Planning Like a Business: Business Planning Practices of Filipino Virtual Assistants

Most Filipino virtual assistants (VAs) work as self-employed, home-based service providers for clients abroad. In practice, each VA runs a one-person business, yet little is known about whether VAs plan their work the way a company does. This study describes the business planning practices of Filipino VAs and the problems they face in planning. A descriptive design was used. Twenty VAs, almost all from Luzon, with at least one year of experience answered an online questionnaire made up of dropdown items. Planning practices were measured in four areas: goal setting, client and market planning, financial planning, and skills and growth planning. Data were analyzed using frequencies, percentages, weighted means, and ranks. The respondents practiced business planning “Often” overall (weighted mean [WM] = 3.74). Financial planning was the strongest area (WM = 3.85) and skills and growth planning the weakest (WM = 3.63). Studying other VAs’ services and rates was the most common practice, while setting aside time or money for training was the least common. Unstable internet or power was the most serious problem (WM = 4.65), followed by irregular income and not knowing how to make a business plan. The results may help VAs, VA trainers, and support agencies build simple planning habits that make VA work more stable.