BEYOND VIRTUAL

Glad you're back at Beyond Virtual! Get ready, because we have some exciting news for you.

In our recent issues, we've covered critical ground. Issue 2 laid out the VA+AI foundation. Issue 3 showed how our "Co-Pilot" model works. Issue 4 tackled the ethical responsibilities. Now, Issue 5 is all about results.

Generating higher revenues, bigger profits, and more efficient ways to build businesses has never been easier. I've deployed my own AI-powered VAs to deliver technical services, and the reviews have been overwhelmingly positive.

The numbers don't lie. Let's dive into what's driving these wins.

Feature Story

ADAPT OR GET LEFT BEHIND: WHY AI-DRIVEN VAS ARE THE FUTURE

6 years ago, I started The VA Group to help business owners and entrepreneurs save time and thousands of dollars by delegating to offshore talent. I thought I had it figured out. VAs handling admin tasks, saving clients thousands—simple and profitable.

Then AI changed everything.

To stay competitive, I developed our "co-pilot" model. We train VAs to become AI-efficient through our LMS and certifications, from beginner to advanced levels. Gradually, The VA Group transformed from a regular VA company into an AI+VA powerhouse.

But despite these milestones, some remain skeptical of AI. And that's understandable. But this isn't new. In the past, companies like Verizon started offshoring customer service, and the public gradually accepted it. I believe we're at a similar juncture today.

This is the inevitable future across all industries. The question isn't whether this change is coming; it's whether you'll lead or follow.

Visionary Voices

NUCLEUS NETWORK: REAL CONNECTIONS BEYOND THE VIRTUAL WORLD

I’ve been immersed in virtual workflows, heavily relying on my VAs, AI, and video calls to get things done. However, on our Beyond Virtual Podcast, Jake Fleshner and Michael Axman, the co-founders of The Nucleus Network, a network development firm that unlocks the power of connections through a vetted group of successful individuals across diverse industries, offered a completely different perspective. While my focus is on the digital sphere, they champion in-person connections.

Key insights from our discussion included:

• The importance of building networks outside the virtual realm

• The irreplaceable value of human connection

• The true essence of rapport-building

• How VAs enable more meaningful interactions

Nucleus Network sources their VAs from The VA Group. They adeptly manage administrative tasks, giving Michael and Jake more time to expand their community.

In 18 months, they’ve facilitated 6,000 introductions, generating millions in deals and thousands of friendships. Intrigued, I decided to test their method, closing a recent deal with a client face-to-face instead of over Zoom.

The result? Our agreement was reached swiftly. The difference was clear! Nothing quite compares to connecting with people in person.

WATCH THE FULL EPISODE →

The Trend

THE NEW STANDARD: BUSINESSES EMBRACE AI+VA FOR GROWTH

I was talking to a client the other day, and guess what he said? "AI gave us speed, but our VAs gave us soul." That's exactly what I'm seeing across industries. I’ve been digging into what some major players are doing, and those who already use this model reported significant improvements and setting new benchmarks for success.

• Take H&M, for instance. Their AI shopping assistant isn’t just a chatbot; it’s become a seamless first line of support, effortlessly resolving 70% of customer queries [1]. This immediately frees their human resources to step into more intricate roles. And it’s not just them! At Bank of America, their AI assistant “Erica” has handled over a BILLION interactions [1], saving them millions, and freeing up human advisors to deal with complex client relationships instead of being stuck with day-to-day interactions.

• We see this same pattern with Zalando. Their generative-AI fashion assistant boosted product clicks by 23% and wishlists by 40%! [2] If you’re still not convinced, here’s another one: Iron Mountain. This global enterprise information management services company reportedly saw an 8% reduction in repeat calls and 10% faster handling times [3] after using Salesforce’s Einstein AI to help their customer support team.

• And lastly, we can’t forget one of the biggest players in the tech world, Microsoft. With their Microsoft 365 Copilot, productivity increased by 10-20% [4], and to top it off, a remarkable 68% increase in job satisfaction!

The pattern? AI+VA partnerships don't just scale efficiency, they elevate what humans can accomplish. AI handles the predictable, VAs manage the crucial moments, and businesses discover they can grow both speed and satisfaction.

The companies embracing this aren't just staying competitive; they're redefining what competition looks like.

A Final Note

INNOVATION, PRODUCTIVITY, AND GROWTH

We're in an era where AI and VAs together are unlocking opportunities we couldn't have imagined years ago. At The VA Group, our mission is built on Innovation, Productivity, and Growth.

• Innovation: We pair AI with VAs for smarter, faster workflows.

• Productivity: We eliminate busywork, becoming your one-stop shop for everything from admin to strategy, so you can revolutionize your business.

• Growth: This fuels unparalleled scaling through increased time, flexibility, visibility, and cash flow.

I've watched this model transform my own team, and I'm thrilled to help you build an AI+VA co-pilot team to dominate your market.

Ready to stop juggling and start leading? We're here to make it happen.

Until next time,
Shane