed files. Viruses.

Module 3 - Word Processing

Introduction to Word. Editing documents. Formatting text and paragraphs. Bullets and numbering Spelling, thesaurus and grammar Finding and replacing Tables and tabs Page settings Templates and wizards Styles Mail merge Pictures, images and charts Using help. Advanced features

Module 4 – Spreadsheets

Introduction to Excel Selecting cells and ranges. Formatting cells and their contents Building simple formula. The autofill tool Modifying a worksheet and sorting data Charts and graphs. Importing texts and graphics Printing and page setup. Using help in Excel

Module 5 - Databases

Starting Access Manipulating tables and creating tables Table relationships Queries Forms and Reports Printing and page setup

Module 6 – Presentations

Introduction to Powerpoint Working with slides. Laying out slides. Slide design and animation Master slides Creating slide graphics and text Arranging and grouping objects Polishing our slides Printing and publishing

Module 7 - Information and Communication

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Webpage bookmarks Searching the web. Downloading files Security E-mail Attachments Web based E-mail. Organising E-mails. Security and E-mails