Event administration for training organisation

Having established a warm rapport as ‘one of the team’, Virtually Gerry juggles multifaceted administrative work on behalf of a busy training organisation, liaising directly with their trainers and clients, organising pre-course work, designing and printing workbooks, collating and couriering programme materials, co-ordinating venue logistics and hotel accommodation. Communicating clearly throughout the process with trainer and client, we take a huge weight of work off the client’s plate, delivering seamless events as if we were the client themselves.

PA support for a jet-set entrepreneur

For businesspeople dividing their time between different continents and time-zones, Virtually Gerry can provide a stable point of contact to field correspondence, juggle diaries and keep track of which time zone you’re in! We provide this vital service to one particular entrepreneur living in the US who divides his time between there and the UK. Offering full PA support, we organise his diary, respond to e-mails and other correspondence, and make sure he catches his flights – without him having to fund a real PA in a physical office.

Social media for a pub and restaurant chain

​A nationwide pub and restaurant chain called on Virtually Gerry to set up Twitter and Facebook accounts to engage with their followers. Stepping in with our digital marketing expertise and the time and patience to implement it, we set up accounts for over 100 pubs and restaurants, branding each account and giving guidance on how to use them effectively.

Client liaison for a large training project

Virtually Gerry often steps in when clients find themselves landing a bigger project than they’ve dealt with before. Rather than you panicking at the scale of the new undertaking, we thrive on the challenge. For one recent training client, we stepped in as main liaison for a large training project: acting as the main delegate contact, co-ordinated delegates onto cohorts, scheduling modules, distributing pre-course work, sourcing training venues and analysing feedback from evaluation forms.

Administrative support for a keynote speaker

For a keynote speaker, time is money: they want to spend more time planning their presentations than tackling tedious admin. For this client therefore, Virtually Gerry manages his online diary, liaises with his clients, organises his meetings, events and accommodation, prepares terms and conditions of his hire, co-ordinates specific requirements with venues, and raises invoices and chases payment. Delivering the practicalities leaving the client to deliver his speeches.

Large-scale events management

Reliable, competent and personable, Virtually Gerry has become the ‘right-hand lady’ of a client organising conference days for 250+ delegates. Thriving on the small details of large-scale logistics, we have supported this client by covering initial venue checks, representation on behalf of the client at meetings, all administrative logistics, providing a visible contact point the day before and on the day, and collation of all feedback after the event.

Scheduling client interviews

When your business relies on regular 1:1 interviews, scheduling these around busy lives can be a real headache. Virtually Gerry has taken away the pain for one particular client, organising 1:1 telephone and face-to-face interviews using online diary software to manage different time-zones and locations within tight timescales.

EA support for training organisation

EA support for training organisation offering open programmes and bespoke in-house programmes for corporates.  Virtually Gerry is the contact point, responding to telephone and e-mail enquiries, confirming places for the open workshops, taking payment, sending out pre-work, booking the training venues, liaising with the delegates, updating the database and producing newsletters.

Production of leadership programme manuals

Creating a branded 8-module leadership programme is no mean feat, but given our experience in the training consultancy industry, this client knew Virtually Gerry could be relied upon to make the whole process seamless. We worked in close partnership with the client to produce the programme, creating PowerPoint slides, workbooks, facilitator guides, A3 worksheets and webinar set ups.

Perfecting PowerPoint presentations

Few people relish the prospect of producing a PowerPoint, so several of our clients delegate the task to Virtually Gerry, on a flexible ad hoc basis whenever required. We’re happy designing from scratch, or perfecting an existing structure to add a professional and creative edge, whilst keeping it perfectly on brand.

Research for team events

Team away-days have become an important part of office dynamics, but few people on any team have time to organise them. Virtually Gerry has stepped in on behalf of numerous clients to research and organise icebreaker sessions and team events such as Pitstop Challenge, Thames Rib experience, or cocktail making. We cover the booking, logistics and travel arrangements, so you can just turn up and enjoy the day.

Networking events administration

Virtually Gerry’s diverse skills and personal approach come in handy for this networking client – we do all manner of administrative jobs for them, from writing online newsletters, to co-ordinating bookings, sending out joining instructions and raising invoices via PayPal.

Actually Gerry

There are occasions where virtual assistance can morph into actual assistance. Some local companies have taken our commitment to being ‘an extension to your workforce’ more literally and moved us physically into their office for a short period to provide emergency additional support on project work, research, or other jobs, easing the workflow at a busy time.

Support for a University's social events

Virtually Gerry has for several years delivered a highly professional service assisting the Chairman of the Events Committee of large university in administering a high-end events programme including a dinner for 500+ guests, Cartier Polo outings and an annual Thanksgiving Service. We have processed booking forms, created databases, written letters, distributed tickets, and prepared directions and table plans, providing a vital extension to the events committee’s own administrative capacity.

Assisting an author with his manuscript

Sometimes Virtually Gerry gets a more unusual or creative request for support, and we are always happy to oblige, calling on the specialist skills of our team and associates. We recently assisted an author in producing his manuscript to a tight deadline, managing logistics, providing proof reading services and ensuring the manuscript was passed for publishing.

PR support

PR support. Virtually Gerry collates information and creates databases for PR events and helps with market research.

Holiday cover

Everyone needs a break, without worrying how your inbox is bulging in your absence. At Virtually Gerry we provide holiday cover for many of our clients, monitoring and responding to e-mails, providing a telephone contact and dealing with urgent enquiries until the boss’ return. So they can lie back on their loungers without a smartphone in sight.

Systems and processes

Systems and processes.  Working with the client, Virtually Gerry sets up filing systems on their computer to assist in finding documents easily and processes for better working practice.