Top 10 Advantages of Hiring Virtual Assistants in Colombia
In today’s fast-paced world, companies are constantly searching for efficient and cost-effective solutions. This is how virtual assistants have become an innovative resource for business growth. Specifically, U.S. companies are finding that virtual assistants in Colombia represent the best in the market in terms of cost, quality, and time zone.
The main reason is that thanks to its government policies, Colombia has received a large investment from foreign companies, which translates into greater opportunities for its population. Consequently, Colombians have had to enhance their skills to have a competitive advantage in the labor market. This makes Colombia one of the richest countries in terms of qualified talent for remote work.
The Role of the BPO Industry in Training Virtual Assistants in Colombia
Companies such as Teleperformance, Sutherland, and Concentrix are among the pioneers in the BPO industry in Colombia. These companies work with clients such as Microsoft, Disney, Humana, Aetna, Walmart, Apple, United Health Care, Airbnb, Vivint, and many more.
Campaign hires must be tech-savvy and proficient in English, and receive training to meet quality standards. This is how after 6 months to 1 year working in some of these companies, the talent has learned to handle many more virtual tools, they have excellent call handling and multitasking is facilitated. Then the BPO companies became not only training schools to polish skills but a bank of opportunities to improve the quality of life of Colombians.
Pandemic Times
However, when the pandemic arrived, policies focused on being able to meet the clients of these large transnationals and this gave way to 100% remote work. This changed the Colombian’s outlook forever and showed him that despite not being in the office, not only could he do his job but he was being more productive and had a better balance between his professional and personal life.
As the return to the office began, many of the workers were faced with a big decision: return to the office or embark on a new world of remote opportunities. So many of the workers in BPO companies opted never to return to an office (unless they chose to) and began applying for positions as virtual assistants.
When it comes to outsourcing virtual assistant services, Colombia is definitely one of the best options in Latin America. With its skilled workforce, high level of English, and cultural affinity with the United States, Colombia offers numerous advantages that make it an ideal destination for hiring virtual assistants. In this article, we will explore the top 10 advantages of hiring virtual assistants in Colombia for your American company:
#1 Education and Competency of Virtual Assistants in Colombia
Colombia has made great strides in improving its education system, producing a highly skilled and educated workforce. Virtual assistants in Colombia often hold degrees and certifications in various fields, allowing them to handle a wide range of tasks required by American companies with competence and professionalism.
Some of the most in-demand positions for which virtual assistants in Colombia are trained are:
- Analysts and data scientists
- Artificial intelligence specialists
- Sales and marketing professionals
- Software developers
- Growth hacker or growth marketing specialist
- SEO or search engine expert
- Digital content creator: copywriter, YouTuber, Instagrammer or blogger
- Customer experience manager or experience manager
For this, they develop skills in tools such as Google Workspace (spreadsheets for data management), SQL, AIs, and CRMs such as Salesforce, Zoho, and Hubspot, among others. Also WordPress, Canva, SemRush, LinkedIn Sales Navigator, Adobe Illustrator, QuickBooks, and many more.
#2 Many Colombian Virtual Assistants Have a High Level of English
As we mentioned before, one of the skills required in BPO companies is a good level of English to be able to communicate efficiently with clients. After daily practice for 6 months or 1 year, English levels improve demonstrably.
Of course, virtual assistants can fulfill many functions that do not require high levels of English, such as administrative work, file organization, and data, among others. But when it comes to sales or customer service, you certainly require your virtual assistant to have a good level of English and be able to communicate easily and clearly with your customers. This is what virtual assistants in Colombia offer, seamless communication.
#3 Many U.S. Companies can Benefit from Spanish-speaking Virtual Assistants
These virtual assistants allow companies to expand their customer base, improve customer service, and enhance communication with partners and suppliers in Spanish-speaking regions. Likewise, Spanish-speaking virtual assistants can help companies access new markets, adapt their strategies, and foster stronger customer relationships.
Additionally, virtual assistants in Colombia provide a multicultural perspective and their ability to navigate Spanish-speaking cultures contributes to effective communication. By taking advantage of virtual assistants in Colombia, companies can position themselves as inclusive and customer-centric organizations, extending their brand’s global reach and driving long-term success.
#4 Customer Service Comes Naturally in Colombia
It’s no secret that Latinos in general are very friendly people and this makes it easy for them to work in customer service positions.
Colombians in particular are also characterized by a high sense of commitment and quality in their work.
No doubt you will want a friendly and empathetic professional to help your customers; after all, it is essential that they know how important they are to your business. That is exactly what you will find in virtual assistants in Colombia.
