Recession virtually handled thanks to Wolverhampton firm

A WOLVERHAMPTON firm offering virtual PA services has seen demand for its help soar during the economic downturn – with client numbers almost doubling in recent months.

I’m Your PA, based in Westcroft, specialises in offering an extensive range of personal assistant services, from call-handling to diary management, e-shots, invoicing and conference organising.

Managing director, Michele Green, said the need for businesses to tighten their belts, at the same time as needing to compete for and win as much work as possible, has led more bosses to her door.

Clients come from a variety of industries, including accountants, printers, IT consultants, business coaches and fencing firms.

“The cost of employing a full-time member of staff to answer phones and arrange a diary might be beyond some companies, but these are the very services they need to stay afloat,” explained Michele, a former nurse who ran a steel processing company prior to setting up I’m your PA in 2007.

“They need to be answering the phone, and setting up meetings to bring more work in, and there often don’t seem to be enough hours in the day to do everything.

“Which is where we come in. Our service is particularly popular with sole traders, and small companies, who need to focus on their core business without the distractions that come with running a firm.

“The past few months have been very hectic for us – the recession has certainly meant people have had to keep wage bills low, whilst bringing in as much work as they can, and we have seen our client list rise from 48 to 79, this year alone.”

Gavin Jones, who runs Shire Conservatories Ltd in Shrewsbury, is one of Michele’s clients, who says he has seen his business rise since taking on her help.

“Michele’s spot on with her belief that you should never miss a phone call – but that can be really hard when you are running your own business, working hard meeting new clients and trying to secure more work,” said Gavin.

“I was having to return calls in an evening, and missing work where people didn’t bother to leave a message – but now every call is answered promptly, and professionally, letting me get on with running the business.

“I can even have time off for things like school concerts now, knowing that Michele’s team are taking care of the calls, which has been just brilliant.”

Business has been so brisk that Michele is now exploring plans to expand her business.