We're wrapping up the Assistant miniseries with a big-picture conversation, the future of the assistant and VA industry.

I've been in this world for over 15 years, and in that time I've seen the role change again and again, from the 2009 crash, to the explosion of tech tools, and now to AI.

In this episode, I'm talking about where I see things going, what makes our work truly irreplaceable, and why assistants need to be visible, strategic partners (not an exec's "secret weapon"). I'm also sharing my thoughts on niching, the growing operational side of our roles, and the importance of keeping our skills sharp as the industry evolves.

This is episode four of a four-part mini series for the Assistant community, each episode is accompanied by a free downloadable resource.

Download your free resource on the future of the Assistant industry here: thought leaders in the space, skills you should be developing and more

Listen to the rest of the series:

Inbox Zero

How to find clients

Your gold standard onboarding process

Resources mentioned:

Fiona Young, Carve AI

Your VA Journey: Start Here

Takeaways

• Brief intro to the Assistant role

• Glass elevators for men in a pink industry

• Misconceptions about the VA industry

• The core services that VAs provide

• Why Assistants need to be visible within their organisations

• Increasing specialisation for Assistants

• How AI is shaping the industry

• Why you should be investing in your own development as an Assistant

Chapters

00:30 Introduction to the Assistant Industry 00:51 The Evolution of the Assistant Role 02:41 Challenges in a Predominantly Female Industry 04:39 Networking and Misconceptions in the VA World 07:00 The Importance of Visibility and Value 09:13 The Role of Technology and AI in Assistance 10:31 Niche Specialisation in the Assistant Role 12:13 Transitioning into the Assistant Industry

Links:Website: www.bumptobusinessowner.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bumptobusinessowner/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolinepooley/

Music by AudioCoffee: https://www.audiocoffee.net/