Keep in mind that poor customer service costs companies $83 billion a year; nearly two-thirds of consumers say they have ended a relationship with a brand because of poor customer service. Virtual assistants in Colombia for customer service bring back that human connection that customers are looking for. They can help you provide honest and individual treatment to your customers’ requests while being time efficient.
#5 Technical Competence of Virtual Assistants in Colombia
Colombia has experienced remarkable growth in its technology sector. As a result, virtual assistants are well-versed in handling various software tools, cloud-based platforms and digital communication systems commonly used by American companies.
And the average Colombian is adept at handling virtual tools such as those mentioned above. It is part of the Colombian’s natural and self-taught initiative to be up to date with the latest technologies that promote productivity and facilitate their work. That is why we get many virtual assistants that handle from basic tools such as MS Office, Google Workspace, or Outlook, to much more specialized tools such as Tableau, SQL, or Sierra Interactive.
Additionally, it is important to highlight that data provided by Ookla indicates that in Colombia 75.7% of the Colombian population uses the Internet daily, and the average fixed Internet connection is 89.61 Mb/s. However, virtual assistants in Colombia represent a higher percentage of daily Internet use and their Internet connections range between 100 and 300 Mb/s.
#6 Virtual Assistants in Colombia Offer Competitive Costs
There are two main factors that make Colombia one of the best places to hire virtual assistants: the exchange rate and the cost of living in the country.
The exchange rate between the Colombian peso and the US dollar is 3926 COP x 1 USD as of September 15, 2023. This means that by paying a virtual assistant in Colombia you can benefit from a lower cost compared to hiring someone locally.
In terms of cost of living, Colombia has a lower cost of living compared to the United States of America. This translates into lower salary expectations without affecting the quality of their services.
Virtual assistants in Colombia can offer their expertise at more affordable prices than their U.S. counterparts because they actually require less to live well in their own country.
#7 Colombia’s Time Zone Facilitates Communication
In Colombia, the time zone is -5 UTC, which, depending on the month of the year, corresponds to Eastern Standard Time (EST) or Central Standard Time (CST). This allows the regular time of virtual assistants in Colombia to align very well with American companies, particularly those located on the East Coast. However, there is a small difference of 1 to 3 hours with the west coast (PST) or mountainous area (MST) and that is completely manageable.
This is one of the main advantages when hiring virtual assistants in Colombia compared to virtual assistants in Asia.
#8 Hiring Virtual Assistants is Easy
Most virtual assistants in Colombia work under independent contractor contracts. This modality allows them to earn according to the hours worked; thus, the time virtual assistants invest to earn money, is time you earn. And it is worth remembering how easy it is for employers to waste time on repetitive tasks.
At There is Talent we also offer you the facility to change your virtual assistant in the rare case that he/she does not integrate into your company. We also offer immediate contract termination in extreme cases. For us, it is very important that our clients are satisfied with the performance of their virtual assistant and we always try to be attentive to any support needed to fulfill the assigned tasks successfully. This means that we also rely on supervisors to ensure that the virtual assistant is performing their tasks to the best of their abilities.
#9 Cultural Affinity Between Colombia and the US
Colombia and the U.S. share cultural similarities, making it easier for virtual assistants to adapt to U.S. business culture. This cultural affinity fosters smoother collaboration, improves interactions with clients, and reduces the chances of miscommunication or misunderstandings.
In addition, virtual assistants in Colombia tend to be flexible and adaptable. They possess the ability to quickly learn new tasks and adapt to changing business needs.
#10 Positive track record of Virtual Assistants in Colombia
Colombia has established a positive track record in providing virtual assistant services to companies around the world. Many companies have successfully outsourced tasks and hired virtual assistants from Colombia, attesting to their high-quality work and contribution to business growth and success.
One of the main reasons for the success of working with virtual assistants in Colombia is that they have diverse skills. Thus, a virtual assistant can support you in administrative tasks and social network management. As well as customer service and content creation or if you require more specialized skills, you can also get them with virtual assistants in Colombia and they can meet your specific needs effectively.
Conclusion
Hiring virtual assistants in Colombia brings numerous advantages to U.S. companies. From cost-effectiveness and language proficiency to cultural affinity and a skilled workforce, Colombia offers a compelling solution for companies seeking efficient and reliable virtual assistant services. With its time compatibility, technical proficiency, and diverse skill sets, Colombia stands out as an excellent choice for hiring virtual assistant assignments.
How to find Virtual Assistants in Colombia?
Nowadays, virtual assistants can be found anywhere in the world. However, one of the safest and most effective ways is through agencies like There is Talent. Here we make the ideal match for American employers with virtual assistants in Colombia. Our goal is to assist clients with their schedules and support Colombian talent.
If you want to know more about our services, make sure to check out our monthly plans and book a strategic call with Claudia to start working with a virtual assistant in Colombia!
